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I been following this topic and it got me to look at my springs and sure enough 1,750 pound four leaf springs were failing. I was leaning to ALCAN five leaf for replacement but when Geromimo John came up with the Dexter 2400 pound rated 4-leaf I decided that would be a better fit. My thinking is keep the ride as soft as I can but have springs strong enough not to distort them from the load that the Oliver puts on them. So this bumps the 7000 pound rating to 9600 pound rating and I think this should be sufficient for them to carry the load with out distorting the springs. I included a pic of the 2400# spring next to the worst 1750# spring. This is the differences in thickness of the leafs. The individual leafs are longer. I didn't think to measure the height before I started the job but when I had one side installed I measured from side to side and there was 1-1/2 inches difference at the wheel wells.

Even my wife's blow-dryer does not cause interference like that (though I installed a high-end Samsung monitor). If it only happens with the hearing aids, and no other device, then they are the cause. Just a bad product? Defective unit, then get a warranty replacement. I would not wear them until you know more.

I just had 100% latex mattresses made to match exactly what we sleep on at home. $$ but good sleep is worth it.

I forgot about the custom axle length. That does complicate matters. What you’re doing could be me next year. An OTT visit tied in with the 2025 Rally, get my FWT fixed too like you. Are you doing the CGI Detailing too? I’m getting rather jealous of Casablanca #226. You know that’s 2x hull #113!

Updated: Two trailers moved sites, and added Bill's location 2024 Oliver Rally Attendees as of May 11.pdf

Of course. Murphy's Law rules. Yes we can add him to the long list of us that have previously come to that conclusion. Including two Dexter Tech's. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The distinction that many are making is thinking that 4 pack spring sets are by definition always bad, and the 5 packs are good. Also that everything made in China is bad and everything made in USA is always good. Hopefully we can also agree that these logic lines are full of holes. What we do KNOW is that the spring sets rated at 1,750 pound rating of the OTT OEM OE2 fleet for many years are failing as a result of the spring not being sufficiently rated to the use. Not that it is always crap because it was made in China or that it is a 4-leaf spring. Now some of them may well have been. But Dexter has used those springs in thousands of applications just fine. But for our OE2's, they are failing because they are under rated 1,750 pound springs. Not because they are Chinese or 4 leaf. I think that the vast majority of respondents to this topic agree that a stronger spring is needed for the OE2 fleet. And that the path to take for their OE2's can be very owner specific. I believe that a higher rated more compliant 4 pack may work just fine for our and likely for the fleet use. As such, I chose to purchase the Dexter 2400 pound rated 4-leaf. But what I think, and what other specific owners think is best for their specific use is only relevant to the specific use. But that does not necessarily make it suitable for general fleet use in my opinion. But OTT as the OEM of future OE2's will be looking at the issue from a fleet perspective. It will be interesting to see what they feel is best for overall fleet operations. I think we can agree that it likely will not be the 1,750 pound rated 4 leaf spring set. But will it be a 2750 pound 5 leaf? I do not think it will be. So, I will wager a beer to any of the above owners that have gone with the ALCON spring set that that choice will not be what OTT goes with for the future fleet as the standard spring set. Want to take my wager, list you names below in the next 48 hours. GJ

Me thinks your sales agent was not informed on the Houghton sound levels. We run ours on low fan speed the vast majority of the time. It is ULTRA quiet. I believe that the FreshJet is Competitor A. This is from their web site: That said, until Houghton series we purchased has some specific disadvantages to some others: No internal drainage system. Fan runs continuously with adverse humidity control. The thermostat is not remotely located so it also contributes to cycling/humidity issues. Granted, a handy DIY owner can: Add a relay to fix the fan issue fairly easily if electrically inclined Reroute the thermostat function by getting a longer thermistor. Installation is tedious for an Oliver. After a couple of years effort, I and others have not posted a fix for the drain issue. So the condensate drains overboard the roof. There is some indication that this may be resolved by a remote electric condensate pump, but I have not found any info on it yet. So, from a sound perspective the Houghton appears to be a quieter unit. But without having to rework the Houghton, I would not recommend it to owners that are not DIY inclined. On the other hand, the above problems are well known to Houghton and when they have provided the American market with an internal condensate capability, remote T-stat and fan off when compressor is off program it will be a blockbuster unit. As a DIYer, yes I would purchase a Houghton in a heart beat. But may owners would not want the hassle of having to update/mod a brand new unit. Hopefully another reader will have updates to my dated info. GJ

