Leaderboard

I decided to go with a two canister system and it has worked very well. I ordered it from: https://www.rvwaterfilterstore.com/index.htm This is a great website and business. You can learn a lot there, at least I did. They also sell the best hoses I've come across. Our first filter is for sediment, the second is a carbon filter that is rated to .5 microns. Plugged into the spigots at all our camp spots, the water flow has been more than adequate. Although not in the picture below, I have since added a wye to the outflow side of the system so that I can fill water jugs more easily. Currently, we don't drink from the onboard tanks but have separate water jugs for that. The tanks are probably fine and no doubt we'll do that some day, but old habits are hard to break I guess. Plugging the filters into the "City Water" and "Fresh Water" inlets has been very easy and works well. I have not yet tried siphoning through the filters using the on board water pump. I hope this will be doable. The stand is just a piece of plywood I drilled two holes in that the filter housings drop in to. Keeps connections off the ground and stores flat! A pretty simple setup and replacement filters are available everywhere. Dave

Hello Everyone, I have gotten several calls in regards to the axle size and capacity so I thought I would stop by say hello and make an official statement. Hope everyone is enjoying their Oliver camper and travels. The Legacy Elite 18.5' comes with a 5200lb 12x2 axle that is derated to 5000lbs because of a spring measurement that is 3/4" outside the norm for a 5200lb axle. This is the reason why the GVWR for the Legacy Elite is listed at 5,000 lbs. This axle does have the 12" brakes and 6 lug. The Legacy Elite II is currently being built with dual 3500lb. 10 x 2.25 axles putting the GVWR at 7,000 lbs. The brakes are 10"brakes and 6 lug. Some of the earlier model Elite II trailers were built with the 5200 lb. axles as well as a few models that were produced during November 2014- December 2014. This short run was because Dexter had derated it's 3500lb axle that we were using for the Elite II. We immediately ordered the 5200lb axles during that short run because we chose not to use the derated axles and only switched back to the 3500lb axle once we could get it without it being derated. The website is incorrect where it states 12" brakes on the Elite II page and I will make sure that this gets resolved. With dual axles and 4 brakes it isn't necessary to have the 12" brakes. - Hope this helps, but if anyone has any questions, please feel free to give me a call. - Jason

Sorry, this is a duplicate, please delete if possible. The other thread doesn't mention Free in the title so I ignored it... You won't find a better price. Order ASAP since there is no indication on when the offer expires. QUOTE For all of 2017 this pass gives you unlimited opportunities to enjoy National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites across the country! Please note: You only need to order one pass for your group or family if you are all travelling together. A 2017 Discovery Pass is valid for everyone arriving in the same vehicle at a national park, or arriving together at a marine conservation area or historic site. The Discovery Pass is only accepted at national historic sites which are operated by Parks Canada. Activities such as tours or parking that normally carry a separate fee may not be covered by the Discovery Pass. Camping fees are not included with the Discovery Pass Validity Period: January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2017. Display: The 2017 Discovery Pass must be hung from the rear view mirror of the vehicle facing forward or it can be placed on the front driver side dashboard facing up. UNQUOTE I haven't been into Canada in 30 years for personal reasons since I quit boating in Puget Sound , but plan to take the future Ollie next summer to do a little exploring around Nelson BC. (In spite of the persisting personal reasons.) John Davies Spokane WA

I just heard in an email from Jason that the Elite II spare tire cover has been enlarged and it will now fit over a full sized tire. This is good news, but I have to wonder, does this mean that they will no longer be including a smaller sized spare tire? There would be no reason at all to keep doing so. Five all one size makes sense in so many ways. I have ordered a full sized spare for my build. John Davies Spokane WA

