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GaryJona

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Everything posted by GaryJona

  1. Two things I will say first I do not believe you are to grease the ball the whole ball turns as the TV turns by the wing at the bottom. I would think that the loud turn heads noise is the liner they use on the trailer ball and needs a new one put in see the post here or call Anderson and they will send one right out to you I had the same thing and when I was pulling into a campground every head turned knowing the oliver was pulling in with the Anderson Hitch. The chains getting lose might be as John was stating the brackets , also make sure the turn buckle connection is not unscrewing if you have those to make the chain longer to fit the longer length needed I had one that did and stretched open. Read the post on the Oliver site great info given on the subject. Thanks Gary
  2. Well welcome to the world of fiberglass and here on the Oliver site you are at the top of the food chain. I can say my wife and I have done the exact same steps as you have described from small them looked on up to the big 5th wheel and their problems back down to the Oliver. We first started in a 17 ft Casita and traveled from Florida to Alaska and then to New Foundland and loved the camper and the ease of travel it is what you make of it, the more space you have the more you will carry. The one statement I know to reply to is I can go to a campground and they are locked up in their camper I did not pull out my driveway to sit in a camper I can do that at home but to experience the outdoors, National Parks ,Scenic Drives, wonderful People, BLM Land, you can go on and on. We seldom cook in the camper it has to be a downpour and then grilled cheese and if it is cold Tomato Soup. We went up to the Oliver 2 years ago and probably have around 30,000 miles on her and love the size and comfort features and the Grandkids fit much better. You are asking the right questions just what will fit your camping style I would suggest going to a Fiberglass Rally and look at them, they almost always have a open house day that all the camper go to each others to see modifications or their ideas. Look here and on Fiberglassrv.com for rally sites there will be many come the first of the year. Good Luck and ask those Questions. Thanks Gary
  3. I have a questions and read your post the cover that size sure fits better than mine but did you leave the solar system charged while in storage and if so how are the batteries ventilated during the solar charging. I covered mine last winter for a few months here in Florida also and shut down the solar switch and the butterfly breakers as well as the fuse box to stop all the Phantom draw. Thanks Gary
  4. Hello I have a 2016 Chevy Duramax and have pulled the Oliver on several trips including to Alaska this year. We pulled the Ollie in 2015 with a Ford 5.0 for the first year to me it was ok on the flat but long climbs like out west or short and close climbs this was underpowered to me, at times I could not maintain speed or would drop 10 to 20 mph on long hard climb in the western passes. We traveled a lot with a friend who now also has the diesel but he had the Tundra 5.7 and pulled the Ollie just fine but small gas tank like I saw someone else post have to stop every 200 miles. Ok the diesel what do I get not pulling I will get 20 to 21 MPG with just the truck loaded just drove today from Florida to cabin in North Carolina, pulling the Ollie the RPM's do not change flat, hill runs at about 1700 rpm's and gas average 14.5 to 15 mpg. I am not going to say anything and not going to say this is the way to go but I truly love my truck and the ease that it does this weather at sea level or 14,000 foot pass it does anything I need and the Jake break makes it even easier coming back down. Thanks Gary
  5. Hello and welcome to the Oliver family two things I found, one I ordered a normal cover I think it was 23 to 26 foot size for trailers and it went on like Omar the tent maker did the fitting it was extra large hanging over the sides to the ground and had to bunch it up on the front and back so be careful if you order like I did on the fly works but not good. Second thing I might add is if you have solar as I did you need to cover the solar panel edges or it will rip the cover no matter what you use, what i did was went to Target and the foam noodles the kids use in the pools you buy 2 of the large/ Big noodle size, split down one size and it slides right over the edge of the solar panels and protects the cover. One noodle was short so I just split in two and put half on each end, then the cover work well in rainy & sunny Florida. Just a little info that might help and always use tire covers for UV. Thanks Gary
  6. Well I will try to plan on visiting Flamingo during that time the Mosquitos should be gone by then, I spend most of my time in the summer fishing the flats there staying in the cabins before Andrew redid the landscape. There are at least 3 or 4 of us Oliver's scheduled for the Hiawassee Rally in 2017. The Texas rallies are usually large and always welcome to all Fiberglass Campers we have been trying to make the Blue Bonnet Rally for a couple years. We were in Big Bend in Feburary and the Rally just outside the park was trying to get us to come on over I think there was one Oliver at the rally and 4 of us in Big Bend great park and area to visit. Last thought even if the Blue Bonnet is full get on the list and you can many time end up making the cut still best to register early but be quick and on time to be sure. Thanks Gary
