topgun2

Have fun on that tour! I did the same thing (lurking and reading and looking at Ron Merrit's video on YouTube) a bit over a year ago and it was the very first stop on the tour that really did it for me - the frame jig. The welds were beautiful and the people working for the entire operation are simply "good" people. Even though I waited almost two additional months before ordering, they had me at "Hello". As has been said above, don't hesitate to ask questions and step up to take a closer look. Also, bring your camera - you can take as many pictures as you like. Give Anita a big hug from me and shake Tommy's hand (he's too big and whatever to hug). Bill

John, No, I have never stopped at that museum. Perhaps someday, but, it seems that when I'm on these trips each summer I try to avoid crowds (certainly there are plenty of those in Cody, Jackson and Yellowstone) and my "purpose" is to fly fish. On days when I'm not fishing I am either in transit or doing laundry and restocking Twist. With regards to "big bore" - I either carry a 44 mag pistol (6 inch barrel) or a 357 sig automatic. We could go round and round about what is "necessary" to really make an impact on a Grizzly. The 44 certainly has the size and speed but it is somewhat heavier than the 357. The 357 has the speed to penetrate Griz bone but its mass is lacking. Bear spray is the first option in either case but there are situations when it is not practical. So, the bottom line is that I hope to never have to use either one, but, I try to prepare the best I can. Bill

Bill, Can't say that I spent a bunch of time in laundromats, but, that laundry is one of my favorites. While I wait for the machines to get done I can catch up on email with their free WiFi and its clean with an attendant always on duty if you have a problem. Another thing about Cody is that at the water works/sanitation department on the outskirts of town they will let you dump your tanks and fill with fresh water. Bill

Coy, Thanks for starting this thread in that I too have been interested in knowing more about what's out there. Randy - good comments on the basic insurance part and it would seem that your conclusions on coverage would be correct. In any case, there is simply too much at stake to NOT make sure as to exactly what is covered and what is not covered and under what circumstances is it covered. I too have been using AAA's RV trip insurance. However, I've been thinking about changing - a couple of years ago with my old RV I had a wheel problem which required me to be towed a total of five miles. AAA only covered $100 of the towing charge and would not arrange the details of the tow even though I was stranded on Interstate 70 one mile east of Hays, Kansas (not exactly out in the middle of nowhere). Therefore, I had to find a towing company, and pay the bill (thank goodness they took plastic). Thank goodness a State Patrol Officer stopped and had the phone number of a towing company and kept me a bit safer on the side of the interstate as the semi's roared past. Bill

Everyone - Thanks for the comments - glad you enjoyed it. Randy - the orange Harbor Freight suction cup is used for hanging my fishing waders out to dry. It really works great and the orange reminds me to take it off prior to moving. The sticker on the back is a Yeti carrying a fly rod - a bit of a self portrait. Bill - That "brown" trout is actually a nice Brook Trout who lives in prime Grizzly bear territory. Bear spray and a sidearm were always at the ready! Trumpetguy - Yes, Brevard really does like dogs and beer, or, is that beer and dogs? Anyway, if you thought it was hot and steamy here you should live in Florida? Seriously, my wife didn't exactly appreciate me telling her about 10% humidity and 75 degree daytime high temps. But, someone just had to do it! Hopefully, someday, I'll be around while you are here so we can share a tonic or two. Bill

As some of you already know, Twist and I have just returned to the mountains of Western North Carolina (home) after a two month trip to Wyoming for some fly fishing. We spent time at Boysen State Park, the town of Meeteetse, west of Cody on the North Fork of the Shoshone River, north of Cody at Dead Indian, Sunlight and Hunter Peak. Then nine days in Yellowstone at Pebble Creek Campground before hitting West Yellowstone to do laundry and restock the pantry and fridge - plus get something actually cooked by someone other than myself. Then it was off to Falls Campground and Brooks Lake off highway 26 west of Dubois. Getting towards our final legs of the trip, we went to Horse Creek and Double Cabin north of Dubois where we actually did see fresh Grizzly tracks at the edge of Horse Creek. Then we ended up at Ring Lake and Torrey Creek where we caught our biggest fish of the trip (an 18 inch brown trout) and found a fair amount of Native American rock drawings right across from camp. A few hundred trout, numerous deer, pine martins, ground squirrels (or pocket pens as the locals call them), buffalo, elk, mountain goats, moose, antelope, wolves, and, hawks and falcons and right at 5,000 miles later we returned home. Twist was a great companion who never let me down, kept me safe, warm and dry and comfortable. I never really believed Anita when she told me that people would actually follow you into gas stations and/or rest stops in order to inquire about the Oliver. But, she was more than right! And, just try getting out of a commercial campground without at least on person wanting to know all about it. I even had two un-related couples waiting for me in the parking lot of the Cody WalMart to return from shopping so they could see the interior. I may have mentioned this before, but, if you are planning a trip west for 2017, be careful. Due to the total eclipse that is scheduled for next summer, I was told that for at least the two weeks either side of the eclipse all hotels and camp grounds for virtually the entire length of highway 26 (think from Jackson through Dubois and down toward Rawlins ) are already booked solid. Here are a few pictures from the trip:

Don, I know that there are "caps" and/or "plugs" available for these quick connectors. The only problem would be that they would not be on those nice little chains like the originals. But, I'm guessing that if you are really OCD even that problem could be overcome. Bill

