rideandfly

Purchased a "Coleman Camping Coffeemaker" drip coffee maker and used it during the last two camping trips. Turned the flame down low on an old 2 burner propane camp stove. It took 3 times longer to brew the coffee at a low flame setting compared to our electric drip coffee maker in the camper & home using same coffee and water. If we poured a cup before the complete pot brewed, the coffee was strong. If we waited for the complete pot to brew, it was very good! Purchased a Coleman stainless steel coffee pot to replace the original glass pot and Coleman carry case.

Since the forecast was warm and humid this weekend, we headed back to Mount Pisgah Campground NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway to get out of the heat. Had the pleasure to meet another forum member. Hiked to Crabtree Falls NC close to BRP, too! Mr. Trumpetguy: Crabtree Falls NC close to BRP:

The previous Ollie owner had built two light weight rear jack blocks with foam block encased with wood then wrapped with fiberglass cloth. He was also a fiberglass airplane builder. Use these to stabilize with rear jacks, but did not have room with the curb. Had to back the Ollie almost to the curb to keep the hitch from protruding out in the road. Will check out Tractor Supply for thin jack material, good tip! Really like these light weight jack blocks, too:

Also reading discussions on Air Forums. Folks there are starting to replace lead/acid batteries with Battle Born BB10012 Lithium Ion LiFePO4 Battery 12V 100Ah batteries with built in battery management system. Contacted Battle Born about using the 100watt Renogy Portable Suitcase Solar Panel system to charge the Battle Born batteries. They said the Viewstar VS1024BN controller's settings are not compatible with their batteries. Working to resolve this issue. We have an original equipment Progressive Dynamics PD4045 power control in our 2015 Ollie. After reading Battle Born site information, the existing power control will charge Battle Born batteries, but for faster charges the 14.4V boost mode would charge faster. After talking to Progressive Dynamics, my power control boost mode comes on when battery voltage drops to 12V or every 21 hours for 15 minutes to prevent battery stratification. Could replace the existing PD 4045 convertor section, located above the fan in existing power control, with a Progressive Dynamics # PD4045LICSV convertor section, for Lithium battery charging. The folks at solar-electric.com said to give the original Progressive Dynamics charger a try first, it may work fine without upgrading the convertor section.

Here's using 2X6 on the low side. Going to cut shorter 2X6 planks to place under the rear jacks when backed over a curb. Jack blocks normally used were too tall to fit between the jack pads and curb:

Pete & "Bosker", Beautiful Shot!!!!

Mike, Hope you don't mind this photo from an Ollie camping trip last August. Horace & Dianne, Debbie and I plan to camp on the BRP, probably Mount Pisgah, during August, too. Hope to go for a motorcycle ride on the BRP later this week. Hopefully will meet y'all while camping on the BRP! Took this shot on the BRP in VA during a Ollie camping trip last year: Mabry Mill VA:

Jason, I don't have a Facebook account, but will check out Oliver on Facebook! Thanks! Bill

Jason, Please use any of my photos you want, the photos posted are reduced resolution, but happy to forward any full resolution shots you may want. The evening before heading to Mount Pisgah, found what is really at the end of the rainbow: Thanks, Bill

Mike, Thanks! Trumpetguy likes to camp on the BRP, too. We camp and ride motorcycles around Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls, and Pineola NC. The temps were from the low 60s to mid 70s, no need for AC or heat.

Just returned home from camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Mount Pisgah NC. We like to camp there when it gets warm and humid in the lower elevations. Warm and humid here at home, so need to head back to the BRP soon! Mount Pisgah Campground: Overlook on BRP: Skinny Dip Falls, short hike from BRP milepost 417: Moore Cove Falls, short hike from Rt. 276:

Congratulations on your new Ollie! Enjoyed the seeing all of the fine camping photos and Hank! Hopefully will meet y'all camping in the future!

Larry, Thanks for the article. Coffee is an important part of our camping, too. Our Son has been telling us about cold brewing Coffee, so we may give it a try. It's good cold or hot.

GrayGhost, Great trip and beautiful photos! Appreciate the heads-up on the loose tire cover nut, too. Your Ram gets excellent fuel economy!

Overland, Thanks for starting this thread! We don't have factory installed solar panels on our Ollie. We have a 100watt Renogy Suitcase Solar Panel system and just purchased a Honda EU2000i. Most of the time we camp at campgrounds with shore power, but in the summer we camp on the Blue Ridge Parkway to get out of the heat in the lower elevations. Federal sites on the BRP do not have electricity, so we use the Renogy system to maintain two 27 series 12V batteries (stock from OTT) and going to try out the Gen-Set when parked on shady sites to charge batteries. Will be camping on the BRP later this month, will post how this system works out. Edit: Did some additional research on EU2000i and OTT installed Progressive Dynamics power system specifications that answered questions I had. Will research installing a Victron battery system to replace the 27 series 12V batteries when they need to be replaced. Trumpetguy mentioned using the Victron battery system, too. Used his idea for the MicroAir EasyStart 364 for AC operation with the EU2000i.

Rodney & René, Welcome! Many knowledgeable and experienced campers here willing to help with any questions you may have! We've been very pleased with our Ollie purchased used from a nice couple in Missouri over a year ago.

David and Gail, Welcome! We purchased our Ollie from a nice couple in SE MO! Congrats on the future retirement and Ollie!

ShallowGal, Welcome! Same thing happened to us first time we saw an Oliver, smitten is an accurate description! Congrats on your retirement and your future Ollie!

Yvonne & Doug, We started using a 2"X6" 5' long plank to pull up or backup on with both Ollie tires on the low side, then chock, and use jacks to stabilize on blocks. Only needed one plank so far. Have two 2"X6" 5' long planks for sites far from level. Have a two level chock to drive up on and level our previous single axle trailer. Keep this chock for transitioning on and off of two stacked planks to reduce plank movement.

Tom and Karen, Welcome from North Carolina! You're located in a beautiful area!!!! Hope to do some camping at Mount Pisgah and Linville Falls on the BRP during July and August! See y'all on the road!

Mike, Looks like a great trip!!!!!!! Like the photos, too! If you pass through eastern WY, visiting Devils Tower is nice to see. When we visited South Dakota, camped at Custer State Park. Visited Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake, and Badlands. Visited while camping at Custer SP SD: Sylvan Lake SD: Badlands SD:

To the Oliver Family, Even though we purchased our Ollie used and out of warranty, the first time we took the unit in for work Oliver took care of the minor problem for no charge. Made a long lasting impression on me when I told the Tech we purchased our Ollie used and he said when you purchased an Oliver, you joined the Oliver Family! My Sincere thanks to everyone at Oliver TT for your continuous efforts to improve an already great travel trailer!

John, Excellent installation. Thinking about installing a back-up camera on our Ollie, too. Edit: Hope you don't mind if I build a similar back up camera installation. Been looking at different backup camera systems, was not aware of the Garmin backup camera used with the GPS until seeing your unit.

John, Tested the plug with a 15A extension cord, not as heavy as the the 30A Furrion shore power cord. Leave slack in the cord and it can un-plug, unlike the Furrion cord. Will see how it works out. The 45 degree down feature on your pigtail sounds like it will work well. Would like to see your set up, too.

Purchased the ALEKO 15A to 30A adapter plug for my Ollie. While testing the Honda EU2000i Gen-Set with Micro-Air Easy Start 364 installed, it worked great running the Ollie's 13.5K Dometic AC at 86F outside air temp today. Appreciate the ideas in this thread: