topgun2

Ray & Susan - I've just looked into the "alternate route" issue and from what that quick look gave me it appears fairly easy. Take the route that is calculated and then save it. Bring up that saved route and a list of the start, end and all stops in between will come up. Touch the wrench in the upper left hand corner of the screen and then chose shape route or route preference. You can then touch the map to draw around sections you don't want to see or chose dirt roads or shortest route (mileage wise). I've not found a way (yet) of getting it to show several alternative routes on the same screen in the manner that Google maps does. Bill

Sak - I'm guessing that somewhere in the Airstream handbook there is a rule that states that one should not order an Oliver while sitting inside the Airstream. However, nice choice and really a nice way to do it! Welcome aboard. Bill

BlueHighways - If you plan on hardwiring your Garmin after you receive it, please drop me a PM and we can talk about getting that job done without cracking, denting or otherwise destroying any of that nice plastic that is your dash. Ray & Susan - I've not used the "alternative route" function on the 890 yet. But, I'll take a look at it soon and send along any "wisdom" that I can. Bill

dennis: Yes, your plan will give you a bit of a taste of what its like living in a camped spot with an RV. However, it will not give you anywhere near a full experience. Hopefully you have "towed" something of size before - a good sized boat or (even better) an RV about the size of the Oliver or bigger. I find that my driving experience is way different when towing as compared to when I'm simply on the road. I slow down, I enjoy the scenery much more, I stop more often when towing and this is all part of the experience. I believe that it would be much more preferable for you to rent a towable RV, travel at least a couple of hours, set up camp, camp, break down camp, and , return the RV. That would give you a better "taste" of the overall experience. Bill

Yes, since I already have the Garmin Express program on my computer due to the nuvi2797, it was easy to bring that program up, plug in the new 890 to the computer and add the new device (the 890) to the list of Garmins I have. From there the "Express" program automatically checks for both GPS software and maps updates. In my case, both were needed. However, instead of this process taking a couple of hours to update, as was the case with my 2797, the 890 only took about 1/2 hour. These RAM mounts are really nice. I have used them in the past on various motorcycles but never before in the truck. Note that Garmin says that the ball mount on the 890 is 21.83 mm which is a bit smaller than the one inch ball of the RAM mounts. But, after comparing the two side by side, I really could not see any difference and can happily tell you that the one sent with the 890 works very well with the RAM extension arm. Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised by how stable the 890 is hanging off that 5 1/2 inch arm. I'd strongly suggest to wait until you have the 890 in hand before you decide where or how you want to mount it in your 1500. I found that simply having it attached to the windshield or sitting on the dash blocked way too much of the view out the front. Certainly the screen is big enough to mount in the center of the cockpit so both people can see it and the navigator can easily take the 890 off the "head" unit in order to more comfortably look for rest areas, gas stations, campgrounds, shopping, restaurants, etc.. As I tried to show in the pics above, my mounting area gets the screen out of my direct line of sight but still gives me access to all of the controls on the dash and even a view of the navigation screen in the center console. Perhaps Builtright Industries makes a mounting system similar to what they make for the Ford that gives you several different options. As you can see, I have plenty of room to mount my TPMS and/or a cell phone to the Builtright rack. I really think that you will enjoy the 890 when you get it. Bill p.s. My 890 was manufactured in November but still needed the updates mentioned above.

Since the storage area where I park my Oliver is very level and basically on gravel, I do not use the onboard jacks at all - other than the front jack. However, I do use some pressure treated plywood covered with 8 mil plastic sheeting to slightly raise the tires off direct contact with the ground. And, using the front jack I make sure that the camper is slightly tilted towards the rear so that water runs off the cover easily. Like FrankC, I cover the tires to protect from UV damage and have not had any trouble with "flat spots" on the tires in the Spring.

Now that I have the Garmin 890 installed along with the Builtright rack for the dash tray on the Ford (150 or 250), here are a couple of pics. Hardwiring the 12 volt/2 slot USB that used 3M double sided tape to attach to the underside of the Builtright rack was a bit un-nerving but not really difficult - let me know if you want details. With the adjustable RAM mount I can move the GPS to a more comfortable position as compared to my old GPS which actually had to sit up on the dash a bit too far away to make changes on the fly. And, even given the weight of the 890, the RAM mounts hold the screen securely and without vibration. The Garmin 890 is really very nice - it should be for its "sale" price of $400. But, the inclusion of data for campgrounds, dump stations, propane outlets, truck stops, Walmarts, Cracker Barrels, etc., really make this unit much more useful as compared to my old Garmin. The traffic and on the fly fuel price functions of the 890 are obtained via a Garmin app connected to the 890 via bluetooth. I've not had a chance (yet) to test these features. Questions? Bill

