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We found that we weren’t using the cupboards above the dinette very efficiently, since some of the things we were storing there were not very tall. We solved this by buying two of these wire shelves, one for each of the two cupboards above the dinette. Before we got Ollie we were advised to get refrigerator bars such as these, to prevent stuff from falling out when the fridge door was opened. We found that stuff in the pantry shifted around during transit, and so we got some spring-loaded bars double bars for the pantry. We had put heavier stuff on the bottom shelf of the pantry, but things just moved fore and aft during transit, sometimes making a mess. I found the fruit box from the Farmer’s Market fit perfectly, and I could stack canned beers or soda two high in the box to optimize space usage, and they would not shift during transit. But the pantry bars were not enough. The major problem was not being able to maximize the use of vertical space in the pantry. I measured both the available space and the size of the opening at the pantry door, and then went virtual shopping at Amazon and the Container Store, looking at dimensions posted on the web sites. I ended up getting these Wire Storage Organizer Baskets from Amazon. They fit perfectly. GrumbleandTwist put an Ikea bag under the front dinette seat. I wanted something with a solid bottom and sides, as we wanted to carry our pressure cooker in this storage area. So I measured the space and again searched at Amazon and the Container Store. The problem was that bins large enough to use the space effectively are too big to fit through the opening. And then I had an inspiration. Have you ever seen InstaCrates, these collapsible storage bins? We got them at Costco for $7 each, and they are available at Amazon and Walmart for $12-14. We use them when organizing for our trip (foods or clothes), and to carry stuff out to the trailer. At the end of the trailer trip, we bring a bunch of collapsed InstaCrates out to the trailer and use them to carry stuff into the house. We love them. Well, I discovered that the collapsed InstaCrate will fit through the opening into the storage area under the dinette seat, and then I can open it up when it is inside the storage compartment. It works well for our needs.

BACKGROUND: In previous threads I learned that a front hitch on my F150 should help with maneuvering my LE2 up a 7 degree driveway, and around the side of the house. I purchased and installed a Curt FH for the F150 (that was fun). The receiver of the FH sits even with the front axle (12 inches off the ground). That’s not very high. To get a better height to meet the hitch on the LE2, I’m using a 5” rise ball mount with a 2” rise ball (so the top of the ball is about 20” off the ground). ISSUE: Here’s the thing, I expect that when I push the LE2 up the driveway, and my front tires are still on the road, the bottom of the ball mount will meet (SCRAPE) the sloped ramp of the driveway. Unloaded, there is about 1” clearance, but with 500-600 lb of tongue weight, not so much. SOLUTION: Ultra-Fab Receiver Mount Protector. (A better name is a “ball mount protector”). The roller engages the slope before the bottom of the ball mount and keeps the nose up until the front wheels of the F150 leave the road and engage the ramp as well. See the pic Ultra-Fab Products 48-979020 Receiver Mount Protector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJHZKW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_B9yJCbCS6W9DQ

I made this because the Owners Manual towing and camping lists are simply lame. This one is set up like an aircraft preflight checklist. Feel free to edit and change as needed, some items may not apply or you may just want to do it differently. Mine is laminated and posted inside the closet door: Click the attachment at the bottom to download the Word file. John Davies Spokane WA OLIVER-TRAILER-CHECKLIST-–.docx

Dang... I never would have thought of that. Neat solution. Look for a PM from me. Scotty

G & T - Here is another idea for you: I've got two of these that I use to store little items in. They fit very nicely in the cubbies. I did glue strips of 3/8" thick foam on the bottoms so that the lower drawer would clear the lip of the storage area. They measure: 7" wide 7 1/8" tall 8 1/4" deep - including the little pull handles on each drawer

The March 22 2018 link is good, not the one at the top of this thread, which is a dud, and I cannot edit that post! Or try here. http://olivertraveltrailers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/OLIVER-TRAILER-CHECKLIST-021818.docx Be sure to edit it for your particular equipment. For example external solar panel or sat antenna, tv coax, etc, none of which I have. Also, I have tire pressure listed as “80 psi recommended.” While true, you could change it to your actual running pressure, in my case for an Elite II, I use 45 psi. As far as I know, Oliver still has not changed their recommendation to reflect actual real world pressure, rather than the very high sidewall rating. John Davies Spokane WA

John, We converted the Bellevue Ohio roundhouse with turntable into a Maintenance of Way Equipment shop during the 80s. Steam engine folks always wanted to used one of our bays for maintenance during the winter. The 490,000 pound N&W 611 J class used our turntable to come into the shop for the winter. Steam Engine folks wanted to bring the N&W 1218 into the shop too, but at over 900,000 pounds we would not let them cross the turntable. Historical groups loved to visit the shop, discuss shop history, and see the turntable operate.

Well after enjoying our Casita for the last couple of camping seasons we have just signed on the dotted line and will be getting our new Elite II in July. We are John and Susan L. from Ft. Worth, Texas and since the day we saw our first Oliver at a Casita Rally we said, that's our next trailer. I won't go into all the qualities of the Oliver, you all know about that and yes, I'm pretty picky about my stuff and the Oliver became our choice, so it's done. I go by "trainman" on the forums and also on the model railroad forums, yes I like trains, my favorite in the D&RGW Narrow Gauge, like in Durango and Chama. Susan and I both enjoy the outdoors and when at home we spend a lot of time outdoors, we do enjoy a glass of wine down by the lake enjoying the sites on our property. We will pass on the "Boondocking" part of camping, but spending a night in a Walmart parking lot is about as far we go when it comes to no hookups. We ordered our new Oliver without all the solar stuff and some of the other electronics that are available, we can stay home if we need to and enjoy that type of living there. I'm a real perfectionist and hands on guy and no project is something I won't give it a go, well I should say, if I will do it at this point in my life. Susan is an exceptional person and fits in where ever needed, she can handle it, I probably don't give her enough credit for the things she does. We both enjoy meeting and talking with others, I'm pretty outgoing, Susan is a little more reserved, thank goodness one of us is, she keeps me inline. We both are looking forward to meeting many of you down the road, camping is a wonderful experience enjoyed by many. trainman and trooper, John and Susan L.

