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$150 to $250 off on their 100AH LiFePO4 batteries today if anyone is looking. https://battlebornbatteries.com/product-category/lifepo4-batteries/

Here's a picture of a partially installed Zamp Obsidian 100 Watt panel on the front part of the roof. This super simple addition doesn't require any changes to the standard Zamp 30 Amp charge controller or access port on the roof (there are only 2 of 3 ports used). Anything additional will require an upgrade to a 50 or 60 Amp charge controller. There's still a decent federal rebate for solar this year. Before anyone goes crazy, I haven't finished mounting this yet. I've got a question in to Jason about using some sort of stainless screws in addition to the VHB and then I'll seal it up with 3M 4200 just as Oliver did to the mounts on the other 2 panels.

I have used the Camco 20135 Brass Quick Hose Connect, that look like the ones in @FrankC's pictures. I really like the quick connects for the convenience. However, I have found they start to leak after a while and need to be replaced periodically. Reading about the Eley fittings that @John E Davies mentions, they are made from brass, while the Camco is a mixture of brass and plastic. I searched on Amazon for brass quick connects, and found this brass HQMPC Garden Hose Quick Connect set of three on a Black Friday special price. The reviews are excellent, and they pass the fakespot test.

I considered it, but I think the risk of damage to the ports is too high, especially if your trailer has no mud flaps. A lot of road debris gets projected straight at that area. Imagine running over a truck tire carcass.... Plus it looks a little weird IMHO. I do however screw in a quick disconnect at home when I fill the fresh tank. mainly because it is much easier to screw in an adapter than to screw in a garden hose, and I already have these installed on all my residential garden hoses and accessories. They are SUPER high quality, ten year warranty and you can replace the 0-rings if they leak. https://www.eleyhosereels.com/products/garden-hose-quick-connect-system If you want to use any quick disconnect on an Ollie, it would be easy to find a rubber cap to cover JUST the male part, like a chair tip. It would look better than a bunch of extra stuff hanging out. Just make sure to measure first. ...https://www.amazon.com/Shepherd-Hardware-8763E-8-Inch-Diameter/dp/B076FN29LK/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=rubber+crutch+tip+1"&qid=1606500847&sr=8-8 ... or just go by your local hardware store. John Davies Spokane WA

I use quick connects on all of the water connections on our Ollie. Makes setup and tear down at campgrounds a lot faster. Bought extras so I could have one attached to the cap that is already on the fittings. And I put a 1/4 turn ball shut off valve at the hose end to turn off the water quickly anytime we leave the camper for an extended time. And a 45 degree elbow so it doesn’t stick out too far.

I was told that they will also have some scratch and dent stuff for offer on Monday - batteries with cosmetic blemishes or which fell slightly outside their rated capacity, etc.

EDIT 12/16/20: see this thread for how to swap: .... https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/4812-how-to-progressive-dynamics-pd4045-lithium-upgrade/ $168 shipped, no sales tax. I just ordered one, and I plan to order a couple of Lithium batteries within a week. ETrailer.com sells this for $211, free shipping, plus sales tax. Quite a savings. https://www.ltdrvparts.com/PROGRESSIVE-DYNAMICS-PD4045-LITHIUM-CHARGING-SECTION-PD4045LICSV-PD4045LICSV.htm NOTE: Later units are already lithium capable, I do not know an easy way to tell if yours is, other than looking right at your circuit board or possibly by calling Oliver Service... You have to remove the front cover (1 small square drive screw in the center, snaps around the outside) and check. Be VERY careful if you are connected to shore power, there are lots of live wires in there that could kill you. If you are at all in doubt, disconnect shore power and the batteries, and work by flashlight! Here is mine (Hull 218, April 2016 delivery): This was posted by another member, I edited it for clarity. This is a new Lithium capable board. Note the jumpers. Here is a wide shot of my unit, you must look at the board in the very upper left corner. It is easier if you just take a picture to look at. When I change mine I will post a full HOW TO thread with pics and info. “When” depends on when I get the converter part and the Victron batteries. I already have a Victron smart monitor installed, and the Oliver installed Zamp solar controller is lithium capable already. I hope this is helpful. John Davies Spokane WA