  7. Hello all I have been reading this and thought I would put a few cents in the slot machine. The Oliver's are planning another rally I believe for next year so I would give them some time to plan out their schedule probably into the first of the year for a date. The second thing is many of us over the last year have connected at some of the Fiberglass Rallies around the area such as Cherokee NC, Hiawassee GA, Outer Banks, Ohio Rally to name a few where at least 6 of us have circled the wagons with others in the Egg community. Throw it out there and others will look at their schedules and do as the get together in Everglades NP last year like charmerdr had happen, I do remember reading posts asking others to stop at the park last winter. Well just a thought and happy camping we pulled into Lliard Hot Spring on the Alaska Canadian Hwy in BC and what was there but one of the original 18's and spoke to the owners for a couple hours like fishing put it out there and see what bites. Thanks Gary
  8. Yes the black tank has a check valve inline and I use the water hose they gave me with the Oliver for the Black Tank and have a 10 & 25 foot Blue Fresh water hose that we use, I like it better but it is just harder to roll up in really cold weather gets much stiffer. Thanks Gary
  9. Hello welcome to the Ollie family where many of us also came from a Casita to heaven. We loved our Casita but adore our Oliver have just come back from Alaska in the Oliver and having done it in the Casita in 2012 as your looking for the room made it so much more enjoyable. The 2 shells and insulation will make any cool to cold or Hot weather much more tolerable and easier to control. Now to your question Solar with 2000 watt inverter to us a must we can do all microwave to coffee pot everything except the ac and have been over 3 weeks plus off grid at a time. Extra electric outlets by the bed or back to plug in phones, computer, etc. Omni directional antenna works great, have used the cel booster and wifi booster at times up to what is important to you style of camping. The surge protector is a must but I'm not sure I like theirs if you have to look under the bed to see what the fault is I would just buy one for the plug in at the site post. Didn't have it when we got ours but the access hole in front to turn propane on & off we went to New Foundland and did over 6 ferries on that trip and would make it easier when your ready to load on the boat. Don't know what you will be towing with but check the a steric area of the towing charts because most capacities are half of what is posted if no weight distribution hitch is used what I'm getting at is the Anderson Hitch which is also a great anti sway as well. I would spend the few bucks and upgrade the axils set up in their upgrades something we did not have but will be doing as well. This is just a quick few things I'm sure a few others will step in as well. Good luck and see you on the road. Thanks Gary
  10. Well congrats first you will enjoy the Ollie and all it has to offer. You have a good start but a couple of things such as extra hose for washing out the Black tank not to be used else were, 30 amp extension I have needed this a couple times, Dog Bone or reducer at least 30 amp to 20 amp and I have needed also the 50 amp to 30 amp reducer for electric hook ups, lock for the lever on trailer ball if it is the Bull dog you need a small shank lock not to much to worry here there is a Tractor Supply store just up and across the street from the pick up location and also a Walmart I would stay in the area a day or so to check things out. Pillows, covers, towels,etc if you did not get the beds I would have some memory foam or something for the the beds. Safe travels and I'm sure others will help with more recent deliveries. Thanks Gary
  11. Buzzy I think it is the same tuff I used but i found mine t a local flea market near our cabin in Murphy NC. I paid $2 dollars a foot for it, 4 ft wide. I think is from a local factory or supplier of over runs or seconds. Before I found this I was thinking of buying several sleeping bag pads that they put on the ground under the bags for a little cushion that I think the cheap stuff is also closed cell so as to not absorb any moisture. You do not want anything that would absorb moisture or allow the small dust and grit to get behind the protection layer. I still have this same cut pieces from the trip so he can be reusable, I just trimmed off the Duck Tape from the foam trying to pull it off would have ripped the padding. Hope this helps. Thanks Gary
  12. Hey Buzzy good questions let's see if I can cover them from my point of view. 1) I bought the 5 panels and should have bought 6 but let me explain the panels go up with velcro and elastic hooks for the corners very easy to do even in the rain but the door does not have the velcro placement for the panels so we have used small spring clamps to hold one on the door way in the few times we needed to with cold or raining winds changed directions toward the doorway. In the really cold weather we also use the gas camp fire ring in the center for heat and have had like in Quartzite 5 and 6 people inside with a small 2 x 6 table watching a movie and having coffee tight but friends and campers don't mind. 2)The Clam will fit in a 6.5 truck bed and a few inches to spare it is fatter at one end than the other cause most of the walls all fold up at one end into the bag. The clam is light as well once you pop it up you can move it around some to fit the area your putting it up on, it is wide so easier with two to move when popped up but u can by yourself. 