topgun2

To all the Oliver Dads out there. Hopefully it is not too hot wherever you are and you can find a nice cool place to relax. Bill

John - I replaced that sleeve on my old Andersen three times before I got the new design. On all three attempts at removing the ball it certainly took me a bunch more force than you had to deliver to get the ball out. In fact, on the third replacement it took a press to get it out. The good news is that with the new design I have not heard a peep out of the hitch in over 6,000 miles. I know that Andersen will send you new sleeves (free) if you ask. However, they will send you the new design for (I think) $100. Not only is that $100 worth it (to me) to avoid having to do your maintenance, but, the new design is also a bunch easier to hookup. Bill

Not being able to leave a nicely designed mod alone, I added a strip of double sided Velcro to each "down arm of Mike's design. These will hold the curtain when not in use. I bought two curtains at the Dollar Store. I got the ones in white (so that they would closely match the color of the Oliver). However, while not as "clear" as the ones that Krunch made Mike take back they might not be as opaque as some would prefer. Perhaps there is a reason they only cost a dollar? I then added brass grommets to the lame holes at the top of each curtain and added large washers around each of the three magnets at the bottom in order to keep the curtains a bit more stable in a breeze. After getting two ten foot sticks of 1/2 inch schedule 40 plastic pipe, it took all of about 20 minutes to cut the pieces, and another ten minutes to glue most of it together. Remember - you probably do not want to glue the cross pieces and the "down" arms so that you can disassemble for storage. World Market also has the mats that Mike and Krunch found. https://www.worldmarket.com/product/18x30-multi-clr-flip-flop-drmt.do?searchTerm=flip%20flop%20mat Since I didn't want to permanently stick the shower handle holder to the exterior of the Oliver I ordered this suction model https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074V9JSK3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Finally, the rubber feet that Mike used are available at Ace Hardware - the 7/8 inch size fits on the 1/2 inch plastic pipe. Bill

While our gauges are, indeed, on the outside of the tanks, there can be "false" readings caused by "stuff" sticking to the insides of the tank and/or not keeping a tank fairly clean. However, this problem is fairly simple to keep from happening - keep the tanks clean. Bill

Spike - I don't think that Reed meant to include products like Camco 40246 TST Drain Valve Lube with Coco Oil in with the "Grease and slime". I have used this Camco product for several years now and it simply does what it says it will do - lubricate the slide valves. I would guess that it also leaves a bit of slippery residue on the sides (and bottom) of the tank, but, that would help in keeping "things" from sticking to those side and bottom. Remember that these tank gauges are not hugely accurate in the first place with the fairly wide gaps between reading coupled with the "problem" of our tanks being so long and low (subject to leveling issues). I simply use the gauge readings as an early warning system and make sure that I really flush the tanks well as often as I can. In over twenty years of RVing I've not had a problem in this area (yet). Bill

KenB - Consider yourself wished well! Have a safe and FUN trip! Be sure to give Anita a big hug from Bill (me). The weather in Hohenwald has been in the low 90's with fairly high humidity for the past few weeks. Hopefully it will break long enough for you to take delivery and get out of town. Exciting time for you - please post some pictures so that the rest of us can share your delivery and re-live the excitement that we experienced. Bill

I'm guessing its on the Oregon Coast. http://www.cannonbeach.org/

Spike - You're welcome! Our "search" function is not the best (as has been reported here many times), but, it is amazing what one can find by simply going to the general topic heading (like Mechanical and Technical tips) and then just scroll down the topic headings until something catches your eye. I thought that I remembered a post on this subject but unless you happen to remember something close to the post's name, finding it can be a bit of a needle in the haystack kind of thing. Bill

For all those of us that are or about to be -

Spike - Does this post help you any? http://olivertraveltrailers.com/reply/125366/

Bob - There was an interesting discussion on this topic back in January, 2017. Redneck Trailer Supply (which used to be/may still be an Oliver supplier) had a kit (which I still carry). Since I had planned to only used this kit in the event of an emergency and since the kit(s) are nicely packaged with all the necessary parts in one place, I didn't mind (too much) that they were made in China. I've not had to replace my bearings (yet) but when I do I will keep the kit as is and look for US made bearings. Bill

Just ten minutes ago we had a Mama black bear and her two small cubs walk through the backyard. Those cubs sure are cute. It was nice to see that all three of them had beautiful shiny coats. Guess that the neighbor's bird feeders are keeping them well fed! Sorry - camera was not handy. Bill

If you decide to go to Gold Park take water with you as the only water available is what you would get out of the creek. Also,, if you hike up to Missouri Lakes be advised that the lakes up there are filled with brook trout - easy to catch especially at the inlet to the main (furthest west) lake. Some of the largest Marmots I've ever seen up there and there are almost always mountain goats up on the Missouri pass. Site 7 is the best if you can get it. Bill p.s. Mike and Carol are in Crested Butte right now if you have any pointers for them.

