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Just remember this - even if the batteries are turned off, the panels can supply close to 20 amps of DC current to the battery positive cable. So this could be a safety hazard if you are disconnecting/ removing the batteries while the panels are in the sun. For example, if you shorted out that "hot" terminal to the ground terminal with a tool or metal jewelry... So turn OFF the solar when working on the batteries! And wear no rings or bracelets please! At all other times, I agree, just leave the system alone. John Davies Spokane WA

Hi John, I replaced my AGMs in 2021 and posted the process I followed. Please note that I have Hull #104 using Blue Sky solar equipment. Since I replaced my Trojan AGMs with Bright Way AGMs I had to reprogram my MPPT controller. If you replace your AGMs with the same Trojan AGMs then no issue, otherwise you may need to reprogram your controller depending on your solar package. Here is the thread. Hope it helps!

Sorry to hear you might be having trouble with your new Ollie. Since you are a new owner, first let’s make sure you are looking at the right valve when you say it appears the handle cable isn’t connected. The gray tank DRAIN valve is under the access hatch under the street side (driver side) bed near the rear of the trailer (see photo below). It is NOT under the dinette seat. The two valves under the dinette seat closest to the bathroom are the black tank drain valve and the gray tank anti-backflow valve (prevents gray water from sloshing back up into the shower pan when traveling, activated by the pull handle near the floor by the toilet, or by the switch in the closet if you have the optional electric valve). Some owners have pulled gray tank drain handle but then looked at the valve under the dinette and wonder why the valve didn’t move. Once you confirm you are looking at the correct valve when pulling the drain handle, then it’s a pretty simple matter to see where the problem is. The cable is held into that aluminum cylinder (circled in John’s photo) by a set screw. The set screw may be loose or even missing. If missing you should be able to get a replacement at any hardware store.

For the Newer Owners: Absolutes always bite me in the wrong place every time.... Another "time" is when your LiFePO4's could be subjected extreme cold and could themselves freeze. Frozen Litho's for sure do not like to be at full charge, and "absolutely" should not be charged by any system in that state. GJ

As mentioned by John and Frank the fix is easy once you locate the correct valve to see if the cable slipped out. If it has slipped out and the set screw is still in all you have to do is thread the cable back through and tighten the screw. You can also just pull the gate up with your hand to drain the tank. I remove my black and gray cables every couple of years to lubricate them. Mike

Really like what you did with the bed in the back and we are considering doing the same, however, we just ordered an Elite 1 and will not receive it until May 2023. Taking this idea a step further, we are thinking about making the side dinette in to a permanent bed too and then install a Lagun mount with tabletop at the back. This could also be used as a prep table next to the stovetop by swiveling it there. I suppose we will have to see how this will work after we get our Ollie. David Purkey

Split this off to its own topic. For those of you who would like to read their comments, here's a plain text link to this video on their channel, which may make it easier for you. https://youtu.be/nrvLZilFvnQ As someone who lives in a high humidity area (coastal Florida), I would definitely say that running the a/c fan on high instead of auto is not recommended, in our homes, @SteveCr. That, along with weak batteries in the remote, probably contributed to their issues. Let's see what their followup video shows. She didn't have a comparison with the old ac, as it was their first time camping in Florida ( i think that was in comments.) We've not used our Houghton ac sleeping in our little camper overnight, so I can't comment on its performance with humidity that we generate cooking, breathing, and showering.

It really depends on where you camp. If you never lose the cell signal, use the phone. If you camp in the West, that method will be highly unsatisfactory! Take a look at your cellular plan coverage map. For all the different plans, there are a lot of empty spots in the coverage maps in the western states! https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/7206-how-do-you-get-local-weather-while-boondocking-and-no-am-or-fm-reception/ John Davies Spokane WA

I use my iPhone for most information that I need both sending and receiving. True, sometimes you can be out of cell service area, but I have found that driving a short distance can usually correct this problem. We do not have any options in out trailer for WiFi, etc. except the iPhone, so far we have never felt we weren't far from being connected. Once again we don't boondock, so for some this could be a problem for some. I will say our Garmin GPS has weather on it, GPS's are not effected by cell service, etc., so that can be an option that you can use. I rode motorcycles for years and this was a good feature to have on my GPS. trainman

We’ve had lithiums for the past year and a half. I’ve never turned off my solar, even the years we had AGMs. I put a battery cutoff switch in the battery box and just turn them off when in storage. I don’t discharge them any, we’re never home for more that a couple of months. It’s covered storage so solar activity is minimal. Mike EDIT: I did turn off my solar when we were swapping out the AGMs with Lithiums and doing some re-cabling. I also turned off my solar when the controller was not working shortly after we took delivery. I had to remove the controller and send it to Blue Sky for some maintenance. Routine storage - I leave the solar on.

