topgun2

Unfortunately, a campground (Hiddenite Family Campground) about 50 miles north of Charlotte, NC was flooded and three people died. AT least one other person died on one of over 50 roads that were also flooded due to this (Eta) storm. This is just a reminder that these "tropical" storms have effects on areas that are not necessarily all that close to the coast. Bill

The only picture I have from those days was the "official" one that was taken during boot-camp. Every time I look at that I remember that we had just returned from a five mile run back to the barracks. While still in our sweaty fatigues they handed us a hat and a dress uniform jacket, shirt and tie. Put it on, sit down and smile! YES, SARGENT! Bill

To Seadawg, all the other Oliver owners and the rest of those people living around and north of Tampa - Be safe and good luck with this storm, Eta. From what I hear, while it is not as powerful as some it is a bit slow moving, Thus the potential for flooding is increased. Also, after it passes over Florida it is scheduled to move up the east coast until it gets just past North Carolina. While it is forecast to be slightly offshore it should cause flooding and fairly severe beach erosion. Bill

BlueHighways - First - congratulations on your delivery! Have fun and enjoy the heck out of that brand new Ollie. The last I heard, Jason was/is working from his home. However, if you have a few minutes before you start your delivery, you might want to ask to see Matt Duncan. Matt and Jason W. work together with Matt being in charge of a fair number of things for Oliver. If you get to see him, please say "hello" from me. Bill

Unfortunately, we just found out that the "Fall"2020 Southern Highlands Guild show will also be of the virtual kind. Bill

Golly - I can hear that clock ticking from here 😀. Bill

M&D - No I stayed with the stock 18" wheels. Bill

The "phase one" plates had a collar similar to the "phase three" plates that are currently in use. I recently obtained a phase three plate but have not had the chance to use it yet. However, the "phase two" plates came with two "sleeves" welded to either side of the plate versus the collars used in both the phase one and three plates. I used both the phase one and the phase two plates for considerable miles and thought that the phase two's were much easier to use. The reason for this was that with the collars you have to make sure that the plate is flush up against the underside of the Andersen while at the same time making sure that the "pin" hole is lined up before you can insert that pin. With the phase two design the pin could be inserted into one of the sleeves and then into the pin hole which would automatically align the sleeve on the opposite side. Certainly this is/was a small difference but I found it to be somewhat easier. In addition, with the collared plates, the plate must be held basically perpendicular to the underside of the Andersen housing while the sleeved plate's orientation really didn't matter. I'm guessing that Andersen went back to the collared pattern because is is easier to deal with and weld a single piece versus the two sleeves. And, perhaps, the collar makes for a stronger assembly too. Bill

Nice going, Bill. February will be here before you know it. We too picked up our Oliver in February and two days after delivery we headed to St. Augustine for a week. Keep an eye on the weather - particularly if you are headed to Hohenwald from the east (this involves crossing the Great Smoky Mountains). Bill

Good idea on a separate thread specifically for Elite I stuff. It just might make it easier for members to find in the future. Also, I thought you said somewhere that your pup is a black lab. Certainly labs don't generally have a "license to kill" 😄 Bill

Looks good. Are those "bars" on the side windows of the topper used for decoration, support or can you open them for some inside air? Bill

Every now and again Orvis puts out one of these videos that I find very interesting - this is one of them. Enjoy! BIll p.s. turn up your speakers for full effect.

That puppy will not even know that it has an Elite I behind it! Enjoy the heck out of it! Bill

Another thumbs up for Garmin - with "traffic". The traffic function really doesn't function everywhere - just mostly around larger cities. However, about 6 years ago I was towing just west of the center of Denver on interstate 70 and was surrounded by tons of traffic. My Garmin kept "yelling" at me to take the next exit. Thinking that I had been this route numerous times and that I was actually smarter than some "dumb" machine, I ignored the yelling until traffic came to a total stop. At that point I looked at the screen and realized that Garmin wanted to reroute me around all this traffic - duh! From that point on I simply obeyed and I'm guessing that I saved at least 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour. Certainly made me a believer. Bill

Dude - As I recall - DavidS discussed such a thing or way of doing something like what you are after, but, unfortunately I can not search for it at this moment. Perhaps a PM to him would be a quicker way to go. Bill

Yep - same one. It even comes out of the box with what appear to be little "rubber" inserts that are supposed to prevent it from sliding out once that thumb screw is tightened. But - mind my words. Or, perhaps it is only the Volvo's that are that slippery?🤪

Yes - very dry.

Not too sure about bath towels - I keep three extra rolls of tp in that space. Bill

On our Volvo XC70 we used one of those CD slot mounting adaptors. It worked well except that on a long trip or a trip over rough roads the adaptor would eventually work itself out of the CD slot and the unit would fall to the floor. To fix this issue I "smeared" some E6000 (Shoe Goo would work too) on the parts that came into contact with the upper and lower slots of the CD. It doesn't take much - just something to help improve the grip. Bill

I don't remember the size of the bath cubbie off the top of my head, but, even if they fit it would not be useful. When the door to that space is opened, there is room for storage to the right of the door. With these storage units in there you would not be able to access that space without taking them out. And, obviously, if you slide these to the right, you would not be able to open the drawers. Bill

NCeagle - After rotator cuff surgery a number of years ago, I've been using these or bands at least three times a week. I too carry them when camping but must confess that I have succumbed to the siren call of the adult beverage after a day of fishing versus putting in the half hour (or so) of exercise. That is a decent price for the entire outfit. Unfortunately, it is usually one of the bands wears out before the others and then it is sometimes difficult to replace just that single one. Bill

As a kid my Dad and I went to Edisto and the surrounding area fairly often. Absolutely no one was there and I was a fierce pirate 🏝️. Things have changed but it is still a very nice beach. Have fun! Bill

Look at it this way - you had a built in level! 😁

I've got one of those "bed rugs" in my F-150 and it is great. I don't know the exact weight but its light. I'd guess around 10 pounds or so. When I bought it I thought that keeping it clean just might be an issue but it is really easy to power wash. If you go this route, be sure to also consider the "rug" for the tailgate. Bill

In someone's immortal words, "you go girl"! Ya got a dog, ya got a truck and soon you'll have an Oliver. What more does one need? Bill