I am thinking about switching (when I install lithiums in a while), but I want a Victron unit, which is not flush mounted and it has no built display. I could use their app to view charging status, but I admit I like the easy to read Zamp amperage display. I like to watch it change and cheer on the panels when the sun gets brighter and the numbers go up .... well, sort of. I could live without that eye level display but... What do you do with the big rectangular hole in the cabinet? Flat piece of painted aluminum? Drill holes in it for extra airflow? Would it be better to relocate the controller down with the inverter and other electrical stuff rather than mounting it up high? I tried routing some wire from top to bottom and could not figure out a way to string it through the tight gap at the wall. I would rather put it up high where the Zamp is now for ease of connecting the wires, but if it would work better elsewhere, then I am all ears. Finally, can you post actual real world numbers for the improvement over the original setup? I have read lots of theoretical advantages, but the bottom line is HOW MANY MORE AMP/ HRS do you get with the standard Ollie array? If you have replaced your original unit with an MPPT one, please help. John Davies Spokane WA

John, That's a good price, Thanks for the link. Started looking at this unit to upgrade to Lithium batteries recently when Mike posted about his progressive unit. Replaced the original unit a couple years ago with a non-lithium charging unit. Lithium batteries were not on my radar at that time. It's easy to replace.

That does look really nice.

Looks great. Their new panels certainly have a nicer profile.

4/0 should be fine, unless you mean 4 awg which would probably be too small. I actually use pairs of 1/0 which is what Victron recommends for the Multi 3000. That’s equivalent to a single 4/0 in cross section, but is supposed to stay cooler under load, and also just easier to work with. Interestingly though, while talking to Battleborn earlier this week, they told me that they felt Victron’s recommendation was overkill (agreed), and that they’ve seen it actually cause problems on occasion with their batteries. The reason is that there’s a very brief outrush of current when the inverter is turned on, as the batteries charge the inverter’s capacitor; and apparently 4/0 cable offers so little resistance that the batteries can see that outrush as a short circuit and trip their protection circuit. I’ve never had that problem, but they recommended that I remove one of the 1/0 cables to prevent it from happening.

I actually made reservations months ago at an RV park in Fort Myers. I figured that it could become a problem being Florida in March and less people flying due to covid. So we will spend the time learning our new rig and playing golf and pickleball in our spare time. Come spring and summer I see state and national parks in our future along with some boondocking.

I don't see rounding off the end of the pin a problem, but modification to the actual hitch itself in an accident and lawyers today if they can find where modification have been done could cause you big problems in court. It's the same as towing a trailer with a vehicle not rated for the trailer being pulled, know your tow limits and what your tow vehicle will handle under the manufactures ratings. Yes, my 1500 RAM 4X4 needs a WDH, but a 2500 RAM does not for the Elite II, don't cut corners just because you don't want it. trainman

I am looking for Victron deals. Northern AZ Sun and Solar has them for 10% off through DECEMBER 6, does anyone know of a better one? https://www.solar-electric.com/victron-energy-lifepo4-battery-12-8v-100ah.html Thanks, John Davies Spokane WA

Just ordered two! Great deal.

I ordered 1 - 100 Ah 2 weeks ago at $924.00 from an online solar company, my bad. I did receive 2 by mistake on Tuesday. I am now waiting for their response to the over shipment. Maybe they will offer me a special deal. This looks like a great deal and I can envision lots of Ollie's with new batteries for Christmas. Mossey

I would hesitate to buy a first generation new model; spend the extra on a good portable generator.

We're working on several projects now. Solar panel replacement, vent fan, a few others All of our parts have been or on tracking to be delivered in a timely manner (a week or less, standard ups delivery). Even with Thanksgiving holiday.

