topgun2

Alex - Welcome to the family. Doesn't it feel good to be free of all that cash (just kidding)? I too found choosing the interior colors and fabric a difficult task. Certainly I'm no home decorator. So, I went with about as neutral a combination as I could find staying with the browns with a hint of grey. I figured that this would be the best for hiding soil and would allow me to add splashes of color with throw pillows, spreads, place mats and the like. Good luck with this job. As Reed mentioned, think about additional 110, USB and 12 volt outlets along with any additional hooks that you might want/need. And, I'll join the group recommending the inverter. Actually I seldom use it, but it sure is nice to have when needed (think toaster oven for toast and re-heating pizza). I happen to be a fan of the WiFi booster. While on the road I can simply pull into virtually any fast food joint, go into my Oliver and get WiFi while I'm having a real sandwich - no need to go inside the joint as you usually have to do without the booster. Bill

WDW - I can't really give you much to go on regarding the Zamp. I have the Blue Sky with the 4 Trojan 105's and could not be happier. Given the relatively unique situation in which Reed and Karen seem to use their solar system and the general lack of negative comments about the Zamp, I'm guessing that for most people the Zamp is fine. But, that is only a guess on my part. I hate to say it, but, nothing really gives one good answers besides research in regards to their own situation. With regards to the water heater - I have the standard Suburban and can echo what Steve&Betty had to say about it. I never leave it on for more time than it takes to heat the water that I will need for a shower. In this regard - I bought a meat thermometer that came with the "meat" probe attached to a wire that is about 20 inches long ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017613C3C/ref=sxbs_sr_ss_b_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3221812782&pd_rd_wg=VjNU3&pf_rd_r=KQKCYFV7KKYF7REM4FVT&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B017613C3C&pd_rd_w=IyTDL&pf_rd_i=taylor+meat+thermometer&pd_rd_r=fa01d713-84c7-4176-b1a9-8995112f7810&ie=UTF8&qid=1509471050&sr=1 ) I placed the probe against the tank of the water heater under the Styrofoam insulation that surrounds it (there is a convenient seam right in the horizontal center of this insulation) , ran the wire out the cold air return for the furnace and attached it to the "read out/alarm". Setting the "read out/alarm" to 105 degrees (about the water temperature that I like to shower with) about ten minutes prior to taking a shower I then just go about doing other things until the alarm goes off. At this point I turn off the water heater and take my shower. There are a couple of things to mention about this. First, it saves propane by only heating up the water that you are really going to use. Second, by just using only "hot" water in the shower I avoid the momentary shot of cold water that one gets when using the shower head flow interrupter (taking a Navy shower of course). Third, I save fresh water tank water in that I'm not having to cool down hot water that is too hot and I save water that I would have used in trying to find the "correct" showering temperature. Obviously this saving water is not a problem if you are hooked to city water but that is a rare event for me. In the event my wife or fishing buddy is along, I simply repeat the process for heating the water. Virtually all other needs for hot water are taken care of by heating the water on the stove or microwave so that I do not heat 6 gallons just to do a hand full of dishes. Yes, the Truma is slightly better with regards to winterization and, yes, one does not have to think about turning the water heater on or off, but, there sure are a bunch of ways I can think of to spend the difference in price. Bill

Steve & Tali - Thanks, once again, for the invite. I am really interested in being with you guys but have the possibility of some foot surgery during the first week of January that just may preclude walking for 4 to 6 weeks. I will certainly let you know if I can go! Bill

Brandi - I can say nothing but good things about the Maxx Air fan. Its super. Bill

Dear Donk (I just had to say that) - I too had a Taco with the v6. I never towed my Oliver with it but in towing a 3,500 pound stick built several years ago I ran into a 40 mph head wind while headed West across Kansas. Yes, the truck did pull that camper, but, my gas mileage was 4 mpg. As bad as that was what made it really bad was the small size of the gas tank. In some cases bigger really is better - size does matter. Bill p.s. great decision on the Elite II. It really is all that it is cracked up to be and more. However, the wait really does seem terribly long. Welcome to the family!

Don - I would have thought that passing the pink stuff through the toilet valve by "flushing" the toilet would have done the job. Therefore, I suspect that there was some other unrelated cause for the failure. A few nights ago - as usual during the middle of the night - I realized that I did not put the pink stuff in the black tank flush line. So, I took all the winterizing stuff out to where the Oliver is stored and got all set up to perform this minor task and realized that I forgot the little piece that I put onto the line coming from my hand pump that allows me to attach it to the Oliver. So, I get to make the ten mile trip again! Bill

Sherry, If I've ever known a "Tinkerbell" its you!

Obviously you went "all in" on the bumper polish - nicer look than even when it was new I'll bet. A good coat of just about any good wax will now keep it shiny longer, but, it will still dull over time. Nice job! Bill p.s. I deleted that second post for you.

