topgun2

Linda, Thanks for the picture - of the silverware, remote control, and wine stuff drawers. Nice to see someone who has their priorities right with the wine stuff. I thought that you two were supposed to hit the road yesterday? Bill

Linda, Since it is still a month before I get my Ollie I can only comment on what I've done in the past and plan on doing with Twist. Each summer for the past ten years I've traveled from North Carolina to either Colorado, Wyoming or Montana to fly fish for periods of from 6 to 15 weeks at a crack. I found that by rolling my cloths and then stacking the rolls in some basic order I am able to find the exact shirt, pair of shorts, pants, jacket, etc. quickly. From left to right I start with socks, underwear, short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, shorts, pants, shells and sweatshirts, and finally jackets. I also hang a couple of slacks and better shirts just in case I want to do something "fancy" (I've only used these once in ten years though). Just by looking at the color of the rolled item in the stack I know exactly which article of clothing it is. Certainly nothing fancy here but it works for me - hope it helps. Bill

Buzzy, Thanks, but I'd already looked at each and every one of those on Amazon. I am hoping to find something that fits a bit better than any of the sizes that are listed there. If I can't find something I'll be reduced to making something. Linda, Could I bother you to take a picture? There are several way to mix and match, but without taxing my brain too much I didn't see a combination of bins that would result in a nice tight fit. Bill p.s. how's the trip doing?

Has anyone found a silverware tray that fits nicely into the drawers of the Elite II? Since those drawers measure 16.6 inches wide by 10 inches deep and 3 inches tall, they are not a "standard" size kitchen drawer. Bill

I'm a bit confused here. Is the process being talked about here another way to get fresh water into the fresh water tank for dry camping? I have understood that one can simply use the onboard water pump for this purpose? What am I missing? Bill

Daniel, Welcome and good luck. Most of us here have been down the same road and it is an exciting one. Feel free to let your imagination run since the Oliver folks are very easy to work with. If you have not done so already, be sure to take a look at Ron Merritt's YouTube video of the Elite II. Also, scan this forum for additional ideas and/or options that current owners have had installed. Finally, feel free to ask questions! Bill

We got the small version - big enough for 4 people or so but you can't put it over a regular picnic table. They are really great and the people at the factory are also easy to work with. A bit on the pricey side, but, in my opinion, well worth the price. Bill p.s. we also bought one of those "magnetic" screen doors that are "seen on TV" via Amazon and sewed it onto the Clam. Now we do not have to be bothered with zipping the door shut - it just closes automatically.

Greyson and Ann, Yes, be careful regarding the Blue Ridge Parkway in March. Presently there are several sections that are closed due to either repairs and/or weather. It is normal for some of these sections that are south/southwest of Mt. Mitchel to be closed in the winter either due to snow or to ice formation in the tunnels. Look up the BRP on the internet - they do a good job of posting what is closed. Another Florida State Park that is good for both camping and kayaking is Blue Spring. And, if you are lucky, the Manatees hang out around this area particularly if the Saint John's river is a bit cool. Bill

P.S. Sorry, forgot - re the temp sensors - You might want to take another look at Ron Merritt's you-tube video regarding this. He simply bought a regular commercial unit that has four remote sending units. He placed one in the bath, one inside the hulls, and one or two outside with the central monitoring station on the wall to the left of the front door as you enter. I think that he was happy with the result - I plan to do something similar when I get "Twist". Bill

Linda, Certainly I'm no expert on Oliver's but I've done a fair amount of cold weather camping. Given that your Ollie is winterized, I'd just leave it that way until you are out of the tundra and not worry about it. Assuming that you winterized it properly, you have anti freeze in the pipes and drains. Therefore, they will not freeze. You really do not have to worry about the black or grey tanks in that they are OK even if they do freeze and your fresh water tank is the same even though it should be empty anyway. Your batteries will be OK in that they are either being charged by your tow vehicle or your solar. Anything that you have in the fridge should be OK. All that is left is the "stuff" that you put inside like shampoo, lotion, etc. Even though I think that this "stuff" will be OK, you could always simply carry it inside your tow vehicle for awhile. Assuming that you will be camping at least one night where it is still fairly chilly, I would suggest that you carry a small electric heater (unless you are boondocking it). This way, the interior of the Ollie will heat up faster and you will save on your propane - use the campground electric versus your own propane. I also carry a gallon milk jug that can be filled with water and use this to "flush" the toilet in the event it is not possible (or too cold) to connect to "city" water. Hope this helps! Bill

Steve, Really nice touch with the red and green at the front. At what speed did you take this? Or, is the dog stuffed in order to make it just sit there? Also, really like the fire pit. Bill

Grayson and Ann, Great look except for that overstuffed dog on the left - need to put her on a diet! Have a good four months on the road. Are you headed for Florida, the west or both? Greg and Janet, We are picking up ours on the 16th of February. Hopefully the weather will be good for both of us. Bill

For those of you that have recently picked up their Ollie: Do you have any additional thoughts on this matter - things that you could have done without and/or things that would have made the pickup nicer? Bill

Con, I'd take the batteries out, store them in a cool dry location with a "smart charger" (specifically designed for AGM batteries) attached. Bill

Been down this same road - the bottom line is that it will work, BUT, you will need to trim out parts of the cowling that covers the propane tanks to make room for the brackets that attach to the frame. I choose not to do that. Bill

Dave & Linda, Sorry no name, but, it sure is a gem! Merry Christmas! Bill

Dave and Linda, Thanks so much for saying "Hello". I feel bad leaving Twist there, but, I know good hands are treating him well. Like the number! Merry Christmas. Bill

Linda, Congrats! And, you had good weather too - hopefully it held for you all the way home. Did you get a chance to say "hello" to Twist? Bill

Bugeyedriver, Could not agree more! Twist is just about complete and Anita sent what she says is the last pictures today until I get delivery in mid-February. I guess that from a very technical point of view I'm not family (yet). But, everyone there has made me feel right at home since day one. Bill

Mountainborn, THANKS! For both your service, your Dad's service and for your story. Bill

As a follow-up, Anita sent this picture of Twist yesterday. Bill

SeaDawg, Thanks for the heads up on the tire pressure sensors at Northern Tool. I ordered a set but since I don't get my Oliver until mid February I will not be able to test them, However, as soon as I get back from delivery I'll be sure to post my review here. Bill

Another "plug" for Wikicamps - a couple of days ago I tried adding a few campsites that I knew. Unfortunately, the app would crash each time I tried to do this. I emailed the company about the problem and they responded within three hours by asking a couple of questions regarding exactly what was happening. By the next morning I received an email telling me that the problem was taken care of and the Wikicamps app had been updated on the Google Playstore site. Indeed, now everything works. Can't ask much more from a company. Bill

OK, in her usual quick style, Anita has already replied. She said that she was not aware of any owner putting the hull numbers on the spare tire cover. As noted on this forum, there are those owners that have placed the hull numbers on the front or back of the Oliver. Anita said that if an owner wanted they would place the numbers at little or no cost either on the front, back, spare tire cover, side, etc. Therefore, it is up to the owner to ask for this if they want it. Bill

I have just sent an email to Anita asking for "factory thoughts" on the matter. She may reply either here or directly to me. If she replies to me, I'll post those thoughts as soon as I get them. Bill