topgun2

Sit down, relax. Remember - this is fun! You've already done the hardest part in committing to the camper and now you have time to continue to learn. From my experience the people that tend to get into difficulties either don't do the homework to start with and/or get too rushed to think problems through. Of course there is also those of us that think we know it all - only to find out that we forgot to open that grey tank valve 😁 for the 6th time. Yes, in my opinion, you need a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System). There are a number of those on the market that certainly do the job and there are a number of threads here on the Forum about them. Pick out two or three that seem of interest to you (all should have pressure and temperature readings) and then go to YouTube for videos on each one. Pick the one you like best and they are easy to install. Portable air compressors are a really nice item to have. This is particularly so if you plan on traveling roads in which you "air-down" for better traction and then want to "air-up" when getting back to normal paved roads. However, they are also very useful for your daily driver and for blowing dust/dirt out of places it certainly doesn't belong - like fridge igniters, water heater igniters, furnace igniters and sail switches, etc. If you plan on using one a bunch then something like the Viair is really good. But, a compressor that expensive is really not necessary for most applications. Bill

Right camper, right attitude - I like it! Good that you headed south out of the Mothership. Yes, Fl is probably a bit cooler than normal but it is still better than things to the north of you. Even though the weather is supposed to take a turn back towards something a bit more normal in the northeast, I'd take my sweet time in getting back. That much snow just doesn't disappear even with the forecast of rain later this coming week. Have you gotten back to the point where you remember that the delivery people told you about this switch, lever, procedure, but, you can't remember exactly what it was? Or, have you received the wet feet in the shower yet because you forgot to open the grey tank valve? Anyway, CONGRATS! Its great to have you with us on the road. Bill

Beautiful! Please stop - my wallet can't handle it 🤗. Bill

I sure could use new batteries and even a set of new tires for the Ollie if you're feeling generous 😁. On the other hand - that's a bunch of money to be used for gas, camping fees, "special" activities while out exploring - zip lines, romantic dinners, cave tours, snowmobile trips, helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon, etc., etc.. Bill

You romantic devil 🥰. Nice song and thoughts. Bill

Either that or you are in deep trouble already. My guess would be that you will not have any difficulty in finding the kind of places I think you like. Bill

Good move! Now, you get to do the fun stuff of picking out options, colors, etc. Hopefully your wife likes to do that sort of stuff because I found that to be the hardest part of the whole deal - well - maybe writing that big check was slightly interesting 😉. Nice to really have you with us and I truly hope that you will enjoy your Ollie as much as I've enjoyed mine. Bill

Assuming that you are talking about the inverters that normally come with the Oliver - either the 2,000 watt or the 3,000 watt - then the answer is certainly yes for most microwave units. Just make sure that the microwave you have in mind is at or below about 1,500 watts and you will have no worries using the inverter. Of course you still have to be mindful to not overload the inverter by trying to run the microwave while at the same time running a toaster, hair dryer, blender, etc. Bill

That is an excellent area (either one) to be doing what you have planned. Not only is there an access "port hole" inside the kitchen cabinets where you can get to both ground and positive power, but you can even get to - or at least close to the specific area you are looking at. Be a bit careful when poking around in the kitchen cabinets making sure that you lift the mats in the bottom and find the wires that run in a channel at the rear base of those cabinets. Since those types of cameras take very little power, you can slave off almost any circuit. I would guess that there is only a small hole behind that "porch" light that does not give you a bunch of access. However, there are a couple of Forum members that have been behind those that can tell you for sure what is there - Mossemi is one of them. Good Luck! Bill

Seems to me that the extra money being asked for the instant gratification is a bunch given that I'm camping. Besides, after a long day on the stream or hiking or even driving, it is nice to have a chance to simply sit down, enjoy an adult beverage, contemplate what I'm going to have for dinner and "ease" - "relax" into that nice warm shower. Bill

I just watched (6:30pm EST 1/28/2022) the current weather and short term forecast for the northeastern US. Heavy snows are forecast with blizzard and/or near blizzard conditions. Hopefully everyone is prepared for this - stay safe! Bill

The Badlands are cool and there is enough hiking for at least a two or three day stop. Also, free camping fairly near Wall and close to the Park entrance. Bill

Over the past four weeks I've been planning and making reservations (where necessary) for this coming summer's fly fishing trip. Once again this year I will be (primarily) fishing in Wyoming and covering many of the same places I've been to in the past. I have managed to secure reservations in those camp grounds that take them, but, I would not say that it was easy. For National Forest Service camp grounds in Wyoming, the earliest one can make reservations is 6 months in advance at 8AM (Mountain Time). For the three places that I needed these reservations I was all set and ready to go at exactly that time - and - was successful in each case. But, my choice of sites was extremely limited. For the first time in a number of years I have decided to not camp in Yellowstone National Park. But, I did check on availability just this morning. In my favorite two camp grounds (Slough Creek and Pebble Creek) there was not one reservable site available for the date(s) I would have needed. Of course, most of my camping will be done outside of established camp grounds. But, even these have become more crowded over the past couple of years - I always have at least two alternative places in mind. So, if anyone is planning a summer trip I'd suggest that you not wait too long to get the reservations you might need. Good luck! Bill p.s. Baker's Hole (just north of West Yellowstone, MT) August 4th through August 7th if anyone is interested in a pot luck mini-rally.

