Boudicca908

I hope if OTT decides to do this, they reach out to existing owners for personal feedback on service experience -- because a service center can have a "great reputation" locally or even regionally and still fail on providing good service for an Oliver.

I know nothing, no experience, but will say that I was warned by OTT not to torque too tightly on those gas lines (IF / WHEN I would try to resolve something on my gas lines) because the copper pipe is so soft. They were likely speaking from experience. I like #3 too, because it's simplest.

UPDATE: Over the phone, the service center rep verbally questioned my need to see the drop tests, and said they haven't had time to finish the paperwork and invoice (I owe them for a faucet replacement.) So, I haven't been successful yet in this. I'm planning another trip to Bismarck area before I leave here, and if I have time I might stop by to try to obtain the make/model of the faucet, warranty info on it, plus the drop test information, even if it's just taking a photo of their notes from that date. Things are still non-operational and in flux. Mike and Jason have been very helpful as much as possible over the phone. To be continued....

Been there and looking forward to returning! So... I can't run (can't outrun a bear in any case) and I probably should stick to easier trails and wading for this year, but I'll enjoy checking out these locations and thank you so much! I don't have the means to do much more than piss off a bear. Are you the person who told the story at the Rally last year about going home and telling someone, "I'm going to need a bigger gun"? I'm pretty sure I've been down that road and fished somewhere in the vicinity but it was 2014, I wasn't driving and I didn't mark it on a map. I might recognize it though when I get there.

This is great. Is that EAST of the Yellowstone Outfitters (horses) on the map? EDIT: If you prefer, send me a message. I know that great spots are hard to find and appreciate your sharing.

I was looking at FS campground east of Kelly. I've stayed in that area once and 5 minutes after being out walking and bird watching, came back to cabin and left again and discovered a bear with cubs on the road I had just traversed. She was large and focused on eating. I felt lucky because my friend had forgotten to carry the spray on that walk. Now I carry my own, always -- but will need to purchase. Other measures being any particular caliper? Fishing -- I would prefer wading actually, but since I just had a hip replacement, I may be sticking to the edges of the water or -- if I can find a guide on short notice -- maybe do a half day trip somewhere. I've fished in Yellowstone, wading with a guide (awesome trip), and did a float trip at Flaming Gorge and also north of Yellowstone in Montana, but have only fished very briefly off the side of the road in Grand Tetons area.

@topgun2 -- when you are camping in this area, do you keep food in your truck and/or trailer, or do you move it all to a bear box? I'm getting ready to head that direction! Really hoping to do some fishing there. Haven't bought my bear spray yet.

I don't know about word choice, but I'll say you are more brave than I am. :)

Sniffer arrived in mail today. I'm volunteering today, so I'll use it this evening to search. Propane leak was determined through multiple drop tests (I didn't get written copy) and other work by a service center; after tracing to the Truma AquaGo WH, and after replacement of that heater, the alarm went off again (2nd time) and then I had propane off for a few days and it went off a 3rd time. So this is ongoing. There's another thread about the propane leak.

I have (3) 20# tanks of propane, but I can't use propane right now with my Oliver because of an ongoing suspected propane leak (the alarm has gone off 3 times on the trip, but the last time it went off my propane had been shut down for days). I bought a DREO space heater and will try it out tonight. I wasn't sure I could run the heater using the lithium batteries -- wouldn't it drain them? EDIT: Dreo spacer heater is 1500w.

I called them on Friday; the guy they want me to speak to wasn't there, so I'm going to call again today. I'll try to obtain better documents of what they did. I'll have my sniffer today, as well, so I can begin checking this evening.

