topgun2

Jim - Welcome back! You might want to send a PM to Seadawg in this regard. Bill

Don't worry - by your July Ollie pickup all that snow will be gone and the truck (and you) will be very happy! Bill

Indeed - During the winter months I store my Ollie under a cover. I also turn the solar panels off and flip both of the dc circuit breakers to off. Then I plug in a 25 watt solar panel that is wired directly to the batteries (4 lead acid). Yes, the solar panel is pointed towards the sun but it is partially shaded by a cyclone fence and doesn't get any sun after about 3pm due to a tree. Even with all this, my batteries have always been fully charged. Also, I agree with Mike's comments about looking at your Blue Sky display to help with the draw. Bill

This is the second story of this nature that I've heard. However, in the first story the situation was exactly reversed with the owner of the F-250 selling it and getting on a waiting list for a new Tundra. "Crazy Times" for sure. I'd probably look into selling my F-150 and get either a new Tundra or a new F-150 but since the current truck is the only means I have for towing the Ollie, I'll wait. Bill

Yes, this is a great feature - but - be a bit careful in that the battery in the 890 does not last all that long when disconnected from power. Certainly it lasts long enough for the navigator to look up things like campgrounds or gas stations or even places to eat or things to do. But, be sure to put it back on its mount when the job is done. My 890 has not taken me down a "strange" road - yet. On many occasions I will use the 890 while at the same time using the navigation system in my F-150. At least 95 percent of the time they agree, but, when they don't and when I don't have a good idea of where to go, I'll always rely on the Garmin. Certainly this is true when the Garmin tells me to take a detour. But, here again, be a bit careful with this "feature" in that if the Garmin tells you that there is a "traffic problem" some 30 miles down the road - just keep an eye on it for the next 15 miles or so. I've found that more often than not many of these "traffic problems" will clear by the time I get there. Finally, probably the single most useful feature that I've found with the 890 is in getting gas. On longer trips I generally do not have a navigator. The big screen really comes in handy in both reading it and hitting the "buttons" (or simply talking to the Garmin if I'm in traffic) while bouncing down the highway. At around 100 miles to empty I'll start looking for a cheap (relatively) convenient gas station. Bill

I assume that anyone with a Service appointment or a new Oliver delivery has kept an eye on the weather. It is currently (January 6th 2 pm) snowing in Hohenwald, TN and the video below shows the conditions in nearby Columbia, TN. Fortunately, the weather forecast for Sunday is rain - that should get rid of any left over snow - and the temps are forecast to return to closer to normals early next week (50 + degrees). Bill https://youtu.be/v4ziq0pMEa4

There is no fee. However, you need to "reserve" a camping spot via the Service Department in advance. Bill

So it seems that as long as you have Olly or Ollie in you name you get less stress. Certainly that is true for the latter! Bill

Hi Carol! What a ray of sunshine she is.

Since you mentioned it in the original post above, I would tend to stay away from Fall Hollow Campground unless you can determine that improvements have been made over the past year or so. The last time I stopped there the couple that now owns it were working on it, but, there was a bunch that needed to be done to include cleaning up some of the campers that were there. Bill

If you really wish to test those boondocking systems then the Meriwether Lewis campground over on the Natchez Trace Parkway might be of interest. It is only a few short miles from the factory and you can get water there - but - there are no electric or sewer sites. Bill

Sure do hope you never "forget" to chock those tires before unhitching! Really nice view though. Bill

John - Really, the best way to get up to date "factual" information of this sort would be to contact an Oliver Sales agent and ask. They do not pressure you or bug you. They really are there to help you. Good luck! Bill

Hi Carol!

NO! All Olivers are too heavy for the vehicle you mention. Bill

I ditto what is said above. And, would add a proviso that you consider what your own financial situation can handle. Once the original components are out of warranty can you afford to quickly replace an air conditioner or fridge? These extended warranties are basically insurance policies. If you can afford to self-insure it is highly likely that you will gain in the long run. Bill

I have not heard of any changes that would make for a dry bath in the Elite II. Why do you ask? Bill

Is THAT "ALL" you got?

chiwald - I know that Mike and Carol are "on the road" right now, so, they might take a couple of days to get back to you. Bill

Indeed - I'd bet that the converter is actually that rectangle shaped near the front of the transmission in the right photo and that the other two similarly shaped (cone at each end) parts are simply resonators. Bill

Unfortunately, as with many things, the answer is - "it depends". The usual questions - is the Oliver protected in any way - i.e. is it sheltered near a building or covered. Will there be much wind. Is the interior of the Ollie heated - or - can it be heated. Do you have (or can you easily get) the necessary materials for at least a partial winterization. While I believe that your main tanks and interior will be OK at this temperature for this amount of time, I'd be a bit concerned about those areas that are a bit more exposed - the check valves for the water inlets and the exterior shower. A simple hand pump and way less than a gallon of RV anti-freeze would take care of the inlets and (probably) leaving the exterior shower valves (hot and cold) open along with the showerhead left open would be enough to protect these areas for the conditions you predict. But, I think that you are near the edge of what I'd be comfortable with. Bill

This thread is like a trip down memory lane for me ! Caught my first marlins (one blue and one white on the same day) out off the Baltimore Canyon from Ocean City. Thrasher's french fries on the boardwalk. Flounder fishing and crabbing in the bay. Digging for cherry clams with my toes (couldn't afford a clam rake) in the mud flats. Crab cakes in a little dive bar in Suicide, MD. So many places to explore in that Oliver and add to the great memories. Bill

I spent some summers of my youth at a Boy Scout camp on the Chesapeake Bay and learned to sail there - a beautiful part of our country. Glad to have you here and it really is not too early to gather info, plan your Ollie and even start planning your adventures. Please let us know if we can help. Bill

Yes - in many cases owners have installed both a cell booster and a WiFi booster. Apparently it is a good thing to keep these two devices separate and the factory usually mounted the WiFi in the front with the cell in the back for this reason. Bill

Glad you saw that Oliver, glad you toured the factory and glad you have not only joined the family but have also joined (officially) us here on the Forum. Welcome! Bill