topgun2

There are so many YouTube videos on this subject certainly covering all of the major brands. If I were buying a new system - that is where I'd start my research. Having said this - I've been using the EEZTire system "for 5 years or so and have been happy with it". " No repeater necessary." 😃. Seriously, any of the major brands will do the job. And, with most, you don't need a repeater. Bill

I believe that one should remember the premise from which this thread was started - fairly short duration of driving on POSSIBLE chemical treated roads with a wash occurring both during and after the exposure. As I stated above - I would not worry about taking my Ollie on this kind of trip under these kind of circumstances with these kind of sensible measures to minimize any potential harm. Actually this is the same kind of care that I have given my vehicles for years. Surely there is little doubt that extensive damage can be done to the Oliver and/or a tow vehicle by the kinds of chemicals used on our roads in winter IF nothing is done to blunt the attack of those chemicals. But I do not think that is the case that S,D,B is talking about. Bill

Yep - you missed the 2021 version. Stay tuned for details on the 2022 edition - it is a good rally. Bill

K & J - I like this idea! Why don't you PM (private message) Matt Duncan (Director of Marketing for Oliver) with your idea. Bill

Try a call to the Service department. While not the convection oven - some models with older microwaves (like mine) are held in via a bracket that actually screws/bolts to the top of the cabinet. It helps a bunch to see a drawing of how that bracket is attached in order to know how to get to the sheet metal screws that hold the bracket onto the microwave. Good luck. Bill

The grass is always greener ..... With that beast of a tow vehicle you will not have any problems anywhere towing the Elite II. And, you certainly will not have to deal with the weight distribution hitch unless (for some reason) you want to. While all of this may seem confusing and perhaps difficult at this point, it really isn't all that hard. Checklists are your friend, particularly when first starting out, when its raining, when you are in a hurry, when "stuff" happens, and, pretty much all the time. The only reason(s) that lithium batteries make sense is if you want/need to be able to have air conditioning (without using a generator), you are a very large power user, have issues with the weight of the camper, or plan on boondocking extensively. On this last point - I still have my original 4 lead acid batteries with the Oliver solar package. I've been without being plugged into shore power or generator power for as long as 7 weeks and the batteries have never been below 82% FULL! No worries. Bill

There are those on this Forum and elsewhere that talk about the horrors of using one of our Ollies with its aluminum frame on the chemical filled roads of winter. Even though I rarely use my Oliver in winter, I would not be concerned about it as long as there was a way to get those chemicals greatly diluted and/or removed reasonably soon after exposure. In addition, is is fairly likely that a great majority of your driving for something like Quartzite will be on Interstates. These roads tend to get enough traffic so that within a fairly short period of time any chemicals that might be used are dispersed fairly quickly (note: I'm not talking about far northern interstate here but those that are generally traveled by someone from the northeast headed to/from Quartzite). Bottom line - I'd go for it. Yes, there is some (I believe minor) risk of some small pitting in your frame from chemicals but most of that frame can not be readily seen and (after all) your Ollie was made for you to use. Bill

The "issue" with the 30 pounders is that they MUST be refilled at a facility that refills propane tanks while with the 20 pounders you have the additional flexibility of "swapping" these tanks for filled ones at many gas stations, WalMarts, grocery stores, Lowes, Home Depot, etc. This ability to swap really comes into its own in places like Vail Valley, Colorado where they have prohibited "refill stations" throughout the entire Vail area. On the other hand, if you are going to be doing a bunch of cold weather camping then the 30 pounders really come in handy. Bill

Another person that did the standard to twin bed conversion is Mossemi, Bill

First question - there are plenty of people that leave the "standard" bed as a bed full time. In fact, I'd venture a guess that most people leave it that way. Even though SeaDawg has the Elite I perhaps she will comment on the "problems" associated with leaving the bed setup in this manner - one of which is having to disturb your partner when getting up in the middle of the night. Second question - I'm not sure I understand the question. Other than adding something to fill in the space between the two twin beds such as Foy's creation, there isn't much to be done without either getting rid of the nightstand or making the aisle too narrow to be of much use. Bill

