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From my time researching the forum, there are numerous people towing the LE2 with the Ford, Chevy and Dodge 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. I would say they are actually optimum tow vehicles for the LE2. On the other hand you would be running the Ranger at its full capacity all the time and would simply wear it out quickly. You would also be at the trucks limit as far as braking and controlling the trailer in less than optimal conditions. I would chose the Super Duty hands down. It's always better to have a significant margin of safety if at all possible. The F350 will not even know the Ollie is back their. PS - You won't need the weight distribution hitch with the 350 and hitching and unhitching will be a breeze.

I did some searching for a thread of this type and didn't really find anything, so I thought I would start one. The idea is just a place to share photos and stories of your favorite traveling companions, Dogs, and stories that tell about your traveling pet experiences and methods. There's a thread like this on another forum I've been a member of for a few years and it's been continuously popular over the years. So, post up your pooch pics and tell us what you love about them, how you acquired them and what it's like traveling with them. We currently have two registered Border Terriers. The each weigh between 15 and 20 pounds and pretty much go everywhere with us. Cohen is a six year old male and Hallie is a seven year old female. Each came to us as nearly grown pups and have been through the whole obedience training thing. They're great travelers, and know no strangers. They love kids and love to explore. Unlike many terriers, they really don't bark very much and are quite pleasant to be around for most people. Cohen on the left, Hallie right. Independence Day attire Come on dad let's hit the road

Ebony is the black Lab - 12 months. Maggie-Lou is the yellow, 22 months. Both are Southeastern Guide Dogs. Ebony is a Guide-Dog-In-Training. Maggie-Lou is used for breeding Guide & Service dogs.

Mojave Desert/Kelso Dunes Dec 2022 our Christmast tree dec 2022 Owyhee / SE Ore Succor Creek / Owyhee Canyon Lands, Ore Plateau above Three Forks / Owyhee Canyon Lands Taylor Lake/ Plumas county California ... up Beardsley Grade.. should have believed unimproved road sign.. a couple of hours in 4 wheel drive low at 2-3 mph.. very challenging getting turned around.. fantastic location, great alpine lake / fly fishing but not recommended for towing

Don't leave home with the Ranger towing an LEII. It would be a pretty good tow for an Elite.

As of yesterday according to the Manager of my local the Northern Tool warehouse in SC had 230 EU3200i gens sitting in their warehouse. Seems there should now be enough inventory for Santa to deliver you one. 😊

Thanks! I now know what I'm asking Santa for this year.

Make sure that he is pointed in the correct direction when this happens - the propane detector is fairly sensitive!😁

Much better from a towing capacity standpoint. Sixty four hundred pounds is "just getten' by..."

We just returned from a national forest campground without hookups. I have a 5 yr old Generac IQ2000 inverter generator (1600 watts, 2000 peak). This generator weighs 46 lbs, and fit perfectly in the tongue basket on our LEI. I was able to operate the generator for about an hour and a half every morning after breakfast. With the electric-only fridge, the standard twin deep-cycle batteries went down to 12.2VDC overnight. We supplemented with solar during the day (I have 200 Watt suitcase solar from Renogy). We never tried to start the Truma AC, I didn't want to try, pretty sure it was a no-go. I was most disappointed with the solar as due to tree cover, there was only about 4 hours of direct sunlight every day, without the generator, we'd have been without refrigeration.

If I had a NT near me and could get the military discount I’d prolly do what you did. The power specs at that weight are unbeatable but they certainly make you pay for that dearly. Maybe someone at the Rally could test if a 2200 can start the new Trumas.

We have two Champion 2200 watt dual fuel inverter/generators, with the Paralink kit. Together, operating from one propane tank with a splitter, they provide enough power to run our Truma Aventa air conditioner, or recharge our Lithionics batteries in a few hours. Why two? Weight. I am an old guy with bilateral torn rotator cuffs and a bad back. I can lift one 2200 watt unit in and out of my pickup bed without risking further injury. The 4500 watt unit, at 97 lbs., weighs too much for me.

