topgun2

Dave - I really do like the "unswayed" part! MarkC - Dave is correct about your tow vehicle - the Andersen would not be required. However, to specifically answer your question: from a practical point of view the answer is no, it would not limit your turning radius. From a theoretical point of view I would think the answer would be yes it would limit turning radius. But, by the time you got to that point you would already be in relatively dire straights. Does this help you? Bill

John - I assure you that Oliver is aware of the issues with the Forum at the highest levels. While I am not, nor have ever been, an IT guy even I understand that using a tool for a job that it was not designed for can cause both problems and limitations. Certainly losing posts is not desirable and I do know that there are backups of the Forum (in fact, it is highly likely that reverting to these backups is what caused the loss of some posts and PM's over the past day or so). However to think that these backups are done every instant of every day is probably not realistic. When an issue happens that does not allow for an easy fix in real time, I can only assume that the most recent backup that is known to not have this issue is used to then restore the Forum to that "stable" point. Therefore, I would just as certainly not call this action "irresponsible". While I do not routinely visit the "many dozens of websites" that you seem to, I would have to agree that the ones that I do visit are generally more stable and have features that make them a bit more user friendly. However, I can only assume that these sites use platforms that were specifically designed for the kind of use that makes them so user friendly. As I understand it, the platform that we are on is only an "offshoot" of the general software that Oliver uses for the rest of their operations. Thus the issues that we experience. Again, the current platform does not allow for external ads (as far as I know). Even with the limitations that the Forum has, it is still the best source of information regarding our Olivers for the travel of like minded folks, modifications, warranty technical service bulletins, classifieds, general Oliver oriented discussion, etc.. As with all the other things "Oliver", I'm sure that as the Travel Trailer division continues to grow, our Forum will get better. We, the first owner's have a unique opportunity to be a constructive part of this growth. And, as with virtually all growth, there will be some growing pains. Bill

I do not know the exact causes of the recent "hiccups" with the Forum other than there has been work going on to try to clean up some of the "code" and to try to speed it up a bit. However, I do believe that the Oliver people that are working on our Forum are highly capable and hard working (not so dissimilar from most, if not all, the other Oliver folks). These people are well aware of the limitations and issues that are present in the platform that is being used for the Forum. However, it is highly unlikely that we will get a new platform anytime soon due to the fact that most (if not all) the Oliver companies are presently using this software for their needs and we are only a very small part of that rather large picture. Even though we have some "problems" from time to time and our "search" function has never been all that great, it is hard to argue about the price and the lack of advertisements. Oliver is well aware of the benefits to the Company and to each of the Oliver Travel Trailer Owners that our Forum provides. But, they must balance that with the potential costs and disruptions to the total company that a switch to another software platform would cause. Bill

I could be wrong (hasn't happened before but ya never know), but, the tag light only will come on when your TV lights are on. I'd probably split off the basement light with a switch right at the basement door so that you could turn the camera on/off when you want or need it. The switch in the photo above was placed by Oliver during my original build and my camera is mounted in the spare tire cover. Bill

Mike gets all the advice he needs - from Carol!

If one is so inclined to GO the "plastic bag" route then a safer, more sanitary method would be to use these: https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Double-Doodie-Toilet-Waste/dp/B00602LKBA/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2JWAFRGD7SPA8&keywords=toilet+bags+for+portable+potty&qid=1559998768&s=gateway&sprefix=toilet+bags%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-3 Bill

Don't see why not - Mike's original idea was to use something that would simply wick the water out of the window area. Pipe cleaners, paracord, plant watering cord, whatever..... Bill

I know that Jason Walmsley was working on some upgrades, cleaning code, and generally trying to make the Forum faster this morning. This work caused some Forum functions to temporally be suspended. It is likely that at this time all functions should be back to normal. Bill

Hobo - Very nice indeed. I wish that our home owners association would allow something like this. Bill

While I have the Elite II, my experience is that the fresh water tank does drain slowly. When I want to empty it I usually open that drain just as soon as I'm ready to pull out of camp. That way the tank is empty by the time I get to my first gas stop. Note that normally I only do this when I'm headed home. Hope this helps. Bill

"DoD" - Dead on departure or Department of Defense?

UP or UP of Michigan or Upper Michigan refers to the upper (or most northern of the two) peninsulas in Michigan. Bill

I've used one a few times. But, instead of getting one that I would take to a dump site, I got one that was just big enough that I could actually lift it while "full". The reason I did this is so that I could take it into virtually any toilet and dump it versus having to take it to a dumpsite. Since it is smaller than the black tank in the Oliver I also purchased a "gauge" that goes in the top of the portable tank that tells me when it is getting full. By using the tank in this manner I can stay in either a Forest Service or boondocking site almost indefinitely. Bill

Nice - where were these pictures taken?

I too never considered myself a "Ford person" and had never owned one. After owning a Tacoma for several years and being time to move up to a 1/2 ton pickup, I first visited the local Toyota dealer to look at the Tundra. While I liked the looks of the exterior, the interior, the electronics and the performance specifications were underwhelming versus what I knew about the other brands. So, I went looking. Realizing that that the real world differences between all the 1/2 ton's are actually very small, I simply decided to narrow my search down to just a couple of brands, take test drives (each of the local dealers let me take one home for 24 hours) and then buy the one that I liked driving the most. As it turned out that vehicle was the F-150. Bottom line - and its been said a number of times before - use specifications to narrow the field to suit what your intentions are for 90% of your use. Then test drive. Then buy the vehicle that you like the driving the best. Bill

On the rare occasion that I've had this issue I've used a grey tank deodorant that has taken care of the issue. https://www.amazon.com/Grey-Water-Odor-Control-Treatment/dp/B0006H92QU/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=grey+tank+deodorant&qid=1559393244&s=gateway&sr=8-1 Bill

You da man! I've cleaned and spray painted mine each year before I put Twist into storage for the winter. However, it appears that your idea will save me that time and effort - THANKS! Bill

Teal - Today (May 28) I split the discussion about the porch lights to be under the topic heading of "Amber Porch Lights" so that it might be a bit easier to find in the future. Hope this helps you. The "new" post can be found here: http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/amber-porch-lights/#post-172292

Teal - Look under the topic - 2019 Rally on the second page of this Forum or look several posts above the following: http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/2019-rally/page/6/#post-172292 Bill

I've had them come loose but not fall off as yours did. After tightening those three or four times I re-assembled them with a couple of drops of Locktite (blue) on each bolt. They have not come loose since. Bill p.s. be careful to not overtighten and see if you can find that washer. The plastic can crack if you overtighten.

Those girls scrambled so fast that my shutter speed just could not keep up.

Thanks for the pictures! Did you know that it is illegal to skinny dip in Skinny Dip Falls - it is on National Forest Property where nudity is prohibited. Having said that - I was fishing the Yellow Prong creek a few years ago (this is the creek that Skinny Dip Falls is on) and just below the falls I came upon a couple of co-eds that were catching some sun - apparently illegally too! Bill

I'm a bit surprised that a weight distribution hitch is not required by Audi right from the start. However, yes, it is one way to lift the rear of the Audi and you would get the additional benefit of reduced "porpoising" on those nasty Interstate bridge crossings. Bill

Yep - unfortunately this is not the first board on that fan that I've heard of biting the dust. I'd be willing to bet that you are out of warranty too. But, I'd give the company a call to see if they would be willing to help you. Bill

Perhaps it is that red wire from the inverter that is not working? Seriously - it sounds like you have done what I would have done (and maybe more). Do you have the ability to check continuity of both the positive and negative wires between the fuse panel and where they attach to the control board? Bill