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One of the great features of the Oliver trailer design is the fast and easy (no tools needed) access to ALMOST all of the plumbing, heating, and electrical systems through the hatches under the dinette seats and the beds, or by removing the kitchen cabinet drawers. One area that’s NOT readily accessible is the area under the bathroom vanity, even though there is plumbing, electrical, and furnace ductwork all tucked inside the vanity. The storage cubby in the front of the vanity is screwed AND CAULKED in place by Oliver at the factory, so access is a bit more complicated than the other areas. I recently needed to get into that vanity area for some inspection and maintenance, and after completing that I wanted to make future access easier (no tools needed and no caulking). I know some owners have replaced the storage cubby with a hinged marine access panel, but I didn’t want to lose the cubby storage. So here’s a detailed description of a simple modification I did, along with links to the parts used. Access is now fast and easy. No-Slip Clip-On Barrel Nut, for 0.025" to 0.15" Panel Thickness, 8-32 Thread Size https://www.mcmaster.com/94850A111 #8-32 x 1" Thumb Screw Stainless... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FZVLZKD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share uxcell Edge Trim U Seal Extrusion, Silicone White U Channel Edge Protector Sheet Fits 0.5-2.5mm Edge 3Meters/9.84Ft Length https://a.co/d/1uWUZB3 Molex -3 Match Set - (3-Pin) w/14-20 AWG, Wire Connector - 2.13mm D, Latch Lock, MLX https://a.co/d/gapvioi

I prefer to think we are still (always) in pursuit of our “favorite” boondocks camp spot 😊 So far I’d say it’s Devil’s Garden in Arches NP. Incredible views, rock formations and hiking trails right in the campground. Sunrise and sunsets were amazing

Hi Owners, We are Wendy and Steven from NW Oregon. We are both recently retired, Steven from Commercial Fishing in Alaska and most of my career I was a Hotel Reservations Manager. We have had several various RV's, a Camper, an adorable Teardrop Trailer, a class B, and a small class C. The Oliver fits our needs and finally our search appears to be over. We like to Boondock, love the mountains and the variety of terrains in this country. We look forward to the trip from Oregon to Tennessee and back....sort of. I am nervous about the trip. I haven't pulled a trailer and want to learn. My husband has pulled several types of trailers but I want to help drive on the way home. Has anyone driven between the Oregon/Washington area to pick up their Oliver? Any advice? Thanks all!

Very nice job and attention to detail! 👍🏻👍🏻

Wow really nice, thanks for all the pictures. It will help when I do mine!! What edge seal did you use?

I have the Viair 400P-RVS and it works very well. If your goal is to air down and reinflate, it seems the 450 version might be better for you. My goal is to maintain tire inflation (i.e., top off) and to handle emergencies, so the 400 works well enough for me. The RVS version comes with an extension hose so it will reach all tires on the Oliver and the F250 when powered from the truck battery.

Frank I think you hit a home run with this mod and also in the write up. Thanks for sharing. Paul

Welcome, I picked up my LE2 in early April 2017, you will need to do some serious trip planning due to weather issues in the higher parts of the west, the mountain passes especially. It’s a long haul, but as long as you give yourself lots of time, say a month in total, it will be fun rather than a chore. Don’t try to do 500 mile days back to back, you can get away with that when traveling solo, but with the trailer it will be too stressful. You should not learn how to tow with a brand new $75,000 Ollie, it will be horribly nerve wracking. Borrow or rent a small utility trailer, U-Haul for example, and drive it around over a long weekend. Learn to maneuver, back up and deal with traffic, to get used to the changed driving dynamics. Then it won’t be so much of an adjustment with the new Ollie. Please add some info to a Signature that appears after every post (your tow vehicle and Ollie model at least) so we know what you have. It helps when you ask questions or have a problem. My sister is in Portland, where are you? John Davies Spokane WA

@Frank C Brilliant!!!

In the supplied bag, yep! The 450P, hose, power cord, and nozzle/gauge fit nicely in a Cabela’s plastic ammo can. Still occupies the same volume, but easier to stack. A tip I found a few years ago on the Toyota 4Runner forum.