I had one. Great generator. Only ran it on propane. HEAVY. I sold it an opted for a smaller Champion that’s easy to lift and doesn’t take as much room. Mike

Bosker is a rare breed MIKI, and at 9.5 Lbs, he is a perfect fit inside my 2008 Elite. I often tell fellow travelers that for me, "It's all about the dog". Just ask him and Bosker will proudly tell you he's the center of the universe. His picture adorns the front of The Wonder Egg. We'll be at the rally this year, Stop by and meet Bosker, but look out, you may sucked into his orbit!

Aspen - getting introduced to our new Ollie. She is a rescue and still very high strung but with time we hope can calm down and not go on alert at every sound she hears outside the Trailer.

I am looking at this guy

I had been researching travel trailers since 2018 and eventually decided on a size class between 6-10K lbs and either an Airstream or an Elite II. Reducing the towed weight was important to me since our TT was to be used primarily as a roving hotel room while we toured the country. I decided that I did not want the concern of operating over spec and having to deal with liability in case of a bad accident. I also wanted a comfortable towing experience. My tow vehicle research (2019-2020) led me to conclude that anything under a 3/4 ton truck would eventually result in overloading some spec. We are not minimalists which is why I feared exceeding payload on a lighter vehicle. Not requiring the Andersen hitch was a nice benefit. Max tow/max payload packages on a 1/2 ton required accessory compromises we weren't willing to make. Having now taken some long towing trips in 2022 (about 7K miles total), I am glad that my vehicle choice exceeds all of the loading requirements. Having had a couple of panic stops, I'm very happy with how the TV/TT combo handled it. Passed and being passed by many semi trucks and not feeling the draft adds to my driving comfort. Given any particular TT, your use case matters. Had we decided to focus more on camping than traveling, we may have settled on something less capable than a 3/4 ton. An Expedition Max would have been a top consideration at 9K lbs towing capacity, or a 1/2 ton truck. With little (if any) gross trailer weight rating margin, a Promaster 3500 would not have been a candidate in either use case.

When our F250 6.7 is fully loaded and hitched, we weigh between 8,700-9,300 lbs. We have found running our tires (Copper TA3 XLT 275 70 18) at 65LBS gives us good tire wear/ handling with a pleasant ride on paved roads. We "air down" when running long distances off road. We love towing with a big truck and would hard for us to go back to a 1/2 ton. Our truck is not used as a daily driver because it has a turning radius of a bus and beats our brains out without a load. Lots written about choices of tow vehicles throughout this forum. Mostly you will find two camps. One that love a high payload 1/2 ton using a weight distribution hitch and the other are running 3/4 ton+ trucks. It's my option the biggest issue when choosing your TV is to truly understand your payload needs. Unless you travel as a minimalist, many 1/2 trucks will limit your ability to bring all the gear you like to have for your adventures.

You won't have the braking capacity you would want during a panic stop down hill with a 6400 pound towing capacity. It will probably tow fine, it will be stopping in an emergency that will be the sketchy part. I forgot the exact number but our E2 loaded came in right around 6,700 pounds with the water tank filled and gray tank empty. If you found a van with 10,000# towing capacity then you're in line with an F250 which is a fine tow vehicle for an Elite 2. I'd go with that.

My wife wanted pup to be able to travel up front with us. Built a platform between the truck's front seats that wraps behind the driver's seat (L shaped). Covered the platform with a custom shaped dog bed. This makes my wife happy, pup would be fine hanging in the back.

Fantastic --- re doing this class, videoing it. & posting it here on the Forum. We are unable to attend the Rally & this sounds like a topic we would appreciate knowing more about.

