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KarenLukens

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Posts posted by KarenLukens

  1. I did it in my Casita once, but it doesn't get that cold here, maybe mid 20°s for a week some years. It's not that hard to rewinterize, go camp in style, use the Suburban floor heater to keep the pipes from freezing if you're in that low of temps. You can save the antifreeze and re-use it if needed. We are not winterizing, we're going South :)

     

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  2. We had the same problem with the cabinet above the microwave, I haven't checked all of the others because they are holding fine but they really must have had an idiot working there to cross thread all of the bolts and then force them together and then run the screws in until they are completely stripped out and spinning freely at the bottom... I was looking at my gray tank valve last week and noticed that it's getting weak also and started pulling from the nut instead of the handle until I get home tomorrow and really look at it. Jason called me back, I guess Richie got hurt out on the floor, I really like them both and I've never had a problem go unsolved so far. He said that they might have to send me a new window because they stripped out the screws that hold the latch...

  3. We have a 2017 Ollie and having the same and more trouble with the Furion. I’ve never been able to run the sound through the speakers. Almost got the time set on the Furion Receiver once. Furion seems a poor selection I believe for a great trailer. The small “toy” remote doesn’t work well at all. I’m not a happy camper with this setup, but we can seldom use the radio receiver anyway as usually cannot receive any stations. Maybe a portable outside whip antenna would help. No, the youtube video for running the tv through the speakers doesn’t help at all on the 2017 Ollie. We need a “Rally Class” on this system or these components need to be replaced by users I suppose.

    On yours the speakers are labeled a&b, push one to select, if it doesn't work then, there's other problems. A is the rear, b is the front.

  4. Congratulations :)

     

    You did your research and ordered the same options that we did, haha :)

     

    We love the cell phone booster and it does a good job in remote places, we've gone from 0 signal to 2 bars enough times for it to easily pay for itself. You need to be right underneath it for it to work and we would have had it put in back, under the rear window, had we known this beforehand, but moving it is one of my next projects. We have the King bed model and do most of our communications inside from the bed at night or in the morning. We also had them add an extra 120vac outlet, USB port, reading light, and 12volt dc outlet above the bed by the windows, back in each corner on both sides, so we both have our own charging stations and reading lights, this has been a great option for us. Another thing, depending on your bed type is putting in a switch for the light right above the bed or night stand in the twin model. It's hooked in with the main lights and needs to not be, another project in my future.

     

    Did you get the front 30amp port? You will be glad that you have it for the 2000i, plus the short cord that they provide works great.

     

    We just looked at all of the samples for the interior and I think that Anita sent us both floor samples and countertop samples, or Karen got them from somewhere. We chose from the samples sent to us. You should just have them add the extra Solar panels now, why have a port on the roof that isn't used? You're going to need it with all of the clouds up there, that's what we have found, spending a lot of time in Oregon and Washington, with a lot of cloudy days, a 480watt solar system is perfect for everything. Our friend installed his own Bogart Trimetrics 480watt system for $1400 and it works great and charges everything up even on cloudy days, we will be pulling out the Zamp on ours in the future and putting a better system in, but we have some discussions with Oliver coming first because I really think that they should help pay for it, being they advertised and sold us the Blue Sky System before Zamp was ever seen on the Oliver Web page... Read about the difference between an MPPT system vs a PWM system like the Zamp. You will either need 480watts, or wish you had it...

     

    The Hydrolink? Yea I got it also and I'm neither here nor there on it, pulling the caps to add water isn't a big deal and the hydrolink leaves the water 1/8" below the line, which is fine, but not full... Still though it adds resale value but to me, it's not really needed and I end up pulling the caps sometimes anyway to make sure everything is working perfect.

     

    We were the first to get the latex mattress upgrade and this or the southern mattress upgrade are a must have for sleep comfort. Extra cushions? No... In fact we changed out the dinette backrest cushions to pillows and it's way more comfortable.

     

    I'm not sure how the Anderson hitch will work off-road, I've never used one... We spent a lot of time camping in the Hatcher Pass areas along with glacier camping at the Eklutna and Mantanuska Glaciers on weekends, some 4wd but not bad with posi pulling a trailer on the steeper gravel roads. There's a lot of good dirt roads to those great fishing spots and we flew down them all :) Peter's Creek and Eagle River have miles of great camping and fishing, close to town sorta... I envy you guys living up there, we are planning to come up but haven't finalized any dates yet, but it's on the list :)

     

    Really give the Inverter option some thought as this is another big plus to have 120vac with the push of a button. With no Inverter, there is no need for the microwave, we use ours daily with with our induction cook top and for nuking leftovers.

