topgun2

Glad you like it. Be sure to go over to the bay side either late in the day or (preferable) fairly early in the morning to see the spoonbills. Also, if you take a walk or bike ride on what is called the "straight road" or "carriage road" (this is the original road to the castle from highway 17) be sure to look on both edges for gators. Bill

Rumline - The good, the bad, and the ugly of Yellowstone can be had at many of the "first come, first served" camping areas. In my own experience I've had the times when I just showed up and got a spot - arrived after 11am. However, this was back in my tent and pop-up camper days when I could fit into just about any space. More recently I arrived just after five am and was third in line! And, yes, I then had to wait for the camper that was occupying that spot to leave. This was no big deal in that I simply took a nice nap inside the Ollie. Then, during the two weeks I spent in that campground there never was a day when the campground didn't become full by 10am. Of course there are a couple of campgrounds inside the Park where it wouldn't take you two hours to exit the Park. But, if all or virtually all the sites are taken inside the Park then you can rest assured that many of the closer in sites will also be reasonably crowded. I understand that "Fishing Bridge" campground inside the Park will be closed for a good deal of the summer this year. If that is the case, sites anywhere in the area are going to be a bit more crowded. Bill

Welcome Granitestaters! And now that dreaded long wait really begins. But, you will have your Oliver for the full summer season and be old pros with it in no time at all. I just received an email from a friend of mine in upstart New York who told me that he is looking forward to minus 11 degrees tonight after receiving 7 inches of snow last night. Hopefully it is not that bad where you guys are located. In any case, it is time to start that process of gathering the things you want to make that Oliver all your own. Bill

Here are links to Mike's stuff mentioned above. https://www.amazon.com/Goof-Off-FG653-Professional-Strength/dp/B002MPPYYS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=MR0VA9XT6HW5&keywords=goof+off+pro+strength+remover&qid=1551198148&s=gateway&sprefix=goof+%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-3 and https://www.amazon.com/Ehdis-Visibility-Plastic-Scraping-Windshields/dp/B01HLWB0BM/ref=sr_1_17?crid=MR0VA9XT6HW5&keywords=goof+off+pro+strength+remover&qid=1551198317&s=gateway&sprefix=goof+%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-17 Bill

Have you checked for debris at the end of the inlet manifold (i.e. just past where the propane mixes with air but short of the combustion chamber)? Paint, rust, dirt, dust, etc. can all accumulate here and a sensor that is in that area will not left propane to continue flowing. Using "canned air" or an air compressor you can - gently - blow into this area. Make sure that you DO NOT blow back into the orifice from which the propane comes out (you do not want to plug this or get anything into this very tiny opening). Bill

Hobo - You're looking at a fairly large "can of worms" with this question. See as many discussions here on the Forum regarding the use of the jacks/levelers as you can find and that should give you an idea of the various opinions on the subject of "lifting" the Oliver's frame. Other than simply leaving the Oliver on its wheels for long term storage, another method would be to use "tire supports" such as the Andersen levelers. Since these are curved they would not "flat spot" the tires as much as they would otherwise be if left on a plain flat floor. Bill

RB - I did the same as you - really easy and quick. However, make sure that you warn people to NOT use the screen door handle for support when getting in or out of the camper. I'm certain that both the handle and the door could not stand too much pressure - that is what the inside and outside handles that were already on the Oliver are to be used for. Bill

RB - I feel your pain! Been there, done that and its not just Yosemite. Florida State Parks, South Carolina State Parks, Wyoming, Colorado, etc. have all brought me to my knees in trying to make reservations. Yes, its extremely hard to believe that there are so many people out there with fingers poised on the button trying to get the exact same site. What are the odds? Bill

Ken_Judy - The pressure regulators being discussed are all external in that there is no internal adjustment on the (or in the) Olivers. The main reason for these regulators is that some sources of "city water" have very high water pressure levels such that if the Oliver's (or any other camper for that matter) plumbing were exposed to that high pressure, pipes and/or fittings could be damaged. Bill

cmdmon286- The Oliver camper family is so proud of you! You asked questions, you listened, you practiced, apparently you are learning and you are gaining confidence. It appears to me that you are a virtual guidebook as to how to attack so many "issues" concerning RV's. Thanks for being here> Bill p.s. Keep your guard up - it is when we get rushed and/or complacent that bad things happen.

Phil - Just exactly how "fast" of a "tour" did you give these officers? Got donuts?

cbagee - I presume that you have read some of the other threads on this Forum concerning various towing vehicles. I think that the general consensus is that when towing - more is better. Issues like gas tank capacity, being able to tow up fairly steep grades, being able to stop, and, the overall wear on the vehicle are all concerns when towing with a vehicle that is at the margin. Personally, I'd never tow an Oliver with either of the vehicles you mentioned. Simply put - I just don't believe that there is enough safety room in either of these vehicles (assuming that the figures you cite are correct). Yes, if you watch your gross weight and hitch weight, don't tow in the mountains and don't tow for long distances and don't ever have an emergency of any sort, you probably could get away with the Sprinter (or even the Q5). Which is better? Suggestions? - use the Sprinter. Why potentially ruin the Q5. Don't tow very far. Don't tow in the mountains. Good luck! Bill