I have three 100 aH Battleborns in our Ollie. It is stored covered in OK on top of a mountain in a dark barn for about 8 months or so a year. Per Dragon Fly, in my situtation I was told to fully charge and balance the batteries, then discharge them to 60% SOC. Their recommendation was as a result of hard freeze and long duration conditions. Point is if you have Lithium's, recommend you call your MFG and get the procedure for your storage situtation. GJ

Final update (I hope). Just returned from a 500 mile trip to midstate NY. All 4 brake drums are running approximately the same temp now. I'm thinking the left shoes are finally broken in and all 4 brakes are working properly now. 😀

I think the easiest way to think of solar is it's just another battery charger. If you don't want anything charging your batteries, include solar in your list of chargers to turn off. I have Lithium batteries as well, and I don't keep any of my battery chargers on all of the time because the Lithiums don't always like to be at or near 100% as you mentioned. Our hull #688 (2020) has a nice solar cutoff switch in the cabinet above the street side bed. Hope this helps!

For those of us who are dog lovers, IKEA has rubber coat hooks which are normally hung with a screw but a command strip will also stick it securely to gelcoat. I put one up near the bathroom door as a coat/leash holder. https://www.amazon.com/Ikea-Hooks-Mounted-Hanger-Green/dp/B01G69TM84/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?crid=1LYH4THAC7HLH&keywords=ikea+dog+tail+hooks+for+wall&qid=1664730182&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjk0IiwicXNhIjoiMi40NCIsInFzcCI6IjIuMzkifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=ikea+dog%2Caps%2C240&sr=8-9

Being only 60 miles further west of Patriot here in western North Carolina, we hardly got any rain at all. Seven inches were originally predicted for us but as of right now we have only received .23 inches with hardly any wind. The "luck of the draw" and the whims of Mother Nature I suppose. Even so, one's heart does go out to all those that are having the misfortune of being in the path of the storm and it is so heartening to hear that both SeaDawg and Mossemi are OK. Only hope that others of our Family of Olivers have also weathered the storm. Bill

Today was the day I got to do the fun messy job of replacing the China Bomb wheel bearings/seals on the ILOVHER on over to USA made Timkens. This was quite the all day project as we also changed out the shocks and lubed the EZ Flex suspension. We beat the rain by a mere ten minutes! My only experience prior to this, was replacing entire preloaded hubs and manual brakes on my Casita which was easy compared to this. After figuring out the best way to jack the side of the trailer up. (Yes, we used multiple floor jacks, and safety jacks stands, chocks and wood cribbing all while being attached to my truck) All I can say is, Thank God my son was here to teach me and to remove the seals in those hubs! (His father owns an excavating company so he knows a bit about trailers/brakes) There is no way on Gods green earth I would have been able to remove them by myself. We had a puller and they would not budge. I think they were permatex'd in there. He somehow was able to use his strength, ingenuity and multiple tools to get them out without scoring. Here are some observations and or questions we had: 1. My son thinks that the shocks look too large for the application. We used the exact replacement that Oliver uses (Monroe 555025) He says they're nearly all the way compressed with the way the suspension sits and that is why potentially two of them were blown. His opinion is that they'd do more if they were just a bit smaller. I have no idea or opinion but it was the one job I was able to complete by myself so I'm good with it. 2. It was quite the surprise to see that the axle spindle did not have the Dexter EZ lube feature. My understanding is that this was not an option on an LE2 in 2017? I did not know this and bought new grease caps with the rubber insert. As much as I learned today, this was sort of disconcerting. Even my Casita had EZ lube axle and it was a 2007. I greased my bearings every year and it made it easy. All those great suspension features like shocks and a EZ Flex but no way to easily grease bearings?? What gives? I sort of dread doing this again. 3. What's with grease guns? OMG..I wanted to throw and shoot them with a real rifle like skeet. I used two separate guns and they both were being unruly and messy. I could have bought stock today in rubber gloves and shop towels! LOL 4. Bearing grease packer seemed like a great idea. Who knew you'd have to use all 200# of human body weight to press down in order for the thing to squeeze grease into the bearings? 4. I took the advice on the forum and replaced a few zerks with 90s and 45s and used plastic cap covers but OMG.. crawling under the trailer is not for the faint of heart or my elderly bones! I think I want/need a creeper. 5. Thank God for Harbor Freight! I now have all kinds of fun new cheap tools, like impact driver and a torque wrench which I properly learned how to use! I now can afford to go to the Rally. 6. The Nev-r-Adjust Brakes looked good but I think I'm going to go with manual brakes next time. I don't feel confident about what I learned about them today and how they actually DO need adjustment. We greased the important parts with a good brake grease. At least we didn't find any loose parts. springs or worn pads floating about. 7. Found four cracked lug nuts. Son says the sheath on the outside is cracked and I should consider solid replacements. Any recommendations? 8. Beer never tasted so good. Thank you for all of the forum help I've received, without you guys, I'd be dead in the water. See y'all safely at the Rally !

How do you keep track of the weather while camping? Is there an app that would send updates to your location? I know I can check the weather app but I get too busy doing things that I forget to check the app.

