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Back in 2008, we were excited to hit 100. This past weekend, we reached 4000 total members, over 4000 topics, and over 40,000 posts. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our forum. We do appreciate it! Sherry/seadawg

I would also say thank you to the Oliver Travel Trailer owners and employees. After all, they are really the reason for this forum’s existence. I would also extend a shout out to the forum moderator's, who are always present to offer guidance to all who seek it as well as their collective expertise. Mossey

How I Installed a Battery Cut-Off Switch: After much delay becuse I couldn't figure it out, I finally installed a battery cut-off switch on our Ollie hull 217, and it turned out easy to do. We store the trailer at a remote covered location. I didn't like to keeping the batteries on charge for long periods, and I didn't like the seemingly unavoidable small drains take the batteries down over time. My new switch installation cures both these problems. I know other owners have installed similar switches, but still wanted to share my method. The installation will be familiar to anyone with boating experience. I wanted the switch inside for convenience, and because I had installed safety bolts on the slides on each side of the battery rack. The rack is really secure, but removing these bolts takes a bit of time. Fortunately on my Ollie both of the two hot (+) wires installed by the factory and and coming off the batteries both go through the aft compartment wall and into the space underneath the streetside bunk. That greatly simplified my switch installation. The steps were: 1. Disconnect & remove batteries from rack. With four batteries there are a lot of short connecting wires. Take a picture or make a sketch before you disconnect anything so you know battery orientation and what wires go back where. 2. Install a Blue Seas or similar marine battery switch underneath the streetside bunk. With a properly sized hole saw and a bit of sanding the body of the switch can be placed into the under-bunk compartment with only the switch face projecting into the living space. 3. Pull the two factory installed hot (+) supply wires through the aft compartment wall and into the space under the streetside bunk. Do not disconnect the wires from their connections inside the under-bunk compartment. 4. Prepare and run a new hot (+) supply wire to run from the batteries to the new switch. There needs to be enough slack so that the battery rack can be pulled out once the installation is complete. In my case I used 48" of #6 gauge wire, with a 5/16" and a 3/8" terminal at each end. Only #6 gauge wire, because most everything in our Ollie is low amp load LED or solid state. If I had a larger amp draw, perhaps from an inverter, I would have used #2 gauge wire for the new supply run, and used automotive lugs which can handle a higher amp load. Run the new supply wire through the battery compartment wall and hook up to the input side of the Blue Seas switch. 5. Continue to leave the old hot (+) wires connected to the factory installed terminals inside the under-bunk compartment. Prepare new runs for these two wires backwards so they can be hooked up to the load side of the new switch. Cut the wires to the right length so they can be connected to the new switch without too much excess length. Install new wire terminals and connect these two wires to the load side of the new switch. Secure these wires from vibration along their runs with self-stick mounts and cable ties. 6. Carefully reinstall the batteries and rewire. 7. When desired, turn off the new switch to completely disconnect batteries from the trailer load. If plugged in, I disconnect shore power before doing so. Best regards to all, John Shkor SailorsAshore

Hi everyone, I had the same thing happen to my floor flange about a year ago. My Ollie is a 2015 #103. The flange cracked and the toilet also moved around. This allowed vapors to seep past the flange gasket. It was not pleasant. I remove the toilet and flange screws, but was having difficulty getting the flange out of the tank. I didn't want to crack or damage the tank. I thought that the flange my be GLUED to the tank. I spoke with Jason and he made it easy to understand. Jason told me that the flange is glued to a short (approx. 6") piece of pipe. The pipe and flange is NOT glued into the tank, it is only pressed into a rubber bushing at the top of the tank. You should be able to remove the flange after removing the screws. Some parts of the flange might crumble, because it is not easy to get the pipe out of the tank. The tank is more like a rubber bladder than a ridged tank. It was difficult to get the new pipe (with the flange glue to it) into the tank. Again, Jason advised me to use liquid dish washing soap to lubricate the tail piece attached to the flange. After using the soap, the pipe was much easier to insert into the tank. You can use ABS or PVC for the repair. The ABS is black and harder to find. You will the flange and a short piece of pipe also. Good Luck! Shirley

The only reason you need an adjustable mount is if you plan to use it on multiple trailers. A simple fixed ball mount and a regular ball are fine. I prefer an extended (extra long) shank so I can stack hardened Grade 8 flat washers under the ball as needed to fine tune the height. The fancy hitches are expensive and beautiful, but more prone to theft and harder to store away when not plugged into your receiver. You need to base your mount choice on the distance to the top of the receiver when the truck is heavily laden, as if for a long road trip, not when it is sitting empty in your garage. John Davies Spokane WA

Glad you got it to work. I've now uploaded it to youtube as well in case anyone else is having trouble getting it to play. You may want to view this full screen or on youtube in theater mode to be able to read the text.

