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JD - See THIS for a bit more info on this Ollie. Bill

Sarah - Welcome - glad both you and #25 are here! If only she could talk - the stories she'd tell. And, it appears as though there are still many more adventures to be had. Have fun! Bill

Oliver doesn't offer the old style un-sealed lead acid batteries anymore. The batteries in the last two pictures are sealed batteries. However, FrankC's battery picture above with the 12V blue label on them ARE flooded cell lead acid batteries that are NOT sealed. Therefore FrankC's batteries do need distilled water to be added to them every so often while the batteries in the last two pictures are sealed and there is no way to add liquid even if you wanted to. Bill

John - I don't specifically know if the Brightways are gel or not but from the description below it would appear that they are AGM. This sealed lead acid battery is an non spillable, deep cycle, maintenance-free, valve regulated (VRLA), rechargeable battery. Able to be used with a wide variety of applications; it has a wide operating temperature, long service life and deep discharge recovery. Compatible replacement for Trojan T-105 This battery has automotive style post terminals as well as stud terminals. Meets or exceeds the OEM sealed lead acid battery specifications. We supply only brand new, factory fresh, high quality batteries. These batteries are completely spill proof and leak proof. To better understand terminals and connectors click here. What makes this Bright Way Group battery different The key to this battery technology is the porous glass mat separators, which completely absorb and trap electrolyte (battery acid). Golf cart battery arrives fully charged, ready to go. Where you can use this 6V 220AH battery Alarm panels, UPS Backup, electric power systems, emergency backup power supply, emergency lighting, railway signals, aircraft signals, communication power supply, gate operator equipment and solar.

Yes, there is a difference with AGM (absorbed glass mat) being the newer of the two technologies. For a full explanation - simply Google "sealed lead acid versus AGM. Bill

OK - here's another "strange" point of water entry - the top cover on the bathroom fan. If the screw hole in that cover have not been caulked or taped over water can enter. This usually simply causes water to drip from the fan on the interior but that water can run between the hulls to other places. Bill

Agree with the advice above -- And, if you are going to store your Ollie for a period of time - say three months or so - you might want to cover top of the bowl with some Saran Wrap type of material. This helps prevent the liquid in the bowl from evaporating as rapidly. Bill

Sure - but - just think of all the money you'll collect with your garage sales and downsizing from that large 5th wheel.😁 Bill

Alberta and Randy - Both SeaDawg and JD are correct. Your tank should look something like the picture below when it is done. Note that there is no issue with using your tank as it is presently configured with the exception that you can not use ALL of the contents of that tank.

Those sensors are great and a good idea for those of us that ride "out there". With regards to e-bikes - there are a couple of relative new ones that now have a range of up to 100 miles. From what I've seen - neither of these bikes were of the folding variety. Unfortunately but not surprisingly the cost is between $4,000 and $7,000. If one were to want to use these bikes versus getting a new car or truck then the price certainly would make sense. Bill

I agree with JD on the product ID and with his assessment as to the job that was done in the picture. However, Dicor can be made to look presentable but it takes a fair amount of work and/or skill to do so. Bill

Anyone that is considering NOT using a weight distribution hitch with a half ton truck (or less) certainly must be aware that in doing so they are potentially exposing themselves to a fairly sizable amount of liability in the event of an accident regardless of just who may be at fault for that accident. This is in addition to the manufacturer of the vehicle just may NOT authorize any warranty repairs if the vehicle was used for any towing that exceeds the manufacturers recommendations for either ball weight and/or total weight towed. Bill

My TPMS (EEZTIRE) has a re-chargeable internal battery that lasts up to 60 hours of active monitoring (the monitor shuts itself down if the tow vehicle is not moving and restarts automatically when moving) which equates to about a week of actual travel time. Certainly it can also be hardwired but I've not done that due to the ease of use without having even more wires to deal with. If your TPMS has a re-chargeable battery you might want to consider giving it a shot before doing the work of pulling those wires. Bill

