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Laps

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Posts posted by Laps

  1. I haven't been on the forums in a long time, as my dream to own an Oliver was never realized. But yesterday as I was driving up I-81 on my way home, I think I saw Buzzy with his rig getting on the interstate there at exit 66, which happens to be the exit for the KOA. I know Buzzy stayed there after buying his new Oliver, on his way back north. I was doing the factory tour the same Summer that Buzzy bought his new Ollie. If anyone runs into him say "Hi" to him for me, and I hope he is still enjoying that fantastic TT.

  2. The point is, you either get what a diesel is, or you don’t and it doesn’t matter. If you’ve never had the pleasure of towing with one, it’s hard to factor in the added initial cost as an argument for buying one. Then, you should also look at the reliability of some models. This is very important and not mentioned in your analysis. Mainly with diesels, but gas engines too. And it might lead to looking at pickup brands other than Ford.

     

    Exactly!

  3. Good topic.

     

    I have a varied assortment of flashlights to include backpacking headlamps, to key chain mini LED, to several Fenix models, a Klarus light mounted on a Mossberg 500 (home defense), and one Fenix dedicated to illuminating the back yard when the dogs are out at night.

     

    I may add this one, realizing it requires buying the battery pack seperately: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Dual-Power-LED-Spotlight-P717/300234858

     

    I think it would be handy both for truck camping and might replace the backyard illuminator I'm using (the Fenix).  It might be too bulky for your Ollie though.

  4. John, the drawtite receiver attaches behind the tow hooks on our Dodge Ram trucks, and since mine is a 4x4 I already have some height advantage when using a bike rack.  Overland, yes I was very impressed when I received the 1UP rack, in my opinion nothing else comes close to quality of build.

     

    drawtite

  5. IMG_0446 I have used a front receiver by Drawtite. A Swagman rack works perfectly. I had to use an extension bar and anti rattle device but was happy with the setup. I have changed tow vehicles and will add the same setup to my Ram. I heard a story of an Oliver owner whose GPS took him down a narrow road into a dead end. He was able to unhitch the trailer, turn the truck around, and using his front receiver push the Ollie back to a place wide enough to turn around. So Many uses for a front receiver.

     

    I plan on purchasing the Drawtite receiver also.  Will be using on a Dodge Ram 3500.  Currently I have the 1UP bicycle rack (https://www.1upusa.com/bicycleracks.html) mounted to the back receiver.

  6. I've owned a Cobb for many years and its a fantastic piece of cook kit.  And yes, it lives up to its claims of excellent cooking on a minimal number of charcoal briquets.  Extremely well made.  The only down side is when it comes to cleaning it, especially with no dishwasher available,  it becomes extremely greasy inside, so I recommend using a mild abrasive cleaner, or the blue can of Easy Off oven cleaner (fume free).    Lots of discussions regarding the Cobb on various forums.

    • Thanks 1
  7. I looked at the Camp Chef Mountaineer – looks like a copy of the Partner for not much less, plus I don’t get the hose coming out the front. Looks like everything in that section of their site is either a copy or relabeling of someone else’s product. Not that that’s necessarily bad in itself, but still. Don, if you get the Partner, you might take a look at these carry bags from Blue Ridge. They look like a nice addition. – https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/2-Burner-Partner-Steel-Stove-Bag-18-p/21ps2.htm And it’s not on their website, but they’ll add adjustable feet to the bottom if you want.

     

    Those were exactly my observations as well regarding the Camp Chef Mountaineer.  I too have looked at the bags from Blue Ridge and would invest in one should I purchase the Partner stove.  I also like the lower burner BTU output of the Partner compared to the Camp Chef, i.e., 10,000 vs 20,000 per burner respectively.  Less BTU I would assume means less consumption and at 10,000 BTU I wouldn't imagine there would be any real "time to boil" difference compared to 20,000 BTUs, for the typical needs of using a 1 or 2 quart pot.  I won't be making dinner for 10 guests.

     

    Those adjustable feet certainly would be a good addition, so many surfaces used for a stove are uneven.   However, I was hoping to shop around and get a bit of a better deal than offered directly from the manufacturer, a trade off it seems.

  8. I've ridden the entire Natchez Trace twice, although on my Harley, and camped out along the way. Its a southern version of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which I've ridden several times the entire length. The Blue Ridge of course has all the mountain views, but the Natchez Trace makes up for it with the amazing history that a traveler can learn about every few miles. I also learned that riding the Natchez in August one year wasn't such a good idea, temps were in the upper 90's with humidity to match. If I was to do it once again I would elect for the Spring or Fall.

