topgun2

Welcome to the Forum! If you have not viewed Ron Merritt's Youtube video, you should. And, if you can take a tour of the factory in Hohenwald I highly recommend it. However, while the tour is free and you will meet some very nice folks, the result of the tour just might be rather expensive. Good Luck. Bill

Try this - http://stores.clamoutdoors.com/quick-se ... veler.html Bill

P.S. No question about it - I would highly recommend the Clam. Simple, nice design, well put together and very stable in the wind. Bill

I can speak from personal experience: The Clam does break down as easily as shown in the video - absolutely no problem - really slick. However, I do not believe that it sets up as easily as shown in the video. Disclaimer - I've have only set mine up six times so far. Basically one has to pull out on the center hub while holding the top and the bottom of the screen room down. It takes a bit of force to pull the hub out and a bit of "wing span" and/or dexterity to hold the top and bottom all at the same time. Once everything falls into place - you grab it properly and pull it properly, you can feel the fiberglass poles starting to bend outwards. At that point it is a snap (so to speak). I'm guessing that it gets easier the more times you do it. Also, at least on the tourist model, popping up the roof is interesting unless you have the shelter already staked to the ground. Think about it - as you push up on the center hub of the roof what holds the sides down? OK, so simply grab one of the sides and push up? That takes some rather long arms. In any case, the setup is certainly no more difficult than wrestling with poles and canvas of a regular shelter. Bill

ScubaRx, Since I do not want to buy Oliver's camera system (it is expensive and I do not want another screen/monitor in my truck), I'm looking to get a simply HD camera, mount it inside the rear window, and connect it to a WiFi sending unit. Unfortunately, the WiFi sending units and/or the camera itself only come (as far as I presently know) with a RCA video output jack. This means that they can not be connected to the Go2 or to the Ranger Elite directly, but, must be connected via the WiFi. So, now my question is: Assuming that one has the Ranger Elite and the Go2, do they put out a strong enough WiFi signal so that you can receive it in the cab of your truck while going down the road? As a side note here, I use my tablet for GPS directions in my truck. Therefore, I can also use this tablet to receive the WiFi signal from the Oliver - assuming that it is strong enough. Bill

Has anyone connected a rearview camera to a WiFi Ranger and then used the Ranger's WiFi to receive the camera's view inside your tow vehicle on a phone or tablet? How did you connect the camera to the Ranger? Any problems with the reception in the tow vehicle? What App did you use on the phone/tablet (WiFi Avin?)? Thanks for the help. Bill

Actually Clam and Oliver are similar in that they are both quality products. The wait time on the Clam is considerably shorter that that for the Oliver. If you haven't purchased the Clam yet, you might want to take a serious look at the Kelty. At least one model of the Kelty has rain/wind panels that are included and can be raised/lowered from inside the shelter. However, the downside is that the Kelty is a bit more difficult to set up. Bill

llfalcon, I recently purchased a "Clam" brand screen room. Because I usually travel alone I got the "traveler" model which is basically six by six feet and plenty of room for two or three people. All of the Clam products are relatively expensive, but they are nicely put together easy to set up, and even easier to take down. They use a center "hub" which allows you to simply "pop" the sides and top into place without wrestling with separate poles and stakes (you should still stake it once it is set up to keep it from blowing away, but it is not mandatory). Hope this helps! Bill

Coy, Very nice! And, what a beautiful time to get you new Oliver - I'll bet the leaves around Hohenwald are very pretty right now. Enjoy the heck out of that beauty. Bill

Mike and Carol, I've emailed and received answers from Anita three times already this morning. I've tried my hardest to think of questions that she has never heard before - there were a couple, but, not many. If you have not taken a look at it yet go over to You Tube and take a look at Ron Merritt's video of the Elite II, I have probably watched it 6 or 7 times over the last couple of months. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions on this or over at the FGRV forum. People have been very kind and helpful to me during this process. Bill

Mike and Carol, Welcome! Yes, the wait begins, but you can fill some of the time thinking of even more questions for Anita and Karen and debating on graphics, options, fabrics, outlets, and all manner of other things. Reading this and the FGRV forums from start to finish will also take more time, but, will also make you ask even more questions. I just got my final pre-production paperwork today - yeah! Now I get to start watching "Twist" being built (hatched). May will be here before you know it. Bill

routlaw, You can't be serious! Really sweet - I'm so jealous. Bill

Kevin, The waiting for your new Ollie is the hard part! Bill

BBchBum, THANKS! Exactly what I was looking for. Also heard that the "Bunnery" has great sticky buns and one of my favorite places for fish and chips from a few years ago is the Kings Head British Pub out on Highway 1. Have also heard about Saltwater Cowboys but am a little concerned that it might be a tourist place. With regards to taking a look at our new Ollie (Twist) - absolutely no problem! Why don't you PM me with your phone number and I will give you a call when we get to town. We presently are scheduled to be over at Faver-Dykes State Park for the nights of February 18, 19, and 20, 2016 in site 21. Unfortunately I do not have a cell phone that you can call me on. Topgun2 (aka Bill Jones)

