All Activity

There is some info here:

Yes, mods and upgrades are a personal choice. We chose to have every possible convenience. We can disconnect, but we wouldn't travel without the capability to connect anytime/anywhere! 😎 A reading of -60A on the Victron Connect App is the highest number I've ever observed set in Turbo mode. That's only 786W figuring 13.1V. Med-High setting will draw 48A (576W), low 14A (168W) and when ambient temps drop at night, the fan runs extra slow using as low as -2A. It's CRAZY. If these numbers are close enough, we can say the Chill Cube uses half the power of the Houghton 48v at high settings and even better when the cooling need is low. Keep in mind we are at 5440 FT elevation with RH = 20% so my numbers are likely better than when at sea level with humidity. And where the Houghton and every other single-speed compressor A/C will cycle full power more often.

I think I would remove the stopper, then pump some caulk down the screw hole and the level it off on top so it does not impede the draining of the tracks. What a Pain.

Just a note for those who are using the Anderson WD hitch - you are not supposed to lubricate the ball. It has to swivel with the trailer, otherwise you interfere with the anti-sway function.

Yes, you are correct. Oliver has had to source another coupler supplier. Bulldog is supposedly in bankruptcy proceedings as of Oct of 2025. Hopefully they will restructure. Pic of new coupler -

Tractor Supply sells a 2” ball 7,000lb capacity coupler that looks like the hitch on the X23. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tractor-supply-traveller-straight-coupler-2-in-ball-7000-lb-capacity-2526179

The ones I got don’t have that. They’re just a simple on or off.

We all have our priorities. There is a definite advantage to not adopting the latest and greatest technology. If I tore the P2 out when the -first- “so much better” Air Conditioner (which I think was the Truma) - I’d be kicking myself now wishing I’d waited fir the Houghton. Oh wait, the flavor of the month is now “Chill Cube”. Who knows, maybe by the time I get around to replacing our original A/C - the ChillCube with be a couplea hundred bucks cheaper. More likely - something even better will be on the market by 1Q27 - which is the first opportunity I’ll have to rework anything. Same with my “obsolete” flooded cell lead acid batteries. Lithium is cheaper NOW that it was when we first purchased our trailer - and there’s more options. My original batteries still have some life left in them. But - WHEN it’s time to retire them, I’ll consider the options and likely have a bigger selection and the lower prices that come with not buying when everybody’s rabid about the latest and greatest. We did replace the OEM television - but only with another same size television that’s a bit less flaky. But come to think of it, we didn’t buy a travel Trailer to sit inside and watch television. Word is - that people go to different places to go outside and look around. We’ve even “hiked”! (Can you believe it?!) OMG! I never realized you were so addicted! Don't people go “camping” to disconnect? Maybe even commune with nature?! Put aside the “devices”? (BTW - the folks who accused us of “glamping” consider “camping” to be that thing that people do with tents and sleeping on the ground in “sleeping bags”. Camping apparently isn’t a black or white proposition.)

Be sure to unplug the 7 pin connector from the tow vehicle when testing the breakaway switch. When the pin in the breakaway switch is pulled 12v power from the trailer’s batteries can back feed into and cause damage to the trailer brake controller on the tow vehicle. Bill

Anybody notice that they appear to be using a different coupler on the new Apex X23?

Welcome! We are #509, The Swallow and are in Durham, ME. We went to Campobello a couple of years ago, such a neat place. Except for the mosquitoes! Paula

Here are the specs for the Houghton 48v unit that's in the Apex. It runs only as low as 660 watts (which matches the 666 watts in the Oliver video) which is higher than either the Turbro I have or the Chill Cube you have seen in real world testing. It also draws up to 1700 watts at full power which is something I don't think either of ours ever get near. Obviously have the loss in the inverter conversion but there's loss in the 48v cabling too... Would still like to see real world data from the 48v Houghton, though...

You wonder about our "fellow Ollie owners" yet your profile states you don't own a travel trailer. What gives?

Hey, our's was not brand new and it was still really special 😉 Welcome to the clan!

Welcome and Congrats and enjoy the delivery day! There is something really special about taking delivery of a brand new Oliver, it was for us. Before you know it your day will be here!

When the Apex was first announced I looked up the specs on the Houghton 48v units and compared it to the numbers I see from running my Turbro. I'll have to go back and re-check the numbers.

Chris, I like the idea, but why is this true?

You will appreciate the "memory" feature whereby they remember their last state, dim level, night light, on/off, etc.. With the original touch lights I would have to turn off all of the ones that I didn't want on whenever I turned the master power switch on when arriving at a campground. The new lights remember their previous setting.

Slow elk…😇

Understated

Clearly designed for the Overload Overland community. IMO, the blackout theme detracts from an elegant travel trailer in an effort to reach out to the Overload crowd. The suspension upgrades seem reasonable, and I like the new hitch. A concern with the 48 VDC system is what I believe to be a single point of failure at the power management controller. The older I get, the more I want simple systems. We just bought a new 4Runner, and the dash and multi media features almost had me returning it with less than 200 miles. We will stay with Hull 364, and do gradual upgrades as needed. The batteries and refrigerator are on the list

Sorry for all the hassle getting to the source of these brake problems. If it helps - I was thinking of you yesterday as I fished the Middle Fork of the Wood River. Bill

Not a bad life first thing in the morning. However, they seem to like scratching their faces on the rear bumper at 5:30 in the morning!

Welcome! I initially towed with at Tacoma as well. It didn’t take long to upgrade to a half ton. Will be interested in how it goes for you. Mike