Overland
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Posts posted by Overland
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I have no direct knowledge, but I think if I were in the market right now, I'd give a close look to Cannondale's new Neo Topstone e-bikes, which seem to be getting good reviews. I only say that because I'm lusting a bit for the regular Topstone right now. The new 'gravel bike' category really hits the sweet spot for where I ride, and would probably fit well for travel, especially in e-bike form. They're made for the combo pavement and not too technical trails - mild rear suspension and an optional front suspension fork. They're essentially 90's style mountain bikes with drop handlebars. Pricey of course, since it's Cannondale, especially for the front suspension models. But they look sweet, don't they?
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I think a few people have recently asked Oliver to not mount the solar charge controller and I want to say that the last person was successful, but I may be imagining that. Can never hurt to ask, though.
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21 minutes ago, Minnesota Oli said:
What am I going to do with all the extra space in the closet?
Sounds like more space for wine, to me.
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In related news, AT&T has a interesting option for remote internet that I’d never read about before - flying cows.
Might be a bit noisy for camping though.
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Yes, I installed a complete Victron system at delivery - in my case using the color control GX but that was before the Cerbo GX/touch display were out. I’d certainly go that route if I were doing it today. I believe there is one, maybe two other full Victron Ollies out there now, and quite a few more with bits and pieces. Individual Victron components are nice on their own, but the kit really shines if you have the Multi/GX at the core. It’s the best system by a long shot, IMO. There are rumors that Oliver might offer it, but I wouldn’t hold your breath just yet on that one. It would be nice though, and I think they should.
The biggest issue with the Multi is just running wires there and back. You’ve got two options that I know of for placement - Multi in the front dinette seat and batteries in the battery box, or vice versa. Either way, I’d opt for the compost toilet so that you can remove the drain to give you room for cabling. You can make it work with the pipe in place (I did originally) but it will be heaps easier for you without it.
You can see photos of my install here - https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2571-snowball-pt-ii/?do=findComment&comment=34346&_rid=634
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They shouldn’t charge for it. There’s more I could say but I’ll leave it at that.
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I’ll start a retirement go fund me to speed that along.
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27 minutes ago, John Welte said:
I didn't know you could have Oliver add that extension.
You can't, unfortunately - Oliver doesn't do customization anymore. But ask anyway, so they'll know that people are interested. It should be a factory option or standard, imo.
27 minutes ago, John Welte said:I see that your table didn't sacrifice the basement door. Do you have a picture of the underside of that table and how it attaches to the trailer? What is the dimension of the table when it's open?
These two threads should answer your questions, but if you have others just ask:
27 minutes ago, John Welte said:Are those the KTT mattresses?
Nope, those are just 4" cushions that we had made, with grey marine vinyl. We started off with mattresses from Southern Mattress, but soon realized that cushions would be just as comfortable and would make for a much better "lounge" for sitting and dining. We just use sleeping bags and stuff them up in the closet shelves during the day. For us, that's so much simpler than dealing with sheets and stuff, and making the change was a huge improvement for our style of camping.
27 minutes ago, John Welte said:I see that you secure the drawers with a rod. As I understand it, the drawers can now be pushed to close in a more locked fashion. They're a soft close now with a final push to lock them in.
That's correct - I don't know if you'd need anything to secure the drawers these days. You might ask recent buyers if they have had any issues.
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I agree with Mike - that's a strange behavior. Does the Xantrex log error codes that can be checked?
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I'd think that IF the buzz is only when using bluetooth, that the problem will end up being software, either on the unit or perhaps on the phone. I might try streaming from a different device just to rule that out. But Seadawg's suggestion to give Furrion a call seems wise at this point.
Otherwise, I've run into the same problem as John M with a home speaker, so it's certainly a possibility. And I guess a torn speaker cone is possible, too, unless of course the buzz is coming from all four.
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This may interest you -
I think that most people would describe the counter space as minimal but adequate. Certainly we could get by without the extension, but it's one of those mods that we'd have a hard time giving up now that we have it. But people manage to cook in the small Ollie, and I've prepared plenty of meals on a rock next to a campfire, so really, you just adjust to what you've got and discover that it works fine.
An option you might consider is the Lagun table but with one of the folding marine tops rather than Oliver's standard. They are typically lighter, larger, and more versatile. Sadly, the place where we got ours has closed, but if you google for 'folding marine table top', you'll find quite a few choices.
We find that we're more likely to use the dinette table as additional counter space, particularly for staging things coming off and on the grill, drinks, etc. We use the Lagun for dining, which frees up the dinette for that purpose. You'll also find that the small counters at the fridge and pantry are surprisingly useful. This is our setup, and we're pretty happy with it - it's downright luxurious imo:
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Looks great!