3) Ok really good question and we just have been camping a lot with Lee & Teri he has the older one without the flaps on top with no panels on both work the same for cooking with the panels on the one I have with the flaps that go over the panels will not let the smoke from cooking go out so in that area you would have to take the panels off at the top of the side you are cooking on to allow the smoke to escape this would only be an issue when cooking in the rain nothing that would stop me from buying the newer one. You know put up a warm or Dry place and they will come, so yes I would go with the size we have it will fit 2 to 4 chairs the fire pit in the middle and a small 2 x 6 folding table nicely we do almost no cooking inside the camper, it has to be late lousy weather and ramon noodles or bowl cereal will do to not cook outside so the campchef would fit just as easily and we have done that. Many times on the Alaska trip we would set up both and one was for cooking the other to relax in but this was two couple traveling together. Well hope that answer your questions best of luck and happy camping. Thanks Gary
  13. Hey thanks Bill, that is ours it is the newer one with the flaps on top with the rain panels on as well and I can see it is mine as for the orange tie downs, my table and Lee's garbage bag holder. Thanks for adding to the post to help them see the Clam. Just for the fun of it I added a picture of our Oliver's, Clam and a Buffalo at the campground in Theodore Roosevelt NP in North Dakota this summer. Take care Gary
  14. With the name of trytorelax this might be a great addition for you it is a quick pop up screen room do a google search for clam screen room and you will see it, the green one is the older style they still sell which does not have the flaps on the out side top to go over the rain panels to stop the rain from dripping in if touched. The newer Brown beige Clam has the flaps outside to go over the rain/wind panels and can come with screen windows you would need to get all 5 or 6 panels they come in sets of 2 or 3 in a package. You will also need some tie down straps for the sides if the winds pick up and done right can really take a lot of wind as we had in Lancaster Penn last October rain, wind and cold and worked great with the Gas fire pit inside. The clam goes up in two minutes and comes down just as fast and only needs one person to do so, the only two negatives or thing to know about is the screen is very fine and Hot in the warm summer months for day use if it gets 90 or above its hot with no breeze second it is 6.4 FT long so long if you have a truck short bed oops so better with the 6.5 bed and not really heavy maybe 25 to 30 lbs not sure. Hope that helps check it out you see lots of these now in the CG's.Thanks Gary
  15. Hey Mike yes the trip went really well, couldn't have been happier with the weather for where we were and how long we were on the road 3 months. Jona and I watched as you all picked up your Oliver and I'm sure we will meet up along the trail, we enjoyed our time in San Antonio. The clam was excellent, Lee has the old one and I have the newer version with the roof flaps which is much better in the rain but not for cooking in if you have the flaps on since it won't let the smoke escape like it does on the old one with out them. I hope that makes sense but yes we used ours a lot on the trip as we have for two years now especially in cold or wet weather put the sides on put the gas fire pit in the middle and you can be outside in any wet, cold, windy weather. Driving the casita for 4 years only really nicked it up on the Alaska trip so i'm fine in the lower 48 and in 2014 when we did the Maritimes/ Newfoundland we didn't have any issues there than lots of travel on Ferries. I would guess unless it is sealed or tight on the body for what you are talking about I wouldn't want to get any dirt or grit behind it so as to not scratch up the Gel Coat of the Oliver as the wild blew it around. I would do exactly what I did this time again if I was to the same thing over, hope that helps others for at least one solution or possibility to use.Thanks Gary
  16. Well after the trip we and our friends Lee & Teri also Oliver owners did the same foam application who traveled on the trip with us also did now he had a home made form of mud tamers as well on his truck and I did not. He probably slowed down some of the rock activity some but not all, the bouncing from your tires as well as who you pass pushes the rock around one thing that was funny we found rocks small but numbers of them on the back of the Oliver bumper, had to think about this one but we figured it was the rocks kicked up by the tires hitting the little part of the Oliver bumper that sticks out pass the sewer box and bounces back up on the bumper. The one thing I would sure do and I found this to be worse on my Chevy than it was on the Ford but a dust guard for the truck Bed I'll probably put some weather guard or something to stop dust intrusion on the tailgate it was bad!!! I have been asked about the truck bed liner spray and I like my Oliver the way it is and if and if ever it was chipped that bad them i would consider it but I want a Natural look. The frame did great we both would slow down on the gravel and construction