     

    I highly recommend it to my motorcycle riding friends.

  9. Hello Oscar,

     

    I am an East Tennessean also, the Tri Cities area, and an aspiring Oliver owner.  I would highly recommend you take the time for a road trip to the Oliver factory and meet all the nice people in the office and many who work in the factory.  The tour through the factory will answer any and all of your questions and give you an up close and personal look and feel for the quality of the construction.  I too recommend Fall Hollow campground, although I actually camped there, as I was doing a motorcycle trip to Hohenwald and then down the Natchez Trace.  There is a fine restaurant there also, and the facility is run by an awesome couple.

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  10. Welcome home Buzzy ???? Things are back to normal here once again, it’s been nice and quiet here for a couple of weeks and the pressures have been removed ???? Karen and I are really glad to welcome you back into our family, Our home ???? Reed

     

     

     

    Got that right!  I avoided the forums for a few weeks, but seems things are more tranquil now.

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  11. Buzzy,

     

    Sorry to hear you have left the forums.  I always searched out your posts as being very informative and to the point, well articulated and not full of inane and useless meanderings.   Likewise, always enjoyed your YouTube vids.

     

    I haven't been on the forums here in a while, unfortunately my purchase plans are on an indefinite hold.  I will continue with my truck  and tent camping and exploring as I've done all these years,

     

    Was great to meet you in Hohenwald last Summer.

     

    Best wishes,

     

    Laps

     

     

  12. Bump bump! Any news or new info? I am about to order! John Davies Spokane WA

     

    Haven't heard anything new regarding this from the factory standpoint.  You should definitely inquire further with them if you are about to order and congratulations on being a soon-to-be new owner!  Keep us updated.

  13. We recently, thoroughly researched the Airstream line. I have wanted one since I was a kid. Went and viewed them, talked to the sales reps even. Decided that they are cheaper for a reason. 1. They are not four season, huge for us 2. In every forum on Airstream’s people complained about water damage, lot’s of it! 3. People complained about mice getting into the trailers 4. Very low ground clearance. I got down on the floor and looked under there. No way would that work for us towing a trailer into our claim. 5. Dents, dents and more dents We have had to save longer to be able to afford the Oliver, but I feel it’s worth it!

     

    Welcome!  You are exactly right on every point, I did the Airstream research for 2 years and it can't compare to an Oliver, one of which I still don't own but I wouldn't settle for anything else.  You'll find lots of very friendly and knowledgeable individuals on this forum.

  14. Yes, its been a long time and still no updates that I have heard of from Oliver.  I was hoping other potential buyers would have chimed in by now.  Going to be Spring 2017 before I can think about purchasing an Ollie, so hopefully there will be developments by then.

  15. We’re going to go take a look at the Basecamp as soon as our local dealer gets one in, but I’ll definitely look at it with a critical eye. If nothing else, it’s made me reconsider getting the smaller Ollie. That really is the right size for us, but it’s just so hard to justify, given the small price difference. You just feel like you’re not getting your money’s worth. Not to say that the trailer isn’t worth it on it’s own, just in comparison how much more you get with the Elite II for so little more. From a production standpoint, I’m sure that the prices make sense, but from a buyer standpoint, it seems like the pricing should be farther apart. Like 40/60 rather than 55/60.

     

    I think like you do, and if the Elite 1 was considerably less expensive than the II, then I would seriously be looking at it instead of the II.   I will be traveling solo and certainly I don't need the additional size that the II offers, although there are options on the II that I want that aren't offered on the smaller Ollie.  I assume you have done the Oliver factory tour?

  16. Thanks for posting this John, and as I live just an hour north of Asheville I plan on going, at least for one day.  I'm looking forward to it.

     

    I highly recommend, for those who have plenty of time to spend, to tour the Biltmore House.  It is truly amazing, especially to anyone who appreciates the finest of the finest in antiques and hand made eloquence.  Keep in mind that the George Vanderbilt had to employ not only thousands of workers but also artisans and he brought many of the houses interior items from Europe personally.    My first visit to the Biltmore Estate was at a young age, and I have been back on two other occasions, and am more impressed with each visit.  It stands as a beacon of a grand age long past, in sharp contrast to the complicated world of today.

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