I'd bet that your pup would just love to investigate that armored critter! How's the weather been for you guys? Bill

R2T - Nice to "see" another Oliver in NC. Welcome to the Family! Bill

CnC - A bunch warmer there versus in PA! Nice.

J & F - Be sure to send that shot to Matt Duncan as he might use it in some Oliver advertising. Very nice capture of the sunset reflection. Did that stop sign help in slowing the sunset?🙂

Among others - Mike and Carol went with 3. Bill

I look at the 4X4 question this way - Even though I have rarely used the 4X4 function on any of my vehicles that have had it - I always know it is there IF I should need it. And, there certainly have been those times that I've needed it - as John Davies eludes to. Even one time can make it so much worth it. Then, when I sell the vehicle, it is much easier to sell and I get most (if not all) of the extra money that I paid for the 4X4 function back. Bill

I remember sitting in a café in Oakley, KS a few years ago having breakfast. I was thinking about why in the world would someone have decided to found a town right out here in the middle of nowhere. When my very young waitress came over to refill my coffee cup I asked her what there was to do and/or see in this town and her reply was reasonably predictable, " Nothing! I'm getting out of here just as soon as I can!", she replied. So, instead of walking back to my truck and continuing on down the Interstate I headed into town just to see what was there. Well, just outside of the main town is a wonderful bronze statue of Buffalo Bill ( https://www.visitoakleyks.com/buffalo-billcultural-center ) and in town is a rustic (but free) fossil museum (the Fick Fossil and History Museum). A short drive south of town will get you to a very strange area (at least for the prairie) where there are these "towers" of rock in which fossils can be found - My point is that I too have seen a bunch of this world but there is certainly a bunch to see right here in the USofA - if only we look for it. Good luck on your journey.

ShallowGal - I know that you can obtain new CLAM covers (and other replacement parts) directly from CLAM - try THIS. Bill p.s. shortly after purchasing my CLAM I lost my storage bag in a wind storm. I sent an email to CLAM's customer support telling them what happened and they promptly sent me a replacement bag that was even better than the original - FREE!

I will go as far to say that ALL 1/2 ton trucks require a weight distribution hitch. The Andersen WDH is the only one that will work with the Oliver Travel Trailer without modification of the fiberglass. You are partially correct in your analysis of the gas versus diesel tow vehicle issue. On average (if not totally) diesel trucks will get better fuel mileage while towing something like the Oliver. But, on average, a 1/2 ton truck will get better mileage while not towing. Therefore, part of the analysis should include a good estimate of what percentage of towing with and without. Also, generally diesel trucks will be more expensive that their gas counterpart due primarily to the durability of the diesel engine. Again, an analysis of the length of time you plan on keeping the truck should enter into the equation. Finally, don't forget to take into consideration the "payload" capacity of the truck you are considering. Virtually all 3/4 ton trucks will have more payload capacity and if you tend to carry a bunch of "stuff" (to include people and critters) with you, this could present a problem if you decide to downsize to a 1/2 ton. Good luck on your decision! Bill

No - that is the EV power boost, v-8 diesel, atomic wind powered version. 🤣

W-23 - Apparently you have not visited the Oliver University yet or viewed the Oliver Videos. Simply go to the top of this page, click on home, click on Owners and then click on University or Videos. A complete set of videos concerning delivery day are under the Videos section while a bunch of other stuff is under the University section. You are strongly encouraged to view as many of these as you can prior to your delivery so that you are better prepared to enjoy your new Oliver. Yes, there are camping spots available right outside the new delivery area and your first night there will already have been arranged for you by your Sales Team. However, if for any reason you wish to stay in these spots additional nights, you should arrange that in advance with your Sales Agent. Bill

David - Somewhere in your LE2 you should have a solar disconnect switch similar to THIS ONE. It is most likely located under the street side bed area. Switch it to the "OFF" position and your panels will not be transmitting electricity to the batteries. You should disconnect anything that runs off 12 volt power. This would include your inverter and propane detector. Also turn off the two circuit breakers that are most likely near the solar disconnect switch shown above that look like THIS. Simply press the red button down until the little yellow flag pops out of the side. Note that when it comes time to turn these back on all you have to do is press the yellow flag back into the case. Don't forget to take pictures of the batteries from several different positions (as Sherry mentions above) so that you can reconnect things in the proper manner. Bill