zones which you will cross many of these as they only have several months to do road repairs up there and greatly increase our following distance to each other. The one thing also are the frost heaves and that can be worse than the gravel sections because they can be very bad and visually hard to tell if it was going to be a bad one or not, the gravel sections were all nice and level just rocky. The non residue duck tape I got in the Hardware stores Lowe's, Home Depot etc. its there more expensive but it was on for over a month and came off nicely. Lee had more of an issue with the maker he used to mark the foam for cutting to fit and the rain ran it onto his shell but I think that came out as well.The closed cell foam worked great you could see where the rock hit the foam and all the mud on it from the rains but when you got out of the mud and it rained on a regular rod all was clean somewhat again. The experience from my casita was invaluable for me here covering it from the belly band down and the curve at the running lights from one side to the other is all you need that is where all the activity is at and I will say for me just a rock tamer would not be the single answer a help but not the answer. I think your last question was the back of the trailer you will have dust/mud/dust/mud from your AC unit to the bottom of the bumper we had to hose this and was numerous time on the trip especially the weep holes for the rear windows. We had a very good trip in the case of the weather it only rained a couple days during the whole trip mostly when it was road trip days and when we were in the back of Denali's campground it rained all three days we were there but you have to use their busses and can't drive till you leave the campground anyway, but wet gravel and dirt all the way in and back out. Well hope I was not too long winded but here is another pick of the two of us on the Pacific Coast campground in La Push Washington state showing the taped on Foam. Thanks Gary
  17. The Oliver performed on an outstanding level the solar and 4 Trogan batteries is a must for us as we used a lot of state, County, Provincial and National Parks when possible and many are dry. We never needed to be overly conservative on use even when using the Furnace when it worked as I will speak to later. If you are going to be in cold weather as we were in the Canadian Ice Fields and camped at the visitors center across from the Columbia Glacier when your furnace decides to stop working have a back up that does not include electric . We used the Mr Buddy Heater and worked well, heated the camper up quick before we went to bed and when we got up in the morning leaving a window open when using Gas of course read directions ( my Disclaimer ). We cooked most all the time outside and use a clam if weather is not conducive. The multi directional TV antenna worked well when station available, Microwave on Inverter was great, extra plugs in cabin we added we enjoyed the ease of use and the team at Oliver are always great Anita, Tommy, Jason & Dustin could not be better. Thanks Gary
  18. Hello I just wanted to post what we had done to protect the front of the Oliver from the Belly Band down. We were going to Alaska for the second time the first was in 2012 in a Casita and I had lots of little rock chips in the front section from all the gravel and roads under repair, I knew I had to come up with a solution. It had to stops the rock chips, the road solution that they use and all the course mud in the rain and watered down road sections. I put it on as we started the ALCAN and left it on till I was well back into the states. We traveled the AlCAN up and the Cassiar down into Washington state. I used closed cell foam with non-residue duct tape and it all lasted more than a month of freezing temps, rain, heat, and many many miles. Here is a Pic of what I did at least this is a alternative for the question that pops up on line often. Thanks Gary
  19. Just a quick note on my 5 cents. This is my second truck and have used the camper top both times. I put the doors on the side that way I can put the items like chocks, leveling blocks, water connection, etc. right there for when I sent up camp. The second thing is make sure your truck bedis 6 1/2 ft long to fit items like your clam. Third I would say to not to buy one hight than the truck cab as every once in a while you have to go into a parking garage and I have been in some close ones. Thanks Gary
  20. Well I know I'm stepping right into this one but as we know everyone has an opinion and I due understand those I just wish to follow my thoughts. That is to use some leveling blocks most of the time it is one or two high and on occasion maybe three. The reason i do this is to not torque the frame as much or stress and once i level this way I use the levelers to stabilize the trailer for my set up. I made a block for the front jack and use the leveling blocks to reduce the travel on the rear jacks just as Trumpet does. Thanks Gary
  21. I believe there are now 5 Ollies attending this rally! One more, and I believe we beat the record! Anyone else considering? There are still a few more sites that the campground is holding for this rally. The following is a link to the rally posting with all the information regarding sign ups for side dishes to bring for the fish fry, events, t-shirts, etc. http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f57/ ... 73768.html As trumpetguy said, "Let the good eggs roll!" (I like that catchphrase!)