How about the dinette set in your brand new trailer, casual dining with just the right touch of fancy. : ) Of course you would have to bring along some cooking utensils and food. We usually take along a number of ready cooked meals (that we made) that just have to be heated up. Have fun with your new trailer. Stan Stan, Basically you hit on the problem - in picking up the new Ollie we will not have it stocked with our "normal" supplies. This means that we will be eating out more often than normal. Topgun2

Linda and Bugeyedriver, Thanks for the question and the answers. I too have been thinking about organization in my new Oliver (Twist) that I'll pick up in mid February. In my old stick built camper I used a bunch of semi-clear plastic bins from WalMart to hold most of my "stuff". I agree with Bugeyedriver on the paper plate thing - while not great for the environment it does save a bunch of water and time/effort. Now all I have to do is find a place for my "pop-a-plate" to hold those paper plates. The only thing that I have purchased so far for the kitchen area is a paper towel holder that I intend to sticky-tape to the wall near the kitchen sink. I do always carry a couple of "proper" glass wine glasses. These I double wrap in plastic bags and then pack them in with kitchen linens. Despite all of the above, I agree with Bugeyedriver in that over time I'm sure that I will find a place for all camping things. However, one must do something to take the edge off the wait time before getting the new Ollie. Topgun2

Need some suggestions! My wife and I will pick up our new Oliver Elite II in mid February, 2016. After the night in Hohenwald we will head south and plan to spend our second night just north of Macon, GA. We will then head to St. Augustine and spend a few days getting to know "Twist". Does anyone have suggestions for breakfast and dinner places? Casual dining is more our style versus fancy. Thanks for the help! Topgun2

Don, Any idea of why VW says in the owners manual to NOT use a WD hitch? Even though I did not NEED a WDH for my last RV and I'm told that I would not need it for the Elite II I'm getting in Feb, 2016, I decided to use one anyway. Basically there are two reasons for this decision - the first is safety. In the event of needing to make sudden moves I feel that the WDH will keep the TV more in line with the RV. Second, it seems to me that our interstate highways in the US are not in the best repair. It seems that there are a lot of bridges that have a fairly large "bump" on both sides and this produces a pronounced "bounce" between the TV and the RV. A WDH really reduces this "bounce". I've also investigated the Andersen versus the Equalizer brand. While I've not personally used the Andersen, yet, I think that the discussions regarding the PITA of hitching it up when not directly aligned are a bit over done. With the Equalizer there were also times when getting the spring bars into place were a real pain. But given the benefits I do not think that spending another 2 to 5 minutes hitching up are a big deal.

Linda, They really should post a warning sign on the front door so that you can see it BEFORE you even go on that tour. While the tour is free, the results are really expensive! Congrats - I get mine in February. Bill

I'm not familiar with Ash Grove but the Davidson River Campground is fairly nice. Next time in Brevard try Falls Landing Restaurant and/or Duggin's Pub (best burger in town). And, let me know when you are in town and I'll try to get together with you. Bill

If you are looking for a camp that is at a bit lower elevation and/or you would like to fish for some mountain trout then head down the mountain on route 276 to the Davidson River Campground. They have hookups and showers and it is located right on the Davidson River. Also, just down the road a couple of miles is a WalMart, various restaurants and other services, and, about five miles west is the nice little town of Brevard, NC. Going back up the mountain be sure not to miss the State fish hatchery - approximately 500,000 trout being raised here - plus tons of hiking/mountain biking trails and Looking Glass Falls. Bill (aka Topgun2)

Horace & Dianne, Thanks for the info on the Equalizer, it really does confirm what I had thought. Now I find myself actually wishing for winter to get here faster. Bill (aka Topgun2)

Horace and Dianne, I'm jealous! I'm scheduled to get delivery of mine in mid-February. A couple of months ago I asked the Forum if anyone knew if the Oliver would work with an Equalizer WDH and basically received no direct replies to the question. I presently own an Equalizer and would prefer to use it versus the Anderson. But, you are the first that I've heard of that has experience in this area. Is the reason the Equalizer will not work with the Oliver due to the tongue brackets having a problem fitting between the frame and the propane tank coweling? Or, is it because the brackets would "walk" on the frame? Bill

From the mountains of western North Carolina to Hohenwald. Took the factory tour with Anita and basically I was hooked. However, I then kept on going - out to Wyoming for a month of fishing. But that was the decision maker. A total of eight weeks on the road with my hybrid camper really sold me on all the benefits of the Ollie. So, yesterday the check was in the mail. I don't think that I've ever wished for winter to get here so that I can take delivery of my new baby (February 16th). But, first, I've got to decide fabric, flooring and counter colors!