John Welte
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Posts posted by John Welte
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2 hours ago, John E Davies said:
https://pjammcycling.com/climb/227.Beartooth%20Pass%20South
GTTS is steeper, but a mile lower in elevation, so that is probably the biggest factor. If I were to attempt to cycle any of these roads, which ain’t EVER going to happen, it would be with electric assist and really good hydraulic disk brakes. And an oxygen cylinder. 😳 How long is your upcoming tour? You must be pretty fit.
John Davies
Spokane WA
"How long is your upcoming tour? You must be pretty fit."
We figure about two months. On the last two cross country trips, I averaged 55-56 miles/day carrying about 58 pounds of gear in panniers. I have mechanical disc brakes that work very well. We start with low miles initially then increase as we get more fit. Leaving San Diego, you start climbing almost immediately which isn't too great. Depending on terrain and wind, some days are in the 30+ range due to climbing. I had one day leaving Cut Bank, Montana going east where we did 126 miles. Thanks for the info on that road.
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9 hours ago, 2008RN said:
I haven't taken the Oli on it, but I bicycled over it. I did it in late June. It snowed a few inches made the bike ride a little tough being cold and wet. I would take my Oli over it.
What is the grade? It looks like a great road to bicycle. I bicycled over Going to the Sun road in Glacier in 2017. We're starting from San Diego in April going to Boston. I hope to stop at Hohenwald on that bicycle tour.
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On 12/3/2021 at 7:51 AM, mossemi said:
11-10-2021 Overnight stop while traveling.
White Oak Creek COE campground near Eufaula, AL. Very typical for COE campgrounds. It is clean, waterfront and cheap for old people. And they even had the heat on in the shower building.
Sweet.
Mossey
I notice that many people have custom decals on the front. I like yours. Where do you get those?
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33 minutes ago, Mike and Carol said:
Sunrise at Dead Horse Ranch State Park just south of Sedona in the town of Cottonwood. Just 20 minutes from Sedona.
This is Red Rock State Park a few miles north of Dead Horse Ranch State Park. No camping here but some nice hiking. We hiked to the top of the “hill” behind me for some great views.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
Where did you get the tongue box? It looks like it doesn't overhang the tongue like the Oliver box.
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3 minutes ago, topgun2 said:
While there are/is circumstances in which an external water pump could come in handy - pumping water from a bladder in the back of the tow vehicle for instance - for the most part you can simply use the Oliver on-board water pump via the "winterization port" to pump water into the Oliver.
As far as bladders or other water containers are concerned - I carry two 8 gallon containers like THIS for extra water. The wheels on these containers are VERY handy in that if you have to carry the water very far it becomes heavy (just over 8 pounds per gallon).
Bill
"I carry two 8 gallon containers like THIS for extra water."
How long is the hose that you need to transfer the water via the port? Two to three feet long? I think the shortest hose that I have seen is six feet long. Maybe you just cut the hose to the length you need.
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2 hours ago, Landrover said:
I have never had to jackknife any trailer to that extreme. Could someone please explain how the trailer moves back when the Tv is at a 90dg angle to the trailer. It doesn’t work that way. The only thing that will be accomplished is to bend things as some have found. Being on that much of an angle you need to stop pull forward and reposition the trailer. If someone can back a trailer into a spot with the Tv at a 90dg angle please video it id like to see it.😳😰
"I have never had to jackknife any trailer to that extreme."
Good point. I never have that much of an angle while backing up.
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54 minutes ago, topgun2 said:
So it seems that as long as you have Olly or Ollie in you name you get less stress. Certainly that is true for the latter!
Bill
Very true. It must have been someone new at the company that just spelled Ollie wrong.
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Less stress. Sounds good.
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Hi all, I know we're only four days into 2022, but we will be ordering a trailer in June for March or April, 2023 delivery. My wife will finally retire at the end of this year and with her work schedule, we felt it was crazy to buy and store it for months until we can use it. Does anyone know what the 2023 will have that's different from a 2022, besides being more expensive? I was guessing that they might change to a Truma a/c, but it's only a wild guess. If anyone knows what's up their sleeve for future improvements I would like to know. Thanks.
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18 minutes ago, Mike and Carol said:
Hey CW, that’s a good question. I’m not familiar with either of the lithium options you are asking about. I can tell you that I have 2 Battle Born Lithium batteries, 100aH each, that I installed last January. I also have the older 320W solar with the Blue Sky controller. (Oliver would probably call this the Lithium Amateur Package if they offered it! 🤣). This set up has not limited us in the least in our travels this year (6 week trip to Maine, 4 week trip to Colorado, 2 week trip to Arkansas). We are leaving tomorrow for Arizona for a couple of months and I’ve decided not to take my generator. Our solar and two batteries have been plenty. All that to say that you should be good with either package. Mike
"Our solar and two batteries have been plenty. All that to say that you should be good with either package. Mike"
I haven't ordered yet, but I have decided on the lithium pro for us. I am aiming for March or April, 2023 delivery so have an e-mail in to Jason at Oliver to see when we need to order to get that delivery period.
