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While I very much agree with the overall sentiment of John Davies (JD) post above, I very much disagree with the quoted statement above. I'm guessing that JD has had a negative experience with drum brakes (perhaps to include those on his Oliver) but I've been towing various camping and boat trailers for over 50 years (oh my!) with only one hydraulic boat trailer brakes ever causing any problems at all. Specifically, the brakes on my Oliver have performed very well over the past six plus years and can still be made to fully stop the Ollie's tires from turning - yes, I do test them and I do inspect the components of the braking system at least once per year. Basically drum brakes were invented in 1899 and have been used on a fair number of trailers and vehicles since then. According to Haynes.com, "drum brakes provide more braking force than equal diameter disc brakes", "drum brakes last longer due to increased friction contact area versus a disc brake", "drum brakes are cheaper to manufacture", and, "drum brakes have slightly lower frequency of maintenance due to better corrosion resistance". Basically the reason we now have disc brakes on most of our vehicles is because, "disc brakes deliver better performance in both wet and dry conditions" as per napaonline.com. Certainly this is true when brakes are "heavily" used or abused. While the brakes on our Olivers are reasonably typical in that they are delivered from a respected manufacturer - Dexter - who also supplies a number of other trailer manufacturers, this does not mean that they are "junk". However, it does mean that the inherent "problems" of drum brakes still do apply to those used on Olivers and we should be aware of these potential issues. Drum brakes will experience "fade" when used heavily (i.e. long downhill runs where the brakes are heavily used or when a driver "rides" their brakes) thus causing the driver to have to apply even more force to the brake pedal to get even the same braking force. In extreme situations this fade can even cause a major loss of braking power - such as when "the pads or drums become "glazed". Drum brakes are slightly more susceptible to malfunction when used in off-road conditions versus disc brakes because debris can more easily become lodged in the parts of the drum brakes. And, drum brakes are somewhat more difficult to inspect for wear in that the drum must be pulled in order to inspect the brake linings (however, this should be done at least annually anyway when the bearings are greased). Are drum brakes the absolute best braking technology ever invented? - Obviously, the answer to that question is a resounding NO. But, are they "junk" and more specifically, are the brakes that Oliver uses "junk"? Again it would seem that the answer is a resounding NO. Bill

Listening to music on YouTube tonight, and listened to some Eagles. Reminded me of a camping trip with Ollie a few years ago when we camped close to Winslow Arizona and attended a car show on main street:

Same for our Ollie. Beacon will spend Christmas in Florida.

Ours got a wash & wax and a new Calmark cover aka - winter blanket! 😊

FWIW, Dometic, nor any other brand ac, is actually "cheap." They all cost over 1k. The Dometic equivalent of my unit was more expensive, considering the Houghton comes with the adu (interior unit), and Dometic and most others are priced separately. We had the original Dometic in our trailer for 13 seasons. It always worked. It also drained through the Oliver drain lines. I don't think any of the other brands, to date, have that facility. I would say it's true that getting Dometic units has seemed to be a reliable supply chain for Oliver. That's an important factor for a manufacturer. But, i wouldn't regard that as a cost savings, by any means. Do I love that my Houghton replacement streams water down the rear of the trailer? No. But, it fit my size requirements for our self-installed bigger solar panels. It's narrower (which we needed), but longer, which might interfere with Oliver's current panels, with shadowing. IDK. I could have saved $$$ by installing a second fan, instead of ac, for as seldom as we use ac. Unfortunately, the majority of the US accepts the noisier ac in most cases, so the big guys don't spend a lot on bringing the quieter, more efficient European/Australian available units here. I see that changing, as Dometic has brought one of their quieter units in, as a retrofit only, perhaps as a test. Truma has entered the US market. As has Houghton. Coleman ndq is making some advances, though I think supply chain is still tough. Keep asking. Eventually, something will work. In the meantime, yes, it would be nice if service were allowed to install the Houghton. But then, who warrants it? Will there be parts availability? That's a much bigger deal for them, than for us, as individual owners.

I had to change the flange several months ago same issue. Service sent me a new one. It’s a bear to get out it is pressed in, pull up wiggle with both hands. It will start to move up and down start to slam it up and down with both hands it will pop out. It’s hard but will come out. FYI this is how service also recommended how to take it out. Get mad at it it comes out easier 🤬😳

We're getting our OLLIE for Christmas! 😀 And all the accessories..... mb

A new tow vehicle!

