Leaderboard

My trailer came with the black weatherstripping. It does not bleed. I do pull it out when I wash to clean the window tracks. I drop them in the bucket to clean then use some 303. No issues, unlike the gasket around the porch lights! BTW, after asking Jason about replacement gaskets and porch light covers I bought some new ones and a sheet of rubber. The new lights are about the same shape but with an aluminum cover, not plastic. They were half the price of what Oliver uses. I’ll do a post once I have them installed with pictures. Mike

Here's another approach to bike rack carriers for Oliver Travel Trailers. Before going any further, I must say this might not be ideal for folks with a desire for maximum rear clearance ... and I've seen a post where an owner scraped one the rear cross supports. With 12-inches clearance on level ground, we haven't had that problem even with a steep driveway. Our old Airstream did drag when we attempted parking in that driveway. I'll acknowledge some folks may need more clearance, so for those folks I recommend going with an above bumper mount or tongue mount. We've been toying with ideas for a bike rack receiver for Dickens (OLEII 397) since the day of our factory tour last summer. At that time, Oliver had discontinued the model previously sold and we wanted a way to securely carry bikes outside the pick-up truck bed. After looking at ways other folks approached this and thinking about receiver hitches on various vehicles, we came up with essentially what you see in the attached photos. A big difference from the prototype ready for installation the weekend before the 2019 Rally is that the frame attachment points are inside the frame rails instead of outside. Once I had the diamond plate cover off it became evident that we could mount the support plates up between the sheet metal pan and the frame rails. That would shorten the receiver cross member (making is stronger) and much more importantly preclude cutting the diamond plate thereby improving the outward appearance. So, I reinstalled the diamond plate and prepared Dickens for the trip to Alabama ... without bikes. I should say that my original desire was to fabricate this receiver from aluminum to be consistent with the awesome Oliver frame. However, since my bike rack (1UP-USA.com) uses a 2-inch tube I needed a 2-inch receiver. Unfortunately, my metal supplier wasn't able to locate the necessary stock. We could have had it machined from bar stock but decided to just go with readily available steel. I have the design drawings in both aluminum and steel, with both analyzed to ensure adequate strength. While my intent is to remain below Oliver's limits (even with two bikes), the analysis shows the receiver can withstand far greater weights. By the way, you may note there are no safety chain attachment points on this receiver! Last point, for those possibly concerned with license plate visibility, 1UP-USA racks have an accessory for mounting the plate. We haven't gone that route because the tag is visible through the bike frames. If we decide to put a cover on the bikes, we'll get the plate holder. Okay, enough typing. Take a look at the pictures and please feel free to comment or PM me if you'd like more information. Thanks for your interest. Update: Attached is a copy of the design drawing from which the receiver was fabricated. It is offered for information only; therefore, no guarantee or warranty, either expressed or implied, applies. The receiver was drawn to measurements taken from our OLEII. Anyone using this drawing and photos for fabricating one for their Oliver travel trailer are advised to take their own measurements and use them accordingly. Dickens-Hitch.pdf

But unlike a Valentines Day dinner and drinks, I will still use it next week and the next. In fact, mine has been in use for about 11 months. So it works out to about $0.29 a day so far. And my back window came from the factory with black molding that still looks great after nearly 3 years. Which means my $100 investment is just like my 401K, it’s going down every day. At the end of the day, each of us buys something for our Oliver hobby that other Ollie owners might think is a waste of money. Mossey

Will the black weather stripping eventually bleed with time? Just a thought?

1/2" Glass Vinyl Seal Model Number: H109-376 https://www.pellandent.com/RV-Window-Seal

We have one of the battery operated ones. The nicest part is quiet. There's still a time and place for the Stihl, but being able to drop a tree without chainsaw noises has its benefits.

We placed an order for complete bedding for our 2020 Oliver (in production) and during our research discovered that AB lifestyles manufactures a complete waterproof mattress sleeve/cover for the twin mattress set. So we ordered a set. It’s not listed on their website yet so you need to call and inquire if interested. USA made 🇺🇸 by our neighboring state In Iva, South Carolina. We have purchased from AB before and they really do make nice high quality linens. Hope this helps anyone interested. http://ablifestyles.net/?fbclid=IwAR2wQ0n-M5IW3H2kbBB1fEbyrOf5Xb1NxCeBkmKtl5lO3V0pPkurne5P2mo Happy Camping! -Patriot

Following...please post your R&R on the new lights and gaskets.

