topgun2

If it was in camo - how'd you even see it?🙂

Everyone does! The folks at the Mothership are even nicer than their camper. Bill

I'm certainly glad that I had it done! The CGI guys are first rate both in the work that they do and the kind of people they are. I only wish that there were more people of their age with the kind of work ethic and attitude they have. The cost is basically a "push" for me and most of the people I've talked to. If you have someone that does a good job of polishing and waxing your Oliver you are fortunate but these people are not cheap. Sure, if you do the job yourself, you (hopefully) do the job right, but the time and effort are expensive in terms of what you are missing and how hard you are working. I've never had an "easy" place to wash and wax my Ollie. Since Twist is located in a storage yard I needed to make several trips back and forth all the while hoping that the weather would cooperate with my schedule. Now that its been coated it is much easier to wash and shines better than ever. Also, while on the road, the bugs are easier to get off. This depends a bit on how you take care of the trailer. If you do not live in a place like south Florida or Arizona and keep the Ollie clean (i.e. keep the bugs off and keep it washed or covered) the coating will last longer. But, then again, if you live in a relatively harsh environment you would probably need to wax more often too. From my experience, it seems that my coating will last well into two years and possibly three before needing to be redone. But, I just might have the CGI guys do a refresh this coming year because the Ollie has never been so shiny as it is after they get done with it. Bill

That stuff sure ain't cheap! 🤑

Try a PM (private message) to Bugeyedriver here on the Forum. I know that he has spent some time in that area. Bill

Nope - the Dutch ones! 😁

I just wanted toast and English muffins and hot left over pizza - I didn't care what it looked like but it did have to fit in the cubbie over the dinette. This one does all that. Bill

The first thing I would do (if I were you) is to actually use the "search" function at the top of this page by typing in "carbon monoxide". With the 119 results you will get - about 5 down the page is a detector that John Davies put in and it just may be the solution for you. However, note that these detectors do not seem to be the most reliable of devices - read a bunch of the other posts that the search gives you. Good luck! Bill

I'll bet that you actually read instructions too!😁

My "old" toaster oven decided to retire itself after many years and miles of use. It seems that toaster ovens have not been watching their diets since I last bought one and they all have gained a considerable amount of girth. So, I've been on the search for a toaster oven that fits into the cubbies above the dinette and I - finally - found one. Certainly not the most expensive or feature filled, but, for toast/english muffins, warming pizza, etc. it does the job. It can be found HERE. Bill

Jelly Bean Restore 2 6-2016.jfif

That 90 degree turn around the windows puts a bunch of stress on the channel. Still, no excuse for a product using inferior bonding tape. Having said this - before removing the entire thing and reinstalling, I'd suggest trying a bit of E6000 on the places that are detached. Hold in place for 24 hours with blue painters tape and don't go crazy on the E6000 if you care about how the repair looks. Bill

Are there trout in that stream? Even if there aren't any it really looks inviting. Bill

It would be helpful if you could supply additional information as to which Q7 you have. Towing capacity for the Q7 ranges from 4,400 to 7,700 pounds depending on year and options. If your Q7 is at or very close to the upper capacity limit you could be OK for most towing situations. Bill

Pics would help if you can get them. Bill

I've just received emails from both Shallowgal and Mossemi. Both report bunches of wind and rain. Power was/is out for both since between 9:30 and 10:00 last night. Apparently a small tree has fallen on Mossemi's house causing little damage. Shallowgal "only" has small tree branches to clean up around the house. Hopefully most of the rest of Florida sees similar. Bill p.s. glad to read Seadawg's report above too.

For the last few hours members of our "family" have started to feel the effects of this hurricane. This is only the beginning of a 12 to 16 hour period that is forecast to bring up to 20 inches of rain and a record storm surge. Hopefully everyone will make it through this storm safely and the damage that it is sure to cause will be somewhat limited. God speed to all of those in the storm's path. Bill

Nope - neither Oliver nor the MW Manufacturer has it. My frame was/is cracked like Mikes. Once I got the MW secure inside the cabinet then I drilled two new holes in the face of the frame (midway down on each side), put a long stainless steel screw into the wood behind it and used black decorative caps on the screw heads in order to make it look a bit nicer. Yep - I drilled those two holes as per the instructions from Oliver Service. Not sure why you have three versus my two and I didn't even think to add a third. I don't remember how many pieces of wood I put into the space to secure the MW but I did make sure that the final pieces I put in needed to be "tapped" into place for a tight fit. Bill

Your experience is about to be tested with Milton coming your way. Good luck and hope that everything goes well for you guys. Bill

There's not exactly a bunch of things near the Badlands to block or even slow down the wind. That wind comes down off the mountains to the west and can really blow. I've been there when it is calm (relatively) and not crowded. It is a special place at both sunrise and sundown. Bill

I'm not sure what anyone can do to prevent a storm surge of 10 to 15 feet. I pray that all those (especially you and the family and the Mossemi family) in the area of the storm remain safe. Certainly Milton is one powerful storm!😟 Bill

Good pics from jd1923! Here are a couple more that show the microwave without the "brace" on top. In the case of my microwave - the top brace was never installed during manufacturer such that the only thing holding it in the cabinet was the trim frame. Obviously the trim frame didn't hold it in place very long and with the help (via phone) I added the top brace. Unfortunately, even the top brace didn't hold the microwave securely - perhaps it is all those dirt roads I travel looking for trout that combine to shake it loose. The oven bounced around in there such that the "feet" on the bottom actually eventually broke off! In any case, as long as you have things apart I would highly recommend that you add additional bracing between the cabinet and the microwave such that the oven is basically wedged into the space and does not move with or without the brace. I simply used scrap pieces of wood for this purpose. Bill

Great spot - unless it is windy.

I was just thinking about this last night. Perhaps we have not been exposed to virtually any news coverage concerning those in Florida and south Georgia because the news here in western NC is all about what is happening here. Yes, Florida folks may be better prepared for and "used" to these storms, but the problems associated with them are the same for all effected. And, now the weather forecast is showing a fairly good chance that Florida is about to get hit again. Hopefully this "brewing storm" will not be bad. But, even a bit of rain will not help at this point. Bill p.s. For anyone planning to head towards Western North Carolina over to view the changing leaves - the Blue Ridge Parkway is currently closed. While some areas of it may reopen over the next few weeks, it is unlikely (in my opinion) that most of the Parkway southwest of Asheville will reopen anytime soon. This along with interstate highway closures of major portions of 40 and 26 (north of Asheville), I'd suggest a change of plans and either plan for 2025 or for States much further to the north.

Its actually easier than it looks. Do one side at a time, take pics as you remove the broken string so that you can remember the exact routing. Unfortunately, I never found a way to "test" my progress as I went. That meant that I never really knew if I was doing it correctly until I got it all back together and tried putting the shade up and down. Perhaps one additional hint - take another of your shades into the work area with you to use as a reference. I'm not saying that you should take it apart, but, having one that you know works properly as a reference provided me with at least some assurance that I was on the correct track. Bill