I'm King Moon from Knoxville, TN. On 11/11/21 I took delivery of the last trailer produced for the 2021 model year - Hull #948 - Legacy Elite II - Twin Bed Floor Plan Delivery was great and the new camping spots right beside the factory are very convenient. The quality and attention to detail in my unit exceeded my high expectations. I ordered the trailer with the standard tops so that I could install the custom wood tops created by Foy Sperring. I ordered pretty much all of the pieces that he produces - in Black Walnut. I also ordered the Mega size for the dinette top (which is the largest of the 3 sizes he produces). I can't say enough good things about Foy, his communication with me, and his amazing wood creations. I would highly recommend working with Foy if you want to add beautiful wood products/tops to your Oliver. I have attached several pictures. I am looking forward to meeting fellow Oliver owners.

I agree 100% These Brakes work fine.... Sounds to me like someone has some serious issues that they are attempting to project onto others.,.,.,. Just Sayin

We have been asking this for many years. I ordered mine (Hull 218) with an Atwood Air Command 9.5k as a zero cost custom option, it is way more quiet. They no longer do requests like this, but I do not understand why they continue to use the noisy brand which NOBODY likes. John Davies Spokane WA

We did not have the opportunity to attend an Eagles concert, but we got to see Fleetwood Mac in concert in the 70s.

Albert - my wife and I bought a 2021 F250 this year and we don't feel the WDH is remotely necessary. It tows quite easily and there is no sway whatsoever. We bought the F250 to have a better overall towing experience and to avoid the need for a WDH. We towed with a 2020 Toyota Tundra before the F250 and there was also no sway with that truck but there was a fair amount of jounce. We also had Oliver install the larger 2 5/16" bulldog and I'm glad we did. This upgrade from Oliver was around $250 if I recall correctly.

🤢 I always thought this emoji represented envy and every time I felt envious, maybe it was really jealousy. Mossey

I bought a small black and decker years ago. Not the foldable, more powerful model. Don't buy the cheaper one, like I did. Pretty much useless . I've heard the ryobi is good. I now carry a Dyson, that I also use at home. Love it.

I would conduct a water leak test around the outside light fixture above the window. Mossey

Ollie will be getting a second coat of Meguiar’s flagship wax and a small rechargeable vacuum any recommendations?

Our Ollie is going to be bummed out this year considering the attention she got last year for her very first Christmas! This year she's getting a good bath, clay bar and two coats Meguiar's premium marine wax. Under the tree she'll find 3 cutoff valves (one for each of the lines leading to the outdoor shower and one for the fresh water intake line), some fuse labels as well as Timken bearing sets and seals. We're also going camping in December before Christmas, so she is getting a new red carpet runner and some Christmas pillows and lights to get us into the holiday spirit!

We are picking up our Ollie for Christmas,,,DEC. 27

Us, too. July delivery. Just sayin'...

We recently returned home (3,500+ miles) from Hohenwald. We did not come straight home 🙂. I pulled the LE1 Ollie home with the Glyder hitch. For the most part it worked OK. We could not get the trailer level at the Oliver factory using that hitch. It’s important to note that our TV is a Jeep Gladiator. We finally settled on the trailer being somewhat “nose-up”. I needed to be able to lower the hitch ball at least another 3”. There is another adapter that Gen-Y sells but that would the make alignment worse. In this configuration, the hitch had a tendency to lift the tongue of the trail up when backing or during more sudden stops. By design the hitch raises up when the tongue weight drops. When backing the trailer into a site, the tongue would lift up and we had to make sure and pull forward slightly to make sure the hitch was in its lower position with the full tongue weight on the hitch otherwise the trailer would slightly shift positions then raising the tongue off the hitch when disconnecting. It gave us quite a start the first time it happened. It bothered me enough that I switched to the CURT 45949 Rebellion XD Adjustable Cushion Hitch Ball Mount 2-Inch Receiver when I got home. With 15,000 lbs of tow capacity and 1500 lbs tongue weight, and a 6-Inch adjustable drop. This hitch allows me to really dial in the trailer perfectly level. The new hitch pulls very well without the problems mention above. CURT 45949 Rebellion XD Adjustable Cushion Hitch Ball Mount 2-Inch Receiver, 15,000 lbs, 6-Inch Drop https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S5GQ6W9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8YFH8QRV0KVSZ5FFV6RE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 This hitch is a much more robust hitch but after my initial test drive, I’m very pleased with the new hitch. if anyone is interested in a used hitch, let me know. Carl

I'm assuming they have a pricing deal with Dometic that involves bulk purchasing a certain number of Dometic products every year. Which is fine. However, they are marketing a top line product to a discriminating niche market that is willing to pay a premium to get upscale items. Since this keeps coming up as a customer complaint, it would seem reasonable to offer an optional upgrade. If they stray too far toward economies of scale they risk becoming just another RV manufacturer in a sea of competitors. Why risk losing sales over a cheap A/C unit?

I love my Oliver. I wish it was possible to change out the standard microwave for the convection oven, but service told me that was not possible as the size of the hole in the fiberglass is different. I wish that Oliver would look into an offer a AC unit that is not so noisy? Has/is Oliver looked into this possibility of a quiter AC unit?

