topgun2

WE didn't lose power at all. In fact - we didn't get any snow and/or ice either. Virtually all of the reported snow/ice that hit NC was only in the high mountains (above 3,500 feet) mostly near the State border with TN. Bill p.s. while we are not protected from general grid issues that Patriot mentions, our sub-division has all utilities underground. Obviously, this prevents a majority of outages. In the 25 years we have lived in our present home we have experienced only one outage that lasted just over an hour.

"Rule of thumb" Anytime you observe an increase in tire temp exceeding 10 degrees (F) you should seek and answer as to what might be causing it. If you can't find and "easy" answer - such as bright sun on that side versus the other side of the trailer, or exceedingly hot pavement (this is particularly found with newly laid black top) - then you should seriously think about adding air to your tires. By adding air you will reduce the "squirm" of the rubber and cords inside the tire as it goes down the road. In turn, this reduction should result in a cooler tire. Hope this helps! Bill p.s. I normally "only" add 5 psi at a time in these situations which happen rarely.

I did that as a kid! Don't remember exactly how old I was but I do remember that they had to restrain me from jumping in. I wanted to catch a couple of all those fish that I saw. 😃 Hope you have as much fun as I remember having. Bill

Great! NC is the first loser! And, I so want NC to finish first given that this IS the southern part of the US.😇

While I think that it is unlikely - Another possible reason for that tire going bad when the other three (bought at the same time) look fine - that tire was defective in the first place. Again, I believe that this possibility is well down the list of possible issues and that the guys at discount tire might have mentioned it if it was apparently a defective tire - but, it is at least something to think about and add to the list. Bill p.s. If you have a Harbor Freight nearby, they have temp monitors fairly cheap. I've had one of theirs for several years now and it hasn't missed a beat. Like this one for $24.99.

Sure does look like Charly knows when to let Dad do all the work, but, still keep an eye on him just to make sure that he does it correctly.😊 Bill

Bobby- Once you have really looked at the Oliver versus any of the other brands you mentioned - you WILL know the difference. I too looked at most of what you have looked at and the quality difference in the Oliver versus any of them is immediately apparent. Bill

Another quick suggestion is to turn everything off - Furrion, phone, etc- and then try connecting again. Bill

I don't have the Truman but virtually all burners I've ever looked at have a thermocouple that "senses" heat. If there isn't any heat (flame) then the gas flow to the burner is shut off - automatically. Bill

Perhaps something a bit more interesting than the Bud - but - I'm really being picky here!😅

And - That looks to be one great and interesting Forum that you have on the laptop. Care to tell us what Forum it is?😁

When you said you were headed to the "Q" - you REALLY meant it! Enjoy the warm. Bill

For those that have a bit of time on their hands AND want to save a couple of bucks too: Take those "yellowed" outlet covers off, clean then really well, wipe with alcohol and then given them a couple of coats of Krylon white spray paint. Let dry overnight and put them back on. I did mine this way about two years ago and there have been no signs of the yellow reappearing. Bill

This would have been my thought - or, possible you took a right turn a bit too tight and hit that tire on a curb. I'd take a very close look at the sidewall and then take a very close look at the street side tire. If the street side tire looks good then the issue is - probably - not with the entire axle. But , it could be just the spindle on that side. And, this is where GJ's measuring would come into play. Finally, from your pics it is a bit hard to tell, but, is that abnormal wear actually "cupping" or simply having the tire riding too much on the outside? If you can't tell then hopefully your guy at Discount tire can make the call. The reason this is important is that your bearings and/or spindle on that tire could need adjusting or replacement. Good luck! Bill p.s. at the very least I'd get that wheel off the ground and test for bearing play (i.e. grab the tire at the top and bottom and see if you can move it in/out). I think that you once told me that you use a local guy to do your bearing maintenance - can you get to see him for a quick check before you leave?

Well - We've only got those little black bears! It's the Griz I'd worry about.😊

Nice creative and thoughtful approach - good work. But, THIS kind of thing probably shouldn't happen in the first place. I'd make sure that both Truma and Oliver Service know about it. Bill

You Tremor guys are really a tough bunch! Usually those bears get a little touchy when it comes to burgers!😆 Bill p.s. DougS - If you get anywhere near Asheville on your trip an you need help, just yell.