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Sherry, this is similar to Maniac’s solution - I got the clips from Hook and Cord but they don’t seem to have them now, or at least I can’t find them. They’re a little bulkier than Maniac’s I think, so maybe not as nice. But I think I may have a bag of them so if you need a few let me know - I’d have to check to make sure I actually have them. The bottom recessed anchor point is from Sea Dog of course. They require drilling but I think they look nice.
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3 hours ago, dewdev said:
I just unplug the Nature's Head fan connector cord. Why mess around with a switch.
Go camping instead.
It would be pretty easy to add an inline switch on the cord, which I guess would make it slightly easier to turn off. I'm like you though, why bother if you can just pull the plug.
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29 minutes ago, sgcausey said:
When & why do you guys turn off the Nature's Head fan? Thx
I'll unplug it when we put the trailer in storage. After emptying and cleaning the toilet of course.
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I don't know anything about the Casper mattress, but I'm a big fan of their pillows.
I'm impressed with the work - you obviously know how to wield an electric knife. Great job with the cover also.
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Agreed. Spend your time and money on a quality fridge/freezer for the truck first. Best of both worlds plus a ton of extra space.
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Seems a bit much but I’m sure that Steve has it all organized intuitively.
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It’s a 12 volt electric heater element that replaces the filter on the Truma. It allows you to travel through freezing temps using the tow vehicle’s power to keep the small water tank in the heater from freezing. Same for at night, using battery power. There’s a setting for it already on the remote panel - the icon with the snowflake and lightning bolt I think.
Installing it is easy - just release the drain, pop out the filter, stick in the new one and then plug it in to an existing port next to the other wires. The exhaust plug that I mentioned comes with a little clip that screws into the inside of the door for storage. It’s nicely designed with a little tab that pokes out of the door to hopefully remind you to remove it before trying to run the unit.
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9 minutes ago, dewdev said:
Since this is a "Emergency Window" how does that work in regards to the screen?
Does one simply open the two latches on the side and the window and screen opens so you can get out. I plan to try this soon before our next trip.
Yes that’s right. The whole window hinges up, frame and all.
Personally, I wish that Oliver would just make the rear window a fixed, single pane unit. The extra ventilation isn’t needed and a single light picture window would make for a much nicer view out the back.
I’ve posted before that we removed our screen after delivery and every time we take the trailer in to Oliver, they add it back. I think I have three in a box in the basement. Sort of like the screws that hold the access panels shut. Every time I leave Oliver I’ve got a new set of screws to remove.
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The handle to mine is on the side. I thought I was getting the one with the center handle but I got the old version instead; which sucked since the door swung the wrong way and had to be replaced.
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2 hours ago, SeaDawg said:
I don't think Isotherm makes the 130 classic anymore, which has a different handle, freezer door, and weaker hinges. If you were to find one, I'd skip it and go with the cruise elegance.
Our truckfridge 130, also made by indel, has a kind of hybrid between the two. The weird handle on the door, but the better freezer door. There's a little stainless bracket on the bottom front left corner that helps support the closed door, and keeps the door well-sealed, but I have to push in on that bottom corner to get a good seal.
One other thing about the indel 130s. There us no condensate drain. Water collects in a drip pan below the freezer, and it needs to be checked and emptied frequently, or the freezer ices up very quickly in humid weather. Ours needs to be defrosted every two to three weeks in humid weather.
Ours is a Cruise 130 Inox, which I assume is what you're calling the classic model? It's still made, and I prefer the look, since it's a solid stainless door vs a stainless panel in a frame. It has the freezer door. They have a fingerprint resistant stainless now, which would be nice.
I think the elegance fridges are frameless, which could be a problem on the Ollie. You'd have to cover the edge of the fiberglass somehow.
We haven't had any frost issues with ours, though you use yours for longer periods obviously than we do. Ours is the ASU model, which might make a difference. Also, I installed a circulation fan just under the freezer which may keep it dry. In fact, the drip tray for ours in in a box somewhere - I needed that extra inch.
We debated getting a drawer unit, and still debate whether we should have. We also debated the drink model, since the freezer is only big enough for some slim ice trays, but I'm glad we didn't since I like having the ice.
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We’ve never used the fresh tank for drinking - couldn’t take the taste of plastic. So we do what Mike does and carry bottled water for drinking. Usually the gallon containers from wal mart or Costco, or Evian from target if it’s on sale.
We carry two Reliant water containers in the truck with us, for refilling the fresh tank. With our water saving mods, we can go an easy week without refilling.
I'm waiting for someone to do the stainless fresh tank refit on their Ollie.
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22 minutes ago, mossemi said:
Thanks Overland! I’m not sure I’m up for arthroscopic surgery on the black tank.
Mossey
Ah, just grab a saw, close your eyes, and cut whatever feels right. What could go wrong?
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Victron Cerbo GX
in Ollie Modifications
Posted
Yes, here's the original thread discussing the idea, which shows a handful of possible arrangements.