If you're just now sending in your "build sheet" then you should have a bit of time to make your final decisions on fabric. Assuming that this is the case then ask for those samples as suggested above. You might also ask for some pictures of a choice or two to see what they might look like in an actual Ollie - the Sales office does have cushions made up in several of the fabrics and all they have to do is take those into a display trailer and snap a couple of pics for you. Good luck! I found this to be the hardest part of ordering my Oliver (yep - even harder than writing that check! 😊). Bill

Given your decision model - you're right, it is a coin toss. However, it would be easier to add that awning later as opposed to removing it. Bill

John - Not to steal mtkadan's thunder and I expect that he will answer your question when he gets settled, but, there are a bunch of apps that can be used to do this type of thing. You might want to start HERE for some that help. There are all kinds of ways to get these apps to work - computer, tablet, smartphone. Even the Garmin 890 GPS has a couple of them built into the device. Bill

I too picked up my Oliver in February and much like you it was raining and near freezing. Made me appreciate the warm dry interior even more. However, I did shed a tear or two while taking that nice shiny clean beauty through the mud and dirty roads. Congrats! Hopefully we will get a chance to meet at the Rally. Bill

I'll basically second JD's advice concerning Garmin's InReach devices when used with the Garmin Earthmate app. I have the InReach Mini. While driving my wife and friends can basically keep track of my location (as long as I have turned it on) and I can see where I am on the map on my cellphone or tablet or computer. While hiking and fishing the same thing applies plus I have the unit's "breadcrumb feature" that allows me to retrace my steps and if I get in trouble I can always hit the "SOS" button for search and rescue. These things are not cheap! But, you never really know what is right around that next boulder. Bill

GOOD LUCK!

See the "Planned Natchez Trace Parkway Route" thread - HERE Bill

I agree - within reason. For most purposes you are not trying to read a license plate or bumper sticker. However, you are trying to see that person tailgating you or the little kid behind you or that rock or tree as you back into a space. Both of the rearview cameras I have on the back of my Ollie do not have the best resolution. One is a Garmin that works with my Garmin 890 GPS mounted on the top of the Ollie and the other is a no-name brand that sends its signal via WiFi to my tablet, computer and/or cell phone. The biggest difference (other than resolution) between the Oliver camera and mine is the price. Bill

If the pressure in your tires raises much more than 10 degrees above ambient air temperature it is time to consider adding air. However, you must take into consideration things like road surface (black asphalt is hotter than white concrete on a summer day), and, is the tire in direct sunlight. Remember, for most general highway driving it is the heat in a tire that causes most damage to the internal structure of the tire. Bill

Be careful to check on the open/close status of these campgrounds before you go. Last year I know that the Merriweather Lewis campground was closed due to staff shortages (probably Covid induced). From the current pictures online it appears as though the pavement at Busby has been improved since the last time I was there. As ScottyGS says - some of the facilities can be a bit rough - closed restrooms, broken pavement, lack of general maintenance - but the restrooms that are open are generally fairly clean. Water is available at the Merriweather Lewis campground (a spigot on the drinking fountain right near the restroom) but I didn't check at the other two campgrounds. Therefore, be careful to have your fresh water tank at least half full. Emerald Mound is (by far) the best of the Native American mounds. Unless you are REALLY into that I'd wait until near the end of the Parkway to visit Emerald and leave the others rest. Be sure to stop at the "Old Trace" since you will get an idea of just how many people, horses, wagons, etc. it took to wear a path this deep. Finally, a short stop at the French Village will get you a chance to "drive" an old tractor (see below). Bill

Have you thought about simply heading down the Natchez Trace? The NT is only two lane and is slow, there are camp grounds both on and off the NT. ScubaRx lives near the NT - so - if you get in trouble, call!😁 Natchez has some decent restaurants and a nice State Park not too far out of town. Then it is an easy drive back over to SW Florida from there. And, as ScottyGS says - have fun! Bill

Well, that 230 watt panel can potentially generate up to about 12.6 amps depending on the amount of volts it is putting out. Perhaps that explains why that 10 amp fuse is blowing.🙄