So... Karen knows water and me? Yea, I live on our old family homestead and grew up on spring water. People pay a lot of money to drink the water that I flush down our toilet. Working on water systems is what I have done in many different ways for most of my life. I simply use this canister filter - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00523AMBC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=DVETVI1ZF5E8&coliid=I1W91UN1Q5ULWK&psc=1 and I prefer this filter over the in-lines by far. Yes, it's bigger but it works great as is. Plus I can pull it apart and wash it if needed or simply put in a new filter. If I know that water is going to taste bad in certain locations then I take water with me because I don't put bad tasting water into my tank. I have a 3' short line that connects to the camp faucet and it is plumbed directly into the filter. When I take it back off of the faucet, I screw the end of the 3' hose onto the male output of the filter to keep everything sanitary. I do the same with my hoses, roll them up and then use bungee balls on each side to hold them rolled up for storage. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DPLM5YU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=DVETVI1ZF5E8&coliid=I2ANTUI1CI9D97 The first thing that I do before hooking up is to get a glass and give the faucet a taste test. If the water tastes bad and my tank is low, then I will hook it up to the city water connection for water use only but I don't fill my tank with it. When we find a place with really good water, then I fill the tank, plus my spare 8 gallon tank or even 30 gallons more if in the desert where I carry the extra needed water in 15 gallon food grade barrels - https://www.amazon.com/Gallon-Emergency-Water-Storage-Barrel/dp/B01CATSTT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1484885753&sr=1-1&keywords=15+gallon+food+grade+barrel if I'm not sure how the water will be when we get to our next destination. The city water connection does bypass the pump but the pump will run if it's not turned off. Then the fresh water inlet is where you directly fill the water tank and there is an overflow under the trailer that will start pouring water out when the tank is full. This connection is simply for filling the tank. In order to use the rear port to fill the tank, some valves need to be changed because this is for adding antifreeze into the lines also. But by turning the valves, fresh water can also be pumped directly into the tank. I've used different systems for filling the tanks with gravity flow for years but now just by turning a valve, I can fill the tank by using the pump to siphon it at first and then pump it into the tank on the Oliver. I asked Jason if they could put in a standard 1" gravity feed Rv water port for me, and that was another request, like the single step that was denied, so being able to get to the valves when boondocking is something that will need to be planned ahead for. If I know where I'm staying then I plan ahead. If it's going to be in a campground or at a place where I can fill up with good water, then I will travel with just a little water in the tank. Enough to use the restroom a few times in a pinch if needed. So basically I start out with great water from here at the house and even after sitting for a couple of months in the tank, it still tastes great. Then if I hit a bad spot, I will add some bleach to the tank, clean it and then rinse it thoroughly before filling it back up. Then in the winter, we keep the tank full to prevent it from freezing while out traveling. Water transfer is easy to a gravity feed port with the Simple Siphon and I carry one with me because they're small. I used it all of the time for the Casita and I will find out for sure if it will work with the Olli. If nothing else, it can still be used to start the siphon to the pump when pumping water into the tank. Reed https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/DVETVI1ZF5E8/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2

Hi, I used to be a sales rep at Culligan Water for 8 years. I tested water and sold equipment to solve well water issues for residential customers. If you are concerned about having the most filtered water possible then I would suggest a Reverse Osmosis System that will also include a sediment filter to protect the RO membrane, and will also include a carbon filter to remove VOC's (volatile organic chemicals) and improve taste. You can purchase one with an ultra violet light to kill bacteria, however, the light bulb needs to be kept very clean and replaced often. We use an activated carbon filter between the faucet and the fill line. If you know you will be in a place with dirty or sediment filled water, then having a sediment filter would really come in handy to have on before the activated carbon filter to protect it from coating the carbon and shortening the lifespan of the carbon filter. If you are concerned about fluoride and the best filtered water then the RO system would be best. FYI, With all carbon filters pay attention to the estimated gallon usage because the carbon once gunked up can actually start introducing contaminants back into your water and will reduce your water flow significantly. It's better to replace more often than recommended instead of letting it go too long. They do make portable RV water softener systems to address high hardness problems and alo to treat not to high iron levels. I have never sold or used one for an RV, so I can not address their usage in an RV. Don't fall for any gimmicks to treat hardness such as magnets etc... We carry with us a LIFESAVER Expedition Jerrycan Water Filter (20,000UF) in case of emergencies or disasters. The Lifesaver will allow you to drink from really bad pond water in an emergency if there is some sort of disaster and you need safe drinking and cooking water. We also bought the carbon filter for it too. The LIFESAVER 20000UF jerrycan is a microbiological water filter that uses ultra filtration technology to filter out viruses, bacteria, cysts and parasites from contaminated water sources. Lifesaver technology filters out bacteria to a minimum of Log 6 (99.9999%), viruses to a minimum of Log 4 (99.99%) and cysts to a minimum of Log 3 (99.9%) as specified by NSF Protocol 231, based on recommendations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). NSF/ANSI standard microbial removal claims are 99.9999% or greater for bacteria, 99.99% or greater for virus, and 99.9% or greater for parasite cysts. I can't address the best way to install filters in you trailer, that is up to you and how you want to proceed. I would definitely run the RO in the basement if you chose that route but realize that it takes a lot of water to create RO filtered water and wouldn't be real efficient if you are boondocking without a water source. Pay attention to the advertised water exchange rates so you are aware. Some, such as Culligan have a 3 to 1 ratio, cheaper versions may have up to 5 to 1. Meaning, for each gallon cleaned and usable, 3 to 5 gallons are wasted and go down the drain or into your gray tank depending on the application. Good luck, Karen Lukens

The Garmin camera may have some issues, but it is a super simple installation. There is nothing at all to be done in the tow vehicle - it is wireless. You just replace the standard power cable to the Garmin gps head with the new one which has the wireless receiver built in. The only change from the basic camera setup is that I want to add an extension video cable and relocate the transmitter in the front of the cabin. The reason I want to stick with Garmin is that I plan to add more two cameras - the gps will handle four, and there are no extra cables running to the display. One camera will go over the hitch and one will go in the front grill. I can live with a low res display, but it does have adjustable reversing lines which are nice. I need to be able to see over the nose of my truck when offroad, and obviously I need the other two for hitching and reversing into a campsite or my garage. John Davies Spokane WA

Ahhhhhh, those were the days . . . "stripper pole" conversations. Ha! I had just gotten over the occasional nightmare envisioning Mountainborn, camo-thong and all, using the stripper pole for his middle of the night walks to the front of the trailer. (shudder) Thanks a lot, Overland.