topgun2

After a week camping at Huntington Beach State Park - just south of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, a Park Ranger advised us yesterday morning that possible evacuations could occur. Once again at about 4 pm, Park Rangers came to us and advised that mandatory evacuations would be effective as of noon today (Tuesday). Between the two warnings approximately 85% of our fellow campers packed up and left. After a very peaceful evening in an all but empty campground we got up at 5:30 this morning and hit the road hoping to get ahead of what surely was going to be bumper to bumper traffic. Well, while the traffic was certainly heavier than normal it was not even close to really bad. What would normally be a 6 1/2 hour drive actually took us right at 6 3/4 hours. As we left, there was light surf and a light breeze with a gorgeous sunrise. Certainly made it hard to believe that a "monster" storm was bearing down upon that area. I happened to look at my GPS's elevation reading just after we crossed the Intercoastal Waterway and it read 3 feet above sea level. With a storm surge forecast to be as much as 20 feet I realized that much of what I was looking at would/could be under water in about 48 hours. While I'm glad that I don't have to contend with this kind of Mother Nature's fury, I do feel for those that do and am in awe of all of it. Humans are not the only ones that appreciate an Oliver! Be a bit careful where you step! "Spooning" spoon bills Intercoastal waterway on Monday (9-10-18) evening.

Like John I also researched both. However, I went with the Good Sam program. While there were a number of reasons for this choice the bottom line was that they were cheaper, my limited experience with AAA had not been very good and the towing limits that AAA imposed were also not very good. Good Sam will tow you to the nearest repair facility regardless of distance versus the "premier" 200 mile limit that AAA imposes. However, I would strongly recommend that you research both as they apply to your situation (where and how often you travel) and then pick the one that you hope you will never actually need to use. Bill

Neil & Marybeth - When we picked up our Ollie in early February, we went directly to a Florida state park just south of St. Augustine for a week's worth of learning. What a great way to learn. While the wait will seem lengthy, it really wouldn't be long now. Congrates! Bill

Paul - Welcome, glad that you like the Forum. Certainly there is a ton of information here and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Looking forward to 2020 but there are so many places to see before 2018 ends and all during 2019. Bill

Kenny & Penny - AND, the fun starts. Congrates and welcome. I simply don't know of a better way to see the USA. Really not much time from now until delivery. November would be a great month to head down the Natchez Trace towards New Orleans while you find your way home. Bill

These baskets are fabricated in house by Oliver - see my recent pictures of the plant tour which show the bottom of these baskets both "tack" welded and with the final welding completed. I know that there are vinyl covers available for these generators but I have never seen a metal cover. Bill

Mainiac - Halloween is coming and the vampires will be out and about …. Bill

We too have been to Snow Canyon and "second" the recommendation. It really is not very far from St. George. The hiking/biking is great. Don't miss the lava caves but don't try to go in. Also, if you are poking around St. George - ask about the dinosaur tracks just north of town near the water tower. Its probably a little more built up compared to the last time we were there, but, you go to the water tower, park and then just walk 100 yards or so to the north to an old dry river bed. Start walking along this river bed to the east and you will shortly start to see the tracks. Hopefully it has not been commercialized in that it made us feel as though we were discovering these for the first time. Bill

OK, enough. We are getting a bit too close to that line of non-tolerance. Once again, let's all join hands around the campfire and sing a rousing chorus of Kumbaya. Bill

Another Oliver owner suggested that I use products produced by a North Carolina company call Duragloss (www.duragloss.com). Previously I used Rejex but after I received a "free" demonstration I was sold - at least on the interior products and for a quick cleaning of the exterior. Using 4 parts Duragloss "Fast Clean & Shine" (923) mixed with 1 part Duragloss "Aquawax" (952) a quick spray and wipe with a microfiber towel cleans and shines EVERYTHING on the interior - including the mirrors - without streaks. I use this same combination for getting bugs off the front and general cleanup of the exterior. I also bought Duragloss RV wax but I've not had a chance to use it yet. While most of us can afford it, Rejex is certainly not the cheapest product around and Duragloss is cheaper even with the shipping included. If the Duragloss exterior wax is anything like the other two products that I've used I will not return to Rejex. Bill

Gwenne - Just the other day I was cleaning some tree sap off the fiberglass with plain old mineral spirits. I tried some on a small spot of white caulk that was used to seal my windows and it worked wonderfully well with very little rubbing. I had previously used Acetone but I was always afraid that this was simply too aggressive. It looks to me from your pictures that you have a bit of mildew, so, I'm not sure if the mineral spirits will work. But it is worth a try. Good luck! Bill

I understand that Oliver is currently working hard on a "bunk" option for use even on the current model. Bill