     

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  5. Bill is right the Zamp works, it's just not the best of the best or even close. Zamp does not have a shunt, so that really limits its capabilities. When we started looking at Oliver, everything was top of the line, rated best of the best and they told us all about the Blue Sky System, another best of the best product, and that's why we bought the Oliver, because it was packed with the best of the best and for $60,000+ that's what we expected. That story is elsewhere on this forum. We paid $2800 for the Blue Sky System and that's the bottom line. Bait & Switch, we ended up with something unfamiliar, then I did tons of research and found out that Zamp is simply put, overpriced low budget garbage, not what we paid for. It retails for $1100, so Oliver should have lowered the price for it considerably, but they chose not too. It takes about 1hour 40 minutes for them to install the Zamp system. If you are OK with mediocre garbage being installed on your trailer, then go for it :) I paid for top of the line, was told that I was getting the Blue Sky System by the Oliver Sales people, did my research and learned all about the Blue Sky System, and then... I got ripped off, plain and simple Bait & Switch...

     

    We went with the Truma because it's set up to protect itself in the freezing temps, you simply turn the switch to Winter mode and if the water heater gets down to 37° it starts cycling itself on to keep the water from freezing in the water heater. It keeps the water at 37° on its own. During the winter with the Suburban 6 gallon, you have the choice of leaving it on, or draining the system. Knowing that we will be camping in below freezing temps quite a bit in the winter, we chose the Truma for the self protection Winter Mode because we camp in snow every year in the Spring. This also is the second tankless heater that we have used for camping, it's a good Winter hot water system for Southern Alaska. Before I bought the Oliver, I read thru every page written on this forum. It took about a month then, but it taught me so much. It should be on every buyer's to do list :)

     

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  6. We will meet you there :)

     

    We are heading home for 10 days starting tomorrow to get my niece ready for winter and to shut down the house, then we will be in Death Valley around November 14th for our anniversary on the 16th. We try to do this every year, we are meeting another friend in Death Valley and then we will be meandering East to Sedona, AZ for the Rally starting December 9th and then after that we will be boondocking South of Sedona until we have seen the whole area including Montezuma's Castle, etc... Then we will head east to Albuquerque and see some friends and see the sights before heading back to Quartzite to the Rubber Tramp Rally just before the big tent goes up at the main Quartzite Rally. We would love to meet up anywhere along the line and we will be in and around the area until after the Fiberglass RV Rally is over. This will be are first time actually going to the Fiberglass RV Rally, last year we had just picked up our Olli and ended up waving as we drove by to get back to California to register the new trailer.

     

    John, you're staying on open blm land and can come and go as you please along with staying where you want, even out on your own... But there are going to be tons of people and many that you will find have the same interests. We will park in a group along with the others because it does give you a little extra safety, when you want to leave the trailer by itself while you are off seeing the sights, while knowing that you are surrounded by friends.

     

    Reed

  7.  

    One thing two of you suggested was losing the tankless hot water heater. They told me it was a popular upgrade. Can anyone elaborate on the reason?

     

    My wife and I are looking for about a week of boon-docking at a time, and will have a 30 gallon external tank for water, and a Honda EU2000i. My plan was to run one Honda during cloudy days as needed...

     

    The solar thing is confusing me. Can I not get the Blue Sky now? It reads like Zamp is the current setup.

     

    I am not an electrician, and wiring makes me nervous especially on such a high priced item. Mike thank you for your service! We have the same grill, and I think you sold me on the quick connects. THANK YOU all for your quick responses. -Alex

     

    The guys that say you don't need the tank less water heater are correct, you don't need it but... For boondocking, you can't beat the Truma tankless heater because you are only heating water as you need it, so your not being forced to heat 6 gallons when you only need 1/2 a gallon to wash dishes, yet both you and your wife can shower immediately, one after the other without the second person getting a cold shower half way thru. Yes, it's an expensive option but we'll worth it, when hooked up to sewer, you can take the endless shower and never worry about running out of hot water. I've had 4 of the 6 gallon Suburban water heaters in the past 30 years and I bought the Truma because having an endless supply of hot water at your fingertips, exactly the amount of hot water that you will need, does not compare in the least, in any way to the 6 gallon Suburban that these guys have in their trailers. Are you buying a $65,000.00+ Oliver just to cheap out on the water heater? No! Ask all of the guys who say that you don't need it, if they have ever had one in an RV in the past... I've been there, I've had both, and I won't go back to the 6 gallon tank ever! The Truma pays for itself in quality time, you don't need to ever wait for hot water.

