Steve Morris

I already carry a pretty comprehensive tool kit in my truck, but it is all metric. Considering that the Oliver has a lot of components from US and international sources, I'm guessing that I'll need to add some imperial sizes, too? One item that I don't own is a set of security Torx drivers (the type with the hole for the tiny pin sticking up inside the screw's opening.) Are there any used on the Oliver? Any other specialty tools that I might need specific to a travel trailer? Thanks!

No, but any generic coupler could be attached. For that matter, I've mostly read of thieves simply looping the safety chains around a tow ball, and be gone!

Thanks Mike and Bill! I knew about flushing with gray after, but I never thought to allow some through first to wet the drain hose. Great tip! Nor had I thought about "stuff" accumulating in the gray tank. We plan to avoid as much food particles and grease going down the drain as possible. Kitchen traps smell worse than bathroom traps! Thanks again for the wise counsel!

We have never used a trailer with plumbing. Through various sources, I understand that we should not leave the black tank drain open at full hook up sites to avoid the dreaded poop mountain. Is the same true for the gray tank? I'm picturing after days of taking navy showers, that we'll be eager to take back to back long hot showers. What is the generally accepted practice for the gray tank? Thanks!

Great idea! Then you can put names to faces. Even better is Bill's suggestion to stay at the lodge. Since we will be new owners at the rally, I've been compiling camp sites with members here and on the Facebook groups. That way I know who to be sure to see, and who to avoid. 😉 It's in the first post in this thread, but I'm sure it will grow as May approaches.

Welcome! We're picking up two weeks after you. Somewhere is a list of needed items that is supplied by Oliver at pickup, but I can't seem to find it right now. I remember that it includes a fresh water hose, sewer hose, 30A cable, and more. I'm pretty sure there was not a separate hose for flushing the black water; I still need to get that for us. Right now, we have most of the stuff out of our squaredrop, and in the house. We still need to separate it into things we *need* to take, and those that are just nice to have.

As an aside, while the cotter pin or locking pin are fine for travelling, don't rely on that locking pin for security. Simply cutting the thin-gauge wire clip will allow the hitch to be opened. Per several posts on this forum, I've purchased "The Collar" hitch for the Bulldog coupling on our in-process Oliver.

Welcome aboard! Lots to learn here, and these folks are mighty helpful.

Im eager to see if this fit! I was thinking how nice it would be to use one of these or the Zarges boxes. Keep us updated!

At nearly 70, and with osteoporosis, one of the reasons I'll be selling three motor scooters in the spring. All I need is someone on a cell phone knock me over and break a hip, or worse!

Never driven to Alaska, but we did do the train trip from Fairbanks to Seward. Beautiful, but we hated being on someone else's schedule. We recently watched a series of YouTube videos on a channel called From She to Me. It is a couple our age in a pleasure way van, and their sightseeing interests seem similar to ours. They did a 2019 trip to Alaska, and covered it in a 16 video series. We found it was really interesting, and definitely something that we'd refer back to if we ever make the trip. Here's the link to the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLky6TgiimtQ9WqdGXyK_I6Hh2efO-F4V3 I hope that helps a little bit

A question for those of you using the simplehuman trashcan in the bathroom. Do you have the 6 liter? Or 10 liter?

That is amazing! We had an outdoor cat, so all we'd find at our front door are dead birds, chipmunks, and rabbits... This Screech Owl tested out our old house, but didn't stay. At our backyard feeder We've had Green Herons nesting in a Linden tree for several years. These four fledglings were enjoying a day in the sun. One of a zillion photos from our western travels.

According the the FB group, it looks like this has been solved.

Woohoo! Don't use up all the parts. Ours is six days behind you. 😉 It's gonna be a long 50 days!!

You can’t see the trailer behind, as it is still in the parts bins in Hohenwald. 😉 @bugeyedriver older cousin; 1958 MGA 1500 Roadster

Thanks David, When I made reservations today, section #1 by the river was completely booked. Section #2 about half booked. We have site 50 on the front loop by the road. Even has a guard rail for me to back into. 🤪 When we took the factory tour, we stayed at a brand new Best Western Plus in Lawrenceburg, so I reserved there again. A nice scenic drive to Hohenwald the next morning for pickup. I’ll check in with Oliver tomorrow, Bill. Thanks.

Today I talked to our sales rep, and finally received our VIN number. Now I can start looking into insurance. We have had State Farm since 1980, and I was insured with them through my parents before that since 1969. But I'm considering alternatives. Amica has a wonderful reputation, although a bit more expensive. I've got two months from yesterday to explore the options. After verifying our pick up date, it was time to make some reservations. We'll leave Ohio on Monday March 27 for a leisurely two day drive to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee where we'll stay Tuesday night. Wednesday morning we'll head to Hohenwald for delivery day and stay over at Camp Oliver. Thursday, we head to David Crockett State Park for three nights though the weekend. Then Sunday, we steer further south to Pine Mountain, Georgia to stay three nights at the lodge at Callaway Gardens. (Remember the part about Deb being an avid gardener? This place is her Nirvana!) I already checked, and the Oliver can be parked in their lot while we're staying in the lodge. Then a meandering multi- day trip back to northern Ohio. Do I need to make prior arrangements to stay at Oliver's campground? Or is that just assumed as part of the delivery process? @DebM and I are really looking forward to our adventures!! Thanks once again to everyone's encouragement and suggestions! Steve

Note that the description contradicts itself.There are TWO fuses per package.

I bought two 2-packs of the Blue Sea 30A slow-blow fuse from Amazon. Expensive, but I've used Blue Sea products for decades, and have never had even a hint of a problem. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZOIR1O?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Rich and Christine, welcome to the forum, and to your new adventures! Safe travels, Steve

Same with Deb. Once we actually saw one, there were no other options!

That's exactly what I was thinking when John posted this. I haven't even picked up my trailer yet and considering yanking the fridge! Slow down there, Steve!!

Ha! You already offered the Betamax player back when I mentioned that our wedding was videotaped on that format.Still don't want it. 😉 I had a Craig combination AM/FM/ 8-track recorder back in high school and college. I made a few bucks converting records into tapes for friends. That's also when I discovered I could take one of the housings apart, make a loop just the right length, and make it play backwards for a few seconds. A bunch of us spent way too much time perfecting saying our name backwards so that when the loop was flipped, it sounded correct forward. 🙃 Electric typewriters are for girls... ::ducksandrunsforcover::

That's where I thought we'd end up, having friends with both 17 and 21 Escape trailers. Which reminds me; we're still on the list to reserve one of the 23s! They're just now only making the second prototype, with at least one more to go before making 10 field trial units. Then production. Early last year I was expecting production in late '22, but now I'd bet late '23 might be even optimistic. And then there are the hundreds of people already on the wait list to place orders. Seeing what they're doing with the shower makes it not only tiny, but awkward to get to the bed, and for a 23, it seems like it will be crowded inside. Until I saw the Oliver, I didn't realize how open it makes a trailer feel having the bathroom across one end of the trailer! I'm so glad we ended up ordering the Oliver! Good luck in whatever you choose, @dennis