In your situation with that size TV I would think that the major benefit of using the Andersen would be that it helps to dampen "bouncing" or "porpoiseing" normally caused by bridges on Interstates. That and the fact that in using the Andersen there is an additional attachment point between the TV and the camper which makes me feel a tad safer. Bill

Steph and Steve - Welcome! Do I already hear Santa's sleigh bringing lots of toys and goodies for your new sleigh? Bill

Cedarforks - This past May most of the attendees were located at sites nearer the lake, but, those seeking shade were more towards the top of the hill - closer to the registration building. A bicycle is helpful but not necessary since for even those camped all the way to the right (as you look at the lake) it is just a few hundred yards to get to the pavilion where breakfast is served, the vendors are located, and most of the presentations are held. In addition, there is plenty of parking at all sites where events are being held. Bill

Bill, While I was at the "Mothership" last week I noticed that that bolt covers are now included on all new Olivers and said something to Jason and Richie about it. I guess that they felt sorry for me because when I got Twist back from some minor repairs, the covers were there. If you are interested, the bolt size (according to Richie) is 1/2 inch and the covers/caps are available at Lowe's and probably Ace and Home Depot too. Bill

Three years ago (shortly after I took delivery of Twist) I found that I could not see the hitch on the Oliver very well when using the on-board camera in the truck. Buzzy (another Forum member) had the same problem and we both came up with a similar solution at about the same time. We painted the hitch florescent orange. Certainly this made it visible, but, that paint fades in a very short period of time. I tried repainting again and top coating with clear sealer, but, the end result was the same. Last year I again repainted the hitch but used "hammered" silver. This has worked much better, keeps the hitch looking new and is easily seen from the truck. While at it I also lightly sanded the areas on the rest of the hitch assembly that had rusted and gave then a couple of quick coats of Krylon Black Satin. This matches the original fairly closely. Finally, note in the one picture the small strip of closed cell foam that I glued to the top of the release handle on the hitch. This prevents the tailgate on my Ford F-150 from hitting that handle and scratching/denting either one. Temporally I left that one small area un-finished for comparison of before and after. The Krylon dries quickly (less than an hour) while the Rust-Oleum takes overnight to really dry.

Always heard that those Jackson Lake deer had a drinking problem. Nice looking fellow though. When I get to land over a 100 or so fish in a day my arm starts getting tired and this inhibits the enjoyment of that first cold glass of wine or beer when I get back to camp. After all, someone has to drink with that deer of yours. Bill

As Willie says, " On the road again …" Bill

Welcome back Reed & Karen. Are you STILL working or has the camp host deal ended for the time being? Or, are the two of you off to something else? Bill

I think that ScubaRX uses one of those to tow his (and Tali's) overloaded Elite II. You might want to PM him. Bill

This was the first "real" stop on the two month fly fishing trip to Idaho. Palisades reservoir is relatively long and dams the Snake river near Alpine, WY. Indeed, the lower (southern) tip of the reservoir is actually in Wyoming. McCoy Creek campground (NFS) is located about 7 miles northwest on a dirt road, right on the reservoir but it has a ton of mosquitos. Even though the campsites are provided with bear boxes, I saw no evidence of bears, but, did see eagles, a fox, jack rabbits and a couple of coyotes. McCoy creek is nearby - on the first day of fishing I landed 65 trout! southern end of Palisades reservoir only one of the 65 the northern end of the reservoir. A NFS camp ground is here with sites right on the Snake River. Each morning there is a "hatch" of rafts that launch at the base of the dam primarily taking fisherman downstream - yes, the river flows north from here.

Blue Springs is one of my favorite campgrounds when traveling the long lonesome road known as I70. This camp is located just to the east of the KC Bass Pro Shop (n 39.04020 W094.37050 sorry but I don't have the exact GPS coordinates for the camp handy). Indeed, Oliver owners will go to great lengths to find one another! John and his wife Jack Davis found me about 7 miles up a dirt road near McCoy Creek, Idaho. Just the three of us plus a ton of biting bugs. Thanks to John and Jack for finding me! Jack is the pretty one in the middle without the facial hair!

Dang! I thought that I was the only one that knew about Meeteetse. Besides the Greybull River there are a number of other very nice fly fishing spots near here (PM me if you're interested). The Cowboy bar in downtown serves an acceptable burger and the beer is cold. The motel/RV place just over the bridge on the northwest side of town is right on the highway, has cable, WiFi, electric, water and sewer if that is what you are looking for and their prices sure beat Cody's. That reservoir that John mentions is busier in the winter for ice fishing than it is in the summer. Bill

Tom & Marie - I've sent you an email with the interior dimensions of the Elite II. Let me know if that helps. Bill