Mike and Carol

We’ve camped with overnight temps in the teens and had no problems. We also camped when the temperature never got above freezing for several days and had no issues. Especially if the daytime weather warms to above freezing the Oliver does great. We don’t enjoy very cold camping just like we don’t enjoy endless rain days. Even though the fire pit can warm up the Clam pretty quickly we try to avoid very cold weather. Mike

Tank size needs to be a decision based on how you camp and your physical capabilities. We have the 30lb tanks. 20lb tanks are easier to handle but we enjoy the extra capacity. I can still lift the larger tanks so we’ll stay with them until I can’t. We’ve never had an issue with running out of propane while on the road. I usually carry a 20lb tank for our fire pit. Between campgrounds with propane, Tractor Supply’s and other locations refilling hasn’t been an issue. Mike

I used WD40 to clean the cable, then I think I just used some white lithium grease I had on hand. Very light coat. I’ve done it twice over the last 9 years. Mike

Welcome, Jason!

The area east of Payson has some nice camping. We stayed at Canyon Point (USFS) campground and really enjoyed the area. We have friends in Payson. Mike

We have been known to order a pound of brisket, set it on the console and much away while driving. It can be a little messy but they do a good brisket at Buc-ee’s. Just pick up a few extra napkins. Mike

My main concern with the Q7 is cargo capacity and total weight. Run the numbers with what you will be carrying for camping and see how close you are to the Q7’s limit. We’re big Audi fans, bought our first new Audi in 1976! Many Audi’s later were now driving an SQ5. Mike

There have been other posts on trailer brakes disconnecting. What happened to me, and others, is that the brake wires in the axle frayed and shorted out against the metal axle, a Dexter issue. We pulled the wires and rerouted new wires on the outside of the axle, problem solved. Oliver service is aware of this issue, they looked at my solution last time I was there. Ours also failed in Colorado, so I was also happy to have a big truck with a big diesel engine. Mike

We’ve stayed at Gun Creek, nice campground. Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville has a nice campground, especially area 5. Buc-ee’s usually has the lowest price gas and diesel, we usually stop. We’re getting a Buc-ee’s here in little old Boerne Texas on I-10 in a year or so. Mike

That’s not OEM. That looks like what most of us have used to go around our windows. The original seal is bigger and a different shape. Mike

JD, Bill, I’m going to pull it out next week and decide whether to keep it or not. Thanks for the info! Mike

JD and Bill, thanks! That’s what I needed. As I mentioned the four screws around the frame aren’t doing anything anymore, the two bottom screws are broken and the frame is broken in each corner of the top screws. The MW is a little loose so I imagine the fasteners in the overhead are not tight. I’ll work on it next week as we pack up for the rally at Inks Lake. I’m tempted to just replace the whole thing with something else. Mike

That’s what I did four years ago. I don’t regret the decision!

While cleaning up from our Bluegrass Festival trip this weekend Carol noticed the microwave not fully seated. I checked and it is held in by four screws (I thought), one on each corner. Both screws on the top had broken the plastic in the MW frame and the two bottom screws were both broken. I backed the bottom ones out leaving the front half of the screw in the trailer. With all the screws out I attempted to either pull the frame off, which didn’t work and then just tried to slide the entire MW out. It is being held in place somewhere in the back, the front will move around but the back is locked in and I can’t see any fasteners. I know some of these have fallen out and others have removed and replaced them. Can someone shed some light on what holds them in beside the four screws on the frame? This one:

Ken, you have had an epic trip! Looking forward to detail while at Inks Lake. Mike

We had reservations for the last week of October for East Tennessee, near Johnson City. Of course those are now canceled. Our prayers go out to everyone affected.

Amen to that! We’re camped in Alpine, TX for a few days. Elevation is 4,500’ which is not bad for Texas. Woke up to 51 degrees. We’re here for the Big Bend Bluegrass Festival this weekend. Mike

Take your time! I had the shade on the kitchen bar for a few days.

John, as I recall there are screws that hold the corners in place. I think I just studied how the string was routed and then did the same with the new string. Good luck! Mike

We enjoyed our stay at James Robb state park. It’s just minutes away from the Colorado National Monument. Enjoy! Mike

John, I don’t remember exactly but I found some pictures I took in case I needed to do another one (and I did!). Here’s what I found…

I usually have a fair amount of white stuff that comes out, especially when I do the flush.

I just tried to text Bill (Topgun) and it failed. I’m sure they have no power or cell coverage in Brevard.

That’s half the fun! I know I’m going to get a bit wet.

John, as I recall (it’s been a couple of years) I started at the bottom on one side of the spring and wound my way around the frame/through the shades. I wrapped tape around the ends of the string to assist getting it through the holes in the shade. It’s one continuous run so you end up at the other side of the spring on the bottom. It’s a little tricky getting the right tension on the spring so that you don’t have the shade too loose or too tight. I did one of each, one wouldn’t stay up and one was very difficult to move. It’s easy enough to untie and change the tension. Mike