Katjo Posted August 4, 2022 Posted August 4, 2022 I have a few question for those that have experience with the Calmark cover. We are considering purchasing one but I wonder how difficult is it to put on? We have the solar panels, does that make it trickier to pull the cover over them? With our previous fiberglass camper (AS Nest) we were advised by AS not to cover it as the covers can scratch the gel coat. Has anyone had any issues with the finish on the Oliver marring from having the cover on? Any other pros and cons/advice about it would be appreciated. Thank you 1 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 2021 Oliver Elite ll Hull #732 Michigan
Cameron Posted August 4, 2022 Posted August 4, 2022 Hi Katjo I also gave this great thought last year before I picked up our trailer. I can't store it where I live so I keep it at a friend's property about three hours away. It's not covered. I consulted with SeaDawg who told me that they've never covered their trailer either and simply wash it and wax it twice a year with good quality marine products. I've done the same and so far so good. It cleans up very nicely. So, if your primary concern is about keeping the gelcoat clean and shiny, I think you'll be OK without a cover. 1 2 2021 Elite II #841, 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4, 3.0 diesel
Patriot Posted August 4, 2022 Posted August 4, 2022 We have the newer lighter weight cover from Calmark which we purchased from Oliver last summer. It is easier for two people naturally with ladders to install the cover. It’s not difficult but it is not a quick on and quick off procedure either, there are some gymnastics involved 😅. We always install the cover on the curb side and sit it on the awning and unravel it from this point. Others may have a magical way, but this worked for us. We used it last winter for the first time when we winterized and stored our Ollie here at our home. We used foam pool noodles on the sharp angled corners to reduce wear and tear on the cover. Corners such as the solar panels, rear bumper, entry steps. We had no visible signs of scratching or marring of our Ollies finish at all. Naturally without a cover you will begin to see some dulling or oxidation of the gel coat and you will reeeeally need to stay ahead of that with waxing and buffing. With the price tag of new Olivers creeping up year after year, we opted to take the best possible care of our Ollies finish. That said and here is another option to the Calmark cover- Last Friday, July 29th after a lot of previous research, planning, and due diligence we had a custom built “RV port” or as we call it an “Ollie Hangar” built on our property in our backyard area and are very happy with the results. We used a local Mt Airy, North Carolina company called - steelbuidlingsandstructures.com This NC company is an engineered certified steel structure builder which meets and exceeds our State and County’s code requirements for wind and snow. It does exactly what we intend it to do- keep our Ollie out of the UV, and elements. The crew installed it in a day and a half so we feel it is well worth the investment for us. We also like the convenience of taking off in the winter months without wrestling with the cover standing on ladders and all the gymnastics that goes with it. This structure is fully covered by our homeowners policy, note - some policies do not cover out buildings. We have 30 amp shore power so no issues with battery maintenance. Just another option. “Ollie Hangar” located on Blueberry Hill Demenions - 13X25X11H “Back Stage” as we like to call it. 😅 Our home LED motion sensor lights put a lamp on our path for a few minutes when we walk out to the hangar. 1 11 1 2020 OLEII - Hull #634 aka- “XPLOR” TV 2021 F350 6.7 liter Diesel Lariat Ultimate Tremor Retro upgrades - Truma Aventa 13.5 AC, Alcan 5 leaf pack, Alcan HD shackles & HD wet bolts, 5200lb never lube axles. XPEL 10 mil PPF front both front corners, 30 lb LP tanks, Sea Biscuit Front Cargo Storage box. North Carolina 🇺🇸
Katjo Posted August 4, 2022 Author Posted August 4, 2022 We would love to build a similar Ollie Hangar (that set up is so beautiful in the photo)!!😍 1 1 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 2021 Oliver Elite ll Hull #732 Michigan
Katjo Posted August 4, 2022 Author Posted August 4, 2022 7 hours ago, Cameron said: Hi Katjo I also gave this great thought last year before I picked up our trailer. I can't store it where I live so I keep it at a friend's property about three hours away. It's not covered. I consulted with SeaDawg who told me that they've never covered their trailer either and simply wash it and wax it twice a year with good quality marine products. I've done the same and so far so good. It cleans up very nicely. So, if your primary concern is about keeping the gelcoat clean and shiny, I think you'll be OK without a cover. Thank you, Cameron. I’am concerned about the gel coat but I’m also concerned about the snow and ice on the solar panels.🤔 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 2021 Oliver Elite ll Hull #732 Michigan
Guest Posted August 4, 2022 Posted August 4, 2022 6 hours ago, Patriot said: “Ollie Hangar” located on Blueberry Hill That looks great Patriot!