Overland: Fully understand. The Blue Seas 360 is a nicely engineered panel. And if you have spent enough time inside the boat cabin during foul weather, electrical panels begins to look good anyway. Carnivore: Look forward to reading about your 12V lithium ion battery experience. We have lithium batteries in two electric bikes, and they pack a lot of power in a small package. Best regards, John Shkor SailorsAshore

PS- whatever you get, make some pictures, post it and most certainly, I will learn something!

I think the answer is simply “Which one can you mod more?”😃

You keep the penance and I’ll do 3 Hail Mary’s instead. And it will be more beneficial to all. Mossey

The two hulls - standard and twin - are identical save for the nightstand and bed rails, which are attached separately. So a standard plan with bed rails and a twin plan without the nightstand would be identical. And yes, there is a hatch underneath. There was some talk either here or at the last rally about Oliver trying to work out a unified plan where the nightstand could be removed and used as part of the support for a king bed. No idea if there’s any truth behind that, but it’s an interesting exercise to consider how that might work.

Careful, she’s an English teacher - you might owe her a three page essay if you don’t watch out.

I don’t think that there’s any additional reinforcement, but I don’t know if it would be needed either. I say go for it.

I see the rain chance for Hohenwald is down to 80% Wednesday. Sherry has a good suggestion about Fall Hollow B&B. Not fancy, but clean with a great breakfast. We stayed there a couple of times and also camped in their RV park. At least you wouldn’t have to rush your orientation and could head to Atlanta the next morning after a nice meal and good nights sleep. Mike

I ordered a new salt and pepper shaker set by Josep Joseph last year. The tiny units stick together with magnets, seal well, and are easy to refill. Fits in my pocket, or in the condiment basket easily. Probably designed for lunch boxes, it's perfect for small spaces Holds enough s and p for at least several weeks, for us. (And, room for rice grains in the salt shaker to help with summer humidity.) It's on sale at bed bath and beyond for $5 right now. My other latest favorite is a manual zoodle maker. I don't like making pasta in the camper, and we both like zucchini noodles, anyway. I got this little gadget last year at TJ Maxx. I can cook the zoodles in foil, on the fire, or a quick saute in a pan on the stove, with olive oil and herbs. Very small, no power needed. Available from many places, about $10 on Amazon. The s and p has replaced the old Tupperware sealed minis. Less than half the space . Favorite items you keep in the kitchen?

The best place if in Florida to get ABS pipe is from A mobile home supply company. Most of the stock is ABS.

I received a partial answer from the sales department regarding the 110v outlet situation for 2021 trailers. First, an exact reason for the floor level 110v outlet removal was not provided; however, they did specifically mention Canadian regulations at one point in the conversation. The good news is that the 2021 models should have a new 110v outlet somewhere close to the pantry area opposite the stove. I couldn't nail down exactly where the outlet would be during our call. If anyone is able to get better information, please update us!

I am casually shopping for a nice, indoor stored small utility trailer. Unfortunately the average CL trailer seems to be rusted and rotted beyond belief, but the owners do not appear to think so...... I did find these two beauties, help me decide which to get..... 😄 CL ad: Very unique, too much to list CL ad: Custom paint on a HD Harbor Freight frame Choices choices! Which is your favorite? I wish this forum allowed us to use Polls. John Davies Spokane WA

My Coffee Paraphernalia: Comandante Coffee Grinder Hario Filters/Holder Super fancy Kettle Generally not a fan of items that are one-trick ponies - but coffee is a heck of a drug.

My local Lowe's has 3" pipe in stock. A few fittings. Most has to be ordered. But, quick ship to store. My local depot has pretty much nothing in stock. It probably is a regional thing.

Looks like HD has it.

The video is really nice, Overland. Thanks for taking the time to do that. The screen looks slightly different on an android phone, but the process is the same.