JD is certainly correct about a structure being better than a cover. Unfortunately there are a number of us that simply do not have that choice either due to home owner restrictions or cost or a simple lack of alternatives. I too used to use the wash it directly on the Oliver method or hang it over a fence method, butt I've found that I can hang the cover from one of my decks, take a electric power washer to it (in order to not have too strong or heavy of a stream as I would from my gas powered unit), some mild soap and it is good to go for the next season. Bill

Well - not everything.

slav - 1) Calmark. Pre-Oliver I did use a similar brand but even though they are about the same price and use the same material I believe that the Calmark is the better cover. This is due to the fact that the Calmark has a cinch rope at the bottom (along with grommets) and two or three straps that circle around the entire camper - see the black vertical straps in FrankC's pic above. 2) I also use a couple of buckets of Damprid. Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina we get days (usually early or late in the season) when humidity levels are higher than I would like. The Damprid takes care of that issue. 3) question not asked - when covering the Oliver, the solar panels cease to function and Calmark will not make a cover with clear panels on the top. Therefore, since I do not have electric available where I store my Oliver, I have a 25 watt solar panel connected directly to the batteries in order to make sure that the batteries are fully charged all winter. 4) question not asked - these covers are NOT light. Putting a cover on is not all that easy - particularly so if you do this job alone. Taking the cover off is much easier. 5) question not asked - My cover is now several years old and I understand that the price of these covers is now in excess of $800. Bill

NC - I think you are on the right track - unplug and re-plug in everything associated too. Good luck! Bill

For those not familiar with the camper Bshaffer is talking about - it is one of the few that were actually delivered by the factory in a color other than white - hers is RED. Certainly it is a wonder Oliver to take a look at if you ever see her out on the road or at a rally. Perhaps Seadawg will chime in here - if not then I'd suggest a PM to her. I know that she has removed her microwave and (perhaps) remembers the process. Good luck. Bill

The Buffalo River is very close and the fishing there can be OK if you are willing to do a bit of walking between runs. This campground has a pit toilet (surprisingly clean in that it is not maintained by the Forest Service - therefore you have to bring your own TP) and several hiking trails right out of camp. While there is a nice view from the meadow at the western side of the camp, the better views are from Buffalo Valley Road about a mile to the west from the campsite. Potable water and trash bins are available in the Turpin Meadows campground - located about 9/10 of a mile east of the campsite. But, the really nice thing is that this campsite is free. However, several years ago, there was a "resident" griz that came into this camp every so often - there are still bear boxes in the campground for that reason. I could not get a cell signal from camp - if you travel back down to route 191/89 and turn south (left) there is a commercial campground/gas station/store on the right where you can get WiFi and/or a strong cell signal. For a fee you can also dump tanks here while you look at a wonderful view of the Tetons. Bill

Bob - For me this is easy - Box Creek de-commissioned NFS campground. N 43degrees 51 minutes 42.5 seconds W 110 degrees 17 minutes 39.0 seconds.

one fish, two fish nice! Bill

Thanks for the photo but I want more! I just might be slightly biased in that I also have no graphic on the front and I have the silver pinstripes, but, that is one nice looking Ollie. Just take it easy on that drive and enjoy all of the sites that you can see driving across this wonderful country of ours. Bill

Fritz - Since our Forum is not monitored at all times by the staff at Oliver, you might want to simply copy your post above and submit it here. I'd suggest that you direct the message to either Scott Oliver and/or Rodney Lomax. Bill

While it does not look like I will be attending, anyone that is interested in Olivers can certainly attend. They can either bring what they already own or simply rent one of the many rooms that this State Park has available - camping cabins to rooms in the lodge. Surely, all are welcome and it is a great opportunity for prospective owners to talk to current Oliver owners and see what they have done to make the Oliver an even better camper for them. Bill

Off the top - I don't remember such a thread, but, certainly I could be wrong. However, while mine was not originally in the attic I did move it. Originally these displays were in the street side basement and if you wanted to see the error codes you had to move the mattress and/or cushions and lift the hatch in order to read it. I moved mine into the pantry and have been meaning to move it further into the first cubbie above the dinette. The process is a fairly simple matter of "fishing" the wire. Bill

Well, there is at least one other - Bugeyedriver (Pete). He originally towed his Elite I with a Tacoma but switched to a Ford F-150. I think that he may have made that switch mainly for his owner - his dog , Bosker. 😆 Bill

I always use a relatively inexpensive lock on the bulldog hitch in order to "prevent" someone from casually lifting the lever which closes the hitch around the ball. I had this happen once some twenty years ago while parked in a motel lot and I almost didn't see it before leaving. BoB makes good points above, particularly regarding prevention while traveling. While in storage I use two hitch locks plus a "boot". There are some owners that use devices that can track the Oliver. Good luck. Bill

