Mike and Carol

We’re here. It was a moderator that started this by suggesting “hook ups” have meanings outside of the RV world. The graphic piled on a little. Mildly humorous, not something most of us would put on the outside of our trailer, but humorous in an eye-rolling kind of way. In fact, those of us who boondock quite a bit couldn’t use that graphic because we’re more interested in “no hook ups”. Mike 😎

Maybe a sticker that can be put somewhere on the trailer? Sort of like the map of states overnighted in. Or a patch that could go on your Oliver hat? I’ve kept track of total nights, but would have to go back and look at places to see how many were boondocking.

We rarely use the rafter. As I remember it has a hook like thing on the trailer side and I can’t remember how it attaches to the awning. I think it is to provide stability, although we’ve not noticed much difference. I think it also helps in rainy situations if you forget to get enough angle for drainage. Just don’t try to crank the awning in with the rafter still deployed! Mike

No reservations stresses me out too. On our next long trip to OR and WA we have reservations going all the way to our last destination at Whidby Island north of Seattle. Coming home to Texas is wide open, we’ll be winging it but should be okay mid to late September. Mike

We’ve done the long meandering trips and also the destination specific trips. Plus’s and minus’s for both. We’ve found that many overnight stops in a row can get tiring, so when we’re headed somewhere specific we try to find a spot where we can stay two nights and a day to rest up. Plus, we do enjoy staying at a target destination for a week or more. We’re getting ready to go to the PNW in August and September, 7 National Parks and the OR and WA coast. I’m sure we’ll be tired when we get home, but we’ll fill in OR and WA on our map! Mike

Looks like they did a good job getting you all cleaned up!

…and the Army is celebrating 250 years today!

The few times I’ve left the awning out overnight I regretted it because I had to get up and crank it back in. So, I’m with you 100% there. Mike

We have the manual Fiamma awning and have used it quite a bit. We’ve done a lot of hot weather camping and it provides shade when sitting and cooking outside. It has also provided shelter during light rains so we can sit outside and enjoy the weather. We have a sunshade that easily hooks onto the awning providing even more shade and enables the awning to be used even in pretty windy weather.. I’m not a fan of automatic awnings, but it seems that is where RV’s are trending. At Lake Guntersville. At US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs. Lake Guntersville.

We visited TRNP and Glacier NP (Two Medicine) in September (2019). Weather in ND was warm during the day and nice and cool at night. Lots of sun. At Glacier, weather was cool during the day and cooler at night. Very little sun, I had to run the generator at Glacier a couple times since there was not much solar activity going on. Two Medicine is a pretty dramatic site, mountains all around. Camping at TRNP, lots of blue skies. There were also lots of Bison wandering around the campground. At Two Medicine campground, GNP. No sun, cool damp weather. This park is a must see!! More Two Medicine…

If the above doesn’t work, here’s what I used: Check valve

Does the leak increase frequency if the water pump is turned on? If your backflow valve is not functioning 100% it could be letting fresh water flow back and drip from the fresh water inlet. I had to replace the fresh water backflow valve because I had similar symptoms. Mike

Older trailers have separate switches. Not sure why they combined both sides on one switch.

David, I’m not a FB user so I’m glad you pointed this out!

Done. Good suggestion.

Not sure if everyone will be able to open this link, it’s an OTT post on LinkedIn about their new windows. LinkedIn  Post by Oliver on their new windows. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/oliver-travel-trailers_sneak-peek-2026-model-a-clearer-view-ahead-activity-7336818601913397251-TeFq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAhBzq0B4xJcVFXdcq_NEYcX60nGK39UwHU

Ceramic coating won’t prevent streaking but it does make it easier to clean.

I’ve had mine off for years and the only time I get streaks after a rain is when the top of the trailer isn’t clean. If addressed quickly the streaks come off fairly easily. I still find it a better situation than the debris collected with the seal.

My only leak has been the Oliver sign. Cleaned and recaulked and problem solved maybe for another 6 or 7 years? Mike

Thanks for this. It’s not a fun job, but do-able. The first time I did it was while I was doing a repair on the lifting mechanism. Once I got the fan out and disassembled I got concerned that I would be able to get it back together! Mike

John, your idea of overnighting is the same as mine. Stay hooked up if at all possible. Drop the tailgate and slide the little Weber Q1000 out. Quick and easy! Looks like a great trip developing! Mike

That looks like a great solution! We also fill our fresh tank with softened water but don’t use it for drinking. I carry a small water softener and a Culligan filter to use at the campsite when we use city water. For drinking, we usually carry large plastic bottles from Costco. They get dumped straight into the Berkey before we drink it. The additional concern for us is the large amount of micro and nano plastics that are found in bottled water. Berkey told me their charcoal filters get most of the plastics and that their new ceramic filters are tested for and are very effective against the plastics. Plastics are being found in arterial blockages, the brain, tumors and organs. Bottled water is especially high. Mike

Wood blocks and legos… my jacks rarely extend more than 6” or so. Less is better. If I do drive off while they are down chances are they will just slide off the block.

Sleeping 5 may be a record! Congratulations and happy birthday! Mike

I’m committed to my 50th reunion at West Point in Oct ‘26 (class of 1976) so we won’t be attending. We’ve got plans already for all of Sept/Oct. Fall at Lake Guntersville should be nice, though! Mike