@MnM I have been thinking about buying the Honda EU3200i since it was announced last year. So today I placed an order for one from our local Northern Tool. NT does not stock these on the shelf in store as it’s considered a special order item. It was well worth the $250 savings for me to go to the store and receive my 10% Veterans discount. This brought the final price down to $2502.00 including tax OTD. I like doing business with NT and I like Honda products. They have served me well over the years. I have also been in contact with www.hutchmountain.com and was told they are planning to produce an LP fuel retro fit for this gen. I am now on their list for a preorder of the LP retro fit kit. I presently have a Honda EU3000is which has the HM LP conversion kit and really like it however, at 130# dry it’s just a bit heavier gen. This sure makes the EU3200i at 60# a much better option for our Oliver with the 13500 BTU Truma Aventa. The captured Bluetooth data is kinda cool too! https://www.northerntool.com/search?orderBy=1&s=Honda 3200 This fella does a pretty decent straight up “garage and field review”. Looks like a fun garage! Patriot🇺🇸

Hi everyone, and thanks for the replies regarding the pups. We’re wrapping up a trip to the SW, with the AS, including 92 pound Fritz (liver and tick) and Ketzel (white and liver) at 72 pounds. I’ve come to the conclusion that longer trips would be better if the fur babies vacationed in the Hound Dog Hilton. After this trip, I’m pretty sure we are going to purchase an Oliver. Taylor, we are very near Pine Creek, up against the base of the Elkhorns.

Will do!

SnakeRiverIdaho: Interesting new generator. Its 65 pounds packs a lot of power. I could justify that weight in my basket; where as the traditional Honda 3K generator for my rig is just too much added tongue weight on our F-150 regardless of where I would put it. For those that need the power, I agree this would be a great choice. However, it is certainly pricey. GJ

This is why I bought an Oliver. Rough, tough, ready for boondocking. This is off of Highway 395, north of Mono Lake in California. Take Virginia Lakes Road for about six miles (paved) then turn onto Dunderberg Meadows Road (gravel) and look for the spot you want. It's all national forest land so the price was right. We took a spur with big bad rocks, but by crawling along and trying to pick the least bad path, the Ollie performed like a champ. The boondocking inlet port let us fill our fresh water tank again from a couple of 6 gallon water jugs I carry. The sun charged up our batteries and let us use all juice we needed. A hot shower and cold cocktails made cloud watching even better. And the composting toilet makes finding a dump station a non-issue.

I test mine before every trip. And I am pretty anal. I use my VictronConnect app to watch the amp draw change, the load should increase by “about” 11 or 12 amps, full current is flowing to all the magnets. BTW, you are not supposed to use it as a parking brake! But in a true emergency, go for it. If you want an actual parking brake, you can install backing plate assemblies that have that feature, they are quite expensive. John Davies Spokane WA

I check mine a couple times a year, anytime I have the trailer jacked up with the wheels off the ground, for doing bearing maintenance and suspension greasing. And the mechanic checks it as well during the annual Pennsylvania state safety inspection required on trailers here in Pennsylvania. I think the official recommendation is to test it before every trip, but I doubt most owners actually do that. It is an easy test though. Just pull the cable until the black plastic pin comes out of the breakaway switch. That activates the emergency brakes. At that point you should not be able to spin the wheels. After you test them, just make sure you put the plastic pin back in place correctly, otherwise the electric brakes will drain the trailer batteries. Once the pin is reinserted, that shuts off power to the emergency brake circuit and the tires should spin freely.

I believe the reasoning was to not have an ignition source close to the propane tanks.

