topgun2

A big THANKS to Foy and Mirna for getting back to the Forum on this. And, it is great to know, once again, that Oliver stands behind what they sell. Just last night I was thinking about several threads on the Forum that have not been "resolved". This also includes Foy's lack of water pressure, an air conditioning drain tube problem, an air conditioner starting/cooling problem, etc. Bill p.s. note to self - be sure to read all the way down on the list of "new" topics for the day before posting a remark about Foy's water pressure! Foy - Sorry about that!

Try this: https://www.amazon.com/Barker-24130-Auto-Drain-Valve-3/dp/B003VAYMB4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529930280&sr=8-1&keywords=barker+auto+drain&dpID=51YLzqVCWEL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch Bill

For what its worth - I've owned two 3.5 Eco-boost Ford F-150's and have never had an once of problem with either one -at altitude or at sea level towing or not towing. Its one heck of an engine! Please remember here that neither have had more than 60,000 miles and have not been abused. From what I've read any problems with the 3.5 have not come to light until after 100,000 miles and even that was with the early models. With my first Eco-boost I towed a 3200 pound stick built hybrid camper that was 8 feet wide. With that same truck I towed my Oliver Elite II. Both were towed with weight distribution hitches on similar trips in excess of 5,000 miles each. With the Oliver my gas mileage was 12.5 to 13.5 mpg while with the hybrid the mileage was 10.0 to 10.5 mpg. Obviously the difference was caused by a combination of both the width and overall body shape being slightly offset by the weight differential. My gas mileage is slightly better with the new (2017) F-150 versus the old (2011) truck. I think that I've said it before, but, I really don't believe that there is that much difference between any of the four main truck manufacturers of 1/2 ton trucks. Just as soon as one claims a higher tow rating the others up their game and the same goes with who ever has the nicest interior or "better" bell and whistles. Each year all of them get better (and more expensive) but there really isn't a bad one out there at this point. Which one currently has what you want - color, style, bells or whistles? And then what kind of a deal can you make for that truck you want? This goes for mid-sized trucks too. Bill

Other than checking lines for "kinks" as per Mike's suggestion the only other thing that I can think to do would be to use an air compressor to try to blow air from the bathroom sink faucet towards the water pump - first remove the water pump filter so that you don't blow any foreign matter back into the water pump. I'd do this in short bursts of air at no more than 50 psi. However, if you are not at home this is a bit difficult to do unless you carry an air compressor with you. Bill

That's Steve & Tali's "search" light.

RodgerS - Let me see if I got this right - you are looking at a Tacoma, and a new Ford Ranger and a Sprinter Van and a ? As someone new to the RV world perhaps it would be best to stick with the tried and true. There are reasons that there are very few people towing with a Sprinter van. I'm not saying that these vehicles are bad nor am I saying that they just might not be the "perfect" choice for any particular individual. But, if it were me and I was new to the RV arena, I'd favor the plain vanilla over virtually anything else unless I had a darn good reason to deviate from the "norm". While it might not be very "exciting", there is a certain safety in numbers. Remember, virtually all things in this world (to include the RV world) are a compromise of sorts. Bill

I know that Karen (and by default Reed) took a job as manager of a campground. All I can guess is that they are being kept fairly busy given that this that time of year. Bill

RodgerS - You might want to send a PM (private message) to "Bugeyedriver" on this Forum to ask what he thinks about the Tacoma and its abilities with the single axel Elite. Pete had well over 100,000 miles towing his Elite with a Tacoma. Bill

Amazon lists a number of "floor to ceiling tension rods". https://www.amazon.com/J-H-Smith-Co-5264-Indoor/dp/B00EO7FIKM/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1529413673&sr=8-10&keywords=floor+to+ceiling+tension+pole Bill

Could be Maniac - the last I saw he the Tow Vehicle was dark (blue I think). Bill

RodgerS - First - welcome to the Forum! Only you can decide what is right for you. If you need time and/or more experience in order to make those decisions then by all means take all the time you feel you need. However, remember that time is one of those things that you can never buy or get more of. The clock IS ticking and the older you get the louder it tics. Certainly there are those times when we must simply gather what information we can, make a decision and move on before time passes us by. If we make the wrong decision then do whatever is within our power to correct it and continue moving down the road. Each and every day spent in analysis paralysis is another day we simply can not get back. Many people have said that making a decision - any decision - is better than making no decision at all. There are just too many beautiful places to see, wonderful people to meet and exciting experiences to be had out there. Bill

Grayson - that makes sense and I seem to remember hearing that line of logic somewhere else before. However, it sure helps to have it spelled out from a reliable source. Thanks for posting the question! Bill

Wow! That sure looks nice. Is this private? Can you tell us what the cost per night is?

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