Paul & Linda - First of all - welcome to the Forum, glad you're here. Be sure to take a camera with you and be sure to ask all the questions you can think of and touch whatever you want. Finally, keep that checkbook close at hand 😁. Bill

I'm with KenB. When boondocking I use the outside shower for washing dishes if grey tank capacity is any question. And, since I use a solar shower whenever I can there can be those days when the temps are too low or the sun is not strong enough to heat the water. When this happens I simply turn on the water heater and fill the solar shower from the outside shower. Bill

Brendan - I'm sure that you are going to get a fair amount of comments/answers to your questions and many of the answers that are applicable to you depend on where and when you will want to tow. However, to get things rolling: The only places that I've encountered difficulty in navigating have been out in the boonies. There are times that forest roads simply get more and more narrow, bumpy or overgrown. Or the terrain becomes more difficult than I want to deal with. However, since the Oliver is the same width as my truck it is "normal" for me that almost anywhere I would want to take my truck - the Oliver will simply follow. Google maps in satellite view is a good tool. However, if that is not available (lack of WiFi or cell signal). As you gain experience you will develop a sense as to when you are getting in a tight spot. You learn to look for ways out or around a situation before you get into them. For instance - when pulling into a gas station it is good practice to chose a gas pump that has more than one exit just in case someone pulls in and blocks you. When exploring unfamiliar places, many people simply un-hitch in an open area and then explore to make sure the road ahead is passable and/or to find a suitable camping area without having to worry about towing the Oliver behind. This approach also makes that job faster. Only once in five years have I had to back out of a spot and that was because someone else blocked the road. Thank goodness I only had to back up a few hundred yards, but, as long as you take it slow backing up is really not that difficult. Routine travel is actually relaxing for me once I get into the rhythm of the road - learn to slow down! I put tunes or an audio book in the player, sit back and enjoy the ride in the slow lane. Since the Oliver is under 10 feet tall I've never had a problem pulling into a gas station. However, note the answer above - always look for more than one way out. Most "small towns" are no problem and I can always find a place to park - either on the street or in a lot. Again, the Oliver is the same width as the truck, therefore it is only the length I have to be concerned with. Obviously, there are places in some town that you are not allowed to tow and/or you really don't want to tow. Really narrow streets, congested traffic, etc. are to be avoided even without the Oliver AND, certainly know the height of that parking garage BEFORE you even think about entering. I have never "bottomed out" my Oliver. Particularly out West where and other places where the roads have a deep crown to the road or deep gutter it is best to approach these areas at an angle - not straight on - and take it slow. This might mean that you have to wait for traffic to clear before entering/exiting but so be it - what's the hurry? Even after RV towing now for over thirty years and boat towing for something like sixty years I still get a touch "keyed up" for the first ten miles or so. Making sure that I can see behind me, is the unit I'm towing following properly, are the brakes working as they should, is everything attached properly, etc. But after I've convinced myself that all is well the entire process is no big deal. Get a good checklist and follow it - always. If you have a friend that tows, ask them to show you the ropes. Get yourself in a large open space (parking lot) and practice turning, backing up and parking. Remember that your stopping distance and acceleration will be slowed, therefore, allow more room for everything. Slow down, relax, enjoy the world and have fun. We were all where you are at with no "special" skills and have learned to tow safely. Bill

Early yesterday afternoon I placed an Amazon order for several items that I had in my "cart". Then early yesterday evening I received a phone call from Amazon where a recorded message from a very professional lady told me that there were some "problems/irregular transactions" in my account and that Amazon was placing restrictions on the account. If I wanted to immediately speak to an agent I was instructed to "press 1". This call was fairly similar to emails that we have received from our bank in the past when a charge was mistakenly doubled or when we had purchased something a bit out of the ordinary. However, all of the contacts with our bank had been via email - as per our request. I didn't remember how we had told Amazon to contact us in the event of "issues" but one of those little voices in the back of my head said something just wasn't "right" with this call. Therefore, instead of immediately talking to an agent, I hung up and went to my Amazon account. There were no messages from Amazon there and all appeared exceedingly normal with the orders I had placed earlier in the day. So, I contacted Amazon and once I got past their computer's myriad of questions I actually got to talk with a real person. After explaining the reason for the call I was placed on hold and two minutes later they came back and said that there was no internal record of Amazon trying to contact me and that all appeared in order with my account. Also, I know that this phone call was not associated in any way with this Forum in that I have never given my phone number out on the Forum and it is not stored anywhere on the Forum. Given the amount of purchases that many (all) of us make on Amazon and the time of year that it is, I urge all of us to be very careful. If something just doesn't seem right or if you have that little voice in the back of your head talking to you then just pause for a moment and check things out. Bill p.s. Just for grins - I also changed the password to my Amazon account!