I have a Generac IQ2000 inverter generator. It weighs 46 lbs, is as quiet as the 2000 watt Honda. I don't think it is a current product, but may be available on the secondary market. Mine works well, starts easily, only runs on gasoline. I have used it as a backup at home, where it powers both my furnace and refrigerator as long as they both don't start at the same time. In our OEI, it will recharge the standard batteries in about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Years ago, "everyone" thought we "needed" a 3000 watt generator, so we bought one. Fortunately, I found an almost new used unit, at a great price, (probably 70 per cent off new.) The 3000 has never gone camping with us. The Yamaha 3000 has wheels, but it's ridiculously heavy, at +/- 150 lbs, even for the two of us, to lift in and out of the truck bed. (We used our atv ramps to pick it up and put it in the garage.) It does not owe us a dime, however, as it has saved our bacon (and frozen turkeys, other food, etc), plus our neighbor's, and charged cell phones and sparked the home gas water heater, in a number of power outages here on Florida's west coast. (One hurricane left us for a week with no power.) I know a few people have heavy gensets mounted to the tongue, but we didn't feel that was a good option for us with a single axle 2008 Elite I. So, we normally charge with a Honda 1000, which I can easily lift with one hand. Still works great, at age 15, with regular maintenance. If we "upgrade", it will be the smallest Honda that can do the job, and still allow me to lift and start it. If we need ac (almost never), we seek out a campsite with power. We also have a Westinghouse 2000-something that we bought to charge and run power tools when we built a pole barn on our camping property a few years ago. Surprisingly quiet, and it ran our small 9500 Houghton, on a test. Though it's a nice unit, I don't think it has quite as pure a sine wave as the Hondas, and of course, it's a bit louder, but not obnoxious. (5 per cent, I think, and I believe my Honda is 3 per cent THD, much like home electricity. ) Harmonic distortion is definitely something to think about, with all the electronics, especially in the newer trailers. Good luck in your decision. I'm obviously in the camp of the lightest unit to do the job, 95 per cent of the time.

Bosker is very photogenic and looks like an easy traveler.

It certainly has nice features for sure and I looked at it. My overall goal was to go with a much lighter weight gen so the 60# EU3200I hit the bullseye. I would be interested in your review if you go with the Champion. 👍🏻

When you find that toggle switch, please advise - Our Siberian gets stuck in afterburner sometimes... But below you can see him after he flames-out....

Another thing you can do to reduce wear and tear on the trailer is use a shock absorbing hitch. There are numerous versions available, usually a little pricy, but if they accomplish the task it's the quickest and cheapest way to get the job done. Not needing a WD hitch makes the choices wide open. Just make sure the one you choose matches your tongue weight. Gen-Y, Shocker and Curt are all popular brands.

Finishing up a week of spring turkey hunting in the Montana badlands. Endured a couple of nights at 24° F. Our Ollie performed flawlessly. Couldn't be happier.

According to a quick Google search, the Ram Promaster 3500 cargo van has 4330 lbs. of payload capacity, or more. If I am not mistaken, the 3500 level Dodge trucks and vans are in the "1 ton" category. I would say "no" to a 1500, but a 3500? We tow our LEII with a Tundra, which has 1465 lb. payload capacity. Granted, the Tundra requires a weight distribution hitch, and we are on the payload margin with 550-600 lbs. tongue weight, two of us plus gear, but with 4330 lbs. of payload capacity, and 6410 lbs. towing capacity, I would think the Ram 3500 cargo van would be in the "o.k." range. What am I missing?

If a Chevy Express does have a 10,000 pound tow rating it might be a good choice. That would probably be the cargo version. I think the passenger versions have much have much lower tow ratings, which is too bad. Years ago, we towed a trailer roughly LE2 size/weight cross country with a Ford E350 passenger van with the V10 engine. It was a great travel vehicle: tons of power, lots of interior cargo space, and captains chairs for all of us. Only got rid of it when we went to a fifth wheel. Wasn't there an Ollie owner on the forum towing with a full-size cargo van?

Not a good choice. The empty dry weight of a bare bones no options Elite II is 4,900 lbs. That’s completely empty with no options at all. We have minimal options (no solar package, no second awning, no front storage basket) and our Elite II has a dry weight of 5,100 lbs on the factory sticker. Loaded up for camping we are close to 6,000 lbs with a full fresh water tank. Some owners are over 6,000 lbs. because of their options and accessories. That RAM towing capacity doesn’t give much of a safety margin.

