topgun2

Another interesting use for those Andersen Levelers too. You keep adding more "stuff" and ScubaRx will have to start thinking about a bigger truck. 😇 Bill

I've been over/on the Beartooth Highway numerous times - but - always on motorcycle. Having said that, I would not hesitate to tow my Elite II over it with my F-150 3.5 liter twin turbo. There are plenty of pull-outs for both letting faster traffic by and for observing the wonderful scenery. Be sure to use them in either case. Note that there is really not all that much at the northern end (Red Lodge) and/or I-90. So, if your intent is to only go for the drive I'd leave the camper near Cooke City, drive the Beartooth both ways, camp and then either head into Yellowstone National Park (northeast entrance) and the Lamar Valley (bunches of animals) or head towards Cody via the Chief Joseph Highway - another wonderful road. Last year (2021) they were doing construction on the Beartooth and closing the entire road after (I believe) 7pm. Be sure to check both when it opens for the season and for any construction details. Bill

Please keep a very close eye on that weather. There is forecast to be "heavy" (3 to 12 inches) of snow in the western North Carolina area on this Sunday. I believe that this storm will be moving to the south and east of Hohenwald BUT it is better to be sure. Also, in coming to Hohenwald from the west (Dallas area), this storm will be diving from the north through the Midwest on Saturday. Certainly interstates should be OK by the time you get there. But, again, keep that eye on conditions. Bill p.s. I agree with Mike above - test your systems at the factory camp ground and then winterize if you must.

Yep - I cut an old drinking water hose to about three feet. The relatively large opening at the top is great for those Forest Service camp grounds that have the hand pumps with a spigot that tends to spray water. Mine are about 9 years old and still have a bunch of life in them. As you might remember, I primarily use them while fly fishing out West for two months each summer. As with most of my things I do not abuse them and they ride in the bed of my F-150 most of the time - note that they do fit beneath my tonneau cover (barely). The small plastic wheels can be "interesting" when pulling a full container over road rocks (1/2 to 3/4 inch trap rock for instance). But, this still beats the heck out of trying to carry that much weight. If the road/path is too bad, I simply leave them in the back of the truck and drive to the water source. While the handles are made of plastic they have never been an issue. The large "caps" at the tops of the containers can leak when the containers are stored on their sides if not tightened down properly or if the washers inside have worn. Bill

While there are/is circumstances in which an external water pump could come in handy - pumping water from a bladder in the back of the tow vehicle for instance - for the most part you can simply use the Oliver on-board water pump via the "winterization port" to pump water into the Oliver. As far as bladders or other water containers are concerned - I carry two 8 gallon containers like THIS for extra water. The wheels on these containers are VERY handy in that if you have to carry the water very far it becomes heavy (just over 8 pounds per gallon). Bill

Bugeyedriver towed his Elite for a number of years and for a bunch of miles with a Tacoma before trading it for an F-150 Ford. But as ScubaRx says, you will be more comfortable, safer and have easier towing with a 1/2 ton vehicle. Bill

Johnwen - Good luck with your delivery. Keep a close watch on the weather since a storm is forecast to move through the eastern US on Sunday possibly dumping a fair amount of snow in some areas. Areas as far as south of Atlanta are in the "possible" snow area. Bill

Was there a reason given?

What kind of batteries do you have and how old are they?

Two generators?

I know that Mike and Carol have a box like you are talking about and have posted about it on the Forum. There have also been several others to include a handsome custom made box but I'm not sure how many of these are without the "basket" option. Bill

Jim - Welcome back! You might want to send a PM to Seadawg in this regard. Bill

Don't worry - by your July Ollie pickup all that snow will be gone and the truck (and you) will be very happy! Bill

Indeed - During the winter months I store my Ollie under a cover. I also turn the solar panels off and flip both of the dc circuit breakers to off. Then I plug in a 25 watt solar panel that is wired directly to the batteries (4 lead acid). Yes, the solar panel is pointed towards the sun but it is partially shaded by a cyclone fence and doesn't get any sun after about 3pm due to a tree. Even with all this, my batteries have always been fully charged. Also, I agree with Mike's comments about looking at your Blue Sky display to help with the draw. Bill

This is the second story of this nature that I've heard. However, in the first story the situation was exactly reversed with the owner of the F-250 selling it and getting on a waiting list for a new Tundra. "Crazy Times" for sure. I'd probably look into selling my F-150 and get either a new Tundra or a new F-150 but since the current truck is the only means I have for towing the Ollie, I'll wait. Bill

Yes, this is a great feature - but - be a bit careful in that the battery in the 890 does not last all that long when disconnected from power. Certainly it lasts long enough for the navigator to look up things like campgrounds or gas stations or even places to eat or things to do. But, be sure to put it back on its mount when the job is done. My 890 has not taken me down a "strange" road - yet. On many occasions I will use the 890 while at the same time using the navigation system in my F-150. At least 95 percent of the time they agree, but, when they don't and when I don't have a good idea of where to go, I'll always rely on the Garmin. Certainly this is true when the Garmin tells me to take a detour. But, here again, be a bit careful with this "feature" in that if the Garmin tells you that there is a "traffic problem" some 30 miles down the road - just keep an eye on it for the next 15 miles or so. I've found that more often than not many of these "traffic problems" will clear by the time I get there. Finally, probably the single most useful feature that I've found with the 890 is in getting gas. On longer trips I generally do not have a navigator. The big screen really comes in handy in both reading it and hitting the "buttons" (or simply talking to the Garmin if I'm in traffic) while bouncing down the highway. At around 100 miles to empty I'll start looking for a cheap (relatively) convenient gas station. Bill

I assume that anyone with a Service appointment or a new Oliver delivery has kept an eye on the weather. It is currently (January 6th 2 pm) snowing in Hohenwald, TN and the video below shows the conditions in nearby Columbia, TN. Fortunately, the weather forecast for Sunday is rain - that should get rid of any left over snow - and the temps are forecast to return to closer to normals early next week (50 + degrees). Bill https://youtu.be/v4ziq0pMEa4

There is no fee. However, you need to "reserve" a camping spot via the Service Department in advance. Bill

So it seems that as long as you have Olly or Ollie in you name you get less stress. Certainly that is true for the latter! Bill

Hi Carol! What a ray of sunshine she is.

Since you mentioned it in the original post above, I would tend to stay away from Fall Hollow Campground unless you can determine that improvements have been made over the past year or so. The last time I stopped there the couple that now owns it were working on it, but, there was a bunch that needed to be done to include cleaning up some of the campers that were there. Bill

If you really wish to test those boondocking systems then the Meriwether Lewis campground over on the Natchez Trace Parkway might be of interest. It is only a few short miles from the factory and you can get water there - but - there are no electric or sewer sites. Bill

Sure do hope you never "forget" to chock those tires before unhitching! Really nice view though. Bill

John - Really, the best way to get up to date "factual" information of this sort would be to contact an Oliver Sales agent and ask. They do not pressure you or bug you. They really are there to help you. Good luck! Bill

Hi Carol!