topgun2

This is/was one of my personal favorites. They have water available and flush toilets but no electric, sewer dump or showers. However, when I was there two months ago this campground was CLOSED. The Meriwether-Lewis exhibits and area were open though and are worth a look particularly if you can snag one of the Park Rangers. Bill

The first few days and even months of my retirement were filled with all kinds of "stuff". Getting projects done that were long over due, getting rid of old work things, catching up, getting organized, etc.. Then one day around six months into retirement I woke up one morning and while laying there in bed I realized that today I could do whatever I wanted. If I wanted to read all day, fish all day, lay right here all day - I could do it. THAT was when I finally realized what retirement is to me - freedom. And, that is when I really started to fully enjoy myself in this new phase of life. Yes, I'm busier than ever with more projects than ever, but, it is that freedom of choice that makes all of that fun and not really seem like work (at least most of the time). Bill

Ray - My inverter is never on unless I specifically turn it on. However, my Oliver is a 2016 model Elite II. So, I'm guessing that yours could be different - but, I doubt it. Bill

Ray - as I recall, on your model you have a second panel located on the "Attic" - you might want to check that also. Bill edit - the attic is the large storage locker at the top center of the rear of the Oliver.

Nicole - Good to have you here and thanks for posting. I believe that you are looking for a 3/4 ton truck. All of the 1/2 ton trucks currently on the market require a weight distribution hitch when towing something like the Oliver Legacy Elite II. I have tried to make my Oliver sway without success and I've never heard of even one instance where any Oliver trailer swayed due to wind, passing semi's or any other circumstance. I happen to own a 2017 Ford 150 and, yes, I do have and use the Andersen. My truck has the 3.5 liter Ecoboost engine with the max trailer towing package. This truck gets in the low 20's mpg while not towing and averages between 12 and 13 mpg while towing. I have towed my Elite II through out the mountain west and have never experience any trouble with any grade under any circumstance. Hope this helps. Bill

Let me add that replacing the screening is really not difficult and there are many Youtube videos on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=replacing+screening However, if you chose to tackle this then make sure that you do the screen door last. The radius of the curved upper left and right of the screen door is reasonably tight which makes it a bit tricky to get the screening even in that area. I found that more force had to be applied to the spline tool while gently smoothing the screen in order to get those corners done correctly. Other than that this is a project that most owners can do without difficulty. Bill

Earlier in this thread Seadawg suggested a product called "Shoe Goo" and I then mentioned "E6000". I believe that it is was in the craft section of a Super WalMart that I found a four pack of E6000 in small 0.18 fl oz tubes. These very small tubes are handy in that they have enough glue in them for most projects without drying out like the larger tubes tend to do before you can use it all. I always keep a couple of these small guys in the "junk" drawer of the Oliver just in case. Another product I saw recently in a "You, Me and the RV" Youtube video was for E6000 Extreme Tack. They used this product on the bottoms of several items to keep them from moving around on the counter as they drove down the road: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IR11XIM/?ref=exp_youmetherv_dp_vv_d Bill

OK - I checked. Our local blue fireflys do their thing late Spring to early Summer. When I see the light I'll raise the flag. Bill

The screens in the Oliver windows are made with standard fiberglass screening material. Unfortunately, in many places I camp there are very small bugs (no-see-ums) that are small enough to fit through the holes in that screening. As a winter project last year I replaced all screens with a finer mesh screening suitable for keeping virtually all of these bugs at bay. This small bug screening can be purchased at virtually any hardware store and is fairly inexpensive. In addition, I purchased two different bug zappers that will get anything that flies through the door as I come and go. Both can be used as a bug zapper alone or be combined with their internal regular light function. Even though the NEBO was more expensive (about $25 versus the $15 I paid for the U-Lantern) I tend to like it better since it seems to be a bit brighter (the bug light portion) and thus takes care of critters a bit faster and it can be used as both a lantern and spotlight. NEBO Bug Zapper: https://www.amazon.com/NEBO-6587-Z-Bug-Lantern-Light/dp/B074TH22FB/ref=sr_1_2?crid=27FXU7XDX781S&dchild=1&keywords=nebo+bug+zapper+lantern&qid=1603047333&sprefix=nebo+bug%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-2 U-Pick Camping Lantern: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T64CGZY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Small Insect Screen: https://www.amazon.com/ADFORS-Premium-Insect-Screen-Charcoal/dp/B00KIQKN0I/ref=sr_1_5?crid=32ZP3AH1Y8HIF&dchild=1&keywords=small+insect+screen+mesh+roll&qid=1603047517&sprefix=small+insect+screen%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-5 I should note that the NEBO is battery powered while the U-Pick is USB rechargeable but neither seem to really use that much juice. Also, it should not be a surprise but the tighter mesh of the small insect screening does restrict airflow more than the original screen. But, while I did notice the reduced air flow, it is not a major factor - just crank up the Maxair another notch 😉.