Heck - I've got over 2,000 days and my "high expectations" are still being exceeded. 😃

More often than not I find myself coming back to the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. Just brings back good vibes and feelings while "takin it easy". Bill

A call to your sales rep at Oliver would be the easiest and quickest way to get a definitive answer to this question. Having said this - perhaps I don't understand your question in that my 2016 has a MaxAir fan and I'm not aware that Oliver has changed this. Bill

With a 3/4 ton truck a weight distribution hitch is not "required" by any truck manufacturer. Given that there is no "discount" for the Andersen, you have nothing to lose by waiting, test the towing experience and if you are happy then nothing more needs to be done. Obviously, if you are not happy or if you feel that the Andersen gives you added benefits (such as additional safety margins or the like) it is reasonably easy to install. Bill

Wow! The wood in your trailer is spectacularly beautiful. We also chose the white tops with the eventual plan to have Foy make us wood pieces. The black walnut looks great with the cushions and the flooring. We have the exact same interior as you. Congrats on your beautiful trailer and safe travels!

King, Congrats on your beautiful Ollie!

Congratulations! That is one beautiful trailer!! I hope to have one someday.

Yes, it is nice in typical Oliver style. I'm told that the area is VERY well lit at night -so - remember to bring something to help shade that exhaust fan opening and/or your front door if you are sensitive to light. Don't forget to reserve your camping spot.

There was a pretty long thread about this awhile back. Perhaps this will help?

My TV is an old school GMC 5speed 4x4 with a 6.5 Detroit. We carry enough food for a month of travel. 140 days this year with the airstream. Needed a better trailer so here we are💯

I got a Ryobi handheld only because it uses the same lithium battery as my drill and other shop tools. However, I understand that Black & Decker makes a popular one. Bill

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IOEFBKS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title Though I admit to rarely using it, mostly I just grab the broom. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ASYZSVI/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It collapses and tucks away neatly in the closet using a single Command tool holder. John Davies Spokane WA

She is getting a tow to warmer climates

I made an error.....The black wire on the right side of the battery box wall does not go the the converter/charger. I think it is the negative wire that goes to the Zamp Controller, and then on up to the solar panels. Apologies for the confusion. I could do better if I had a wiring diagram instead of going by memory!

My wife and I have a 2022 Elite II on order for late summer delivery. The upgrades referenced in your post are much appreciated. We would be thrilled if you offered one more upgrade: a quieter air conditioner. A number of Oliver owners posting on this forum have replaced their stock Dometic Penguin II AC units with Houghton/Rec Pro or Coleman Mach 10 NDQ units. They report that these are MUCH quieter than the Dometic, which has been compared to a "lawnmower in your trailer" or even a "jet engine." If you can find a way to offer a quieter AC unit for a reasonable upgrade price, we want one! Ralph Pond

I like the soft sided bags, too, especially if you're carrying it in the truck and don't want to hear your tools banging around. I had a similar one (still have, but repurposed), but I switched to smaller individual bags and tool rolls that I then stuff into the storage bin under the rear seat. I just found that it was easier to grab the one bag I needed rather than pull out everything. Love your decked boxes.

Citrus Breeze, I believe that the water you are seeing could be interior condensation witch can be caused when the outside temperatures are cold and the inside of the Oliver is warm and humid. . Although we have thermal pane windows the frame is aluminum and it is transferring the cold outside to inside that gives the humid air a place to condense and drip small amounts of water. I notice when camping in the cold and I am boiling water for coffee my curb side window will condense. Now I use the max air fan while boiling water to control interior humidity.

Some owners have placed the gutters far enough above the windows so that they still have plenty of access to the caulked area. I placed mine as close to the window as possible and have never looked back. Perhaps the gutters give some extra protection to this area but there does not appear to be any sign of degradation of the caulk. Of course in the event that I would have an issue, my plan would be to simply remove the gutter, fix the window/caulk and then replace the gutter with new - it is not that expensive. Bill

King - As one of the first and few that have set up the twin bed plan as a bed and a couch - its really nice to see another out there in the real world - looks great too especially with the warmth of the wood. Hopefully you will be at the 2022 Owner's Rally and we will have a chance to talk. Congrates! Bill

I thought so! My son and his wife are class of 2004. I’m 1976 (genuine old grad), just had our 45th reunion. Mike

During my 35 years of law practice I did mostly litigation, including defense of product liability claims. IMHO, any "fear of liability" defense to providing owners with electrical diagrams is baseless. If an injury occurs and a product liability claim is filed, any available wiring diagrams must be produced through the formal discovery process. Since they can't be hidden during litigation, refusing to provide them to owners makes no sense. If Oliver management is monitoring this forum, I invite them to reconsider their position, and to resume providing wiring diagrams to owners. Surely Oliver has something their production and quality control employees follow when doing the wiring, to ensure it is done correctly. As a future owner taking delivery next year, I'd like to have one included in the owner's manuals with my 2022. It doubtless would prevent some warranty service tickets and calls, and so would reduce Oliver's service department costs. Given Oliver's commitment to the exemplary customer service so frequently described on this forum, it seems strange to refuse to provide wiring diagrams to owners, at least upon request. Oliver, your response?