You can use a small generator to charge your lithium batteries through the 30 amp shoreline cord but you'll have to change a setting on your Xantrex converter if your generator only has a 15 amp outlet. The default setting on the Xantrex will attempt to pull up to 25 amps, which will trip the breaker on your generator. You can change setting 28 to 15 amps (or less) when you're charging with a small generator. Note that the little genny will work hard making those 15 amps. I might choose 5 or 10 amps so the generator doesn't work so hard (and loud). I don't know about connecting a generator 12v DC output to the external solar connector. You'd have to make sure you're within the wiring limits. The good news is, the solar panels do a great job. If you aren't running the A/C off the batteries, and you have decent weather, you probably won't need the generator much.

One thing to consider: If you’re getting the new 13500 BTU Truma Aventa AC on your Oliver, it will require a 3000 watt generator to run it.

If you use a generator to supplement your solar you can use your trailer power cord just like if you are on shore power. You might need a simple 30a to 15a adapter, depending on the generator. I had a Champion that had a 30a RV plug on the front. My current generator does not. Your solar connection is entirely different than a power connection plus you don’t need anything other than what is on the side of your trailer. We’ve done a fair amount of camping and have rarely needed to use our generator to charge. A few occasions during extremely overcast weather and cold nights caused our batteries to run down to the point I pulled out the generator. If there is any amount of sun and you aren’t in the shade you’ll find you solar will keep up just fine. Lithium batteries allow you to more of the amp hours than traditional batteries do. If you get a generator just ensure it’s a quiet inverter generator. Nothing is more annoying that campers with open frame contractor generators polluting the air with lots of noise. Mike

Share and Enjoy !Shares If you’re ready to take your travel trailer to the next level, you’ve come to the right place! DIY upgrades can make your trailer feel like home and make your travels even more enjoyable. Upgrading a trailer can be a daunting task, but with a few simple projects, you can make a big impact on the look, feel, and functionality of your rig. Here are some ideas for simple DIY upgrades to your travel trailer that you can complete in a weekend or less. 1. Add Outdoor Lighting Outdoor lighting can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your trailer. Solar-powered landscape lights are a simple and affordable solution that can add a touch of elegance to the exterior of your trailer. You can also install motion sensor lights to improve the security of your trailer while you’re away. 2. Upgrade Your Bedding A comfortable bed is essential for any successful camping trip, so don’t skimp on your sleeping setup. Upgrade your bedding with a mattress topper, cozy blankets, and a set of new pillows. You can also add a few decorative touches like wall hangings and throw pillows to give your trailer a more homey feel. 3. Install a TV If you’re looking for a way to stay entertained on the road, consider installing a TV in your trailer. You can find a variety of sizes and styles, so you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your space. This upgrade is especially helpful for families with children, as it can provide hours of entertainment. 4. Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets If your kitchen cabinets are looking a bit dated, give them a makeover with a few simple upgrades. Start by replacing the cabinet hardware with something more modern and stylish. You can also paint the cabinets and add decorative embellishments to give them a fresh look. 5. Add a Shower Adding a shower to your trailer can make all the difference in your camping experience. You can find a variety of shower kits that are designed to fit in small spaces, so you don’t have to worry about sacrificing too much storage space. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can even install a hot water heater to make your shower even more enjoyable. 6. Upgrade Your Curtains Curtains are a simple yet effective way to make your trailer look more stylish and inviting. You can find a variety of fabrics and styles to choose from, so take some time to pick out something that fits your style. This upgrade is also great if you’re looking to improve the privacy of your trailer. 7. Add Decorative Accents No matter how small your trailer is, you can still add a few decorative touches to give it a more homey feel. Consider adding a rug, wall art, and other small accents to make your trailer feel more inviting and cozy. 8. Replace Cabinet Hardware Another DIY upgrade that can be done on a travel trailer is replacing the cabinet hardware. This is a great way to give the trailer a more modern look without breaking the budget. Consider replacing the cabinet handles and knobs with more stylish options such as brass, chrome, or nickel. To get started, measure the size of the existing hardware and then look for replacements that will fit. Once the new hardware has been purchased, it is as simple as unscrewing the old hardware and replacing it with the new one. 9. Replace the Flooring An easy way to upgrade your travel trailer is to replace the flooring. You can use peel-and-stick tiles which come in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can customize your trailer to fit your style. You can also opt for a more durable vinyl or laminate flooring, which is easy to install and can even be waterproof. This type of flooring will give your travel trailer a more modern feel. Twin Bed Floor Plan Walkway 10. Upgrade the Exterior A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to update the look of your travel trailer. Consider painting colorful stripes, or adding unique decals or stickers to make your trailer stand out. You can also replace the old tires with new ones, or add awnings or window coverings to give your trailer a more personalized feel. Final Thoughts These are just a few ideas for simple DIY upgrades to your travel trailer. With a little bit of planning and a few tools, you can make a big impact on the look and feel of your rig without breaking the bank. Have fun and be creative with your upgrades, and you’re sure to create a trailer that you’ll love for years to come. Contact Oliver Travel Trailers for Your Trailer Needs Oliver Travel Trailers is the premier destination for those looking for a high-quality travel trailer. With a wide selection of models to choose from, there is sure to be one that fits your needs and budget. Oliver Travel Trailers are built to last, with high-grade materials and craftsmanship that stands the test of time. Our expert team of sales staff and service technicians are knowledgeable and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that you have the best experience possible. In addition to our superior travel trailers, Oliver Travel Trailers also offers a variety of accessories and parts to enhance your experience. Whether you need a new awning, hitch, or custom interior, we have it all. We also provide excellent customer service, with friendly and knowledgeable staff who are always willing to answer any questions you may have. With our commitment to excellence and unbeatable prices, Oliver Travel Trailers is the perfect place to purchase your next travel trailer. Stop by today for more information! Share and Enjoy !Shares The post Ideas for Simple DIY Upgrades to Your Travel Trailer appeared first on Oliver Travel Trailers. Read the Full Article