Absolutely, makes total sense, JD! Had we not planned to attend the owner's rally, we probably would have lived with the 3.5k#-ers for a while. But here's a consideration - the D52 Dexters (or the older D44's of that matter) are custom cut to OTT width specifications (they're only approx. 62.5" flange-to-flange). I suppose one could order an OTT spec'd set of axles from Dexter in Sparta, TN but that could be costly for a single run off. We have not contacted Dexter to learn what the one-off cost/time schedule/shipping costs would be - maybe another owner could do that. Since headed eastbound from NM anyway, we decided to contact OTT directly, and coordinated with Jason Essary to acquire our axle kit. Timing was just right with the rally scheduled for next week. Our approach to the running gear upgrade became a phased approach instead of "all at one time in our shop" primarily due to logistics and cost. Alcan springs first, 5.2k# axles, then shocks (only by happenstance, not planning) - & the Cooper Discoverers only have about 15-16k on them. As far as labor costs, my time is free for me... We ate the cost of travel to Hohenwald because we planned on attending the owner's rally anyway - the entire running gear upgrade worked out well for us. HA!

Steve if you update the list, we have moved to site E30, as someone canceled. F44 is now available See you, Mark and Claudia

The height of the trailer after new spring pack installed was approx 5/8" higher. The hull and frame assy doesn't squat down as much with the heavier springs. The length of the 3/4" longer shocks wouldn't make any difference regardless of what spring packs are installed. They need to be fully compressed to get into the mountings anyway - just adjust the nose up/down to get the correct clearance. JFTR: Finished up with the "in situ" shock R&R drill at Primitive Campsite #8 at the Mousetail SP on the TN River just now -- and Casablanca is back to that "yellow" looking running gear. The only mod to the drill was using fresh nylocs instead of the nuts provided (a bit of overkill, but D's idea - "happy wife....): New axles, springs, fresh shocks, newer Cooper tires - isn't it a good feeling? Or an obsession??? Thoughts?

@John Dorrer I would certainly call tech support for your hearing aide co. You have considerable electrical interference, and it may not be safe to have those in your ears.

Yeah, price-point $3k vs. one, would not be in our budget! I wonder why so many want 12v appliances? Perhaps there is something I do not understand on this. We use our inverter whenever needed and alone it only takes an amp, maybe 1.5A.

Appears 2 have replaced with the FreshJet, but they did things differently. As noted in another comment, one didn't reuse the condensate lines and the one chose to reuse the inside part while the other replaced the entire unit on the roof and inside

I think 2 have. There are something's that were different during installs. One person opted not to reuse the condensate lines. They didn't want to break a seal and add another gasket. One reused the inner portion, while another replaced the upper (outside) and inner.

Nice! I know of that route. I was not sure if it was a road for 4x4s, or instead a road where you could tow your Oliver all the way down. I'm assuming you pulled your Oliver down to the Colorado! Please confirm quality of the road. Is it some paved, all dirt, OK for towing? Ample level boondocking sites at the river? That's a local trip for us, so we should do it soon. BTW, I can't stand I-40 from Flagstaff to Kingman, the trucks at 75 MPH, steep descents, construction always and bad pavement regardless. I found on this trip that we can get from home to Kingman, a trip I do several times a year, only traveling on I-40 for 7 miles. We take US-89 from Prescott to Ash Fork AZ (47 miles from home) and 7 miles west of Ash Fork you can exit on Hwy-66 and take that to Seligman, up to Peach Springs and down to Kingman. It's a beautiful route too and only adds a half hour to the route.

BTW, I would ONLY think of this kind of HD bike rack, mounting a relatively heavy dirt bike, AFTER I do some of the upgrades that @MAX Burner has completed; Alcan Springs and 5200 LB axles with 12" brakes and perhaps Monroe 555025 shocks if it's determined they would be a good upgrade and fit. There's quite a bit of money in doing all this and it makes sense to do this work all at the same time, for me time is TBD.