Patriot Posted August 4, 2022 Posted August 4, 2022 8 hours ago, Katjo said: We would love to build a similar Ollie Hangar (that set up is so beautiful in the photo)!!😍 If you ever decide to order/build an “Ollie Hangar” shoot me a pm. We learned quite few important details in our due diligence while vetting and selecting a business that sells and builds steel structures. 👍🏻 2 2 2020 OLEII - Hull #634 aka- “XPLOR” TV 2021 F350 6.7 liter Diesel Lariat Ultimate Tremor Retro upgrades - Truma Aventa 13.5 AC, Alcan 5 leaf pack, Alcan HD shackles & HD wet bolts, 5200lb never lube axles. XPEL 10 mil PPF front both front corners, 30 lb LP tanks, Sea Biscuit Front Cargo Storage box. North Carolina 🇺🇸
Katjo Posted August 4, 2022 Author Posted August 4, 2022 13 minutes ago, Patriot said: If you ever decide to order/build an “Ollie Hangar” shoot me a pm. me We learned quite few important details in our due diligence while vetting and selecting a business that sells and builds steel structures. 👍🏻 Will do! Thank you so much. 2 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 2021 Oliver Elite ll Hull #732 Michigan
Moderators SeaDawg Posted August 4, 2022 Moderators Posted August 4, 2022 Love it, and love the "back stage." Just like camping, at home. 1 2 2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4 2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12 Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes.... 400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries . Life is good.
Moderators SeaDawg Posted August 4, 2022 Moderators Posted August 4, 2022 9 hours ago, Katjo said: Thank you, Cameron. I’am concerned about the gel coat but I’m also concerned about the snow and ice on the solar panels.🤔 @Katjo, I know you're in Michigan, but I don't know where. You might want to talk with @dewdev or @Mainiac, both in Maine, plenty of snow. Pretty sure both store their trailers outside. Snow melts pretty fast, usually, on the darker faces of solar panels. I'd be more worried about snow load and freeze/thaw at roof penetrations. What's your average winter snow accumulation? I have a friend in Iowa who stored hers outside for a few years, without issue. We winter in Florida, so the most snow accumulation we've seen is a few inches, early winter camping. The folks in the northern latitudes can tell you much more. 3 2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4 2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12 Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes.... 400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries . Life is good.
GraniteStaters Posted August 4, 2022 Posted August 4, 2022 We live in New Hampshire and store our Ollie uncovered in the driveway. David clears most of the snow off after storms and that keeps the solar panels charging enough so that we almost never have to plug in to shore power. We give it a quick wash after each camping trip and wax 2-3 times a year. Ours is a 2019 and so far it still looks good. Paula 1 4 David Caswell and Paula Saltmarsh Hull 509 "The Swallow"
Katjo Posted August 5, 2022 Author Posted August 5, 2022 1 hour ago, SeaDawg said: @Katjo, I know you're in Michigan, but I don't know where. You might want to talk with @dewdev or @Mainiac, both in Maine, plenty of snow. Pretty sure both store their trailers outside. Snow melts pretty fast, usually, on the darker faces of solar panels. I'd be more worried about snow load and freeze/thaw at roof penetrations. What's your average winter snow accumulation? I have a friend in Iowa who stored hers outside for a few years, without issue. We winter in Florida, so the most snow accumulation we've seen is a few inches, early winter camping. The folks in the northern latitudes can tell you much more. @SeaDawg I’m in Southeast Michigan. Average is approx 64” a year. I’m torn between using a cover or not. 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 2021 Oliver Elite ll Hull #732 Michigan
Moderators SeaDawg Posted August 5, 2022 Moderators Posted August 5, 2022 33 minutes ago, Katjo said: @SeaDawg I’m in Southeast Michigan. Average is approx 64” a year. I’m torn between using a cover or not. I'm torn on that. I suspect a cover "might " make it harder to clear snow, in a dump snowfall like my younger days in Minnesota. A hard sided cover, like @Patriot's, rated for snow load, would obviously be ideal. But wind driven snow could still be an issue. 3 2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4 2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12 Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes.... 400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries . Life is good.