Basically the plates in a 6 volt battery can be (and usually are) larger that those found in the same (exterior) size 12 volt battery. This is due to the fact that since you only have 3 "cells" inside the 6 volt versus 6 "cells" inside the 12 volt battery there is simply more room to put larger plates. Larger plates usually equate to longer life and a battery that will withstand rougher treatment. There's more but I don't think you want to hear it at this point.😁 Bill

Pool noodles are your friend. The bigger the better. Just slit them long ways and shove them onto the panels. Don't forget to do the same with your rear bumper ends. Bill

I've been using a NOCO Genius for the past two years to maintain 12 volt batteries in my garage over the winter. It is very simple and easy to use. Just wire up as JD describes above and basically forget about it till Spring. Bill

Way cool! Welcome even if you are "OLD". Perhaps a private message (PM) to ScubaRX might result in a bit of a history lesson on your unit. Bill

A number of years ago - back in my "stickie days" I had a canvas cover made by ADCO. It was fairly similar to the CalMark but a major difference was that the straps used for "snugging" the sides were only sewn onto the canvas at the bottom - apparently like this SkyShield Cover - while the CalMark straps encircle the entire camper. With the CalMark design it is the straps that take the strain of tightening the cover down so it doesn't "flap" in the wind while the other design makes the material take that strain. After three years, my ADCO needed repair to the material in several places because the material was pulling apart - not because it was torn by a sharp corner. Even with this issue a strong case can still be made that for the price this SkyShield warrants a look. Perhaps the addition of two or three two inch straps around the camper could be used to lessen this strain and prolong the service of the cover. Bill

From the pics - it looks to me like this cover would fit with the solar panels in that there appears to be plenty of fabric below the step area on both sides. Bill

That makes sense that your propane tanks are the larger ones. Even though I've never heard of an Oliver swaying it is still prudent to have the tongue weight between 10 and 15% as you mention. Bill

That does look like a nice cover and for the price you can buy three for the price of a CalMark cover. There doesn't appear to be an access door but again - for the price. Let us know how it makes it through the winter. Bill

Wow - that's heavy. What propane tanks do you have?

Yes!

There are those on the Forum that claim much higher tongue weights than others. Some of these differences can be attributed to "caution" or conservative guessing. But, I would guess that most of the differences can be attributed to what is loaded or how it is loaded in any particular Ollie. Each Oliver is weighed at the end of production and has its specific weight noted in that Oliver. In my case - a twin bed with solar, 20 pound propane tanks, nothing in any tank and ready for a trip, the tongue weight varies from 600 pounds to 640 pounds. Again, the standard configuration and the twin bed configuration will each have their own individual weight depending on the specific trailer. Having said this, I don't believe that there is very much difference between the two with regards to total and/or tongue weight. Bill

John - No - the jugs of water is used on those occasions when there is NO water in the fresh water tank. These times are usually in the winter months when water in the fresh water tank might be at risk of freezing or during the rest of the year when you might not want the weight of the water in that tank while towing. The standard Oliver toilet works just like most other RV toilets in that the amount of water used to flush is regulated by how long you hold down the handle (foot peddle). Bill

I always carry one to two gallon jugs of water in the Oliver next to the toilet primarily to be used for flushing. This practice started out during cold weather camping but during the past several years I've found it to be useful even during the warmer weather months. Bill

JP - Try THIS thread for starters. In many cases, just like with mattresses, comfort is in the "eye" of the sitter. Bill

Unless you are planning on living in a VERY unusual place in VA, I would not be concerned with any of the normal amounts of snow that generally are received in the State. Since I store my Elite II at a storage facility that does not have covered spaces, I use a CalMark fabric cover to help keep the sun and dirt off the camper during storage. Certainly most places in VA get more snow than we do even though I live in the mountains of western NC. In six years there has never been enough snow (largest was about 12 inches) that I've even thought about it. And, what snow we get is gone within a day or so. Bill