topgun2

I do carry an assortment of Sharkbite fittings with me at all times in the event I should need to do a plumbing repair while on the road. However, there have been several posts concerning the possible failure of these fittings (unless performed exactly correct) in the various abusive (read that as vibration and flexing) environments that are common with travel trailers. Bill

And, we all know that meeting Anita is worth every penny of that $4,000!😍 Bill

Note the "Builtright" shelf in Patriot's pictures above as can be seen right below the 890 GPS and its magnetic mount. In my case with a non-lifted F150 I attached a RAM mount to the shelf and brought the 890 closer to the driver's position also without obscuring any of the view out the windshield nor any of the controls or view of anything on the dash. Bill

There are a number of mounting option for this 890 Garmin. Try doing a search for the 890 here and a whole series of mounts using RAM mounts and a "Builtright" shelf should show up. Bill

$2.979 at Sam's Club - Florence, South Carolina today (September 18, 2022.. Bill

Even though my 2 years, 1 month and 23 days seemed like 30 years in the Army 🤣, I certainly know a tad about the work you have done for this great country of ours - thank you so much! Now, its time to have some real relaxing fun seeing just what you two worked hard for - the US of A. Welcome to the Family. Bill

When this happened a couple of years ago at the Baker's Hole NFS campground just north of West Yellowstone the three of us Ollie owners decided to have a pot luck dinner. It was a fun evening - particularly so when a thunder storm rolled though and forced us to crowd into the center of the screen house we were in. What are the odds? Bill

Where did you find it exactly?

For all those interested in this topic - note that the OP was originally asking the question about repositioning the closet rod in reference to the Elite I. Bill

I absolutely agree and nicely said. I've used a Calmark cover for the past 6 winters on my Oliver without any issues. I believe that many of the problems that people have with RV covers is that they can be ill fitting and/or improperly installed. Since the CalMark is specifically designed to fit the Oliver it does not "flap" in the wind (thus possibly chaffing the finish) the usual problems that owners have with covers are avoided. In addition, if the owner cares for the cover - cleaning it as recommended - and only covers the Oliver when the Ollie is clean to start with problems are severely mitigated. Certainly if I had a a reasonable alternative - such as a garage - I would use it versus any fabric cover. But, from my experience, the CalMark cover certainly does beat (hands down) simply leaving any RV subject to the full whims of nature. Also, I would not agree that the Oliver Travel Trailer Company "often makes mistakes during the build". Yes, these people are indeed human and therefore do make mistakes. But, I certainly would not agree that these mistakes occur "often". Bill

Hokieman - Good point about the possibility of lithiums. I edited my post above. Thanks! Bill

No and CalMark will not sew in clear panels or openings to allow the solar panels to do their thing. If you choose to have a cover your choices are either to remove the batteries and store them elsewhere^ or get shore power to where you store the Ollie, or, use a small (25 to 50 watt) solar panel to charge the batteries - assuming of course that this small panel can get sun. Bill edit: ^ of course this pertains to either lead acid or AGM's. Other choices are (perhaps) possible for lithium batteries.

All Olivers are weighed at the factory prior to delivery and the numbers for any particular Oliver are posted on a required tag (usually on the driver's side aft of the marker lights. Having said this - most Elite II's will weigh just shy of 5,000 pounds and the hitch weights will be just shy of 490 pounds. With two 3,500 pound axles the result is that most Elite II's will have a load capacity (which includes anything you put in the tanks - fresh water, grey water, and black) right around 2,000 pounds. Fully loaded for a two month trip to include tow full 20 pound propane tanks my twin bed Elite II weighs just a tad over 6,000 pounds. But, certainly we have owners that push that 7,000 maximum weight very hard and others that consistently tow just below the 5,000 mark. No, the fridge size is fixed due to the molds used in forming the fiberglass. However, as Kirk says above, there are a number of owners who carry an extra fridge in the tow vehicle.. I'm certainly more like Mike and Carol in that I can store more than enough food in the fridge to last at least a couple of weeks. As Mike says above - the wet bath is really no big deal unless you are well above what one might call "normal" size. Good luck. Bill

No, I would not clear coat it. Given the wear and tear the hitch gets you are probably going to need to give it a shot of paint every couple of years anyway. Having said this, I would not paint the hitch black in the first place. A black hitch is difficult to see when using those rear cameras in most vehicles today. This is particularly true if the road surface is dark. For the past several years I've used Rust Oleum hammered silver on the front part of the hitch and Krylon satin black on the rear portion. Bill

The ones that will eventually be available in the Company Store will actually read "Travel Trailers"!😁 Bill

It seems to me that if you are headed towards KC then Paducah is in the wrong general direction. However, if you are in Paducah then I highly recommend Red's Donut and Coffee Company, 4790 Village Square Drive, Paducah. Bill

I had the privilege of spending a bit of time with Matt Duncan last week while getting Service to do a couple of maintenance items taken care of with my Ollie. We did look at a bunch of pictures and videos that he and Rodney Lomax had obtained from their recent trip out to Colorado but there was never a mention of a calendar for either 2022 nor for 2023. Bill

Possibly, possibly, possibly, plus it is possible that the two batteries that appear to be damaged were not right from the factory. Eliminate one "possible" "problem" area at a time and then proceed to the next in line. Given that it appears that two of the four batteries are working normally I'd be willing to bet that somehow you got two batteries that were "bad" from the start. However, it should be fairly simple to confirm that your settings and programing were proper. Sorry to hear about the issues and good luck on getting them quickly rectified. Bill

Try - mduncan@olivertraveltrailers.com Bill

Dena - I'd suggest that you send a PM (private message) in this regard to Matt Duncan (Marketing Director) Bill

There have been many "issues" with this project over the years. But, I have it on good authority that the "store" will be in operation as early as the end of this year (and possible within a month or so). Bill

Without a doubt, the factory campsites are great. While I was there last week everyone (6 out of 7 sites were taken) gathered for conversation and the trading of mods and possibly a beverage or two. Its been a number of years now since Oliver used the Fall Hollow campground. As I was told, someone was stabbed there and the facilities were not exactly the best. While Oliver does require reservations for the company campsites and normally a site is available for only one night at a time, be sure to ask if a site is available and you need to stay for a day or two more. If they have something available there is no problem getting it. Certainly Megan is happy to help. Bill

Yep - I've stayed there - you can't beat the price (free). This would be a great place to really test the solar, fresh water tank and all boondocking related systems. And it is only about 7 or 8 miles from the Service Department if you should need them. Bill

I've camped there a number of times and enjoyed it each time. Plenty of shade and the restrooms are decent even though they do not have showers. But, they do have water available - it is located right outside the restrooms where a spigot can be found on the side of the drinking fountain. No electric and no dump but quiet and plenty of hiking. The water can be located at - 35.524117, -87.454628 Bill

A nice campground east of Nashville and only about 5 miles off Interstate 40 is Edgar Evins State Park. About $35/night with water and electric at the site plus a dump on the way out. Clean bath houses and many sites are right on a lake. Its about a two to two and a half hour drive from Hohenwald. Bill