We use butyl "tape" for bedding windows, hatches, ports, and vents. It's butyl rubber, old school, but pretty much lasts forever, and creates a really strong seal. You can get it at camping world or amazon, in various widths, and grey or black. We only stock grey in the garage fridge. It's easier to work with cold, as it's pretty sticky and stretchy when warm. It's not really a "tape", per se, but comes in a roll with one side covered with waxed paper, that you take off after applying and pressing down on the first surface. If you decide to use it, make sure you buy real butyl tape, not putty tape, which isn't as good. Butyl is a great sealant, but not an adhesive, so it's used in combination with mechanical fasteners. Camping world sells dicor brand.

Who needs a house up on a hill When you can have one on four wheels And take it anywhere the wind might blow You don't ever have to mow the yard Just hang a map and throw a dart And pray to God the engine starts and go Water and electric and a place to drain the septic Any KOA is A-OK as long as I'm with you So come on hitch your wagon To the living room I'm draggin' If I can't bring you to my house I'll bring my house to you Parking lots and county lines Coutin' mile marker signs Where the buffalo and antelope Greetings from Niagara Falls One more postcard for the wall Off in our home sweet home away from home Water and electric and a place to drain the septic Any KOA is A-OK as long as I'm with you So come on hitch your wagon To the living room I'm draggin' If I can't bring you to my house I'll bring my house to you In Washington, in Idaho In Oregon and away we go To Tennessee and Arkansas No we won't stop 'til we've seen 'em all 'Til we've seen 'em all So what else could you ask for? You don't even need a passport To see the whole world from our living room So come on hitch your wagon To the happiness I'm draggin' If I can't bring you to my house I'll bring my house to you If I can't bring you to my house I'll bring my house to you It don't matter where we go We'll never be alone Anywhere besides you, is a place that I'll call home It don't matter where we go We'll never be alone Anywhere besides you is a place that I'll call home

Wow. Mark, this is really discouraging. I've had my own issues with my LE2 I just picked up and will be posting something similar to your post in coming weeks. I think OTT really needs to figure out how to up their quality control. I agree that OTT has great customer service, but like you Mark, I'm far away in California. After spending big for the trailer, I don't think it's reasonable for any of us to have to be doing repairs or maintenance in the first few weeks on parts of the trailer that should have been assembled correctly by the factory. A few little things, OK, but suspension? windows? flooring? These should all be identified before we arrive for pickup.

Something a little different than y'all are probably used to ;), it's a classic now... '94 - Chris Cornell is the singer

) 20210711_133521.mp4 So far, so good. Only a few months of use, but just as quiet as when installed. Here's a short video. You can see how close the camera was to the fan, so kind of (my) head height, standing.

We installed the maxxair dome plus yesterday. Since Paul had already removed the old ventline and cleaned up the caulk on the roof, the install took less than an hour. (Would have been even less, but I inadvertently dropped the four screws for the interior trim ring into the shell and turf blocks where we park the trailer. Took a good five minutes to find them.) We bench tested the fan and light in the workshop before installing. It is indeed much quieter than the old ventline and the led light is very, very bright. The screen is indeed removeable from the inside for cleaning, but requires removing four tiny screws to do so. The handle for opening and closing is much beefier (our first ventline handle cracked), and it has a button to release. That motion is a bit sticky. The interior trim ring is almost 3/4 inch deeper, to accommodate the light, which might be important to taller people. I don't know about the trim ring on the unlit fan. We bedded the van with grey butyl tape before Paul fastened the screws. He added some extra at the curve of the hull. We'll run a bead of caulk around the ring when we do some other caulking. We did need the provided extension tube to reach through the two hulls. Paul cut it to length. We were able to use the original rough opening, without enlarging it, though it was very tight. The trim rings are larger in diameter than the ventline, so all original screw holes are covered . Maxxair provides a real gasket to seal the opening dome to the unit when closed, much superior to the foam weatherstripping of the Ventline. The unit itself is all plastic, but a thicker guage than the Ventline, and everything is white, inside and out. Hopefully, the quiet operation will last. I've read some reviews that the fan became louder with months of operation. We'll see. I ordered ours from rvupgrades. The price for the fan with light was just $4 more than amazon price for the fan without the light. Free shipping on $99 or more, so I bought a new water filter cartridge instead of paying $10 shipping. Sherry