I only put the Reflextic over the area that was already covered by that white insulation that was installed by Oliver. The weather stripping filled in the gaps that Bill & Martha show in the picture plus I simply continued with that same stripping all the way around - just because. Bill

Spike - I can't give you what I think you seek, but I can tell you that the jacks in the rear are the same as the jack in the front. And, yes, those instructions are the same for the "old" white jack and the "new" black jack. Also, you are to be commended for taking the bull by the horns and tackling these maintenance chores. Generally they are not difficult, but, for those that have not been down that road before and/or are somewhat mechanically challenged these jobs can seem much more difficult than they really are. Obviously, the best way to get knowledge is to ask the questions (like you are), and, then get out there and "just do it". Bill

John - Its probably too late at this point, but, at this year's Owner's Rally we were given a bag containing about ten "promotional" handouts which included details about both Olivers and a DVD too. These are certainly much more substantial and professional than the old postcards. If you still have time before you leave, an email or phone call to Anita just might ease your burden a bit in showing the Oliver. Bill

Really nice that your trip seemed to be without and major troubles. Its obvious that the humans like the Oliver, but, what about the pup? One of my favorite campgrounds in Colorado is Gold Park (about 45 minutes south, southwest of Vail). Its small (14 sites) and gets full on weekends but the Homestake creek is right there and there are some great hikes very close (Missouri Lakes and Fancy Lake trails). Keep us posted on your adventures! Bill

I never had the "problem" that it seems you've got, but, I did add an extra layer of insulation and some extra weather strip in that area - mostly just because I had it laying around. The insulation I used was Reflextic https://www.amazon.com/Reflectix-BP48010-48-Inch-10-Feet-Insulation/dp/B000BPAULS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1528721831&sr=8-2&keywords=reflextic+insulation&dpID=31Io%252BmGxiWL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch And the weatherstrip was closed cell foam from Walmart. That basement door was a bit tight just after I added these things, but, now it is snug and nothing gets in there. Only downside is that the aluminum facing on the Reflextic leaves marks on the shower compartment door. Bill

The "little yellow tester" https://www.amazon.com/Electrical-Receptacle-Outlet-Ground-Tester/dp/B0012DHVQ0/ref=sr_1_36?ie=UTF8&qid=1528641968&sr=8-36&keywords=circuit+tester

The easiest way to start figuring out what is wrong is to read the code on the Progressive's readout. No light on the display is probably a lost/open neutral. Error code of "E1" is a polarity problem while "E2" is an open ground. I do not have the rest of the codes handy at he moment, but, those are the most likely ones. Bill

Yes! - the off season is your friend. If you want a non-reserved site in Yellowstone during the "normal" season, you would be well advised to show up at the campground of your choice no later than 6 am. And even then you will probably not be first in line. Bill

Did you send a service request to Jason Wamsley @: jwamsley@olivertechnologies.com I'm sure that he can help you. Bill p.s. just to make sure, I just went to my messages and had no problem.

Going - Of course the answer to your question is - It Depends! Are you simply going out to explore? Are you looking for a place to settle in, sit back and stay put for awhile? Are you going into an area that is know to be popular and therefore crowded? Are you looking to simply get from point "A" to point "B"? Etc., etc. Usually I have a place(s) in mind before I leave the house. On routes that I've traveled many times I've gotten to know the where and when's of getting a spot that I want. However, even that can be a challenge at times - some parks and recreation areas require multiple days stay during holiday periods. Here in the East I think that it is a bit more difficult finding places to camp as compared to those areas West of the Mississippi due to more people and less government land. However, there are so many tools that you can use either with a cell phone or without. To specifically answer your question - here in the East I try to plan my camping spots- particularly when my wife is along as she doesn't appreciate roughing it in Walmart's or truck stops. But if I'm going out West I do have a plan but only make reservations if there are spots known to be a "problem" due to either popularity or lack of space. I'm guessing that the above is not really much help and each of us should develop a "style" of traveling that is most comfortable to exactly what they are trying to do. However, I would encourage you to at least test your own limits every now and then since some very nice and unexpected things can happen (i.e. find a new park, campground or other site that you would have never considered before). The object is to have fun! Bill

There's a part of my mind that still has trouble coping with pulling into a gas station and having people quickly approaching you to ask about the Oliver. Thank goodness that I rarely am doing this at night. Just how is it that a quick stop for gas can turn into a half hour Ollie tour? Still it is nice to see that others recognize the same qualities that attracted most of us to Olivers in the first place. Bill

As John said - this is nothing to worry about in the short run. During manufacturing of the tank and its installation there are plenty of opportunities for "stuff" to get in both the tank and plumbing lines. However, once they are filtered out you shouldn't have much else getting in there unless you get your water from questionable sources. Given the relatively low water pressure used in most RV's it just might take a bit of time to flush whatever might be in there. Bill