topgun2

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.🙄

If you go to Ollie Modifications under the main Forums tab in the blue banner at the top of the page, you will find all kinds of modifications that owners have done to their Olivers over the years. Some of these mods are inexpensive and simple while others are involved and can be expensive. Also, if you attend the annual Owner's Rally there are multiple chances to view some really interesting Olivers. There's even one where the interior décor gets changed numerous times a year (Foy & Mirna). Make it your own!

The first time my wife and I went to Valley of Fire we were stopped at the entrance gate for about an hour. The "problem" was that the Park was being use to shoot a low budget film involving a race/chase scene on the fairly long straight road that starts right at the entrance. A McLaren , a Ferrari and a Porsche (whale tail) were chasing each other at speed basically starting at the entrance. The sound! The speed! The scenery! Sure did make that Park even more special. Bill

Don't forget the one on the street side exterior.

One of the "issues" with the Camco door handles ( like THIS one ) is that people/guests that are not familiar with how light weight the construction of the screen door is tend to want to place too much weight on that handle versus using the ones built into the Oliver. Of course, the Camco handle gives you much more room to grab it in the event a sudden wind gust catches the door. Bill

On the other hand - You might want to consider purchasing 6 sensors: 4 for the Ollie 1 for your spare tire in the tow vehicle 1 spare - just in case. That one for the spare will help as in most cases checking the air pressure in the spare is a real pain. Bill

Nope.

Kirk - If I were in your shoes, before I spent a bunch of time, trouble and money switching from one solar controller to another (interior) I'd study the differences between these two types of technology. From what I've read, the differences are very small - in the real world - and would take considerable time to recoup any real difference in performance. The reason Oliver switched from using MPPT controllers had more to do with simplicity for the user/owner than it did with anything else. Bill

I'd bet a bunch that a WDH is REQUIRED by Ford for towing anything that has a tongue weight of any Oliver Elite II. And, given that Ford requires it you risk not only your Ford warranty if you decide to disregard this requirement but you also risk untold liability if you are involved in a mishap regardless of who is at fault. Bill

The exterior solar port that Oliver installs does NOT run through the Zamp solar controller. This exterior port connects directly to the batteries and, therefore, any portable panels must have a charge controller of their own.

Partially the answer to your question depends on how long your arms are. I'm six feet tall with average length arms and I've been able to perform this type of maintenance from a ladder by securing the ladder firmly to the Ollie and simply leaning over the roof while my feet are still on the ladder. Is that comfortable - no. Does it get the job done - yes. For more extensive operations (i.e. removing the MaxAir for instance) I'd crawl onto the roof. But for routine maintenance and waxing, I prefer to stay on the ladder. Bill

You'll know to place the valve in the "other" position when your feet get wet.😁

Yes.

Actually, you are probably familiar with this "process" if you have ever bought a new car, truck or motorcycle. You are cautioned to drive "carefully" for the first 500 miles or so - try to not apply too much pressure to the brakes (i.e. stop too hard) or "drag" the brakes by keeping your foot on the brake pedal for too long. Basically - drive it like you're breaking it in versus driving it like you stole it.😇 This "process" allows the brake shoes to conform themselves to the brake drum. This same process happens with disk brakes but disk brakes are not quite as sensitive to this process. Bill

You need to do nothing more than you would do at home. No floor insulation needed but (as at home) be careful getting any heater near any combustible material. I always place my portable heater (either electric or propane) either right inside or right outside the bathroom door. Bill

Skinny P - Look at the time you have to buy even more "stuff" for that new Ollie! 😁 Just let us know what you are thinking and we will be more than happy to spend your $$$$. The wait will be over before you know it. Between now and then watch as many Oliver University vids as you can stand and read a bunch too. Pay particular attention to delivery day so that you are prepared. And, plan at least a couple of those trips! Bill

On my 2016 Elite II the width (from the rear of the camper towards the front of the camper) right inside the outside basement door is - 35 1/2 inches. The width then narrows down to 26 inches. Note that these are the "maximum" measurements - due to the slope/curve of the hull, these measurements are a touch shorter when measured right at the floor level. Hopes this helps! Bill p.s. also not that the outside basement door opening as measured from the interior is 15 3/4 to 16 inches wide by 13 inches high.

There are also sites where you can have them alert you to "open" sites. I've used Wanderinglabs.com twice with positive results both times even though the campground that I was trying to reserve was originally booked solid. Good luck! Bill note - Wanderinglabs.com does not make a reservation for you but only alerts you that a campsite has become available. You still have to call or go online to make the actual reservation yourself. I assume that the similar sites work in a like manner.

I've got a small "cube" ceramic heater for when I'm on shore power. There are a number of owners that have a small Vornado but the ceramic heater is even smaller but is still 1500 watts - more than enough to nicely heat up the Oliver. Bill

Because of the slope of the top of the heater housing and to get the most heat on the bottom of the fan - note how I attached the fan to the "grill" on the front of the heater with the rear of the fan resting on the top of the heater housing. It works great in this position and does not vibrate off the top of the heater. Bill