Mike and Carol

The accessories that Oliver provides (hoses, etc) will pretty much get you through an initial pick up trip. You are going to want to get some “just in case” items, so it doesn’t hurt to show up with those at pick up. Plug converters: I’ve got a 30a to 50a and have only used it a couple of times. I also have a 30a to 20a and use it when the trailer is in the storage area. External Surge Protection: If you have the built in you shouldn’t need an external. We don’t have the built in and I carry a Camco external. It has a 60 second delay when first plugged in to check the circuit and if it’s okay it passes electricity. If not it blinks yellow or red. Wheel chock or “X” blocks: We carry both. The chocks are good if the tires on on the ground. If I drive onto legos to level the chocks aren’t so good. I got a cheap “X” block that fits between the wheels and you turn a handle on top to tighten for the side that might be on legos. Extra 25′ potable water hose: I have a black collapsible hose that I use to flush the black tank. I think it expands to 50’. It’s also used with a nozzle for general clean up tasks. Extra 25′ water hose. We got an extra at Camping World. There have been a few sites that required two hoses to reach the water. One hose is enough for most sites. Extra 25′ 10 gauge extension cord. I carry one and have never used it in over 35K miles and 250 nights of camping. Jack stand blocks: which ones? We got the yellow Camco pads. I made some blocks out of 2X6’s and set them on the pads. We also use the yellow legos that we got at Walmart for leveling. External water filters. On this point, is there not one already in-line inside the trailer? In either case, do I need an external filter too and which one? I don’t think there is an internal filter. We use the blue or white filters that you can get at Walmart or Camping World. Hitch lock for BullDog 2 5/16″ coupler. Which one? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HL2NM0K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Extra grey water discharge hose: Yes/No? What if any accessories for discharge lines? We used the hoses that came with the trailer for black and gray discharge for over a year. Replaced them with Rinoflex and carry the old as back up. We also got a clear 90 degree fitting for the end that goes into the sewer so I can see what’s being dumped. For composting toilet: What kind of toilet paper? What kind of media and how much? We flush! Tool Kit: List of tools that are needed or desired. Is there a fairly comprehensive tool kit for RVers that already exists? Yes, there are a couple of tool list threads. Cookware: (Pots, Pans,etc. )Suggestions as to “what” and where to purchase RV specific items (also looking for good sources): We didn’t buy much, just repurposed extra stuff we had in the house. It depends on how you cook. Utensils: Spatulas, serving pieces,, forks, knives, spoons, etc. (also looking for good sources) (RV specific?). Mostly stuff we already had. Dishware: plates, bowls, glasses, cups, coffee mugs, serving items, etc. (also looking for good sources) (RV specific?): We have some Corelle dishes and some plastic cups, mugs, wine glasses. We also carry paper for those places that don’t have hookups. Napkin and paper towel holder/dispenser. Utensil and plate organizers: Dish soap and hand soap (storage). We use the pump dispensers. Paper towel dispenser: Type, location, how to attach? We found a cheap plastic one on Amazon and stuck it over the kitchen counter with On Command Tape. It’s been there over 2 years, no problems. Towels (bath and hand) RV unique? We bought some microfiber bath towels. They don’t take up much room and are functional. Just not as nice as a big fluffy cotton towel. Fitted linens sheets for the upgraded single bed mattresses available as an option from Oliver: We got regular twin sheets and just tuck them in. Also twin blankets and bed spreads. We’re on our second set. Inside entrance matt:(brand/size?) We have a 16X24 mat just inside the door. It has a grippy rubber bottom. We also use a runner between the beds we got at Walmart. Ground matt at exterior entrance to trailer: There’s a bunch to choose from at Amazon or Camping World. Extra matt for outside of bath area: (Yes/No?) (We’re getting the teak floor covering for bath and sink from Foy): We use a round bath rug that is in the bathroom when we’re not showering and then we set it outside the bathroom when we shower. Trash receptacle: We have a small plastic one with a lid that pops up. Plastic shopping bags fit it nicely. Not sure where it came from. Toiletry organization suggestions: Shampoo and soap bottles can fit in the area under the sink. We have a couple of low plastic boxes in the area above the toilet for other toiletries. Any kind of cabinet or closet organizers that are essential: Toasters: Cheap two hole toaster. Coffee maker: (We like GOOD coffee and grinder but want to know if there is something smaller for an RV): We carry a Nespresso Pixie and also a Melita pour over cone and a small electric grinder. When boondocking we heat water on the propane cook top and use the pour over into a thermos. When we have electricity we use the Nespresso. In general, I wouldn’t worry about getting too much stuff. We carry less now than we did the year we picked up. It’s easy enough to acquire things as you see the need, stores are everywhere. After you’re out a few times you’ll get a feel for what you need and don’t need. Mike

We have our own graphics on the side of our trailer “The Lone Star Oliver”. We’ve had many people ask where in Texas it’s made, which leads to a longer conversation. I like the Made in Tennessee on the back. Mike