We finally took Ollie on a camping trip out west and wanted to share a few photos. We visited Kodachrome Basin SP UT and it was raining, so will visit there again on our next trip. Have to say Ollie has great towing manners and very pleasant to camp in!!!!! Winslow AZ: Bryce NP: North Rim: Zion NP: Cedar Breaks NP area: Valley of Fire SP NV: Snow Canyon SP UT:

There was maybe only 4 or 5 camps set up in each campground. Quiet! And magical! The deer were friendly. So, you must be in your new home on wheels! Better than you had hoped it would be? Think we might wait for the new year, and roll on out. Go south of the Mason/Dixon line and flip a coin at every stop sign. Heads take a left, tails take a right, forgot what is straight ahead. Guess it depends on what time sunset is. And you know there are no stops signs on the Interstates so we will stay off them. Stay safe, take pictures, and we will see you back around the Alewise run...

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Oliver friends and family. It’s been a strange year, hopefully we can all resume our normal camping adventures soon! Mike

SNYSDUP - Unfortunately, the forecast for this coming Tuesday morning is not good with the daytime highs not getting out of the 30's! However, just this morning I started the real planning process for my two month fishing trip to Wyoming starting in July, 2021.😄 Bill

Must be the pandemic is almost over. I had an order come yesterday and it was two days early...and it was FedEx... They even delivered to the right place...!

According to this post from @Cobra1169, the Viking tanks should fit. Also, another post.

I put my turkey on the smoker at 5:45 this morning, it was still dark. We’re eating early so had to get an early start. I always do a small turkey on the Primo and Carol does a big turkey in the oven. House if full of kids and grandkids....

From a gorgeous sunny Western Carolina morning - Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Despite the challenges of this past year and likely many more in the future we feel blessed with great health, happiness and freedom. The bird is in and rolling in hickory smoke for several hours and we won’t open the smoker door until our igrill mini meat probe reports on my iPhone that its done! 😊 A toast to a safe, healthy year ahead for all. Happy Camping!

Happy Thanksgiving ! It has indeed been a year for the books. We still have many reasons to be thankful, though. This year's dinner is much smaller, just immediate family, and we'll be eating outdoors. Thankful for a beautiful Florida day that makes this possible.

Just to the left, out of this shot, is Mt. katadan. The "knifes Edge", which is by the northern end of the Appalachian Trail.

BLM oil road, east of Carlsbad and Guadeloupe

Valley of the Gods

Forest Service land, west of Rio Rico, AZ

These are all from our trip the past three weeks: BLM land just south of Sevilleta Wildlife Preserve in NM - Mojave Preserve, dirt road several miles inside the southwest entrance - This is the view from a short hiking trail off the CG at Organ Pipe, which Mike mentioned above. What a great little campground. I think this is FS 761 outside of Sedona. It shows up as Loy Butte Road on Apple maps, but I don't think it's labeled as that elsewhere. It's a popular road to camp on (I think the only one near Sedona), so finding a spot can seem frustrating, but keep driving and your patience will be rewarded. Not a great photo, but this is Zepata Falls BLM CG just outside of Great Sand Dunes. Really nice, but a very punishing three mile road to get there. And I don't have a photo, but I'd also highly recommend the campground at Natural Bridges in Bear's Ears. It's small and the spaces look tight, but the Elite II will fit. But then there's also ample backcountry camping available on pretty much any road outside of the park.

Robin at Banana Banners was who we worked with as well... while our logo was something we brought to her, judging by the look of some of her other projects, she comes up with some amazing designs on her own when asked to.

We worked with Bannana Banners. Chatted a bit. Showed her what I had in mind. She said let me work on it. A few minutes later she had a complete image for my approval. Think a couple of days later I picked up the image. (She would have mailed it to me). It took about 10 minutes to install at our first campsite. It took longer to clean than install.