This is certainly worth taking another look, for those upgrading to the Alcan springs. +3/4" would likely fit well, given the Alcan leaf springs make the trailer sit a little higher and compress less for the same load. I had written to @MAX Burner in an earlier post to measure the before and after in spring height. Not sure if Art or others who have upgraded have made this measurement. @2008RN could you please supply a link to the specs for these shocks? I spent a few minutes searching and all i could find was installation instructions for Monroe shocks by part number. I would also like to hear what @ScubaRx thinks of adding a stiffer shock, 3/4" longer.

Same here, Steve - looking forward to the rally and putting faces to the names! TKX again for the time consuming effort with the roster... Keep your head on a swivel and travel safe! Cheers! A

Right?

Apologies in advance for those who already read our post on the subject, but here's a "Reader's Digest" version of what our conversion finally ended up like... 1. We mounted the POE injector (converts 12vDC to 44vDC for dishy), DC-to-DC converter, 3rd party mini travel router, and wiring in the closet (the second DC-DC converter is for the Camera): 2. Power Switch for SL kit and Security Camera located on bulkhead above closet door: 3. Communication (Ethernet) Cable penetrates closet bulkhead (adjacent to bathroom), drops down under vanity, exits hull via a Blue Seas Clam along with DC-DC charger cables and OEM 12vDC cable (pls. ignore the knucklehead in the pic): 4. The SL Cable is routed forward into the "dog house" and exits via a "weather proof" (term use lightly) 4-pair connector: NOTE: Normally, we would mount the dishy on top of the flag pole which you'll see the mount for above, but today we've been informed by Ranger Rick that flood warnings exist on the TN River and we may need to "Exit Stage Right (like Yogi would say)" rather quickly, so dishy is mounted in it's travel box and placed on a picnic table for a rapid departure, if needed: This post is coming to you via our 12vDC Dishy kit, FYI... Good luck with your's! Feel free to PM us anytime regarding details not covered in this or our previous posting on the project. Cheers!

I'll keep checking here and the Facebook groups until Sunday late afternoon, and continue posting PDF files if there are any changes. I'll print a bunch of paper copies Sunday evening to bring with me. We leave for the rally on Monday morning, arriving Tuesday

And a ""Good "Starlink" Morning"" from Casablanca at Primitive Site # 8 in Mousetail SP along the TN River... Happy feet enjoying mid-60's temps this AM with a couple Knuckleheads and some Blackbeard's Delight Black Rifle in the mug: Headed to Nashville tomorrow to collect my bride and VFR-direct to Guntersville on Tuesday... Safe travels, All!

Steve - What is your absolute "cut-off" date and time for this project? Bill

As mentioned in an earlier rant, we did the "ride-along" test before and after replacing the spring packs... Over a 3+mile course over improved but rutty country roads, there was no "felt" difference at speeds up to 25mph, before/after. Higher speeds may show different results. Riding back there wasn't anything like the difference riding in our 2016 (stock) RAM 3500 and our 2022 (almost stock) TUNDRA. Huge difference between the two. Although the RAM rode like a "buckboard" (I don't think it would scramble eggs) but the TUNDRA rides like a car, soft yet sure footed. Actually, I was somewhat impressed how stiff the ride felt before changing spring packs. DBo (Dusten Bowden, an 18-yr OTT Veteran) has concluded that OTTs are way under sprung for their construction. JFTR: He was very impressed with the Alcan upgrade and would recommend them for any owner, especially for those that have experienced 4-pack spring failure - as its a perfect time for upgrading. Someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe Mr. Oliver insisted on 5-packs and 5.2k# axles on both his rigs... FYI and as it may be known, OTT is no longer installing 3.5k# axles on their new LE2 rigs (LE1's have alway had 5.2k# Dexters) - so, like Steve mentioned above, perhaps 5-packs may come in the future. We believe that will be an overall improvement to what we consider an already well engineered product. At the end of the day, the "spring-pack/axle" discussion boils down to individual camping style and personal preference, IMO. The probability of us breaking one or more of our previous 4-pack leaf springs, I'm sure, is a low one. However, I know how we roll - I'm the guy that would break a Chinese 4-pack halfway out on the 14-mile washboard road to Chaco Canyon or on the way to "Moving Rocks" near Furnace Springs, Death Valley. I'd have a spare 4-pack with me, of course - but another one would break on me on the way back after swapping! The discussion does not have a "go/no-go" solution set - it's an "it depends" solution, IMO. Like @Patriot sez, "Roll-ON", regardless... Cheers, All!

What a legend, was and still is my favourite artist!