Katjo Posted August 5, 2022 Author Posted August 5, 2022 13 hours ago, GraniteStaters said: We live in New Hampshire and store our Ollie uncovered in the driveway. David clears most of the snow off after storms and that keeps the solar panels charging enough so that we almost never have to plug in to shore power. We give it a quick wash after each camping trip and wax 2-3 times a year. Ours is a 2019 and so far it still looks good. Paula Thank you, Paula.👍🏼💗 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 2021 Oliver Elite ll Hull #732 Michigan
dewdev Posted August 5, 2022 Posted August 5, 2022 20 hours ago, Katjo said: @SeaDawg I’m in Southeast Michigan. Average is approx 64” a year. I’m torn between using a cover or not. Hi Katjo: I and Maniac and a number of other owner's in Maine keep our Olivers outside and do not cover them. Our average snowfall along the coast is 50" to 70" and inland is 60" to 110" in Maine. Along the coast where I live, we can get a storm that drops 10" or more in one day. I do not remove my AGM batteries and the solar panels always keep the batteries at or near 100%. Although not necessary, if the snowfall is over 8", I will brush the snow off the solar panels just so they start charging sooner. If it is less than 8", I let the snow melt off the panels. It will melt after a couple days. I have not seen any sign of UV degration of the gelcoat with my 2018 Elite II (sun is not that strong in the north). I do wash and apply 2 coats of wax in the spring, wash it as needed in the summer and install one coat of wax half way through the summer. In the fall, as part of winterizing the water system, I will wash and wax the Oliver. I used to put a cover on my 34' Luhrs sportfisherman as well as a 24' T-Top boat and it was a hard task as the cover was heavy not easy to move around. If you buy a cover for your Oliver you will need to provide a protection (and secure the protection) on the sharp edges as Patriot suggested above. Now that I am older, I would not consider a cover as they are not necessary. Maybe different where he sun is stron and there is a lot of smog. Hope this information helps you in making a decision. 2 1 2018 Oliver Elite II, Twin Bed, Hull #354 2024 RAM 1500, 4 x 4; Gas. 5.7L V8 Hemi MDS VVT Torque; 3.21 rear axle ratio w/TIMBREN spring rear suspension Maine
Katjo Posted August 5, 2022 Author Posted August 5, 2022 4 hours ago, dewdev said: Hi Katjo: I and Maniac and a number of other owner's in Maine keep our Olivers outside and do not cover them. Our average snowfall along the coast is 50" to 70" and inland is 60" to 110" in Maine. Along the coast where I live, we can get a storm that drops 10" or more in one day. I do not remove my AGM batteries and the solar panels always keep the batteries at or near 100%. Although not necessary, if the snowfall is over 8", I will brush the snow off the solar panels just so they start charging sooner. If it is less than 8", I let the snow melt off the panels. It will melt after a couple days. I have not seen any sign of UV degration of the gelcoat with my 2018 Elite II (sun is not that strong in the north). I do wash and apply 2 coats of wax in the spring, wash it as needed in the summer and install one coat of wax half way through the summer. In the fall, as part of winterizing the water system, I will wash and wax the Oliver. I used to put a cover on my 34' Luhrs sportfisherman as well as a 24' T-Top boat and it was a hard task as the cover was heavy not easy to move around. If you buy a cover for your Oliver you will need to provide a protection (and secure the protection) on the sharp edges as Patriot suggested above. Now that I am older, I would not consider a cover as they are not necessary. Maybe different where he sun is stron and there is a lot of smog. Hope this information helps you in making a decision. Thank you so much for the info. I have such trepidation about covering it being Airstream was so adamant about not covering my fiberglass Nest. We never had any issues leaving it uncovered and did exactly the same as you, waxed it Spring, Summer and before Winter with a good marine wax. We’ve never had solar though so the panels are another concern I have but I’m happy to hear you had no issues with yours uncovered and have similar Winter snowfall amounts as I do here in Mi. Thank you again, I really appreciate the info. 2 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 2021 Oliver Elite ll Hull #732 Michigan
Paul and Santina Posted August 7, 2022 Posted August 7, 2022 Unfortunately, we need to store our LE2 outside away from our house, and lots of tree debris fell on the top and got stuck between roof & awnings. Was a pain to wash away. If you have trees nearby where she sits, and if she’s there for awhile, a cover might be a good idea. I covered my sailboats and the topsides gelcoat never got damaged, but I took precautions to ensure the cover didn’t rub the gelcoat or flap on it when the wind picked up. 2 ‘22 Ram 1500 4x4 Eco-diesel | ‘22 OTT LE2 hull # 1056 | Eastern VA
Paul and Santina Posted August 7, 2022 Posted August 7, 2022 Whoops…forgot to mention that good ventilation is really important, so the cover needs to allow air to flow, otherwise, you might get mildew. 2 ‘22 Ram 1500 4x4 Eco-diesel | ‘22 OTT LE2 hull # 1056 | Eastern VA