For years now I have tried to tell those "working folk" I run into just how stressful retirement is. After they initially laugh I go on to explain that since they are working they have a fairly good idea of exactly what their day will bring. They know when they will get up, what they will wear, probably what they will have for breakfast, where they will go, what they will do, maybe even where they will eat, what time they will head for home and what they will do when they get there. We "retired folks" don't necessarily know many of these things and we have to make decision upon decision each and every day which leads to STRESS! However, because I (we) care about the wellbeing, health and happiness of others, this retirement thing is just something that I (we) are willing to do. I encourage those "working folk" just to continue to work, pay into Social Security, and be happy. I'll suck it up and handle all this STRESS for them. Bill 😅

Back in the day at the request of an owner cold weather enhancements were made during the construction of his camper. I know that at least two of these enhancements were additional insulation and tank heaters. The reason for the request was the customer did oil shale work in northern Pa. in the winter. As it turned out the tank heaters were not necessary. Unfortunately there wasn't an easy way to test the effectiveness of the extra insulation. Eventually that owner sold the Oliver because he felt he needed more room during those cold winter days and nights. Bill

Between the two of us hopefully we will have enough brain power that we can remember.😄 I'll do a small amount of looking around and see if I can find out what time these critters did their thing this year. Since they are usually within a week or two each year that should give us a ballpark to shoot for. I'll let you know. Bill

And now if only those voices in my head would stop! 😁 Glad you got it fixed and good for the guys at Progressive. Bill

Let me see? Wood blocks are basically free and the legos cost money. That's a hard choice in that either will do the job. I always carry three 6x6 wood blocks that are about 11 inches long. These blocks just fit under the rear jacks on a fairly level surface and when used on their sides they are (obviously) just under 6 inches long thus giving an alternative for when that gap is under the 11 inches. Bill

We've been using Shoe Goo since the early 80's. Back then the main purpose was to apply the stuff to the heels of running shoes so that the shoes would last for a number of additional running miles (today's running shoes have soles that are much more durable than they were back in the day). The next "found" use for this stuff was to make both the heels and the toes of fly fishing wading boots last longer and I still use it for that purpose today. Certainly Shoe Goo will "fix" soles that are detaching but it tends to be slightly less pliable than E6000. Both of these products can be used for temporary small leak repairs or awning patching or fishing wader patching or .... Bill

Given that I cover my Oliver while in storage, the rooftop solar panels are useless. However, I do plug in a small 25 watt solar panel for the purpose of keeping the batteries charged. The climate in Western North Carolina is kinder/milder than others I can think of, but, we do get down into the teens for short periods a couple of times over the winter. I make sure that everything possible is turned off inside the Ollie, I turn off the rooftop solar panels and I "trip" the two main breakers so that there is minimal current draw. Each Spring and the several times I check on the camper over the winter, the batteries are always fully charged and ready to go. Bill

Nice pics! So shiny and new - its time to go get it dirty! Congrates, now the real fun begins. Bill

Yes, and the Camper Service area used to be in the back (north side) of that same building. The "new" Service/Sales building is not actually new. But, it is in much better shape as compared to the old location. In the back (north side) of the "new" building Oliver will have some other products being manufactured. The Sales area is located in the front (south side) left and the camper Service area is in the front (south side) right of the "new" building. However, until renovations in this building are completed, the new Service area is temporally located about mid-way down the right side (east side) of the new building. Bill

Presently there is a grass area on your right as you approach this "new" building. There is some discussion at Oliver about making this into a "camping" spot for pre and post Service customers and possibly even for post delivery. I asked about the non-paved areas around toward the back of the building near the wooded area and was told that they didn't feel that these areas would be secure enough for camping. Even though I meant to ask about "dump" and potable water facilities at this "new" location - I forgot - sorry. Bill

"New" Oliver Service location - 228 Industrial Ave, Hohenwald, TN 38462

Nope - it is not in the same location. I don't have the address handy but if you turn north at the WalMart stoplight, cross the railroad tracks and proceed to the end of the street - the new sales office and service center will be right in front of you. Bill

According to NCDOT regs tire chains are not required but may be used when safety conditions warrant. So, I'm guessing that there are areas of the State where chains are recommended and certainly there are areas of the State where one would be a fool to drive without them under and there may even be some private or semi-private areas that may require them. Bill

Believe it or not - right here in a little town in "southern" North Carolina the local WalMart has chains in stock. Certainly there are no roads anywhere near here where chains are required. Go figure. Bill

Gee, I sure do wish I knew what you two are talking about! 😁

The "better" stuff is $2.99 at Tractor Supply. Same stuff is $4.99 to $6.99 at Home Depot and Lowes. I just looked at the antifreeze I bought at WalMart and it claims to protect down to 50 below zero. What does the "better" stuff do better? Bill