     

     

    The Zamp is the main system that Oliver offers but I have heard that you can get the Blue Sky as an option now. Either way, it's going to be tough up there with Solar and cheapening down to the Zamp just won't cut it in Alaska even on the Solstice, cloudy days take top notch Solar Systems and you would be better off with no solar and using your generator, then going with the Zamp, it's not good enough, plus you're going to need a 480watt system up there. I have the 320 plus another 100 and it's still marginal. If Oliver just offers the Zamp, then I would buy Solar elsewhere because it's overpriced garbage... You will be better off just running your generator for an hour or so every day and keeping the batteries charged up that way.

     

    My ex was Army and we spent 4 years at Ft Rich/ Elmendorf from 83 to 87 and loved it. I would make some calls around Anchorage, Palmer or Fairbanks if youre up there, about Alaskan Solar Systems and see what the companies up there recommend, and also ask them for their opinion on Zamp... I'm sure you will get the same style answer as mine :)

     

    Reed

     

     

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  8. Yup, I'm driving like that, it must be an optical illusion because it's higher than the brake cable and is zip-tied over the top of the tongue. The truck pulls fine, no need for WD, I keep meaning to get a full pic hooked up but Karen just keeps getting partials also, we're both enjoying the new ride and have been here on the beach for a few weeks :)

  9. I finally ran the new wire for the Truma today :) it took me a few hours but I now have the light and everything working inside. When we picked it up from the factory, I guess that they didn't notice on their walk thru, that the inside switch wasn't working and I didn't know at that time that it was a lighted switch. So I ran the new wire along with some paracord down between the hulls and around between the water heater and the switch and it works :) It's like we just picked up that Deluxe option! It feels good to see it working properly now. I had to pull the rear curb side door panel to get to the slide between the hulls and between the old cord and the paracord, it slid easily into place after unhooking and rehooking it a few times to get thru the tangled webs that we've all seen... Lol. I couldn't think of a better place to do this then at our favorite, Beach Campground, Emma Wood State Beach, here in California on the Pacific Ocean, and it sure was calming to look out and watch the waves between aching muscles :)

     

    All's well that ends well, another fix is off of my honey do list!

     

    Reed

     

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  10. Hi Alex!

     

    Welcome to the family :)

     

    As far as Solar, I would get it prewired for the Blue Sky and spend the extra money on that system adding as many pannels extra that Oliver allows. The Zamp is a low budget $1100 system that doesn't cut it for me personally and there's no way it's worth over $1800 installed. They're definitely screwing the pooch with their $2800.00 price tag on that run of the mill low budget solar system...

     

    I would definitely get the battery upgrade to 4 batteries of your choice and have them put the auxiliary solar plug in on the curb side if it's possible. Propane upgrade, extra port on the back, and see if they offer a propane regulator upgrade because the stock one's howel when you're using outside accessories.

     

    I've heard that a lot of options are now standard and that's good :)

     

    Reed

     

    Edit- You should also get the inverter, this is probably the wife's most used option. We use the batteries when we can to run an induction burner or cooktop when cooking and this really saves on the propane that we basically use for hot water and heat when needed. We boondock most of the time, so saving on propane is a good thing. The 30amp front connection that you have listed is also something that we have to use quite a bit because we got stuck with the Zamp Solar and it doesn't keep up, even at the beach, so last night, I had to charge the trailer with the generator again... The nice thing about the front port is that Oliver also gives you a short 3' x 30amp twistlock cord for it, so hooking up the generator is easy.

     

    Another option that hasn't been talked about is the choice of flushing the toilet with gray water, it's something that would be worth while to ask about. We love the Dometic toilet and being able to flush it with gray water would be a great option, if they will do it. We shower and do everything in our trailer and the listed curtain rod option works well as a grab bar when standing or sturdying yourself in the shower. I would not bother with a wrap around curtain, it's just not needed. We don't have a curtain on the shower rod, we use it for hanging wet towels and clothes. No water gets behind the toilet when showering.

     

    Also, you should look into rear cameras, there are better options available and it's nice to see who is behind you at all times when driving.

