topgun2

I rarely travel with any liquids in any tank unless I'm likely to need shower water. But, I always have a milk jug or two stashed beside the toilet to be used in the event the rest stop or gas station or whatever is simply too gross or too crowded. Bill

I agree with BoB. I traveled from NC to Wy and back just a month ago and didn't have one reservation. As per my usual custom I did try to stop no later than 4pm each day in order to both rest and to make sure I had a spot for the night. In a couple of cases the campground was full when I left the next morning. When on the road I've always found regular RV repair places to be very busy. Thankfully I'veever had serious issues with my Oliver. But, as BoB suggests, I do carryan assortment of repair items in the hope I'll never need them. Bill

I assume that our reporter on the scene will let us know the news.

You might want to add that it is on the outside of the Ollie - not behind the toilet on the inside 😆.

I've used the Towready for five years now without a single issue. However, I would recommend that you use something to help hold where it plugs into your TV and your trailer plug together. I simply use a strip of Velcro wrapped around each of these connections to secure them. Bill

Susan - No apology needed, but next time you get to answer this question 😄. Bill

Dave - Sherry pretty well nailed it in that several years ago Oliver standardized all wiring harnesses making it easier to add things later. However, unless you are very handy and desire to install things yourself without the included warranty, it is simply easier and even cost effective to order your Oliver as close as possible to the way you really want it. A bit unfortunately though - as Mike points out - how do you know the way you want it since you have never had it? Besides boondocking solar does give you greater flexibility in not worrying so much about running out of electricity. On the other hand, unless you really plan on boondocking a bunch, the extra money spent on the composting toilet is questionable. Door locks are very easy to replace later and you can find them on sale. Besides, looking for keys in the dirt versus trying to remember or even find the right button to push when one is ...... seems like a toss up to me. In five years I've never needed that inside basement access door. But recently I learned that several people use that door as an area in the basement for storing shoes. Great idea! I don't have a cell phone so that booster is of no use to me. But I do use the WiFi booster a bunch - not in campgrounds where bandwidth tends to be an issue but when traveling. I simply pull into the parking lot of almost any fast food place or Walmart or Lowes or ... an use their WiFi without going inside. Bottom line is you have to think about how, when and where you want to use your Oliver. Yes, listen to the experience you read about here but apply your own filters. For instance, state of the art batteries are great. But can you justify the current expense of them when a set of 4 AGMs should last a good 7 plus years and cover most situations you will find? Good luck and remember the first paragraph above. Also, it is better to get out there "doing stuff" than it is trying to plan the "perfect" rig. Bill

Gary - I add my welcome. From what I've seen, Oliver tends to be right on the money to a touch early on the production schedules. I assume that you picked that date versus it being the earliest delivery date available? Bill

If you have never done the Trace before from Hohenwald then be sure to head just a couple of miles north. On the east side will be a turnout for a nice little waterfall. However, if you are camped south of Hohenwald I wouldn't bother coming that far back for it. Have a good trip. Note that the camping areas on the Trace may be closed - Meriwether Lewis camping was closed when I was there September 1st. Bill

Mike - Even though that appears to be a bit chilly, it is gorgeous! I'd bet that this is where the deer and antelope play too. An Oliver would look fantastic here and look at all that room to roam. Bill

Mike - Welcome to the family (almost). I feel your pain regarding all of the choices one has to make and trying to sort through the positives and negatives of all the options. As you most likely already know - there is no "stock answer" to these questions. We're so happy that you have found us and (like us) appreciate the quality and versatility of the Oliver. Look forward to meeting you either on the road or at one of the Oliver Rallies. Bill

Susan - For that price you can buy a bunch of the Harbor Freight pumps and a couple of the more expensive threaded fittings I mention above. Bill

Banjo - Yes the bakflip does leak to a very minor extent. Primarily at the rear corners where it mates with your tailgate. But, this is minor and can be (somewhat) mitigated with the use of some additional weather striping in these corners. I'm guessing that nearly all of these covers will leak to some extent under the right conditions. Bill

If that's the River Run I know then there is some good trout fishing nearby too. Bill

Actually this counter was a prototype on one of the Oliver family trailers. It was decided that the Corian was too heavy and they developed the Fibergranite tops that we have today. That was for venting the microwave. Bill

The fitting that I mentioned in the first post above is a bit hard to come by. Even though these are a bit more expensive, another way to "skin that cat" is to get what is called a "RV Blow Out Valve/plug" https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-P23518LFVP-Blow-Out-Plug/dp/B00HSO2T5A/ref=sr_1_39?crid=29XWEBY27PKZB&dchild=1&keywords=rv%2Bblowout%2Badapter&qid=1600366608&sprefix=rv%2Bblow%2Bout%2B%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-39&th=1&psc=1 Don't forget to remove the valve stem from inside the plug/valve prior to using for the winterization purpose. These valve stems simply screw out (lefty loosey to take it out) or (righty tighty to put it back in). Bill

I'm sure this was done with the latest update and I just might be a bit late to the party, but, has anyone else noticed that if you momentarily leave your cursor on any Avatar it will do a 360 degree spin? Something to do on a wet Sally soaked day! Bill

I know that bus bars are not rocket science, but, it is still nice to see a quality piece. Bill

I might be wrong - imagine that - but I think the material used was actually Corian. Bill

Or, how about something like this?

Yes, labeling the valve helps but you still have to look around that corner and read it. After several "wet feet" experiences I put a "slap band" ( https://www.amazon.com/Bracelets-bangcool-Silicone-Bracelet-Families/dp/B081F8JHR5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZGMXLG5MDPWR&dchild=1&keywords=slap+bands+for+adults&qid=1600260949&sprefix=slap+band%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1 ) in the bright orange color on my screen door bar ( https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Screen-Door-Cross-Handle/dp/B0012GTVVA/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=rv+screen+door+bar&qid=1600261011&sr=8-3 ) . This way I'm forced to look at it each and every time I enter/exit the camper. Bill

I installed it alone. No problem at all. Yes, it is "secure" with the tailgate locked. Unfortunately though if you are armed with a coat hanger and a small piece of knowledge you can open it (the cover) in less than two seconds. Besides being able to use virtually the entire bed of the truck with the cover in place, another good feature is being able to close the tailgate and/or the cover with the tailgate and/or cover in any position. That is - you don't have to open the cover in order to close the tailgate or vice versa. And, you can open the entire cover without having to get into the bed of the truck. Bill

I see that there are at least three of us that area not afraid to admit we have suffered wet feet due to forgetting to open that valve.🙄 Bill p.s. make that four!

Susan - I've had a Bakflip MX4 for several years now. Basically I really do like it since I can fold it right up to the cab of the truck without taking it leaving plenty of room to haul my motorcycle or mulch or ... However, two words about their customer service: 1 - when a buckle broke they sent me an entire set of hardware at no charge - great for them 2 - when I put a nasty scratch in one of the panels I called them to get the name/color of the paint they use. They said that they would send me touch-up paint at no charge. After not receiving that paint and repeated calls asking simply for the color I gave up. On the advice of a local auto painting shop I repainted the MX4 with "trim & bumper" rattle can paint. The result is OK but not great. So, if they were playing baseball they'd be batting 500. Very good for baseball but certainly not up to Oliver standards. Bill

Lexi - Thanks so much for getting on this with such a great attitude. Pick a place, pick a date(s) and they WILL COME! Bill