So.... I only partially emptied the tank, because I took a trip on Saturday. I'll continue to drain it and see how low I can get it. If the tanks have a small bit of water left in them, is that okay for winterization, as long as I fill the lines between ports and tank? ** I only use fresh and gray -- I have composting toilet. @dewdev -- Did it hit you in the face?! @topgun2 I have the Truma Aqua-Go water heater, and I believe I have to use the bypass valve for it, as well, whenever winterizing and also when sanitizing the tanks and lines. I will watch those videos again because I want to be sure I'm doing everything correctly. I do have the optional electric heater / filter for that Truma. Can it run using the solar lithium batteries, if I'm boondocked? Does the Truma WH need to be TURNED ON at the Water Heater AND at the Truma control inside for that heater element to work? I believe it does. My friend has a wild hair to boondock for about 3 weeks in the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Grant Teton beginning after Labor Day; I don't have a generator. I'm hoping that my batteries will last that long, if I'm not using anything else. I can recharge my phone in the TV, and I can use a flashlight if need be. As long as I can keep my Oliver safe, I'm fine with the cold. I brought a down sleeping bag. I'm likely going to drive back to Bismarck to stock up on things for this upcoming journey (parts unknown!) which is the adventure I have been yearning for. Since I'm still without use of propane, I am preparing to winterize, stocking up on drinking water and alternative foodstuff that doesn't need to be kept in the fridge. It's a bit frustrating since I brought a lot of great food to cook, but that's okay. @topgun2 thanks for the advice on 4-6 gallons of AntiFreeze.

Yes. LP was shut off at tanks from 7/15 to 8/3, and now from 8/3 to present. I did not smell propane the third time, but the space was definitely feeling 'close' and stuffy. I'll check around everything, from the front at tanks all the way to the back. What do you mean by 'clamshell fittings'? After the Truma replacement, I had to ask several times whether they actually did another pressure test, and they finally did confirm that they did and it passed. They didn't give me anything in writing. Should I have asked to see the test results?

I'll do that. No pet. A friend's pet sets her alarm off all the time. :0 I'll check the toilet with the sniffer. :-D Will be interesting!

I didn't smell anything, but it was definitely 'stuffy' in the Oliver. I do have a composting toilet; a friend suggested that it could be the culprit, but 2 of 3 times it went off when propane was on, and last time with it off for days. It's a conundrum! EDIT: my Oliver is just a bit over a year old and the alarm says replace by Sept 2026, but now I'm suspicious of it.

A partial update: 1) Truma actually provided excellent turnaround on this. The delay was on the service center side. Truma even called me after I submitted a question via email contact; rather than emailing me back, they called and that was really nice. In fact, they called to answer my question, and then a few days later they called again because they thought of something else they wanted to relay to me. Then they sent me a little pigtail that goes with the optional electric heater to use during cold weather. It arrived today. So I will say Gold Stars for Truma. 2) The propane regulator and lines up front were replaced first, before the WH was replaced -- just as an FYI. 3) After I brought my Oliver 'home' I waited a day to turn on the propane; I was too tired. So the next day, in the morning, I turned it on and used the cooktop to make breakfast, and I used the WH to wash dishes and hands in the evening. Then, about midnight, the alarm went off again. So OFF went the propane and WH and I've been without again since 8/3/23. 4) I ordered the combustible gas detector; it's supposed to arrive today or tomorrow. 5) I bought a small electric space heater by Dreo that I haven't tested out yet (thanks @John E Davies for the recommendation) and an induction cooktop by Duxtop that has been great to use on foul weather days (thanks @SeaDawg for that idea). 6) I tested the alarms (both of them -- the smoke/co alarm above the bed, and the co/lp alarm below the dinette) to train my ear to know the difference in the sounds and lights etc. I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who isn't familiar with the different sounds, because it always seems to bleeping bleep off in the middle of deep sleep and I can't say what the heck it was doing before I pushed that SILENCE button. 7) Then, last week, it went off a third time. With the propane off, the WH off and in the middle of the night again. This time I had my wits about me and it was definitely the LP alarm and not the CO alarm. It went back to green after I silenced it and opened the windows wide. And slept in 58 degrees. hahaha. I love sleeping in cold air, anyway, so no complaints there! I reopened or created a new ticket with Oliver and I'll be visiting Hohenwald before I go home in late October. I would really like to know though, if I could use my propane before that time, since I'll be heading to higher elevations and colder temps before I get there. I'd rather not have to winterize -- but I'm preparing myself for it, in case. I spoke to Mike briefly about the potential for faulty alarms; he conceded that there isn't really a way to test if it's the alarm itself. It could also be a problem elsewhere, or with the WH installation. Who knows. Maybe my 'sniffer' will help out. I have just 3.5 weeks left here in ND, where I could receive a package. Then I'll be mobile and moving west and east and all over the map, mostly boondocking without power or water. If I winterize, my water will be limited to what I carry in the TV. I'll post more after the sniffer arrives and I do some testing. Thanks to all for good advice and help. I'm learning, and I love my Oliver.