  22. Steve there is always one in a group. We have a friend that towed with the Tundra same as yours but was a 4x4 and used the Anderson but also at times towed with out it or naked as you say. He had no problems with the Oliver and tows as nice as the casita since both of us use to have one previously just 2000 lbs heavier that you do feel on the steep grades. Lee might chim in here on this, he said he did get a little extra bounce and liked the sway advantage but towed like a dream tracking right behind the Tundra. The only thing I can think of that he did not like was the small gas tank wished he had the 35 instead of the 25 gallon tank. Hope this helps. Thanks Gary
  23. Just like I started my first reply to this thread was this is a Opinion filled subject. But I can say Pete is one of the best cooks and Flute players I have ever meet and my wife loved his secret Ice Cream dish,so happy trails and till we meet again, ask questions and then ask them again it is always better to be an informed participant . Thanks Gary
  24. I copied this from a Ford 2015 RV and Trailer Towing Guide F150 towing Chart online see (2) at the bottom, this info was not in the Towing chart but was placed outside of it and just after the Boxed towing capacity chart for the vehicle. This was the same place I found it on my previous 2011 F150 I had as well. This is a good conversation on the subject I just want the awareness to this possibility could pertain to your vehicle choice. (4) Requires Heavy-Duty Payload Package. (5) Includes 17" tires and wheels. (6) Includes 18" tires and wheels. (7) Requires Max Trailer Tow Package. Notes: • Do not exceed trailer weight of 5,000 lbs. when towing with bumper only. • Trailer tongue load weight should be 10-15% of total loaded trailer weight. Make sure vehicle payload (reduce by option weight) will accommodate trailer tongue load weight and weight of passengers and cargo added to towing vehicle. Addition of trailer tongue load weight and weight of passengers and cargo cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed rear GAWR or GVWR. These ratings can be found on the vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Label. 16 REVISEd 05.18.15 (2) Maximum loaded trailer weight requires weight-distributing hitch. See page 28 for additional information. (3) Requires 2.7L Ec
  25. Dale as always the Devil is in the details. You said you looked at the Casita 17 which we had one was probably around 2800 lbs give or take. We pulled that with the f150 5.0 no problems didn't know it was back there. The Oliver and you said you wanted something bigger which is probably the Elite II 23 ft. ours dry at pick up was 4820. That is 2000 lbs heavier ( a Ton ) which I did notice in the Hills and Mountains and not even in the West where you climb to over 10,000 Feet through a passage. I have spoken to others who do just fine, if I need to push my RPM's high or stress my transmission and overheat it not the way I wish to go. Sorry for the" WDH" that is Weight Distribution Hitch, you say your truck says it can tow 6,000 lbs You could call Toyota or look at the chart and that figure is probably using a WDH so with out it your towing illegally and should just about only tow a Casita without one at only 3000 lbs loaded. They usually put the small print at the end of the chart, Bottom of the chart and I have read others that have posted on the forums and I think it was a Toyota that read it right on the Hitch frame under the rear of their truck. Usually somewhere on the charts it will say Tow Weights shown are with a WDH or Tow weights shown are half of what shown if not using a WDH.
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