topgun2

On the few occasions that I've had to contact Garmin for help I've found them to be pretty good. Bill p.s. Garmin isn't the only device of this type on the market. Perhaps for a different specific use, there just may be a better unit for that particular purpose at a more attractive price.

At about this time of year most of us really get the itch to: https://youtu.be/M6Ggp3TJjuE

I always thought that these devices were mainly for those that traveled to risky or wildly out of the way places. However, I finally realized that even though only being 4 miles up a stream wasn't really all that far away from "normal" civilization, it certainly was/is far enough away that a good possibility exists that no one will find you in the event you do need help. All it takes is a sprained ankle, a "widow maker" falling out of a tree, a snake bite, a sharp rock, etc., etc.. So, a few years ago I bought a small InReach Mini. Like John above, I too have not had "issues" with the sending/receiving of messages. And, the "tracking" feature is virtually done in real time such that people (think wife and very good friends) can see exactly where you are located at any moment (as long as you have the InReach tracking turned on). Having said all this - I grossly under estimated the number of times the InReach is used to help people in what I would call normal situations. Examples of this are vehicle breakdowns where you would think there is cell phone service but not so much, sudden illness while out on the road, unexpected traffic jams and/or accidents, bee stings, etc.. Garmin has published statistics on the types of "emergency" calls they have responded to and I was very surprised by the types of things that I had not even considered. These devices aren't what I'd call "cheap" (about $350 for the device and then $35/month for the service) but I recall an old motorcyclist saying - "if you got a $10 head then wear a $10 helmet". In addition, the peace of mind that you can give to those that care about you is worth the price. Or, another way to look at it is to look at the peace and quiet you can get by simply letting someone know that you'll be a bit late due to traffic or from having a late start. Bill

You guys know how to rock!😁

Nicely done. Glad to see Oliver represented and the guys from CGI were there too. Not too big and not too small - this size rally is just about right - at least for me. Congrats and I sure do hope that this becomes an annual affair. Bill

At least now I know why the other 25 guys in my head never laugh!😆

Note that this is a pic of when I had a cutoff switch installed and that these batteries a 4 Trojan T-105 wet cell batteries (not AGM). It is also interesting that these are the original batteries - now well into their 8th year and still going strong. Hope it helps you. Bill

Yep - what Mike said above. The disconnect switches I've used just make the disconnect a bit easier (at least after the initial install) and are located right at the negative battery post. Like THIS one. Bill

Did "Coversandall" print your hull # on the cover too? Very nicely done! Bill

Of course I didn't mean that I actually burn "garbage" - I only burn the paper stuff. But, this really does greatly reduce the overall amount of "stuff", "refuse", "garbage", etc. that I need to get rid of while on the road. Bill

Interesting! You learn something new every day. As I said above, my 2016 doesn't have those - I wonder when they started putting them in? Are they "screened" all the way down to the scupper hole? Bill

I too am in the "disposable" crowd - but - I prefer paper over plastic. Paper is somewhat kinder on the environment, but the real reason is that in order to reduce the amount of "garbage" I have to get rid of, I can always simply burn it. Obviously, this is not a problem for those that tend to camp where there are the appropriate facilities for disposing of garbage, but, where I tend to camp, it can be a bit of a problem getting rid of waste. Bill

Bring your checkbook!😊 Bill

Initially I suspected that you just might have had a problem like I had a couple of years back. In my case, the band clamp on the rubber joint broke. Yes, it looked fine from the top but the break was where I could not see it and I've never had one of those break before. However, given the caulk I see in your pics it appears as though the "problem" was with the "glued" joint. Hopefully that caulk holds up for you. I can not tell what that "ring" is at the bottom of the sewer pipe. My 2016 just has the insulation there (i.e. there is no "ring"). Bill

Bob came to visit a few weeks ago along with his buddy - Brian the bruin.

Sully - Congrats on becoming a full fledged member of the Oliver Family. As you now know - one of the "problems" with actually owning an Oliver Travel Trailer is that when you tell people about its handling characteristics they simply think that just because you own one, you believe that it is the best thing out there. Let me know if you find a way to convince non-owners! Please be safe out there and enjoy the heck out of your new baby. Bill

Actully - This Oliver belongs to Bosker! He only allows Pete to stay in it, pay for it, and get it from place to place!😁

CRM - Thanks for trying to keep it "original" And, thanks for "caring". Bill

Question #1 - kind of yes in that while the basics are known, it depends on the person that is doing the explaining of the basics to denote the importance of each part. Question #2 - as with most things in life it is highly likely that "only drought-like conditions" is not the "only" cause. Full explanations of the causes of wildfires are more than a Forum such as this can cover. Certainly there are "root" factors that will tend to be most common for the majority of these fires - global warming (perhaps a debate in and of itself), drought, forest mis-management, water mis-management, arson, etc.. But, the interaction of these factors plus a bunch more can go on and on. For more info - just Google it. Bill

Is there a model of the instant Pot that comes with the person that does the cooking? I like to eat but after a day of fishing I'm usually not in the mood for slaving over either an Instant or not so instant Pot.🙃 Bill p.s. Yes - I know that there are those that use these things like a slow cooker (but faster).

Katjo - And, inquiring minds want to know, where did you get the edging? Bill

Arriving at 2pm on Wednesday will tend to make you a bit rushed. You will have to check-in, get to your site, set-up, then get over to registration and then get up to the Lodge. Of course all this assumes that you want to be at the cash bar that usually opens at about 4pm as Steve Morris points out above. If something were to happen (i.e. you are delayed) you can always register late (even on Thursday) but, you will still want to make it for dinner that usually starts at 5 to 5:30. And, certainly you will want to be there for the door prizes that usually start right after dinner. Bill

For eight years now I've been waiting for something to go wrong in that vanity area so that I'd have an excuse to go in there. I'll keep waiting - for now. But, more insulation and more storage and a different shower setup are very enticing. Certainly a nice way to make lemonade out of lemons! Bill

Don't be nervous. Given the size of the Oliver, there are numerous places that one can camp. Yes, if you plan to be in and around popular places at the height of the "busy" season, you will want to make arrangements well ahead of time. But, for all "normal" camping there are still plenty of places to kick back and relax. Bill

Good question, Mike. I'm not sure of the model number but it is the camera without the "hood" over the top and the antenna comes straight up off the back of the camera housing. Does the picture below help?