topgun2

Just why do you humans always blame it on the Dog?

There are a number of these "telescoping" ladders on the market and a number of them appear to be similar - read the specs carefully! I found a couple of them on Amazon and then used Camel, Camel, Camel to watch prices over last winter. The 12 foot one that I finally bought came with a "storage bag" and it fits nicely in the closet secured to the vent pipe with a bungee cord. I paid $80, shipping included. Bill P.s. Speaking of "specs" - remember that if you purchase a "light weight" ladder - it is light weight! Re-read the warnings above and try to remember them. These telescoping ladders certainly do not seem to be made for heavy duty use BUT are more than acceptable for the purposes I have in mind.

Nice camper AND nice tow vehicle. You were a bit smarter in taking 8 days for that trip compared to my taking 3 days to get from West Yellowstone back to the Mothership in Hohenwald. Enjoy the heck out of that nice Ollie and please keep us informed on how its going. Bill

Nope, not a problem with the hail. As we sat the storm out in Greg & Teresa's "Gazelle" (a screen house very similar to the Clam) we joked about going over to an Airstream that was in the same camp and asking them how they were doin'. But we decided that the "fun" of doing that was not worth getting wet. Bill

I too used Rejex for the first two years I owned my Oliver. But, then I was introduced to the Duragloss line of products. Duragloss was/is easy to use and produces results that are at least as good as Rejex AND Duragloss is easier to use. Normally when I find a new product I will simply use up the old stuff so as to not waste it. However, Duragloss was so much better that I simply gave away the Rejex that I had left. The Norton's showed me that mixing 4 parts of Duragloss detailer with one part Duragloss liquid wax did a great job on the interior - it really is a spray and wipe deal. This mixture cleans and shines EVERYTHING including the glass with no streaks or film. This mix can also be used on the exterior for bugs and touch-up between wax jobs. Bill

Newshoes - Other than how the finished product looks, you're right - functionally there would not be hardly any difference. Even with allowing this product to "normalize" it still resists the 90 degree bend around the windows. After a couple of years with no problems, mine too came loose at the ends on a couple of windows - note that the 3M tape didn't become un-stuck from the Oliver but actually lost its grip on the gutter itself. To fix this problem I simply got a product called "E-6000" ( avaiable at WalMart ). I removed the 3M tape from the part no longer sticking, applied a thin layer of E-6000, held it place with painters tape for 24 hours and have not had a problem since. Good luck. Bill

Yep - yours truly was another one of the three with hull # 269 being the third. Certainly a mini-rally it was with a pot luck supper, sharing stories and mod ideas, Ollie tours and attendance prizes (well, maybe no prizes but the view was wonderful until the hail and t-storm hit). Thanks go to ED & Marsha AND Greg & Terresafor making it a good rally. Greg really makes some mean chicken legs! Bill

Yes, park is on the ocran but the campground is slightly inland - a short drive or bike ride within the park. Didn't fish, beach facilities are first rate but bath houses could use work. Bill

Nice! That makes Blodgett Camp look like the Garden of Eden. Bill

Ray - If you think that the tour you got was impressive - if you are ever anywhere near Hohenwald, TN, be sure to take a factory tour. Even the things you can't normally see are done right with the appropriate materials. Are these Olivers perfect? The answer depends on who and what you ask. Can there be improvements - each year the Oliver company makes some. But, then again, I drank the Kool-Aid and wrote that check because I was/am convinced that the Oliver is the best camping trailer on the market for the kind of camping I prefer to do. Thanks for your kind words. Its always great the hear from knowledgable people who just might come from a different perspective. Bill

I've had both the Equalizer and (presently) the Andersen. Hands down the Andersen is the better system. Both re-distribute weight and both provide a measure of sway control - not that this feature is really needed with the Oliver. My Andersen is absolutely silent versus the Equalizer that simply can not be made to be silent without putting grease on the bars which basically defeats the anti-sway function. The Andersen (via those red bushings) provides some "shock absorbsion" or dampening where the Equalizer actually adds to this problem given the design of the "spring" bars. Finally, the Andersen (in my opinion) looks way cooler and (once you figure it out or really pay attention to the youtube vids) the Andersen is easier to use. I have alsolutely no regrets with the Andersen.While I never tried to fit the Equalizer on the Oliver, I've always been told that t would not work without some modification of the fiberglass. Bill

Yep, friends simply don't seem to believe me when I tell them how bad the cell service is in this area of the country. Unfortunately there is presently a relatively small forest fire over near Bannack. Up until the past ten days or so there has been well above average rainbut a lightening strike caused the Bannack fire which is 20% contained but "only" about 160 acres.

OK, just can't stand it. Unfortunately wifi and cell is so bad in Dillon, MT that I can't attach a picture but after three weeks south and east of Hamilton, MT in the high country I am presently camped right on the banks of the Beaverhead River. Tomorrow I will hit it looking for that 20 inch brown trout that (from all reports) lives here. I'm really not all that far from Steve & Tali! Bill

I'm on the road now and can't measure mine. However between the two I'd go bigger. I've had cheapies (relatively speaking) from Camco that have lasted ten years. I've also used ones Calmark that were very nice and I could throw them in the washer. Bill

"Normal" is 6 threads showing. I went to 7 and was told by an Anderson rep that was too tight. When straight and level the chains should barely give when stepped on with moderate pressurepressure.

You can always plead your case directly to Scott Oliver. Good luck! Bill

The snap ring is what holds the ball shaft in the housing. Last summer when I visited them I showed my simple rubber damn that I put over the ball to help keep moisture out of the assembly. Theirs is much more complicated but mine seems to work. Bill

And, the purpose of the black ring at the top near the ball is? Is there a snap ring on the bottom of the ball shaft. Bill

Mike put me on to the hitch vice a year ago and it has worked much better than the things I used before- thanks Mike! Bill

Jitters- Check everything you can find. Most (if all) half ton trucks "require" a wd hitch. Even with figures at or exceeding yours on my f-150 there is a little sticker on the hitch assembly that says a wd is required for hitch ball weights over 500 pounds. If you value your warranty and are concerned about possible liability issues make certain none is required. Bill

I agree with Steve but if they give you any trouble don't forget your Oliver warranty. Bill

I don't have a generator but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night. One of those Hondas will run the ait but I would only put it in econ mode after the initial start since you have the microair. Bill

<p style="text-align: left;">never seen one with screws. Both old and new have a spring clip at base of ball shaft for retention in the housing.</p> Bill

Kim & Travis- I am the guy that eas pulling out of the Oliver plant just as you got there for a repair. Hope it went well for you. Bill

OTT has not Delivered any of the old style since Anderson did the switch to the new model - 2 or so years ago Bill