At $5.17 per foot that glass seal is quite expensive. How many feet would be needed for an entire Ollie LE2? John Davies Spokane WA

Really valuable info Mike. Thank you!

I was wonder that but I am going to 303 them once a month with is wash. We will see it that helps with the bleeding.

Good morning Foy and Mirna, Mossey

Good ideas here. The Oliver shell and frame are solid, the weak points are the standard RV parts and appliances found on most campers. Maybe someone could start an Oliver Custom Shop to do mods now that there are more Olivers on the road. Mike

We have a 2008 Tundra double cab 4wd with 5.7 litre. It has the factory tow package. We towed approximately 5000 miles since picking up our Elite II last October. Our travels have been from Tennessee to Maine and Maine to Florida and back. I added a plug in electronic brake and use the Andersen hitch. The truck is rated for 10500 lbs towing capacity with a payload of 1500 lbs. The 5.7 puts out 380 HP and 401 lbs of torque. Gas mileage is around 13 mpg around town and about 14-15 on the highway when we are not towing. On our trips towing we average overall about 11mpg. Mileage drops in hilly situations. On flat or during normal acceleration you hardly notice the trailer. I am able to tow at 1500 to 2000 rpm most of the time up to 65 mph. The trailer tracks well and I notice very little sway in higher winds. I am confident that the Tundra can handle any up hill grades. The truck has plenty of power. There are 2 areas I would like improvement, the gas tank is small at 26 gallons so I am looking for fuel at 180-200 miles. I also feel the brakes could be better. I contemplated getting a new HD diesel but thought I would see how well the Tundra would work for us before making that expenditure. The Tundra worked very well. I still would like like a new HD diesel for perhaps increased fuel efficiency, additional paylod, bigger brakes,exhaust brake, and no requirement for the Andersen hitch. The Tundra ride is comfortable to me. I give the Tundra B+ grade. As much as I want a new HD truck (and I do want one) with the newer gadgets, I have a hard time justifying the additional funds to replace a truck that I like, is comfortable to me, meets our needs, that has only needed regular maintenance, tires and brakes in the 12 years we have owned it. I think despite the fact that the Tundra is due for a major overhaul I think it is a very good half ton truck. Also in our area they are very much desired in the used market and bring good $ for a good truck. For what it is worth, the 2008 Tundra was the Truck of the year in 2008. If I didn't already have the Tundra when we purchased the Oliver, and needed to purchase a tow vehicle it probably would be an HD diesel, I did test drive all 3 brands of HD trucks. They were all good. I liked the Ford the most. For now it will remain the Tundra for us. Stay healthy and safe.

I pull an E2 with a 2016 tundra and have done so comfortably for about 10,000 mi. I have pulled multiple trips to the CO mountains without issue. I carry a generator, fuel cans, a loaded cooler, and tools in the truck bed. I fill up my water tank and don’t use an Anderson hitch. I occasionally do 70-75mph on the interstate and so far have never experienced trailer sway on this rig. The current incentives are causing me to toy with the idea of getting a new truck. Even though Fords and Chevys have a few more whistles and bells, At this point I will probably replace my tundra with a newer one just because of how well the truck pulls the trailer.

Those pesky Asian beetles...the ones that look like Lady Bugs! Last Fall, we were getting ready to winterize, as we had an early winter event coming in. It was warm, sunny, and a beautiful day. I gathered antifreeze and other supplies. As I came around the stern of the trailer, in the warm sun, it must have been covered with at least 500 of those little pests. We were careful coming in and out as we changed anti freeze bottles, and pumped lines, and so forth. We didn't want those things in there. We probably only had to remove 3 or 4. This Spring "wake-up", I only found 2 "hulls". That tells me the Oliver is essentially tight, and pest free and resistant. We have had SOBs (some other brand) in the past and they used to get invaded. Nice not to have that cleanup...

Bill, After adjusting/lubing the 3" black tank valve & cable, it continued to bypass when in the closed position. Replaced blade valve and seals today following Valterra video instructions starting around 3:10. New Valterra 3" black tank valve body and seals: Valve located under dinette seat: 3" Black tank valve on RH side: Loosen 3" black tank hose to allow removal of the 3" blade valve: Removing cable mounting bracket: 3" Valve removed: Build up on seal surfaces contacting valve blade causing bypass: Silicone lubricant used on seals and blade rod: New valve/seals installed and working great: https://www.valterra.com/product/waste-valve-body-3-with-coupler-seals-hardware/?pcat_id=1445

I just took a look at the one I pulled out of my trailer, and it looks like that piece is bonded to the shaft with epoxy or something.