The Viair 400P-Auto is recommended on many off road and travel forums for a portable compressor/inflator. I have the 450P auto. The 450 has a 200% duty cycle while the 400 has 33%. But the 400 pumps 2.3 cubic feet of air per minute, while the 450 does only 1.8. So either works fine. both have auto power at the nozzle, so when you release the lever the compyturns off. The non-auto versions only have the switch on the compressor itself. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X9B32M/ref=emc_b_5_mob_t

I thought it be fun to start a topic on favorite camp recipes.😋 Share your favorite camp recipes for drinks, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks! Dinner: Lemon Chicken & Artichokes I love using my crockpot (with crockpot liners for easy cleanup) when camping and I always make this recipe Lemon Chicken and artichokes. I tweak it a bit and add a bag of petite Blushing Bell potatoes (or red skin potatoes) and I quarter corn on the cob and throw that in. You can add carrots, green beans or whatever sounds good! https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/slow-cooker-chicken-artichokes-whole30-paleo/

That’s some great work! Now on my to-do list. Mike

They’ve been catching grief over on Fiberglass Forums for a couple of years. Mike

I just crimped the pins of the Molex connector onto the wires. And so far no leaks when I water tested it.

That sounds like a great approach. Do you have a link to the course or instructor? My sister bought a 10 foot teardrop two years ago, she is now into her third camping season, and neither she nor her husband can back it. They just threw their hands up and quit trying to learn. They disconnect and maneuver it by hand. Fortunately it weighs just 1200 pounds, but one day they will get into trouble that they can’t walk it out of 😳 If you do take the class, please post a thread in the Towing forum, it could be helpful to others in your situation. Like my sis… John Davies Spokane WA

John, We are near Oregon City. I am actually thinking of taking a hands-on class on towing an RV. We are planning on taking our time on the way home. Neither one of us have been to most of the states will will go through on the trip. We will avoid the mountains, we had snow on Mt Hood in Oregon quite late this year. I'll update our info soon, just can't remember exact info on our truck!

Frank C. Great post - Thanks. For the wiring, did you just crimp each wire connector, or did you soder each wire connection? Have you seen any leaks around the edge seal?

Welcome, and congratulations!! We just order ours on Friday for a late March delivery. We want to come out and explore eastern Oregon as well as revisit the Washington and Oregon coast. What a diverse area!!

John, I agree with you on a couple of points. First, the ARB is expensive but built very well. These are the only two ARB products I own, for that reason. It does do tenths of a PSI, so I like that aspect of it. Batteries last a long time and there is an indicator. The built-in deflator button (most have this feature) is handy as well. I like the ARB fridge but, dollar for dollar, my Truma 60 QT is a better value though not cheap by any measure. Yeah, anyone fully equipped with ARB and Old Man Emu products has very deep pockets. Second point, it is getting way off track. Brian

Yep! Note that I don't have the RV version, so I don't know if the additional hose length would fit. I also have one with tools in it. I use the included Viair inflator and gauge to inflate my Land Cruiser and current Hiker trailer tires, but usually overinflated a bit. Then bring them down to the desired pressure using an accurate gauge from my autocross days. I also have auto-deflation gizmos for off-roading. Screw them on and they drop to the pre-selected pressure.

I have a older Black and Decker Air Station (my model 9527 can be bought used on e-bay for $49.00) and has worked great for me. I think the new Black and Decker air stations would preform well and are not expensive.

Is this the ammo can you are referring to? Mossey

What has been your favorite camping spot for your Oliver, ever? This includes anywhere in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. Thank you, Margaret This is where I've tent camped in the past, but Ollie is different, though a shorty might have made it up there. The Lost Man Campground in Colorado, 10k feet in altitude. The yellow tent was mine.

We bought a digital-powered pump from Harbor Freight (in lieu of installing a truck-mounted pump for our air bags). We set the PSI needed, push the button and it fills about 0.5 PSI beyond the setting so when you unclip the air hose it is at the right amount. Sure works well for us as we can use it anywhere - no long 12v cords - no long air hoses. Charlie.