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4 hours ago, ChrisMI said:
This massive increase in production rate/capacity is one reason why they might be considering dealers in the future. If overall market demand drops off they could keep producing at full tilt to place inventory on dealer lots throughout the US. Going this direction vs slowing down production might be advantageous for both the companies bottom line and keeping the skilled workforce busy and employed.
I just hope that quality doesn't suffer due to the faster rate of production. We plan on getting our trailer in March, 2023. We are buying this trailer because of its quality.
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1 hour ago, ChrisMI said:
I noticed some dealer installed/available options on the trailer upgrade section of the website. I’m not going to read into it that too much but was curious if others feel that’s a good idea.
I think it's just wording, not actual intent to have dealers. The present system of owners showing the trailers to interested people and a network of RV shops that they have worked with around the country to service the trailers seems to work for them. Looking at the number of trailers that they're able to build in the last couple years is further evidence that they are building to the demand. Just my opinion.
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41 minutes ago, Overland said:
This is a mod that I think I’ll finally get around to doing, with a few modifications. Rather than switch the fan remotely, I’m going to add a small thermostat control that I’ll mount in the basement; and I’m going to use a smaller 3” hose that mounts directly to the fan. I’ll tuck the inlet under the twin bed extension and mount the fan in the side of the box rather than the bottom. And since the fan is rated for 30+ cfm I’m not worried about blocking the flow with a more protective grill in the battery box. I’ll use the same one on the cabin side since it’s white and will mount easily to the hose. I’ll just use an inline fuse. Simple, automatic, and out of sight. Will probably set the fan to come on at 40 degrees and go off at 50.
Here’s a list of what I’m getting:
Where are you located? You seem to be much more adept at modifications. I am great at opening the door to get into a trailer. We have decided to wait until June or July to order as my wife is still working and it seems crazy to buy a trailer early and then pay for storage until we can actually use it in March or April. Do you think OTT is working on any battery compartment ventilation? We are going with the lithium pro package when we order.
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On 7/18/2018 at 2:51 AM, DavidS said:
The WeBoost cell booster will definitely improve the performance of the jetpack as a hotspot. The cell booster will mean faster speeds, and at locations with poor cell tower connectivity, the cell booster can mean the difference between a connection and no connection. The cell booster will also improve your the signal on your phones. The antenna for the booster is usually placed above the dinette table, so that is where you want to use your cell phones or place your jetpack. Reed and Karen reported problems at the back of the trailer getting signals from the cell booster. Having a JetPack should help that, with an advertised range of about 30 feet; note that obstacles, such as trailer walls, will diminish that range.
In terms of which Jetpack to get from Verizon, I would recommend the 7730L, which gets the best reviews for speed. The AC791L model has longer battery life, which is important if you are keeping the hotspot in a daypack as you go about your day, but that is not an advantage if your use is in an Ollie where you can easily keep it charged.
Some advice on properly using the cellular booster. After you turn on the WeBoost you should briefly put the phone in airplane mode, and then turn off airplane mode. This forces the phone to let go of the distant cell tower with the weak signal, and to now look for the closest “cell tower,” which is the WeBoost. Similarly, if you were using the JetPack in the tow vehicle, you should power it off and then back on after starting the WeBoost. If you have been out hiking all day, your phone will remain connected to the distant cell tower, and you can get it to connect to the WeBoost by cycling into and out of airplane mode.
If all of your internet connections will be via cellular signal and the jetpack, then you have no need for the WiFi Ranger.
If, however, you will sometimes be using WiFi (like when the crappy campground WiFi is faster than the weak cellular signal), then the WiFi Ranger has some real advantages. First, the WiFi Ranger has an antenna on the roof and connects to a WiFi source (i.e. campground or Starbucks) much better than your device, such as a phone or a laptop, could on its own. You get a stronger signal and faster speeds.
There are several other advantages to the WiFi Ranger. First, it makes connecting much easier if you have multiple devices. (We travel with two iPhones, two iPads, and a laptop.) With one of your devices you connect to the WiFi Ranger, tell it to connect to Campground X WiFi, and give it the password. You do not need to put the Campground X password into the other devices, because they already know the WiFi Ranger password and immediately connect to the WiFi Ranger.
Second, the WiFi Ranger generates a stronger signal than a MiFi device. This means it can transmit its signal a longer distance through obstacles like fiberglass walls than does a Jetpack. This means I can get a strong signal using my laptop at the picnic table outside of the trailer. This is true even if I am am using the Jetpack for internet, with the WiFi Ranger connected to the JetPack, since my laptop is communicating directly with the stronger WiFi Ranger.
I have a Verizon Jetpack, which I keep on the dinette table near the WeBoost inside antenna. Here is part of my Campsite Arrival Checklist:
• Turn on Cell Amplifier. Cycle phones into Airplane mode and back again to regular.