We weighed our 2008 Elite many years ago on the way home from a camping trip. Loaded for camping, with two 20 lb propane tankd, our tongue weight was a little over 400 lbs. 420 sticks in my mind. With gear, some grey, black, and fresh water, I think we were around 3550 to 3600 pounds. I probably still have the weigh ticket in the records. You could call Oliver for your weight, I would think. Then add in your gear and water, propane, etc.. Are you planning to drive the Colorado? Should be a great looking rig. We picked ours up with a Volvo xc90 in 2008, and towed with my stepside 2005 Silverado for awhile, til we got the 4 x4 Ram. Happy to see a few more Elites on the road. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we have enjoyed our little trailer for the last 11 years. Sherry

Roundabout - 1. I don't think that there would be a problem with what you are proposing. However, since I have the twin bed model, hopefully those that actually have the king bed setup will come forward to answer this question. 2. With the Elite II your hitch weight will normally be between 500 and 600 pounds. Most (if not all) vehicles other than heavy duty trucks require a weight distribution hitch if that weight is at or over 500 pounds. Therefore, it is my guess that, yes, you will need one. However, you should look at specifically what is required for your vehicle. 3. There have been a number of discussions on this Forum about gutter guards. This is what is most commonly used: https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Products-OW01044-White-Gutter/dp/B01GWF8BYS/ref=sr_1_9? crid=2C93VH46P2K4X&keywords=rv+gutter+guards&qid=1552229679&s=gateway&sprefix=rv+gutter+guards%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-9 However, take a close look at the picture of the Elite II that is shown here on the Forum just as you log in. It shows an awning over the dinette window that was adapted by Little House Customs from a design that is used on the Casita. 4. I suggest that you just read through the Forum to get some idea of what owners have to say about problems they have had with their Olivers. I think that you will find that most problems are associated with products that are not specifically made by Oliver (i.e. fridges, heaters, etc.). In any case, all new Olivers come with a five year warranty on the frame, lifetime on the shells, and, bumper to bumper for one year on the whole thing. Of course this is in addition to any warranty that a component manufacturer has on their product. Plus, just this past week you probably saw this Forum post: http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/oliver-service-department/ Bill

@ Bill: Umbrella coverage riders are common and relatively inexpensive. I carry one due to living on a mountain side and also participating in extreme sports. I suspect that OTT owners tend to be a bit better off financially than most, and as such a would have resources that ought to be protected from such legal entanglements. Hence dropping a dime to ask their insurance carrier about an umbrella and its cost is worth more than a quarter. @ John D: Liability waivers are effective in the majority of states. We use them at 99.9% of our hang gliding and paragliding sites as a result. So far they have been effective in court scores of times. In my case, a pilot while on tow made critical errors and crashed. My Texas waiver was reviewed by USAA and they stood behind me as a result. The law suite was filed not by the pilot that crashed, but by his medical insurance provider OVER his objections. Same likely will happen to the OTT owner with the face plant incident. The lady likely will admit she was not rendering due care and fell. But her insurance company will go after the trailer owner and OTT as well. A liability waiver would at least even the playing field.

Will there ever be an Oliver Owners Rally West, say near Denver or SLC? I have zero interest in coming to the eastern half of the country. It would be a lot longer haul for the Hohenwald folks, but it would draw in people who probably will never attend one close to TN. BTW, my wife, dogs and I will be attending the NW Overland Rally in central WA starting June 28, we could use the company of another Ollie.... Thanks, John Davies Spokane WA

Yes, you plug the cable into the truck, and then plug the trailer plug into the receptacle on the 57003. On my vehicle the spring loaded door on the receptacle has a protrusion that locks the seven pin cable in place. The spring loaded door on the 57003 has a similar protrusion to lock the cable in place. If I had it to do over again I would go with the Tow Ready 20142. The cable on the Camco 57003 is too long. To reduce the slack and prevent the connector box from hitting the ground I used cable ties to attach the excess cable to the trailer. I had already purchased the Camco 57003 when I found info on the Tow Ready 20142 online, and I am not shelling out another $25 for cable aesthetics.

Hi Explorer7, I sure do understand your wanting to drop over the horizon to simply enjoy your Ollie in peace. I used to have a personal website filled with motorcycle articles, and after a few years I was getting overwhelmed with unwanted attention and questions. It gets old REALLY fast. So last Fall I let my domain name quietly expire and I too am now Anonymous, at least in terms of people wanting stuff from me over the Internet. I hope you will pass on to your close friend Buzzy that he and his dog are always welcome at my campfire or at my home. Keep this in mind as you wander out West. Maybe we could meet up during the Great Eclipse. I hope you will be out here, and will let us know where we might find you. I have really enjoyed talking with you here, we will all miss you! PLEASE do not totally abandon this place. Pop in every now and then to say hello. Happy trails. John Davies Spokane WA