OK, I guess you need to say what you want, a portable compressor or a gauge/ inflator…. And do you want it for your garage, or for topping up a low tire on the road, or airing up all eight tires after driving on rough dirt roads? John Davies Spokane WA

Based on the posting by @hobo, I contacted John Halter, Owner of Zarcor. We have scheduled installation of a Zarcor window on our 2022 LEII, Hull #990 in August 31. John is sending me paperwork for the free window and installation. Following the installation, I plan to post an update with photos, and possibly video of the installation. My thanks to @hobo for providing the information on this opportunity. Don

This will definitely be my next minor upgrade. Looking forward to seeing outside the door window. Now do I choose clear or tinted? I’m thinking tinted with white blinds. Is there a one way mirror glass available?

I’m happy to hear they are going to do a video on installing one on a Oliver. We plan on doing this soon and a video will be so helpful.

That sounds just lovely, Mountainman! It certainly beats those RV parks, where people are packed together like sardines!

Dog Canyon campground, Guadalupe NP. 60 miles South of Carlsbad, NM, just barely over the border into Texas. Only 4 RV sites. No hookups but potable water and flush toilets nearby. The 4 RV sites are close together but the hiking, scenery and wildlife are wonderful and the peacefulness is great. I have been there three times now and two times was the ONLY camper in the whole campground for several days. A bit out of the way but worth it. https://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/dog_canyon_campground.htm

I’ve been to the Gaspe Peninsula! I was there about 30 years ago, though, so I imagine things have indeed changed. Yes, it was indeed magnificent. An ex bf and I drove the entire peninsula, but we stayed in youth hostels, as this was before I had ever owned any tents or campers. We went to Percé Rock, and also to a National park, name fails me. We went up to the mountains and saw permafrost (still there???) and saw caribou, It was cold, for summer!

One of my favorites (and there are so many!) was on the Gaspe peninsula, Quebec. Most of the Provincial and national campgrounds were closed, so we "settled" for Camping Griffon. Simple rv park, we were one of maybe three campers there in early October, and we watched whales from our campsite. The owners were so very nice, even though we spoke little French, they spoke some pretty good English. Our camper was so small, they gave us a seaside tent site. The showers were older but clean and heated, and a very short walk in the brisk evening! Things have possibly changed. That's 12 or 14 years ago. But, the Gaspe is a beautiful drive.. do it north to south, if possible, as you generally are on the land side, not feeling like you're hanging out on the edge of the cliff (though you are, sometimes. )

I was talking to John (owner of ZARCOR) today with a technical question and he advised me they are looking for someone in the Dallas, TX area with a late model (2021 or newer) Oliver Elite so they can install and film one of their very nice door replacement windows. They will provide the parts and labor free-of-charge for use of the trailer to do the installation video. Here's an opportunity for a free upgraded window and your trailer will be a star. Call John at ZARCOR and tell him I sent you over. Paul

Link is in the original post.

Brian, what precision does the ARB inflator have, does it read tenths of a psi? The Astro does, and is super easy to over inflate slightly, then drop the pressure exactly from say 42.1 to 42.0 psi. I quite like the ARB one and might have bought it instead, I am a huge ARB fan though their stuff is really over-priced. An overland rig with ARB parts all over and inside it represents an owner with very deep pockets. This thread is drifting way off topic because we still don't know what John C Marsh Jr actually wants to do with it.... from the picture in his post I can guess he isn't going off-road. 😉 John Davies Spokane WA

I have a ViaAir and carry it full time in my TV. It has served us well. If you have an SUV and are short on cargo and storage capacity just know this will take up a fair amount of room. Shop around for the best price.