I received an Oliver sighting report from Fairholme Campground on the western shore of Lake Crescent on the Olympic Peninsula. Hope your having fun because we had to cancel our June visit due to Covid. Post a picture or two if you can. Mossey

One of these and no. https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/product/tow-stow-adjustable-ball-mount I should add that, based on your connection height, you'll only need the Small Adjustment model.

FYI -

I noticed that the Bronco has Wrangler tires. Part 'Envy' of the Jeep? Also it comes with tow books on the front, easy to get on to the wrecker? The designers thought it through...

I’ve got one in storage, too. We need to come up with an alternate use for those things.

I agree. It's good that Oliver builds a basic floor plan that can be modified according to individual needs. When a design is too complicated, the options for personal choices are limited. It is fun, however to see some of the innovative ideas owners come up with.

We all have to figure out the best methods of Ollie living on our own, as everyone’s needs are different. Mossey

I admit to looking it up. And I just erased everything else I had to say on the subject and I'll put it in the same file as the first response I wrote last night and didn’t post.😡 Mossey

In our Elite I, we keep the big dinette set up as a bed all the time. I'm not really sure where the leg is, anymore. We use the underbed storage as premium space. Three crates. Sherry

Jairon, You have an interesting idea. But as someone who bought a standard bed LE2, you will spend a lot more time moving cushions than table legs. Granted there are only 2 of us and not 4 unless we count the dogs. We eventually opted for the twin bed conversion and gladly put the large dining table in storage. Mossey

Everything changes with the weather guys. Best job in the world. Be wrong 50 per cent of the time, and still keep your job We just got back from camping in Western NC on our acreage. The forecast stink, but we went, anyway. It was great. That said, we're in the mountains, where the hills make and break the weather. Sherry

I always encourage folks to take the time and shake out the trailer at a nearby campground. We couldn't. We had a tight timeline from the Orlando builder's show to NC, to Hohenwald, and on to the panhandle to drop my brother for a preexisting plane reservation. If we had it to do over, we would have stayed. But, couldn't. That said, we were seasoned rvers, and so are you. Though systems are in different places, many will be at least somewhat familiar. If the weather really stinks, and you don't have a pet with you, I recommend Fall Hollows bed and breakfast. Nice, clean, friendly midwest people. If they have a room available Our first trip back to Hohenwald was 6 months after pickup, to have solar retrofitted . February 2008, to labor day, 2008. Like you, we can fix most anything. Fortunately, we didn't have anything to fix. Sherry

Jairon, I know Oliver deleted the nightstand on at least one build. Andrew

Yes, it's a separate piece - they caulk the front edge to hide the joint. I've never actually tried to take it off so they may also glue it in addition to the screws, but I doubt it.

Ugh. Think I'll stick to trailers.

Thank you Sherry and Overland! I know that I found this dross very useful and I’m glad I didn’t respond last night. It might have been perceived as snarky. Mossey

There's another option, which is to click on the blue + to the left of the Quote button. Click the + on both posts that you want to quote (you have to go back to the original post of the embedded quote). You can click as many posts as you want to add. A blue Quote box will pop up on the lower left once you click the first +. When you've selected everything you want to quote, click the blue Quote pop-up and both quotes will be added to your reply. Now, to embed the earlier post into the other, click on the other little + that pops up when you hover the mouse over the quote block. (It's actually two little crossed arrows, but it looks like a +). Then drag the post into the other one. It sounds confusing, but it's actually simple. I'll see if I can make a video of it. Screen Recording 2020-07-27 at 10.39.13 AM.mov

I saw this on MSN, this vehicle is neither a plus, or a minus with me, I'm a Jeep Wrangler guy. https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/is-the-2021-ford-bronco-too-late-to-the-game/ar-BB16RNuO?li=BBnb4R5 The pic just says, Wrangler, did you watch the show for the Jeep, or Dixie. trainman

Hi Gary, welcome to the forum. I’m sure you’ll get a number of answers to your questions. Here are my thoughts... We opted for the twin bed model because we didn’t want to be climbing over each other to get up in the middle of the night, the twin beds allow much easier access to the overhead storage over the beds on the sides and back and we like the nightstand. The two seat dinette is just right for us, so the larger U-shaped table that converts to the big bed wasn’t something we needed. Prices on used Olivers are high. Supply and demand! Lance makes a nice trailer and they make a lot of them. Oliver makes a nicer trailer but not too many. We’re in our 5th year with our Oliver and it is just as solid today as it was when we picked it up. I’m sure it will be the same in 5 more years. Mike