topgun2

I mounted my first rear camera in the spare tire cover. Given that I had asked Oliver to wire this area for a camera the actual install was basically a no brainer. Probably your camera from GM has a mount that allows for the camera to be "tilted". This is important in that the spare tire cover is mounted such that it is 6 degrees off from being perpendicular to the ground. My camera is mounted with a 4 degree offset thus allowing for less of a setting sun to blind it. If you do not wish to drill a hole in the cover for the camera wires like I did I guess that you could always place them in something like THIS in order to better hide them and to protect them. One disadvantage to this mounting location is that there is more "road spray" given that the camera is located closer to the road. Obviously another disadvantage is that the view is somewhat limited in the event there is another vehicle right behind you. For these two reasons I added another camera located in the usual spot on the roof of the Ollie. Good luck! Bill

1 - yes. If your intent is to run the fridge/freezer on 12 volt while driving down the road then it would be prudent to plan to NOT open the door of the fridge thereby preventing cold air from escaping. My ice-cream stays hard! 2 - Maybe. This depends on how much food and/or use you plan to give the existing fridge. I'd plan on not getting a separate unit until you actually see what your usage is. Congrats on the April pickup! Hopefully we'll have a chance to meet at the Rally in May if you plan on being there. Bill

Agree with JD above. I've used my small cube ceramic electric heater for years on a GFCI protected circuit with no issues - both at home and in the Oliver. Given that in the Oliver I generally use the outlet that is located outside the closet, I've been able to touch the wires that come out the back of that outlet. They have never even been warm nor has the GFCI ever tripped. Bill

Obviously, that would be a function of just how cold it gets in the winter and how many openings to the area between the hulls you have. Bill

John - I almost "pulled the trigger" on having my Ollie ceramic coated a bit over a year ago. But, after doing a fair amount of research on the subject I decided not to have it done. The main reason (for me) was it appears that the only way to "refresh" and/or "redo" this coating when it starts to wear is to sand it off 😵. That was enough to scare me off. Bill

You might want to send a PM to Forum member - Steve&Betty - I believe that they had a coating applied to their Ollie about a year ago. Bill

Yep - you are not alone at least back to hull #117. Bill

In case anyone is still sitting on the fence THIS article might help. Bill

Your hull number will only be 3 or 4 digits long while your VIN number will be a bunch longer - for all Olivers no matter when they were built. The VIN numbers used to end with the last 3 or 4 digits being your hull number, but, that is no longer the case. Hopefully that clears up the confusion?🤔 Bill

THIS is the one I purchased back in 2019. It is a 12.5 foot model with 330 pound capacity. Please note that I don't weigh anywhere near that capacity number 😁 but thought that the ladder just might be a bit more substantial with the higher rating (I was correct). I'll admit that I've not used it a lot - it usually simply sits in the closet waiting for a problem while I'm on the road. At home I use my regular ladders in that they are easier to get to and I don't have to get things out of the Ollie closet. Bill

In the seven years I've owned #117 I've never been below 87% FULL with my four flooded lead acid Trojan batteries and stock factory solar. Having said that I should note that I very rarely camp with hookups, travel alone almost 90% of the time and am very frugal with any electrical usage. I even use "Luci" lights at night versus using house batteries. Bill

For what its worth - I carry my collapsible ladder in the closet. A bungee around the vent pipe keeps the ladder firmly against the wall between the closet and the bath. Bill

Oliver will send it to you "free". Just let them know. Bill

NYC can be a wonderful place with all kinds of things to see and do. However, be absolutely sure that you and all in your party amplify any "spidy senses" that you have. Really trust those hairs on the back of your neck - if they even have you thinking about them it probably means that you are in the wrong place. Get out of that place as soon as you can. If you do not know the city and/or any people that are familiar with it then your best and safest bet would be to arrange tours. Bring $$$$$$. Bill

Actually - that is remarkable.

John - A fair number of these ladders seem to be very much alike and simply offered under different brand names. The one that I purchased has a fabric case and I waited around for a couple of months - using Camel, Camel, Camel to price shop - before I got it on sale. While I checked to make sure that the one I bought had reasonable reviews and ratings I didn't necessarily want or need the absolute best ladder out there. This was due to the fact that I didn't plan on using it that often since it would mainly be for emergency purposes while on the road. Be sure to get one that is at least rated for 25 (I went 50) pounds over what you think the heaviest person's weight that will be using it in order to allow for clothing, boots, and things that might be carried along with the user. Bill

I'm not sure that I understand. This type of battery (sealed AGM) was considered to be the most desirable battery on the market when they first came out and it has only been since the lithium craze that they have lost their luster a bit. Both my 2017 Ford and my 2021 Subaru have this type of battery as original equipment as do many other vehicles on the market. These batteries do not spill acid, do not require regular maintenance and they last a reasonable amount of time. As with any battery, they should be cared for properly - kept cleaned and charged properly. Yes, in ideal conditions they might not last quite as long as the old regular lead acid batteries that required a bunch more attention but the other benefits generally outweighed this factor. Of course, lithium batteries are now considered to be superior. But, that superiority come at a reasonably hefty price - at least in the short run. Bill

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