topgun2

Yes. Several of us have the Andersen plus Rock Tamers. Bill p.s. if your application is at all unusual then a phone call to Rock Tamers is appropriate. I asked your same question before I purchased the Rock Tamers for use on my 2017 F-150 with the Andersen WDH and the people at Rock Tamers politely and quickly told me everything would be fine.

They will be back - at least so that you can see them - but they really haven't moved from the "old" location. Until all updates are complete, please simply put your mouse where it normally used to be and you should see it change into the little hand with the pointing finger. Left click at that time as you would normally do and you should see either your login info (or in the event you are trying to log off the Forum) you should see the drop down menu for logging off. Hopefully we will be back to normal by tomorrow - thanks for your patience. Bill

MaryRN - Thanks for the info! You wouldn't happen to have either GPS coordinates and/or move specific directions? Bill

I'm not positive regarding any changes that have been made to the latest models and certainly not any changes for the fancy lithium stuff. But, I'm guessing that there have been no changes to the locks/closures for these models. To specifically answer your first question - Oliver has never used the kind of locks that are typical on most RV's. Indeed, the Oliver closing latches are actually from the marine industry and are of a better quality. Having said this though, the locks on these latches are fairly standard as are the keys. I'm not sure just how many different ones are in existence but I'd bet that there simply aren't many. Yes, better than standard RV's but not what I'd call a great difference. If I was worried about my batteries I would make a call to your Sales rep and ask what options are available. Since the lock is part of the latch I doubt that this will be an easy fix for you. However, an additional lock of some sort might make sense given the issues involved. Bill

Big dog? Big shotgun? Big alarm? Have a locking tailgate retrofitted? Truck cap with a locking lift gate? A couple of cheap hasps welded to the sides of the truck with big expensive locks so it doesn't look sooooo bad? Good luck! Bill

Susan - Olivers (or any RV that I'm aware of) do not come with locking hitch pins of any sort. Usually the hitch ball locking lever like Townesw (Bill) shows above either has no pin or has a simple cotter pin affair. The locks for the hitch ball lever simply prevent the casual "bad guy" from springing that lever while you are eating, shopping, sight seeing, etc. These can be purchased at WalMart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/New-5-8-in-Rotating-Locking-Coupler-Pin-with-2-Keys-Trailer-Hitch-Truck-Pick-Up-360-Rotating-Head-Position-Lock-Easy-Access-to-Tumbler/291160794 Note that this one was the first one I came across but one sold by Master Lock is probably more widely used and is what I have. I also use a receiver lock pin to make sure that the entire hitch stays in the truck's receiver: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fastway-Trailer-Products-Maximum-Security-Hitch-Pin-Lock-DT-30005/55385513 Again, there are multiple designs and suppliers of these types of pins. Finally, if you are going to be using the Andersen WDH then I'd strongly suggest that you purchase a replacement pin for holding the "whale tail" to the bottom of the Andersen hitch ball. These replacement pins made both removal and insertion of this pin much easier because they have a handle whereas the one supplied with the Andersen does not have a handle. As far as I know, Tractor Supply has the cheapest price on these pins: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-red-head-hitch-pin-grade-5-4-in-usable-pin-length If you don't have a Tractor Supply near you or would prefer to wait until you have your Oliver, then there is a Tractor supply literally at the end to the street from where you will take delivery in Hohenwald. Bill p.s. (edit) OOPS! just noticed that you will be towing with a TV somewhat bigger than a half-to.. So, my comments about the Andersen probably don't apply to you.

Susan - Assuming that your husband doesn't like bending over or tilting his head (a bunch) while he showers then I'd say he is in trouble with or without Foy's shower mat. Perhaps it is a bit silly of me but I simply can't "stand" to be bent in any direction while I shower. In fact, one of the reasons I initially looked at the Oliver was because I could stand up straight in the shower. Yes, at 6'0" I have to make sure that I don't stand too close to the sink, but, that is fairly easy. Before Foy started making his works of art I thought that I'd make a nice mat that was custom fitted to the shape of the shower floor. I got to work in my shop that winter, measured, measured again, cut templates, measured again and finally got what I wanted. I searched Amazon for little "feet" that would now mar the floor and would not rust and, like Foy has done, mounted a bunch of them to the bottom. Then came the day I put it in the shower - soooo proud I was of my work - and then I stood on it with my head firmly against the Ollies ceiling! The next day I gave that mat away. Since I didn't like the way the floor felt under my bare feet during those middle of the night bathroom "runs", I decided to look for a "rug" type mat that I could use when not showering and be able to place it just outside the shower to catch drips from the shower door when first opened after showering. The best one I found was at Camping World. While not a custom fit - it comes close: https://www.campingworld.com/idry-bath-mat---pewter-71553.html Finally, I wound up buying two of these - yes, sometimes I forget to open that bath back-flow preventer valve - so that I can dry one or clean one while still having one to use. These are certainly not as attractive as Foy's but .... Bill p.s. Foy surely can't stand straight up in the shower either since he's taller than I am. But, his wonderful wife has no problem at all in that regard.