I have no idea as to the brand name - sorry. However, take a close look at the picture of the drawer I purchased and you can see that the corners are not simply glued or nailed together. After two years on the road, there are no signs of the corners coming apart. Bill

I assume that the areas shown on the right side of the drawing are the extensions for the twin bed model? Bill

Shear pins? I'm not aware of any shear pins on or in our Olivers. I can't even think of where they might be useful. Bill

Brad - Matteo no longer works for Micro-air and PM's to his old contact on this Forum are not monitored with any great frequency. I would suggest an email or call to the company for assistance. Bill

Another (potential) downside is when you would need to lower the front of the camper as far as you can get it. This device would add another couple of inches - the device plus a wood block to rest the device on as per the picture in step 9 of the owner's manual. However, if you always camp on relatively level sites, this should not be much of a problem. Bill

Nan - Ever thought about renting an RV for a few days? Certainly it would be a way for you to "test the waters" without the financial commitment. I'm not aware of anyone or place that would rent an Oliver. But, at least you would be able to get an idea of both the reality of your dream and most of what is required of you to reach that dream. Bill

Kathyrn - As I recall, I paid right at $10 for the one at Target. The critical measurement is the width - the tray obviously has to fit inside the nightstand drawer. As can be seen in the photo on my original post, the width of mine is right at 10 inches. Perhaps, depending on what is used to suspend the tray on the sides of the drawer, the width of the tray could be as much as 10 1/4 inches. Contrary to Overland's tray, the one I bought at Target is constructed entirely out of Bamboo. But, frankly, I really didn't care about the construction materials and would probably have preferred plastic from a cleaning perspective. Again, as Overland says, I'd simply look for a tray with the proper width, and cheapest cost as long as it has enough structural stability to handle the kinds of things that you wish to store in it. Bill

Yes - you have met them. A very interesting couple with a number of mods to the Oliver. Bill

Tom & Cheryl - Actually, Bruce and Cheryl Norton (fellow Oliver owners) demonstrated Duragloss products for me at last year's Owner's Rally. Cheryl is the one that recommended using that mixture. Using a microfiber cloth you spray this mixture on, wipe with one side of the cloth and then give the area another wipe with the other side and you are done. No streaks - just sparkle! I've used so many different "wax" products in my life that all the claims of "easy", "best ever", "no streaks", "like new", etc. have created so many callouses that just leave me numb. But, when someone actually shows you - on your Oliver - how this stuff works, it is difficult to not become interested. No, neither the Norton's nor myself get a penny or anything else from Duragloss for saying these things. Bill

Celia - While there ae many good waxes on the market, I believe that you will hear the most about either 3M products and/or a wax called Rejex. I used Rejex until a year ago when I tried Duragloss products. I use a 4 to one mix of their product 923 (4 parts) and 952 (1 part) on everything inside the Oliver. Yes, this includes the counters, mirrors and fiberglass. I simply can't say enough good things about it. On the exterior I use Duragloss product number 501 (Marine & RV Polish & Cleaner). Duragloss lasts as long as Rejex but is easier to apply and remove and leaves a "slicker" finish - in my opinion. Bill edit: John is correct - an enclosed storage facility certainly is much easier and one should be sure to only cover a clean surface. The CalMark cover has three straps that go all around the Oliver plus a "rope" in the hem that allows one to tighten the cover around the bottom. I've never had any of these straps loosen while in storage - but, I do check on them every 6 weeks or so just in case.

Yes, the CalMark is a cloth cover. But, as Overland states, this and similar covers are a bit of a chore to put on. The taking them off is a bit easier, but it still involves a ladder and a bit of a reach at times. The "old" part is not that big a deal, but, the "short" part certainly will not help you in getting any cover on and/or off. Sounds to me like a storage facility that is either fully enclosed or with just a roof over your Oliver would be a good bet. On the other hand, a good wax job a couple of times a year will mostly protect it from the elements. Of course, you should also cover your tires when in storage - particularly at higher altitudes. Welcome and congrates on your new Ollie. It really is a fly fisherpersons dream. If you would ever like to compare notes on places to fish - just shoot me a PM. Bill

Another thing you could try - assuming that the problem is really a frozen line and you are at a place where there are full facilities - slowly run the hot water. Since the cold and hot are very close to each other for a fair amount of the run, the warmth from the hot water line could help thaw the cold. However, it is curious that the problem is only with the cold water line. Bill

RB - My major trip of the year is fly fishing out West. Usually I set off about the 1st of July and return to western North Carolina on or about September 1st. This is all about fly fishing. I will do some back packing to high streams and/or lakes but usually I'll fish three or four days in one spot and then move to another spot. On days when I get tired I restock, do laundry and hike a little. Other than that, I try to ask "locals" what there is to do in the area. I prefer something that is a bit off the normal radar. For instance - as a result of asking - I was directed to a wonderful Buffalo Bill Statue that is located just to the north, northwest of Oakley, KS. Its only about four miles south of Interstate 70, but, if I had never asked I would have never known it was there. On my shorter trips I usually have a main theme in mind - State Park for hiking, waterfall searching, bike riding, winery tour, museum tour and the like. It seems that there is always something to do and not enough time to do it all! Bill