Looking forward to seeing the install video. Glad I could pass on John's generous offer. Win/win for everyone. HOBO

@tallmandan That’s spectacular!😍

I assume you mean one that inflates as well as has a gauge….. you are correct, most are garbage. You have to pay for a decent one. I have had this for four years and it has been great. Highly recommended, if mine broke or disappeared I would buy another one without hesitation. These inflators are bulky and not great for travel, mine hangs from a hook on the wall directly over my shop air compressor. I carry a cheaper analog gauge when on the road, to use with my Smittybilt high volume (almost 6 cfm) low pressure compressor. Astro Pneumatic Tool 3018 3.5" Digital Tire Inflator with Hose I have a couple of other Astro tools, they seem to be a good combination of value and quality. John Davies Spokane WA

We chose tinted as it matches the rest of the Oliver windows. 👍🏻

It takes a few full charge cycles to get the cells to balance, they talk about this in the Lithionics manual, have you been following their guidelines? How many cycles (charged to 100%) have yours had since you got the trailer? I have Battle Borns, and they only balance (between batteries and between cells) when they are at 100% state of charge and they sit for a while. I think that is typical for this type of cell. John Davies Spokane WA

Paul, I have done business and spoken with John when I installed my new tinted window and blind, he is a very nice guy and a straight shooter! 👍🏻 Some lucky owner is gonna enjoy their new window and blind! 👍🏻 Patriot

WoW! Wish we were in Texas!

If the new foam is too stiff to squish/sort of fold at the sides a bit and stuff it in, use thin plastic, like a piece of dry cleaning bag, to make the foam slide easier. After inserting the foam, slide the plastic out. I wash the covers on my patio furniture once or twice a year. No issue. Do treat the zippers with a zipper lubricant/protector, especially of you live in a hot/humid climate. Makes them last longer/not stick. Oliver's upholster uses high quality thread and zippers. Really makes a difference in longevity. After fifteen seasons, trailer stored or used outside 24/7/365, I've only seen one tiny thread pop. I think that's pretty remarkable. (As you may have guessed, I've done a bit of upholstery in my life.)

If you find the seat cushions to be too soft, you can always replace just the foam. I know a few people have done that.

Steve, We did not like the southern mattresses with spring coils that we purchased prior to picking up our Ollie. Way too many pressure points for our comfort level. We sold them to another Ollie owner with full disclosure of our intentions to replace with memory foam. We purchased a Casper 10” Element and now enjoy deep sleep on what we call our “my cloud” 😴😅. There are other much less expensive mattress options out there if you choose to get creative.

Well the project I’m working on isn’t quite as cool as yours that’s for sure, and is just getting underway.. but I thought I’d share.. All the potential storage space around the propane tanks has been nagging me for some attention… It just seems like a perfect place for things I don’t need very often but need a dedicated place to be stowed in Dearie. So I installed 1/2” hardware cloth in the bottom to keep stuff from falling out, and have got a couple of plastic “tubes” set up.. one for the grease gun and related stuff, the other for the winterization pump and the like. I’ll stash extra lengths of pex in a 3” capped PVC pipe that will be lashed to the hardware cloth behind the gas bottles, probably along with emergency short term winterization gear. I already have a garden hose that I use to flush the black water tank that lives in front of the gas bottle, and there is a fair amount of space in there for “something”… just gotta figure out what that something might be.. Judging by some of the older posts on this thread you have a very cool shop John, resulting in a small pang of jealousy on my part, though I’m not complaining about my workspace…. Dearie in the dooryard.. working out some storage solutions…

Quartzsite, AZ, Dome Rock. In January there is a big RV show in town followed by a Fiberglass rally at Dome Rock. BLM dispersed camping. Find a spot and camp!

I thought I would revive a stale thread. I was rotating tires today, checking brakes, doing the Dexter brake recall and other stuff and decided to eliminate the chrome wheel bullets: I never cared for them- they are way too long, they dent and they look dorky IMHO. Now I can easily check hub temperature, pop the rubber plug to inspect the condition of the grease, and pop the cap to adjust a slightly loose bearing without removing the wheel. Also it is a little easier installing the lug nuts. The new bearing caps are stainless steel so they will not rust, and the paint is Duplcolor ceramic brake caliper paint. Very good paint, no primer needed, fast drying and very tough! They also offer the paint in red (the fastest color for sporty cars) and silver, if you wanted to make the hub blend in with the wheel. My Land Cruiser has no center caps, now the trailer matches. I am sure it will be faster now 😀 John Davies Spokane WA