     

    Another option that isn't mentioned is, it would be nice to have a light on the front that can be turned on from inside, and it would also be nice to have one of the outside LED lights in the storage compartment, facing the back, so that you can actually see to the back of the compartment because the one that comes stock just points down and shines no light to the back at all, so I have a flashlight sitting there that gets used every day... Personally, I would also get the rear rack holder and set it up to hold chairs, bikes, etc...

     

    If I think of anything else, I'll be back :)

     

    Reed

     

     

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  11. My 2017 V6 Colorado has 7000lb towing capacity, and I was wondering if that would be OK.

     

    Hope to meet you all at the next gathering. Don and Beverly

     

    OK, at best with not much extra, you should really check into what the tongue will do as far as dropping the back of the truck and go from there. I would add 600lbs to the back and measure the drop. You may need to add air bags or go with a weight distribution hitch. It says 7000 but I couldn't find an accurate tongue weight for the Colorado, so you need to look on the frame rail of the driver's side door. Plus you will want the max tow package or some way of downshifting for steep downhill runs.

     

    Reed

  12. I don't think that the copper would split in the tank because there is no pressure on that line, if someone did let the tank get cold enough to freeze, it would freeze in place and maybe expand a touch, as could the pex and the tank would probably split... Either way, letting the tank freeze with water in it at the rear is a bad idea, by lowering the tongue either back to level or forward a bit after draining the tank as low as possible, the remaining water would be out of the area of the dip tube anyway leaving no way for any accidents.

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  13. The low oil cut off switches in the Honda's was a problem back in the day also, somewhere along the line they changed the switch these days from what I've read. Basically, on the older models you need to run a higher viscosity oil and Honda recommends 10/30, which works fine. But if you try running a lighter oil like 5/30 in these older models, after the oil is warm, it gets thrown around more inside and the low oil sensor shuts the motor down even when it looks like you have plenty of oil in there. What I have done after switching to running 10/30 Mobile 1 Synthetic in all of my motors is I add a little extra in the Honda 2000i also, because if you're running the motor just a little off level, the low oil sensor can shut it down again... So when filling it with oil, block it back a few degrees, top it off, and put the dip stick back in and tighten it down normally, then when checking the oil, remember that you over filled it a touch and tilt it back before removing the dipstick and checking the oil. Having plenty of the right oil in the motor will keep it running really well. Some people think that running a lighter oil will give you more horse power, but with Synthetic oils, this is where the shutting down problem starts, they switch to a 5/30 Synthetic and the problems start because of the reasons listed above. My simple fix for years now is to run the Mobile 1 for the most horse power because Synthetic will add a few percent more over regular, plus I tip it back a touch and over fill the reservoir just a touch, keeping the low oil sensor covered at all times. I realize that to some, this will sound like bs, but there have been many discussions on this over the years here on the net and it's a well known, old school problem that is easily fixed. It use to be that the old 5hp Honda's would only run on SAE30 and not at all on 10/30 without the shut down problem occurring back in the day... Another thing, is running only Premium 92+ Octane gasoline in the generator, this is what I run most of the time, but I have run 87 with not much of a noticable difference. Try them both and see what you think, at higher elevations the 92 Octane makes a big difference in the sound of the motor. If it sounds like it's knocking some, then only run 92+ or add some Octane boost if it's knocking above 6000' elevation. If you're having problems and you're running 5/20 or something lower then 10/30 oil in it, then change out the oil first along with running a good quality 92+ Octane gasoline and see if the problem disappears.

     

    Reed

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  14. I've pumped from the bed of the truck, 30' away with no problem with the onboard pump with 30 gallons of water parked at the front of the trailer. I put a brass hose Y at the water inlet hose connection on the back of the trailer, opened both valves, then started a siphon from the back of the truck. It took a few seconds for the water to get to the Y and start coming out, but then I closed the top valve on the Y that I was using to prime the line with water and get the air out, then went inside and turned on the pump and it worked fine pulling all of the water from the tanks, thru the 30' of hose and filling the onboard tank.

     

    I was thinking bladder because I want to be able to roll it up and store it when it's not needed, leaving more room for gear, but the RV tank under the front tonneau cover mount is a great idea also because I could just fill it and take it from the beginning...

     

    Thanks everyone :) you have my wheels spinning now :)

     

    Reed

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  15. The wind came up today and the fog set in, everything is holding tight and the awning is filled like a sail, yet secured to the ground and not even rocking the trailer... much... :) I really like this set up with the arms tied to the trailer and the paracord staking the corners going straight down to the ground. You can't see it in the picture above, but there are 10" stakes under the rocks driven into the hard pack under the sand. It's a good set up even with the 20mph+ gusts, it's holding fast. I put the rocks on top of the stakes to help hold them in place if we did get a bunch more wind, and it's doing fine. If it was worrying me, I would roll it in, but this is working great. Then, we bought the sun shade at Lowe's, it's 6' x 15', sold in the Garden section, we also got the plastic grommets for it there and they hammered in with just one tap.