Here are some shots from Bridger Bay Campground in Antelope Island SP on the Great Salt Lake near Layton, north of SLC. I've used it as a stopover a few times when doing the long haul from near Seattle down to canyon country in southern UT and northern AZ. By this point in the drive - my second night in - I'm ready for a not absolutely full day of driving and want some exercise and beauty. This fits the bill quite well. The camp sites have stunning views across part of the lake, and there's a little unofficial trail up to a headland/ridge that has amazing views out over the lake, and enough walking to feel like I've gotten some exercise and have worked the kinks out from sitting so long. The first time I was there, in mid-late May, there were SO many bugs hitting my windshield and the rest of the front of the van while I drove out the loooong causeway that connects the island to the mainland. Don't say I didn't warn you ;-). There are pit toilets and not much else - possibly some water spigots but I forget. There are showers down the road at a day use beach area that you can drive up to and use at night. On my second trip there, some of the island's buffalo herd were grazing not far from camp. When I came back down from my evening hike up to that ridge and its views out to amazing thunderheads building on the Nevada side mirrored in a super glassy Great Salt Lake, they had moved in across the trail. I have no interest in being charged by a buffalo so I walked cross country through the sage and other brush in a wide arc around them back down to the campground, watching them warily as they watched me warily. I fortunately passed their test. It was fun to wake up to them chowing down fairly close to my van the next morning. One of these years I'll stay two nights and do some longer hiking on the island, which has many miles of trails.

Boondocking, and remote FS campgrounds usually have wildlife nearby, So, how about some wildlife - these were in the area of our camp, in the camp, or on the entrance access. the Bison were somewhat intimidating - leaving the campsite, we had to wait for the herd to move on - they had no concern for the big white thing next to them. Free range cattle drives too!

Here's a shot of a "dry camp" site at one of the established campgrounds in Valley of Fire State Park in NV. It was really sweet, tucked into a very private alcove with the only sign of nearby campers around the corner being the light of their fire glowing on the red rock pillars as you see in the shot of the site. I arrived at the park early enough on a Friday to get one of the more sweet (for me at least) sites, even though the CG was already well more than half full. I'd just been in some more remote parts of UT so the busy-ness of VoF was a little startling at times though I could quickly get away from all that just by heading out on some of the great trails there, and even more so by going cross country (with GPS app and downloaded maps just in case!) across the lovely sandstone there. This site was also a lovely refuge from the LA crowds.

I'm a bit confused. May just be a newbie thing. I assumed that buying a four season trailer meant it could be used to full capacity (exterior shower aside) during four seasons. Seems to me that any trailer, if fully winterized, is equally up to winter time use. We've ordered with composting toilet. Will be traveling with a Buddy Heater and 120v heater as back ups, compressor and gallons of anti freeze. Refectex cut outs for windows and some sort of insulated plug for Max Air. 30lb tanks, solar package with lithium batteries. Planning on jumping in on some of the super smart, cold weather specific mods that have been suggested such as adding vents to basement, better insulation around pipes, temp monitors w/on line alarms, etc... What I am trying to figure out is how to best protect the Oliver adequately for sub freezing traveling and than to use it with full access to on board water once at camp. Am planning on frequent and extended dry camping in deep cold situations. By following different threads it's seems that some have done so with great success while others think it's not really possible. Thanks much for input.

We elected to have Oliver install the Andersen hitch during our recent visit there for service. We had been using a weight carrying hitch and made the switch for two reasons. Even though our TV has the max tow package, the maximum tongue weight allowed without a weight distribution hitch/WDH is 500 lbs. After several trips weighing our rig on a CAT scale, I noted we exceeded that allowance with fresh water onboard. Liability issues compelled us to switch to a WDH. Also we noticed porpoising with the weight carrying hitch. I am very pleased to say that has been all but eliminated and the towing experience is much more enjoyable. I will revisit the CAT scale to see how well the hitch’s weight distribution feature works. I understand that some find it challenging to reconnect the Andersen hitch under certain conditions, e.g. unlevel terrain. We have not yet had the opportunity to reconnect but hope to take advantage of the tips found in the various posts on this forum and the Oliver Owners Facebook page. - Brian