Boudicca908

From living on sand bar (Florida) it might not seem too bad, but it also depends on the bugs. Thank you so much for keeping us posted on this fabulous journey!

Thank you everyone for the great input, and also to other's questions about alternative uses, the use of pots and pans, weight, ease of storage, etc -- I am looking for one device that can grille and/or griddle but also cook in a pot. Unfortunately, I lost my father's 60-year-old gas Coleman and an inherited Weber Q-style in Hurricane Ian; I hadn't personally used either of these, so I'm starting from scratch. I keep thinking that I want a camp stove (for smaller size and weight, but mostly because burners are more conducive to using pots and pans, including a cast iron skillet). Having read this review https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-many-btus-do-you-need-334918 I see that BTU measurements don't tell the whole story... For those who use the Blackstone, is it enough heat to truly sear a steak? Do you recommend it with or without the hood? Is it really carbon steel without a nonstick coating? That would be great -- oddly, I can't find that information on the website. The Coleman Road Trip also looks interesting; it produces 11,000 btus. I do see on the website it appears that the burners are adjustable to use either one side or the entire length; maybe it's only showing that one control is for the center burner and the other is for the outer ring? https://www.coleman.com/grills-stoves/grills/roadtrip-225-portable-tabletop-propane-grill/SAP_2000033047.html Someone mentioned a CampChef (in a related post) -- is it this? https://www.campchef.com/rainier-2-burner-grill-%26-stove-combo-|-camp-chef/CC-MSGGX.html or this The Partner Stoves are very nice looking and light weight, but sadly out of my budget. I love that they are made here in the US. My brother suggested I could just buy a one-burner outdoor propane ring... I see that many of those are high-output only, so might not be suitable for simmering (there are online complaints that the flames go out unless full-bore)... I looked at a Weber Traveler yesterday and it appears to be one burner across the entire section (all on or all off?) - I feel it would be too much for me as a single person. It's also a lot larger and heavier in life than I imagined; I would probably struggle getting it in and out of the back of my truck, with the current limitations from my hip replacement. Thanks @dhaig for the great photos of your hose assembly setup. I'm hoping that I can figure this out, whatever device I end up buying! There is one trailer supply place, about 45 minutes from me, and I'm gathering my info before I make a call and a trek out to them.

Greetings All -- I'm shopping for a camp stove, mostly to move the heat and mess outdoors. I love to cook my own food, and often like to grille (meats veggies fish) so outdoors makes more sense to me. I'm curious what other Oliver owners have found and liked (or not) in the way of camp stoves. So far I've looked at the Weber Q series (needs a table), the Weber Traveler (mixed reviews due to length of time to get hot and lid popping open when moving), and the old basic Colemans (though I discovered this morning on Amazon that the "Coleman 1900" series, supposedly based on the old fashioned ones with cast iron grilles, describes the main material as PLASTIC). If a table is needed, I'll have to buy one of those as well. I'm also focused on compatibility of the camp stove with the Oliver Quick connect. Please feel free to move this if the General Discussion is not the right place for this post. I did try to search in the forum; only found a few posts about changing out hoses. Also, I will mention, I've been offline tending to things here since last summer's Hurricane Ian, and then the bother of a hip replacement. Now that that's done..... I'm itching to hit the road! I hope everyone out there is having a good time.

Has anyone worked out a way to LOCK the batteries down or equipped the battery storage with a different type of lock?

As in -- replace the entire lockset with something different? I've been wondering about this as well, especially for my batteries.

I can't seem to find anything on the website about "auto renewal".....

Hats off to your blog for the great information and maps. Also for your list of things to buy for the Oliver on Amazon, also helpful.

Some favorite books in audio format: The Third Policeman, by Flann O'Brien (as read by Jim Norton) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (and all the related Radio Plays), by Douglas Adams The History of Tom Jones - A Foundling, by Henry Fielding

John, Thank you for all your great information and help here on the forum. I've read so many of your posts and really value your considered opinion. I'll be sure to share your ad with friends who are searching -- whoever buys it will be happy campers. Best to you going forward -- I hope you stay active here in the forum community. Toni

Thanks for the great instructions! I'm hoping that the price will come down....

Any chance a photo could be added to this thread?

Thank you so much! I'm always learning useful information here, so I appreciate the questions and the immense knowledge shared by other owners. :)

Is it possible to amend the title of this post to reflect what is being discussed?

Has anyone tried making a Google Map (to share) with all of these 3rd party Service facilities tagged on it? Might be useful in a pinch, on the road...

Can you pin this to the topic (top or bottom)? I totally missed your explanation before my last comment.

This sums up my thoughts pretty well. I just showed my Oliver, for the first time (and it was prior to receiving that new notice that I thought was maybe a scam). I'm not interested in another credit card, either; it's too much hassle. I'm not showing it to gain anything personally, anyway, but I'll say this -- the whole conversation here about liability as a private owner vs as a paid professional really makes me take a step back. Entirely not worth it. One other thought, though -- Oliver might also be getting some kind of negative feedback/pressure by their own insurers about this program, and that might be what prompted the changes.

I'm interested if -- in the 5 years since this original post -- you've located anything in the state of Florida, and especially the southwest section. It's a really long haul to Hohenwald. Thanks!

I was afraid that the season was slipping from me. I'm determined to get out there but will likely be doing more boon-docking than I initially hoped.

I would be interested in this topic! I'm a licensed HAM operator, not currently active (equipment updates needed.)

I didn't realize that they would be able to see posts. Thank you. Happy New Year everyone!

Greetings All -- On Friday I had the pleasure of showing off my beautiful Oliver to some prospective buyers, who were sent my way by the Oliver team. I highly recommended that they join the Forum to learn more about the options and systems and to meet the community. They really seem to love the Oliver. They have a camper van and have decided to switch gears. Now I see that new registrations are blocked for a while, to deal with Spam and Bot issue. That's all understandable -- but there's no way to ask on that thread (now closed): Is there any estimate of time before new registrations will be allowed? I'd like to let them know. And shame on me for not being online lately. I've been absent for a while! I'm still in recovery mode from Hurricane Ian, and spending a lot of time helping clients and friends who are severely impacted. Thankfully I had moderate damage to my abode, and my Oliver escaped without any damage at all. Merry Christmas to All!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas & a healthy Happy New Year! May All enjoy Happy Trails in 2023!

My Oliver is/was new but -- I have USAA and they actually work with Progressive for Travel Trailers so I'd follow that advice. USAA rocks. After Hurricane Ian (I'm in the hardest hit area of southwest Florida) I was evacuated by a friend to Jacksonville. USAA worked with me on the phone, and I had my settlement (for a TOTALED new truck) in hand before 3 weeks passed, and was able to replace my truck in Jacksonville. My Oliver had NO damage, because it was stored in a new facility north of me, under cover.

I was also warned not to draw antifreeze into the on-demand waterheater.... and that involves the same valve settings.

THANKS TO ALL for posting this!