Great news! Welcome to the Oliver forums and family. Hope to see you out on the road somewhere! Mike

That’s what happens with me. I’m using an iPad and Firefox. Mike

Bill, next time you put your cover on set up a camera and do a video. It would provide us endless entertainment! Mike

Cyndi, we are here Saturday. We’re near Boerne and store our trailer there. Call/text/email and I’ll give you the address. Since private messaging isn’t working right now here’s my phone and email- 2 one 0 - 8 four 9 - 19 eight eight Mike7t6 at me dot com Mike

Hopefully you’ve been able to PM Jim (Cobra1169). He always responded quickly when I did. My son and his family lived in Spring for a number of years, nice area. They moved down to the Heights. If you ever get over to San Antonio let us know and you can spend some time in our Oliver. Mike

Sounds like this was a great event. Maybe more micro-rally’s will start popping up in other regions! Mike

I hope you can make it to the rally in May, it would be great to meet you and see your classic Ollie! Mike

I can’t clear mine either. I’ve notified Jason. I think it’s all related to the software update. Mike

Yes, there is still a problem. I haven’t been able to PM since the forum issues started. Mike

Hull #39! There must be some history there. Congrats and welcome. Mike

Cobra1169 lives in Houston (Spring) and has an Oliver that he was trying to sell. You could send him a PM. There are some over here in the San Antonio area. I saw one for sale in an RV lot in Marble Falls last week. Mike

My guess is that with such a small amount of water in the very flat fresh tank any slight deviation from level is going to make a large impact. Mike

Sounds like I need a new pump! We’ll be home at the end of the month so I’ll order one to be there when we arrive. In the meantime I’ll use the fresh tank to empty it somewhat so we don’t have the annoying drip outside the door. Mike

I started having this problem today. We travel with a full fresh tank and after hooking up to city water earlier this afternoon we started getting a steady slow leak from the overflow. I just checked the valves and they all seem okay. Will check the pump. Foy, did you get yours figured out? Mike

West Texas sunset.

I was going to use 1/8” plywood but that didn’t leave much for the edge recess to lock. ? I cut it on my table saw with a dado set. It’s a bit more exact than a router. Mike

The mattresses were what Oliver was using when we ordered in Sept 2015. They must be KTT. Mike

We have the twin bed version of the LEII. After the first year we realized that we were so used to sleeping together that it would be nice to be able to occasionally convert the twin beds to a double bed. I made some plywood pieces to span the gap between the twin beds and we bought some foam to sit on the plywood and create a double bed. We went with this for a year+. The problem was storing the foam when we were in the twin bed mode. So, we measured and discussed and this is what we came up with to eliminate the extra foam. We are leaving tomorrow for a month or so to go up to South Dakota so we’ll see how it works. Here is the gap between the twin beds. It measures 18” X 51”. It’s actually 50” from the nightstand to where the curve starts on the bed frames. Here is the same gap with the plywood. There are three pieces measuring 19” X 17”. It’s 3/4” plywood. The plywood stores easily under the mattresses when not in use. I cut a 1/2” X 1/8” recess on the short side of the plywood so that when placed on the fiberglass mattress frame is locks in place and won’t slide. In order to eliminate the extra foam that required a place to store we reconfigured the dinette cushions. We had new cushions made that included a larger back cushion that measures 25” X 19” and is 6” thick. In the dinette it sits on the fiberglass, not the bottom cushion. The new bottom cushion is smaller, 25” X 17” and butts up against the back cushion. The larger back cushions sit on the plywood when in double bed mode. Here are the new dinette cushions. Notice the back cushion does not sit on the bottom cushion. Here’s a shot with the cushion removed to make the double bed. Here are the cushions on the plywood. We were a little concerned that the dinette seats wouldn’t be as comfortable with the thicker back, but sitting in the driveway the last few days it seems okay. Also, we wondered if the bottom cushion would stay put without the back cushion sitting on top of it. We’ll see how it works out this next month on the road. Mike

Well stated, Foy. There will be problems. Whenever I’ve contacted the Oliver folks I’ve received great support. This forum is growing and has many technically knowledgeable members who are also quick to help. Being an Ollie owner is a good place to be! Mike

We got one similar to David’s at the Big RV Show in Quartzsite last January. It folds up and we carry it in the back of the truck. Mike

George Strait is about the most consistent country star ever. He’s a “neighbor”, lives just a few miles from us. He’s pretty active locally and we’ve seen him around town. But, to see him in concert we had to go to Las Vegas last January and it was worth the trip (actually we drove up from Quartzsite and camped in Vegas). We also saw George Strait in concert in 1986 in the Killeen, TX high school auditorium. “Amarillo by Morning” was on the charts then. Mike

One of the things that amazed me while living in Europe were the lightweight travel trailers and small tow vehicles, often just a small car. This would take all the fun out of honing your backing in skills! Mike

Welcome, Rick! As Bill suggests you should take advantage of the mini-rally in Jacksonville. The real experts are owners who have traveled and lived in their Olivers. For many of us it’s become a second home. Mike