John, I'm really not trying to be unkind here and, perhaps, you have already been down this road - but - have you typed "locks" into the forum search function? If you do much of what has been said above is already discussed, plus, a bunch of various priced alternatives are also mentioned (see Scubarx's device for instance). Hope this helps you! Bill

OK, let it be known that a grizzly bear didn't get me and I'm back from almost two months on the road with Twist. We got rain, sun, hail, wind, gloom of night, etc. and after almost exactly 5,000 miles of dirt roads, and interstate roads the EZE rain gutters are still exactly where I originally put them. In fact, they don't look a bit different at all with no staining, or discoloration of any sort. So, as far as I'm concerned, they have performed as advertised and I'm very pleased with both the look and the performance. As they say in the cartoons, "That's All Folks". Bill

Coy - As you may already know, over on the FGRV Forum a number of people have posted pictures of either total re-do's and/or mods for adding additional sleeping areas. Given that we have a double hull a mod of this type is certainly doable without having to worry about water leaks as long as one is careful to not drill too far. Good luck and please keep us advised (with pictures) as to how you are progressing. Bill

I've never had a problem with my awning seal leaking, but, I've also never been in a real gully washer and taken a look either. I suspect that the reason Oliver uses the seal that they do has something to do with the compound curve nature of the roof line where the seal sits. Also, it appears to me that the seal OTT uses would be a bit easier to attach in that it does not "interlock" with the awning. Perhaps the lack of this "interlock" is where some minor leakage would occur? Bill

WOW! Don't know what Matt did (wouldn't understand it anyway), but, it now works. Bill

Stan and Carol. All I can tell you is that a launch is really something to see and feel. I did a shuttle launch several years ago and watched it from Coco Beach - about ten miles away as the crow flies. All I can say is WOW! With regards to the Space Center - (as with most things these days) bring money. I did not "do" any of the programs with astronauts, but I did "do" the up close tour of the facility. I don't remember the exact cost, but it was not cheap. However, for a one time thing it was certainly worth it. I'm not familiar with Manatee Hammock but I've stayed a number of times at Blue Springs State Park and it is great. Enjoy July in Florida - I'm sure it will not be too HOT. Bill p.s. thanks for the PM - hopefully I'll get to see you in August.

John Guess I should have been a bit more precise with my language - I personally don't like the look of the four doors relative to having just the two doors plus the small "suicide" half doors. However, since I'd never investigated the Ram enough to know that they had the smaller rear doors available, for the right price I certainly could get over my "relative" aversion. I've always liked the hemi engine even though my current Ecoboost certainly has more than enough grunt for the Oliver. Bill

Mike & Carol, Nice looking truck! Nothing like being sooooo comfortable cruising down the highway with that Ollie in tow. I sure wish that they would make that truck with a half door in the rear instead of the full set of four full sized doors. Bill

Be careful what you wish for - I'm just about to leave on my annual 2 month fishing trip in Wyoming. Certainly pictures will follow. Bill

Weyzer, Don't know the answer but you might try emailing - Helen Markham <helen@furrion.com> She got back to me fairly quickly with a good answer on my Furrion questions. Bill

The recent discussion regarding the Andersen WDH and the location of the water drain valve got me to thinking about what other items can be overlooked, not remembered, forgotten, etc. One of those items just might be the glass plate in the microwave. Even though I've never had a problem with the microwave door coming open while on the road, I was cautioned that I should always remove the glass plate prior to traveling because the door can come open on rough roads and the glass plate would certainly shatter as it bounced around. I simply take it out of the microwave and place it in the cabinet right above. Does anyone remember any other thing(s) of that nature? Bill

I'll be at the factory in about a week and a half when (amongst other things) the guys are installing at least one dimmer switch on Twist. Bill

Cold feet and about $100,000?

Just saw that myself (click the "home" button at the top of the Forum page). From what I can tell, that is the only thing that has been changed (so far). The information listed for the Elite II appears to be the same as for the 2016. But, I don't know about the information for the Elite. Bill

Back in 2011 I sold my beloved Taco and bought an F-150 Ecoboost Ford. I never towed my Elite II with the Taco, but my previous campers were 4,000 pound hybrids and I towed them extensively. My reasons for selling the Tacoma were (like Mike and Carol), not based on power but mainly on fuel capacity. The straw that broke the Taco's back happened when I was headed West on Interstate 70 in the middle of Kansas. There was a 40 mph headwind and I had the cruise control set on 60. My miles per gallon at that point was 4! OK, that is bad, but I could handle that and the resultant price of gas except for one thing - I was having to look for a gas station far too often. Yes, I thought about simply getting a larger or additional tank, but at that point the truck was five years old and it was simply time to let it go. For the record, I don't remember the exact size of the engine, but it was the largest 6 that Toyota had at the time, the truck was the TRD 4x4 top of the line model. I'd love to own another Tacoma but until they provide an even bigger engine with a larger gas tank and more towing capacity, I'll stay with a larger pickup. Bill

Bill, You da man! Nice pictures and quick work too. Bill

Robert, In the 2016 Elite II the fridge is the Dometic RM2554 - 5 cubic feet volume. I got this from the Oliver Owner's manual as I don't think that the size is ever mentioned on the website or in the pamphlets. Not sure about the size of the fridge in the smaller Oliver. Bill

Robert, In the picture above the "extensions" are the white curved pieces that stick out into the aisle (The grey plastic trash bag is touching the one on the right side. Sorry, but I do not have a picture of the rivets. Bill