CSE Congrats on the new knowlledge you have gained. Some RoF (Retired Ole Fart) tips: Do any under trailer work or axle work only with your Ollie attached to your TV. Just make sure no body drives off with you under it. Some of us raise our OEII's high and then jack stand/crib them. Doing so allow you more space under. However, when you have your OEII so elevated and attached, grease the zerks when the tires are off and you are doing the wheel bearings. No need for creepers and creeking joints from under trailer efforts. I also use a bucket to sit on and that saves even more soreness. GJ

I’m not sure there is a thread. Just look at the valve under the street side bed, most likely the inner cable slid out of the “guillotine” fitting. Or possibly the outer housing clamp slipped. This valve is used everywhere, there should be lots of videos…. You can open and close it with your fingers if you have to. John Davies Spokane WA

We use Weather Underground, Weather Bug, Fox Weather and Weather Channel. Discussion on other methods HERE. Mike

As long as you have your cell phone "on" and have cell service the "Severe Weather" ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.severeweatheralerts )app will alert you to virtually any weather related issues for your location (tornados, hurricanes, t-storms, floods, mud slides, earthquakes, etc.). Bill

Ralph, do you know whether the Truma can use Oliver's internal condensate drain? This link to the operating instructions suggests that it can be done. Please let us know. OPI Aventa Eco Comfort US English_0.pdf (truma.net)

I do have the Truma water heater. That doesn't look to be an integration point with the AC. The furnace has a couple of options from reading other posts on here and some preliminary discussions with the tech on the phone. Didn't seem to be significant issue, e.g., just bypassing AC wires to existing Domestic thermostat or existing lines to new furnace only thermostat. The Truma uses yet another remote for the AC. I think that will be five at last count. They AC vents to front and rear, with the thermostat in the middle, lower case area. I may have mis-remembered, but I think the Tech said the AC can handle a 30-40F degree differential from ambient which we can easily test in Texas. I didn't think to ask, but will be interested in how he routes the condensation drain, hopefully plug-n-play with the existing one.

Sure, I gather Houghton is quieter, but guessing the Truma will be fine and it will be a done deal. From my discussion with the tech we probably have a few options for dealing with the furnace thermostat, but as John and other have done, not a hard problem to solve. Now if I had service install the full Lithonics package for $16K I'd have a 2023 trailer...which would still be a bargain if I remember the fully loaded price for 2023.

I do not have any knowledge of the Houghton installation procedure, so I think that question should be directed to the Houghton owners that have completed their own installation. You would have a better chance of receiving answers from that group. Mossey

Yes… KI7SXN

One of our fellow Oliver owners/forum members, Foy Sperring, makes many items for the Oliver trailers. One of the items is a kitchen drawer organizer. We have the nightstand drawer organizer and it’s been very useful. Here’s a link to his catalog: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17XFL_5ine1WusHVKYguUBRmkj2KnJUN_/view?usp=sharing

Mossey, Well welcome back and yes you were missed! Hopefully you did not have any extensive damage from Ian. So far here in Western NC we are just having lots of rain and wind. We hope you had a great trip and look forward to hearing about your adventures! David & Kathy

You are correct that it would hold better and be much safer directly under the welded beam. Say the jack stands were placed adjacent to the beam with the weight of the trailer resting on them. If the trailer shifted and slipped off, the stand would either take out the fiberglass on the outside wall or punch up through the floor. Also remember to always do work under the trailer while it is securely hitched to your truck.

With my trailer, the AC comes on with the furnace if I have the fan set to low or hi. If I set the fan on auto, the AC does not come on with the furnace. I usually have the fan on Low when I run the AC and then when I turn on the furnace the AC comes on and I always roll my eyes that I forgot again to set the fan on auto first. Mike

To put the sealant conversation to rest, we had a significant rain all day yesterday and the sealant held well! No leaks.. So far! Here is the silver lining in all this ~ The land yacht got a name!

WandR, Thanks! Excellent write up and very helpful. We have Hull 178, acquired in Oct. 2016. We have the Trogan AGM batteries and when they get replaced I will do as you did. So far our solar system has kept them in fine shape.

Hull 806....investigating replacement of the Dometic AC....Truma or Houghton? My main and common motivation is the Dometic decibel issue. In researching replacement experiences with the Houghton, I ran across the attached youtube testament. At about 13:00, the couple discuss a new humidity issue. Here is the alarming quote. "Well it's been about six weeks since we installed the Houghton air conditioner from RecPro and ultimately we've still been unable to get rid of this humidity issue. We've been in North Carolina, we've been in Florida - we're now in Illinois and the humidity levels in the camper are unreasonable to us". They go on to state the humidity will decrease to the 50's during the day but increase to the 80's at night. I believe they attribute this to the constantly running fan with the compressor being off. This is shocking to me because they seem to be seasoned campers and are comparing the humidity issue to their previous Dometic AC. They resorted to running a "house size" dehumidifier. Still, they state in this and a follow up video that they would again install the Houghton due to the decibel improvement. In the comments on their youtube video their are others that state they are seeing a similar humidity issue. So......not sure what to make of this. Comments?