     

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    And when it's calm and the sun is shining, it really keeps the UV rays away :)

     

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  16. I just bought one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009MU64Y0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I got the 30 gallon. It has standard hose attachments, one on top and one on bottom of the other side. Folded it is the size of a small shoe box. I haven’t used it yet. It will primarily be used to transport water from a source back to the trailer to fill the fresh tank when we’re boondocking. Mike

     

    Thanks Mike, that's the same tank that I'm looking at also, we'll be spending most of the winter in Arizona and New Mexico and plan on carrying as much as I can when boondocking. Did you think about the 60 at all?

  17.  <span style="line-height: inherit;">I know you did this kind of stuff for a living, I would greatly appreciate any comments and tips. John Davies Spokane WA
    </span>

     

    Actually, I was going to do basically the same thing but with copper until Raspy came over with all of the parts in hand for the 1" spin weld after doing his :) I had never seen pex permanently bent with heat like you did until today.

     

    Once again, Nice Job!

     

    Reed

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  18. We will be traveling in the desert this winter and I want to get a bladder bag, what have you guys found to work best?

     

    Here's a couple from online -

     

    https://www.bayteccontainers.com/30-gal-aquatank-2-water-bag.html?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=333531148496&gclid=CjwKCAjwssvPBRBBEiwASFoVd9bIOLc3pXPjOgBxJ9wyQqt6NHzSgI1yQ2b4lR4bNVRlNXj9nfoXDhoC4GoQAvD_BwE#gsc.tab=0

     

    https://www.amazon.com/Wheelbarrow-Equestrian-Container-80L-Simple-Transporting/dp/B071VX6Q3D/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1509124640&sr=8-12&keywords=Water+Storage+Bag

     

    I would like it to carry 30+ gallons and ride safely in the back of the truck in the bed. Do I need to put a blanket or foam pad under it when full?

  19. And maybe it is time for you to put a waterproof remote switch in for the electric front jack. The thought of you rushing out to raise the front of your trailer, halfway through a shower, maybe just disrupt a campground…

    Now, that's scary stuff there this close to Halloween :)

     

    It looks good John, why didn't you just use copper and take it all the way down to the floor in the corner? Either way, it's a lot better then it was :) Nice job :)

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  20. Wow! That looks great! So far, I've just thought about finishing our bumper and it looks like keeping up with the Roamy's will be tough :) HaHa, I've also been thinking about replacing the bumper bolts with polished carriage bolts for a cleaner looking fit.

     

    Reed

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  21. Personally, if I leave someone a message and they’ve not returned my call in two hours, they’re getting a return call. After two weeks, surely you’ve realized it has slipped between the cracks.

    Perhaps I was not clear earlier, Oliver had a breakdown in their phone system and NO MESSAGES were getting through. They disappeared into the ozone. For about 10 days. None. Now call back on the provided number. If they don’t return your call in a timely manner, call me. 662-255-0181

     

    Slipping between the cracks is what I was talking about. I made 5 calls, talked to Jason once, when it was his job before, then Anita twice, while trying to get a call back from Richie, but it's under warranty until next February, so I have time and I gave it a rest being that the one call should have been enough in the first place. They were looking into it and going to call me back. We're at a point with all of the stripped out screw holes, that I'm past ready to take it in. Whoever screwed the blinds and windows together, along with the service doors, drove their screw gun right past the stopping point, stripping out some of the holes while stripping all the screws forward, all the screws, not just a few... My screw guns have all had adjustable torque heads, even my cheap Dewalt that I have here, it's not rocket science setting the depth correctly. We started finding window latch screws down in the frame rail that had fallen out... Low and behold, one had been totally stripped out also... Tapping a larger threaded hole into the window frame to hold the lock in place just really isn't the right way for another warranty item... Same with the blinds and the list goes on. Window dressing anyone... The good thing is, things continue getting better.

  22. Good! I'm still waiting on that call back from Richie and it's been over 2 weeks now since I talked to Anita and then left him 2 messages... They can apologize all day long, but not returning calls after multiple messages have been left is way too common with this company. We need to start billing them for our time fixing everything that they messed up...

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