Nothing specifically wrong with what John states above. I've got a small ceramic electric heater that I almost always have with me on my trip out West. It has a thermostat on it that will automatically vary the fan speed and the wattage output (from 500 to 1500 watts). At exterior temperatures of 29-30 degrees this little puppy will warm the interior from the low to mid 40's to 65 in right around an hour with only one human inside the Oliver (nicely tucked away in a sleeping bag). Therefore, unless you are expecting temperatures to be well below the mid-20's I doubt that a second unit is necessary unless (as John states) you want protection against failure. The "complete winterization" is really no big deal and should only take a tad less than two gallons of RV anti-freeze and about 30 to 60 minutes of your time. Since you would probably want to sanitize your lines and fresh water tank in the Spring anyway, the flushing of the anti-freeze probably only adds another 10 to 15 minutes to the project. Bill

Kathy - I'd say "go for it". That's really the only way to see if others are interested. Perhaps GPS coordinates would also help others find the spot. Bill

Robin & Susan - Welcome to the adventure! By now the two of you are pro's at the Oliver style. Bill

I believe that the camping discounted rate is $20/night plus taxes. Nice review and am looking forward to it. I completed my registration yesterday by using Matt's on-line form and payment system - (see the "2018 Rally"). It really worked great, is simple to do and quick if you have a credit card. If no card then you can always simply send them a check with the appropriate information. Bill

Canoe12 - Yes, I really do like my fancy dimmer switch. Since it was sourced from the marine industry and is moisture resistant (and fancy) I guess that was why it cost $300. In any case, I know that they had three dimmer switches when I had mine installed about 14 months ago. I wouldn't be surprised if they still had two left if you are really interested. Bill

While preparing Twist to be put away for the winter I thought that I'd give "Semi-chrome" metal polish a try on that rear bumper. It works nicely! I really didn't take a bunch of time - since the bumper will only get water spotted again while in storage over the winter, but, all the existing water spots came off along with road tar and the general dull appearance. If you can't find "semi-chrome" then I would think that "Flitz" or "Mother's" metal polish would work as well. Note that this is only for those that have the polished bumpers. Bill

Canoe - I just used the "wand" yesterday on my water heater. It worked great but I'm guessing that I kept moving it in and out for a period of 10 minutes or so before I could no longer see any particles coming out. Instead of letting the water simply continue to flow into the heater, I'd shut it off and then restart the flow in order to get a surge of water coming out. This helped any particles get over the "lip" where the anode rod screws into the heater. Bill

Possibly this spider has bitten off more than he can chew. I wonder what the insurance claim would look like? Bill

I spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina. It is no surprise that this camp is full most of the time. Reservations via Reserve America can be made 13 months in advance. There are a small number of "full service" sites that include electric, water, and sewer, but, most sites are just electric and water. However, there are two or three convenient dump stations as you exit the camping area. The primary attraction is the beach - there is something around 3 miles of it with two nice access areas directly from the camp (near site 33 and site 9). There is also the winter home of the Huntington's that has Spanish Moorish architecture, but for me (besides the beach) the attraction was is miles of trails and roads for biking and the numerous boardwalks out onto the marsh areas. These walks allowed for the viewing of bald eagles, rosette spoonbills, egrets (several different ones), herons, gators and oyster beds. The grass is cut, the restrooms are clean and even though the park was full it really didn't seem that crowded given that there is plenty of space between sites. Just outside the park is all kinds of shopping, restaurants, and just down the road in Myrtle Beach there is your typical eastern seaside town stuff to do. Even though I do not golf (a walk well spoiled as Mark Twain said), there is an amazing number of courses nearby. I've already got my reservations in for September, 2018!

Mike & Carol - Yes it is in very good shape - there is a little de-lamination in a couple of spots, but really not bad for a 25 year old non-molded camper. Bill

I'm sure that some of you already know, but, Airstream did (at one time) make fiberglass (laminated) campers. These pictures are of a 1992 model that is currently owned by a couple that are interested in moving up to an Oliver. Interestingly, while this Airstream has laminated fiberglass sides, the roof is aluminum. Bill

Ok, how about a beach fix?

When I pulled into Huntington Beach State Park yesterday afternoon it was 84 degrees and raining. By 6pm the wind was up but it had stopped raining. This morning it is 56 degrees and still breezy but the sunrise on the beach was great. The camp is full and apparently stays that way most of the time. Given what I've seen so far I'm not surprised - hopefully pics will happen. Bill

Steph & Steve After delivery I had the factory add a dimmer switch because I found the lights a bit too bright from time to time. Assume that you have thought about extra 110, 12 volt and usb ports in the night stand if you are getting the twin beds. Also, how about an extra hook on the other side of the bath door and a port hole on the front for the propane tanks. Bill

I'll join the group on the wash and wax thing- sure is pretty! Exterior detailer works well for quick touch-ups. Particularly for those fresh bugs on the nose. Assuming that one has the polished bumper - I've used a product called "never dull". But, it is a bunch of work with less than what I would call perfect results. Next I'll probably go to a metal polish with a mild abrasive like "semi-chrome". Bill

Or, in the interest of saving a bit of cash - Harbor Freight sells two different suction cups. One is a four inch and the other is (I think) a two inch. Certainly the four inch would hold a fair amount of weight - I use one on the outside of Twist to hold my fishing waders while they dry. That way - no holes, nothing to see when it is down and it is very flexible in how you put it up. Bill

John - I've got one of those retractable jobs in the bath of Twist (I posted about it in the mods section). It works great for that space, but, the maximum length is 11 feet and while the cord is OK for 1 towel, wash cloth and a pair or two of undies I'm guessing that it will not take a bunch more than that. I've never seen that same idea scaled up a tad for something like you are thinking. Good luck. Bill