Funny thing about that - my sleeping bag really doesn't look much different no matter how much time I take to "make it up" or direction I place it in.😇 Bill

Originally I/we slept with our heads at the rear. However, with the corner radius and the nightstand at the rear I/we found that the room for one's elbows was diminished. So, we "flipped" and now not only are the elbows happier but the risk of cracking the inner hull has been lessened😂. Bill

That is the reason I did an extinguisher near the nightstand below the beds. Bill

Glad to know yet another member of this "club". I've always guessed that there are a fair number of us as owners of a camper that is not afraid of getting away from those crowds. Yes, Glacier can be absolutely wonderful (as can be most of the other more popular National Parks to certainly include Yellowstone) but they can be terribly crowded. As you mention - planning is the key in order to navigate in and around these crowds and still see the more popular spots AND really enjoy those spots in these Parks that are rarely seen by the "crowds". Bill

John - There are a number of videos on YouTube relative to this subject. HERE is one of those videos. The instructions of opening the tank valve remain the same in all instances, however, with the addition of the Gas Stop valves you have added an additional step in that you must now "prime" the Gas Stop's by depressing the "guage" five times (actually once or twice normally does the job, but, I believe that the instructions said to depress it five times. The lever you refer to only shows you which tank you want to draw propane from first. It does not start or stop the "automatic" change over feature of the regulator. The "secret" to defeating the automatic change over regulator is to only open the propane tank valve on the tank that you want to use first and keep the other tan's valve closed. When the first tank is empty, the automatic change over feature will try to get gas from your other tank, but, since the valve on that tank is in the closed position, no gas will flow. The benefit here is that you will know when you have run out of gas in that first tank. However, the bad news is that you will have to manually go under the propane cover and open the main valve on the tank you were NOT using in the first place. Murphy's Law states that the only time you will run out of propane in that first tank is when it is dark, cold, raining/snowing, bugs are BAD, your significant other is not happy, the dog is not happy and you are half in the bag.😉 I make it a habit to refill that empty tank as soon as possible such that the old Boy Scout motto of being prepared is satisfied. Of course, you can always use the automatic change over feature and save yourself the issues involved with doing it manually. However, the downside here is that the automatic change over feature will NOT tell you when it has "changed over". This means that you will have to monitor your tanks in some fashion to determine when the "automatic" thing has actually happened. For obvious reasons it is usually a BEST practice to at least know when you have emptied that first tank. Yes, after opening the main valve (and priming the Gas Stop valves if you have them) it is good practice to light something in order to make sure that air has been purged from your gas lines. I'll usually simply use the cooktop stove inside the Ollie (as you are doing) to do this given it is easier to actually see when the flame is lit. Of course, the furnace or the fridge could also be used but both of those devices involve control boards that automatically open/close the propane valve located near that device and this could result in malfunctions that complicate the simple issue of getting the air out of your lines. You could also use external devices such as a fire pit or propane grill to do this, but clearing the air out of the lines to that device will not necessarily clear the air out of the propane line INSIDE the Ollie. Hope this helps! Bill p.s. There are guages (such as the Mopeka) that can be used to reasonably measure the amount of propane left in each of your tanks. Or you can use experience (and that warm fuzzy self righteous feeling of confidence in yourself that you will never forget something as important as having enough propane in your tanks) to help you keep your propane tanks in operating order. But, I have tried a couple of the tank guages (not Mopeka) and from my experience - they simply do not work well enough to be of much value. Given my years of experience in making my annual two month fly fishing trips to the Rockies, I know that my first full propane tank will last about 6 weeks. This knowledge actually helps me to NOT be surprised when my cooktop stove either goes out or fails to light. Note that if I "know" that this first tank is getting low, and, I need to use the furnace or the fridge is critical (its hot outside and those great steaks are waiting for the grill that evening), I've been know to temporarily switch the tanks . But I will always then treat the very low/empty tank as if it were totally empty and get it refilled as soon as possible. There is nothing "wrong" about actually using the automatic change over feature of the regulator (and many people do use it). I simply prefer to really know for sure without having to "worry" about keeping an eye on the regulator looking for that telltale red in its little window.

Welcome to the Family! Exciting times . Hopefully you have already started getting VERY familiar with the Oliver University. This not only will make your delivery go much smoother but it should help you way on down the road too. In addition - perhaps when you get bored with the University, you could simply start scanning through the Forum. Threads here run the gambit of things that cover both new and old(er) Ollies, places to see and do, problem solving, mods, etc.. Have fun! Ask questions. We're more than happy to help a fellow member of the Family. Bill p.s. thanks for helping us all out with your Service! There are a bunch of us ex military types here and we know the "drill".😉

It is extremely rare for Oliver to change a delivery date once it is set. Things like weather (particularly near the delivery date) can have an effect but given that your delivery is in April that factor should be of little concern. I'd go ahead and make the reservations. Having said that - I'd spend at least two nights in the camping area of Oliver. The first night you WILL be tired and it would be better to simply relax, have a nice dinner, settle in (i.e. more you stuff into the Ollie, make your beds, get the fridge at least partially stocked, look over (maybe) some of the material you will be given and then get a good night's sleep. The next day you can go through all of your systems and check all things to make sure they are as they should be and you will be right there are the Service area in the case you need help. All of this is done without the "worry" of also having to move and re-set up camp. Here on the Forum it has been said many times by many owners - try to stay in the area for a few days so that if you find something you don't think is working right you are only a short distance from Service. Good luck and it will not be long now! Bill

I've heard the same thing. In fact, I just saw a YouTube vid the other day where the person that did the install was testing the Bluetooth out to about 100 feet plus. Good luck! Bill