Sak Posted August 7, 2022 Posted August 7, 2022 I'm using Calmark cover. It's very easy for me to put the cover on by myself. I usually start from the back to front. The key is to fold the cover into a very small roll so I can unroll easily from the back and spread to the sides. Here, starting from the back using a ladder, climb one hand and the roll of cover on the shoulder. Put the cover behind the AC, unroll it over to the front of the AC using a pole. I also use pool noodle to cover sharp edges of the solar panels. Once the cover is unrolled entirely, spread it on both sides starting from the back. Now the final product after using bungee cords to tie it snug. I don't used the ropes from Calmark. They only provide 4 ropes. I use 12-15 bungee cords and find that much easier to work with. I also don't cover the rear bumper. I can do this alone within 30 minutes if I really want to but I usually take my time and take special care around a ladder and end up being 45-60 minutes. Taking the cover down is much easier and much quicker. You just climb a ladder on one side and lift the cover to the roof then carefully pull on the opposite side. The key here is the roll the cover into a really small roll. I'd recommend taking pictures how it was rolled when you get the cover from Oliver. Hope this helps. 1 4 2021 Oliver Legacy Elite II - Hull #854 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum
Mainiac Posted August 7, 2022 Posted August 7, 2022 I used to hang around a seasonal campground. I have seen covers, that had flapped around all winter, 'buff' the paint off SOBs (Some Other Brands). If they used a tarp, even worse. Let alone a good snow fall could end up freezing the cover to the ground. Cover frozen to the ground means no entrance to the unit to check nside, unless you destroy the cover. Also you still want to remove too much of a load off the AC and solar panels. Hard to remove the load without damaging a cover? I have had an inch of ice and maybe 9 to 12" of snow on top of that and according to the solar controller inside it was still charging. Haven't plugged it in since bringing it home in 2017, where it rest between trips. Wish I was as ambitious as these others when it comes to waxing. A quick Maquires Wash and Wax twice a year is all I have done. However this Fall I fully intend to wax and buff... 4
Sak Posted August 7, 2022 Posted August 7, 2022 I don't get a lot of snow in eastern Washington and it usually melts away during the day but I wonder if it helps if putting one those heating cable on the roof beneath the cover. Of course you would need access to shore power. 2 2021 Oliver Legacy Elite II - Hull #854 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum
Katjo Posted August 7, 2022 Author Posted August 7, 2022 13 hours ago, Sak said: I'm using Calmark cover. It's very easy for me to put the cover on by myself. I usually start from the back to front. The key is to fold the cover into a very small roll so I can unroll easily from the back and spread to the sides. Here, starting from the back using a ladder, climb one hand and the roll of cover on the shoulder. Put the cover behind the AC, unroll it over to the front of the AC using a pole. I also use pool noodle to cover sharp edges of the solar panels. Once the cover is unrolled entirely, spread it on both sides starting from the back. Now the final product after using bungee cords to tie it snug. I don't used the ropes from Calmark. They only provide 4 ropes. I use 12-15 bungee cords and find that much easier to work with. I also don't cover the rear bumper. I can do this alone within 30 minutes if I really want to but I usually take my time and take special care around a ladder and end up being 45-60 minutes. Taking the cover down is much easier and much quicker. You just climb a ladder on one side and lift the cover to the roof then carefully pull on the opposite side. The key here is the roll the cover into a really small roll. I'd recommend taking pictures how it was rolled when you get the cover from Oliver. Hope this helps. @Sak These pictures are so helpful! Thank you for the tips and photos.👍🏼 3 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 2021 Oliver Elite ll Hull #732 Michigan
Katjo Posted September 14, 2022 Author Posted September 14, 2022 For those that cover……With the Calmark Cover on do the solar panels still charge the batteries? 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 2021 Oliver Elite ll Hull #732 Michigan
Moderators topgun2 Posted September 14, 2022 Moderators Posted September 14, 2022 (edited) 14 hours ago, Katjo said: With the Calmark Cover on do the solar panels still charge the batteries? No and CalMark will not sew in clear panels or openings to allow the solar panels to do their thing. If you choose to have a cover your choices are either to remove the batteries and store them elsewhere^ or get shore power to where you store the Ollie, or, use a small (25 to 50 watt) solar panel to charge the batteries - assuming of course that this small panel can get sun. Bill edit: ^ of course this pertains to either lead acid or AGM's. Other choices are (perhaps) possible for lithium batteries. Edited September 14, 2022 by topgun2 added detail 1 2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist" Near Asheville, NC
Hokieman Posted September 14, 2022 Posted September 14, 2022 @Katjo, I assume your question concerns longer term storage. I recall your trailer has Lithionics batteries. LiFePOH do not need to be kept charged up like AGM’s. From what I’ve read on this forum, Lithionics batteries have a switch that can be turned OFF, therefore no parasitic draws to deplete your batteries. Consult your manual for details. 3 “Ramble” - 2021 Legacy Elite II #797; 2020 Ford F-250
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now