• Turn on Verizon Jetpack.
• Turn on WiFi Ranger. Connect WiFi Ranger to either Jetpack or local Wifi.
Connecting to the WiFi Ranger Control Panel through a web browser is fairly easy. I have done it on each of my devices, and then bookmarked it so I can get back easily. While on a camping trip one of my browser tabs remains connected to the WiFi Ranger Control Panel. The Control Panel shows the speed of each of the possible connections, say, JetPack vs campground WiFi. If the weather is interfering with cellular signals the crappy campground WiFi may be better. Later in the evening, I can check the Control Panel again, and if the JetPack now has the better signal, I can connect the WiFi Ranger to it. Since all of my devices are connected via the WiFi Ranger, all of them have switched from campground WiFi to JetPack.
Hope this helps.
"Some advice on properly using the cellular booster. After you turn on the WeBoost you should briefly put the phone in airplane mode, and then turn off airplane mode. This forces the phone to let go of the distant cell tower with the weak signal, and to now look for the closest “cell tower,” which is the WeBoost. Similarly, if you were using the JetPack in the tow vehicle, you should power it off and then back on after starting the WeBoost. If you have been out hiking all day, your phone will remain connected to the distant cell tower, and you can get it to connect to the WeBoost by cycling into and out of airplane mode."
Very helpful information. Thanks
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On 7/27/2020 at 6:12 PM, SeaDawg said:
Everything changes with the weather guys. Best job in the world. Be wrong 50 per cent of the time, and still keep your job
We just got back from camping in Western NC on our acreage. The forecast stink, but we went, anyway. It was great. That said, we're in the mountains, where the hills make and break the weather.
Sherry
"Best job in the world. Be wrong 50 per cent of the time, and still keep your job."
I didn't have that luxury of being wrong 50% of the time as a pharmacist. When I was a nuclear pharmacist it was readily apparent when the ordered liver scan showed up as a heart scan instead.
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23 minutes ago, Overland said:
If you have a compressor, you can do a quick and dirty winterization by blowing out the water lines.If you have a compressor, you can do a quick and dirty winterization by blowing out the water lines. At the very least, that might help save the check valves at the water ports, since those are the most prone to freezing while underway, and wouldn’t be protected by furnace heat anyway.
That, and filling the tanks like Steve suggested, are probably the two simplest and most effective things you can do. Another idea is to crank the heat up before setting off, to get as much heat into the trailer as you can, then do the same if you stop for lunch to rewarm everything.
I think if you do those things you won’t have any problem except in the most extreme situations.
"If you have a compressor, you can do a quick and dirty winterization by blowing out the water lines."
Is there a video on how to do this? Is it easy for a novice to do?
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7 minutes ago, SeaDawg said:
Actually, yes, at least some of them. I've heard some can even manage a ladder, with enough incline. 😯
Every year, there are reports of Floridians finding a gator in the pool or patio. (They can also dig under fences.)
Every year, there are reports of Floridians finding a gator in the pool or patio. (They can also dig under fences.)
I have often wondered if certain parts of the country just weren't meant for habitation by people. 😊
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1 hour ago, SeaDawg said:
Yeah, but sometimes you've got to bring in the big dogs. And most parks frown on that...
Narrow minded people! Maybe there are parks that are more open to a few big dogs helping out.
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1 minute ago, Time2Go! said:
It's a brand of screen shelter for additional outside living without the bugs or for shade or rain/wind protection.
Thanks for the explanation.
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On 12/14/2021 at 6:04 PM, VBistro said:
Hadn’t thought about using it in the clam on a chilly night. Great idea!
What's a clam?
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We live near Portland, Oregon far from Tennessee. When work has to be done far from the Oliver factory, has anyone had problems getting that done and does Oliver pay the shop for that warranty work? In general, how hard is it to find shops that will work on Olivers? I assume that some components are universal like refrigerators, heating, cooling, water heaters, etc. so they should be familiar with those things. My wife has said yes to buying an Oliver so it looks like we will order one in the next two months to coincide with her retirement date of December, 2022. Ten months out would mean that we could order by end of February for early 2023 delivery.
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3 hours ago, SeaDawg said:
As do your lovely backsplashes and wood top for the lagun.
Nice backsplash. Was that tricky and do they adhere well?
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No thanks. Not practical and I think it's an ugly truck.. Edsel comes to mind.
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44 minutes ago, John Dorrer said:
Thank You. Lots of great information👍
It's useful for me also as we're in the planning stages before we order.
Pulling an OTT on Beartooth Hwy, Mt./Wy.
in General Discussion
Posted
I have been on lots of Rails to Trails. They're great. My favorite was the Central Lakes/Lake Wobegone in Minnesota. It's very well signed and paved. The Erie Canal trail in New York was great too. I will have to figure out a good way to bring my bike. Maybe time for a Brompton folding bike. The perfect number of bikes to own is N+1. I am a sucker for trestles and steam history too. Tunnels, not so much.