that fish bites

I've been meaning to read Elmore Leonard -- enjoyed the "Justified" show that I believe was based on his novels. Which one did you just read, @Steve Morris?

25% -- and it hasn't moved a bit, and no water coming out. I'll try adding to it, and let you know what happens. Okay, I added water to the tank to 31% AND I lifted front of the trailer a bit more, and it worked. THANKS!

I feel that rinsing and gently wiping with clear water before I begin helps a lot to get the grit off before I rub it with anything (sponge, rag or brush). What are you using to apply, and to buff the wax?

On the OTT winterization video, they say "Concentrated Non-Toxic RV antifreeze" and "do not dilute". Maybe I'm misinterpreting what they are saying? EDIT: here is the video for Elite 2 Winterization... https://support.olivertraveltrailers.com/portal/en/kb/articles/article Unfortunately, Walmart is about 80 minutes away, like everything else. I called around. Even places that carry RV stuff locally say they can't obtain it at a decent price (they don't sell large enough quantities). @topgun2 I actually have Nature's Head composting toilet, so I can skip that part. And I'm guessing I won't have to worry about pumping antifreeze into the Black Tank Flush port either, since it isn't used. Any ideas on draining the Fresh Water tank? I've lifted the front of the Oliver some but not a great deal. Do I need to run a faucet to break a vacuum or something? I tried with the City Water on and the City Water off. Nothing -- not one drop -- comes out of that drain port. I think I see where the drain tube goes through the hull, right next to the valve, just inboard from the rear tires on curbside, correct?

Help! DRAINING THE FRESH WATER TANK? I've watched the videos, and I find learning to be fun -- but I opened the valve to drain the Fresh Water tank and nothing happens, even after several hours. What am I not doing here? Is there something else to it? I have never filled that tank; I always used City Water connection. But a service center put water in there. I want to drain it out, clean the tank and drain it again, then possibly winterize before I get back to OTT headquarters in October. WHAT "CONCENTRATE" VERSION OF NON-TOXIC RV ANTIFREEZE FOR WINTERIZATION? I'm in a very very remote location. No one has concentrated nontoxic antifreeze (even within an hour's drive), so Amazon. I notice a few different versions, and BOY are they expensive. I want to order the right thing. Can someone chime in for me? Notice that the second one doesn't say "concentrate" -- it's "ready to use" whereas the other one says "concentrate ... 3:1".

I ordered a decent marine paste wax; I'm waiting on the marine cleaner to wash again. I've been lucky during my volunteer stint with US Fish & Wildlife because the big boys have toys -- I use a wash bay and it's better than my normal situation. However, I'm not allowed on a ladder for the time being (post hip replacement) so... I feel the pain that is expressed by everyone here. I've used gentle methods of cleaning, to avoid taking off the finish, and I do it by hand. It's a labor of love, is it not?

Yes! I forgot to mention the tie downs - very useful.

So… I had a hail storm blow over me, while parked at my volunteer station here in the middle of ND. Thankfully, the hail was minuscule here at the hatchery (golf ball size, down the road.) I just realized this poll asks for input “if you have experienced hail damage”, and since I didn’t have damage, I haven’t answered any of the questions.