Dean - At the moment I do not have the time to look it up for you, but, there is a thread here on the Forum where various people have attempted to list what they would want in a Elite lll. Most of the suggestions are like yours - practical and sincere. But there are a number like a helicopter pad and hot tub that are pure fantasy. With current production like it is and demand so high for the existing products, I'm guessing that it will be awhile before we see the lll. Bill

Another winterization tip: In order to help prevent that "dreaded fridge odor" from developing during winter or other storage of the Oliver; simply empty, clean and dry the fridge and then place several sheets of crumpled newspaper inside both sections of the fridge. Also then prop both doors (the freezer and the main door) slightly open. When it is time to take your Oliver out of storage all you have to do is remove the newspaper, close the doors and turn it on. There will be no odor at all. Bill

Yep - good for you. Certainly I do not like following the crowd - perhaps most of us that own Olivers are in this same boat in that regard - but, there is a reason (s) that the F-150 has been the best selling for so many years. It is really nice to see that the other brands are catching up (and in some ways passing) to the F-150. Choices make for a better product on so many fronts. Enjoy that truck - hope it brings you many miles of smiles. Bill

Not ALL - I've met one of your "treasures" and she is definitely NOT "junk"😁. But, then again, I'm guessing that you would be in very deep trouble if you even mentioned Krunch and raffle in the same sentence🤢. Bill

Sure - a guy just can't be seen towing that new Oliver with a shabby "old" truck. Seriously, congratulations! Can't wait to see a pic of the beast towing the beast. Bill

Mike - Sorry about the weather. That looks like a nice site - level, clean and private. Did you have a chance to look at the shower house? Bill

Hummingbird - John has a point - if you haven't already done it, watch every video you can (of course assuming that you really are interested in the Oliver). After I had already placed my deposit I watched what at the time was just about the only video out there some 75 times! However, to me, there is nothing like being there. You get to touch, smell, feel and look into the eyes of the people on the production line. Sort of the difference between watching a game on TV and being there in person. But, depending on your timing and level of desire, you might want to choose the option that fits your situation best. Watch videos, take the shortened tour or wait for the full thing? Heck - if you have the time, why not do all three? Bill

Be a bit careful on just pulling in. Mainiac is right in that most Cracker Barrels do have dedicated RV/oversized vehicle sites in the parking area. But, asking the Manager is always a good idea given I know that there is at least one that does not allow overnight parking and some town ordinances may get in the way of allowing the Cracker Barrel to say yes. For the Cracker Barrel in St. Joe, I got WiFi from the motel next door via my WiFi Ranger booster. Bill

jordanv - I think that your estimate of what "most people's Oliver Elite II's" towing weight is a bit high. I tow mine at right near 6,000 pounds (depending on the level of water/stuff in the tanks - these are all normally empty unless I need the water for boondocking). I own a 2017 F-150 just like the 2018 you are looking at and have never had one hint of an issue. Usually I have in the bed of the truck - two sets of wheel chocks, three 11 inch lengths of 6 x 6 blocks (for use under the Oliver's jacks), two 8 gallon water containers (one is almost always empty unless I need it for extended boondocking), a shower tent, a cheap charcoal grill plus charcoal, a light (plastic) rug for under the awning and a fairly good sized truck box that contains all my fishing and/or backpacking gear (with the exception of the rods which I carry in the truck with me). Hope this info helps you. Bill

On Amazon type in RV levelers ramps and you will find an assortment of different brands. Note that some people here on the Forum have said that they have experienced these ramps sliding. To prevent this they have started using small rubber mats under them. For what its worth, I've never experienced my Andersen's sliding. But, normally I'm not camping on pavement of any sort. Bill

Dennis1 - As usual, the answer to the question of what's "best" depends on where and how you are camping plus from whom does the answer come. For chocks you can go from simple blocks of wood to plastic to rubber. If you camp on relatively steep concrete surfaces both the wood and plastic will tend to slide or slip more than the rubber. However, the wood and then the plastic are generally cheaper than the rubber. I use the plastic chocks because they are cheap, don't retain water, and are easy to clean. But I also always carry a set of rubber chocks just in case. For leveling your choices range from (again) wood planks stacked until you reach the height you want or legos style square blocks that (again) are stacked until you reach the height you want or the ramp style levelers like Andersen. While there are cheaper versions (and one or two more expensive) available generally the Andersens are considered just about the top of the line. These ramp style levelers are a bit easier to use as compared to either planks of wood or legos styles, particularly if you camp alone. However, as a general rule the ramp styles are limited to a height increase (on the one side of the camper) of something approaching 4 inches. This height will take care of a huge percentage of leveling situations and then you are forced to either supplement with something additional (like wood planks ) under them or change sites. Again, I use the Andersens but also carry a single stack of ten legos just in case. Bill

OEM 36 gallon.

That IS exciting news. And now you are even two weeks closer. While Mother Nature is sure to do things her own way, you are right that your chances of bad weather are less in early December. Hopefully it works out that way for you guys, Bill

Not that we are biased or anything, but, nice pics of a beautiful camper in super locations. Just so you know - the Oliver does well in not so nice locations too. Bill

Now THAT is what I call an excuse!

Certainly you pick a delightful couple to have them show you the Ollie. If you ever get the chance, be sure to take the factory tour. There you will see the detail of how they are made which makes the finished product even more impressive. Let us know if you have any questions and enjoy this new journey you have embarked on. Bill

You might be a touch high on that tongue weight but better safe than sorry. If it helps your mind any - you probably still have a long ways to go to get anywhere near what ScubaRX is hauling around 😄. Bill p.s. you'll simply love that bigger gas tank. When I got my 2017 F150 I got the bigger gas tank and it has been wonderful. Your tank is even bigger!

Sherry - I believe the stabbing was before the new owners took but it wasn't long before. I admit that I really didn't take a tour of the facility last week but it didn't look much different from the road. Bill