I'm liking this a lot. Generators are advancing rapidly in tech and features and there are dozens of manufactures. Honda no longer owns the "quiet generator" market, and amazingly they seem to be getting smaller at the same time they are getting quieter. I have two linkable Sportsman 2200w inverter gens I bought several years ago. I'm willing to bet they are Honda knock-offs but they were really cheap, and they have turned out to be very reliable. They almost always start on the first or second pull of the cord. They are very quiet, the specs say 53 db, and of course very light weight at about 48 pounds. Looking them up I found they are now duel fuel for propane operation, and they are on sale at Tractor Supply for about $500 each. Wish I didn't already own two of the older ones. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/sportsman-2-200-watts-dual-fuel-inverter-generator-gen2200dfi?cm_vc=-10005

Brian, Thanks for sharing your post on the Badlands! I am blessed to do volunteer work on the Pine Ridge Reservation each year where we work on the local's bicycles (73) and donate bicycles (120) to those in need. I boondock on an Elder's place outside of Wanblee, just south of the Badlands. Thankfully, I was able to bicycle each day in the Badlands and the land massages my soul. The Lakota there are challenged in many ways but, are warm, friendly and loving. They are deeply appreciative of the bicycles - for most, it is their only means of transportation. I am truly thankful to be invited and be a part of such a wonderful program. Here are a few pics from this year's trip and the Give-Away with "Bikes to Pine Ridge":

Also, in the spirit of this thread, as we wait for our Oliver LE II. If you haven’t boondocked in the Badlands, you should. Just outside Badlands NP there is a huge area that is a national grasslands and allows up to 14 days free camping. Many pull outs right along the edge of the Badlands like we scored. Great thread, look forward to visiting it often and seeing more places we want to go. Brian Paris, TN

Here is spot very near Ajo, AZ

Quartzsite iss filling up in preparation for the RV Show, but its still possible to find solitude in the desert amongst thousands of other boondockers. Near Dome Rock

These are from trips we've made in our van, but they are definitely in the spirit of the post. We are truly lucky out west to be able to find so many cool places off the beaten path

Oliver under a full moon in front of a large campfire (No flash used). Boondocking in the Owyhee country of Oregon.