Leaderboard

Last year we met another couple from our general region, and they generously let us tour their Oliver. It turned out the lady and I grew up in the same hometown with a number of common acquaintances, and the husband and I shared common interests. When we decided to purchase an Ollie, we reached out and asked questions about what they liked and what they might have done differently if purchasing a new trailer. We were beginning the process of filling out the build sheet, and working with a great sales person when we received a text from the couple asking if we might be interested in purchasing their Oliver. They had been on a camping trip, and our town was nearly on their route home, so they stopped by to let us take another look. Needless to say, we were as impressed this time as we were last year, and a deposit was made. We hope to pick up the beautiful new to us Oliver Elite II in about 10 days. We are thrilled! Photos to follow after our Ollie is home at Fort Sagebrush.

Droning on with the pictures... 🙂 Here are a few more. @Mike and Carol @ScubaRx @Foy_Mirna The Lodge from 200' AGL Shortly after a major down pour - you can see the run off going into the lake. After the storm... LGSP Campground The other end... @Ollie-Haus @Steve Morris @jellybean

I’m interested in your install and review, too. Our current Dometic noise machine needs to go. So, we have to choose between the Truma, Houghton or Freshjet. Thanks for posting this information! Mike

Please note the shop I am working with is backed up for at least a month, so I will share more as I progress! I was fortunate the tech had the training on the new Dometic just last week and suggested it as an option when we were discussing the Houghton.

Yes the current Dometic AC’s are noise makers! Truma and Houghton are so much quieter that now Dometic is forced to step it up! Ya gotta love competition in the free market! 😊 Patriot🇺🇸

Beautiful vintage trailer. We crossed paths in Montreal last year with a large group doing a cross-Canada tour. Many interesting tow rigs of vintage vehicles and trailers with a few Bolers.

For those that were interested in Rocktamers. Rocktamers is having a Memorial Day sale. 20% off everything. https://www.cruiserframes.com/rocktamers.asp?fbclid=PAAaYDipeRvwo34i45wActrEVbegVJ8Elmu4yjkQiIh2Y_2IhiDhRDfWRjCC4

@SeaDawg No heat pump or heat strip on the Truma Aventa.

Hey everyone, we are trying to put together a trip for the CGI team to travel to East Tennessee and surrounding areas in August for ceramic coatings. If you are in the area and are interested in having your trailer coated, please reach out to us! Here is a link to our website for more information about the coating, process, and pricing: https://www.cgidetailing.com/olivertraveltrailers We look forward to hearing from you, thank you!

Love the drone pics. Now if you can just help me convince Shawna I need one...lol

A member sent me a pm a few weeks back, asking about the "quote" function. It is really useful to keep comments and replies in context with the right post, and it's used frequently, but some folks aren't experienced in using it. So, for "new to forums" members, here's a brief "how to." Two ways to use "quote" on my phone: Quote the entire post (which is sometimes too much), click on the quote button on the bottom of the post, and the software will open a new post for you. Easy peasy. You can delete part of the quoted post, as you wish... OR, on a phone or other touch screen, you can touch, hold, and highlight the section you wish to respond to, and then select quote (not copy), and a new reply box will open with your abbreviated quote.

This is an interesting product from Dometic. From their literature it seems that they understand their current AC’s have issues! I’d be interested in pricing. Mike

I took my 2022 EII trailer in to have my loud Dometric exchanged for the Houghton/RecPro. And the tech told me he just finished a training on the new Dometc Fresh Jet and it is supposed to be the quietest AC on the market. it would be an easier retrofit, and when I look it up on Amazon, it says the sound level is 58 dB. That is lower than Houghton, I think. They are backed up for a month so I won’t get it done right away and I’m wondering if anyone else has researched this. I welcome everyone’s feedback.

Very nice! I love the drone shots.

Hopefully the foot print of the Freshjet 3 will mirror the foot print of the Dometic Penguin Oliver uses. A direct retro fit and clean install is critical especially on an Oliver. It might be a good idea to ask if there will be any Fiberglass work necessary on the exterior or interior? We just had the Truma Aventa installed and it required a fair amount of fiberglass work by Oliver. It turned out excellent. Patriot🇺🇸

That’s wisdom! Learned this sticky trick years ago. Great to see it still being used. Thanks @rideandfly!

This is very interesting! I’ll be anxious to hear more about your install and reviews.

The 2200 may be just cooling and dehumidifier, like the smaller houghton we have? European specs say it's good for trailers up to 7 meters. I'm looking forward to your install and review.

the tech I am working with just sent me this for pricing: Hello this will be a direct fit no need to retro fit anything. Dometic Freshjet 3 Series, Rooftop RV Air Conditioner 13500 BTU, White. with shipping cost $1027.58 + tax I don't know what labor will be, but because they are Dometic servicers, I am hoping it won't be more than 2 hours time. I can keep you posted, as this seems like the way to go for me. I live in CA and travelling to TN for the Truma is not an option. Plus this is MUCH less expensive and should use my existing thermostat. I don't think the heat pump or remote is available in the states yet. I have asked my tech and also asked if this will match to existing condensation drainage.

I also have a 2017and have experienced this exact same noise off and on for years. Just last week. I contacted Progressive Dynamics and they told me that they have made upgrades to the PD4045 KA converter and I needed the upgraded part PD4045CSV which I ordered fromBOAT & RV Accessories it costs about a buck eighty

Our smaller Houghton doesn't have one. I think the bigger Houghton has a heat pump. The Truma? I don't know. Heat strip or heat pump? @Patriot can fill us in, I'm sure. Will be good to know about features vs cost, etc. Would be really great if the freshjet hooks up with the condensate drain. Thanks, @Roadlotus, for asking all the questions.

No heat strip in the new Dometic freshJet? I didn’t see it mentioned in the features. Our old Dometic has the electric heat strip which we use quite often for just getting the interior warmed up a bit on cold mornings when we are at a campground with shore power instead of burning propane to run the furnace.

Let him know there are more Oliver owners very interested in what he says! Mike

Awesome! We really like ours so far! Patriot🇺🇸

Shawna - HE REALLY DOES NEED A DRONE!!! Does that help?

@Roadlotus, does this price include the new interior unit/Adu, as well? I usually see Dometic units priced separately, since many can be used with a ducted system. If so, that's a great price. (The Houghton we bought included both units in the quoted price.) @Patriot, I'm curious about the fiberglass work necessary for your Truma upgrade. It seems as though all the rooftop units and vents these days are sized for the standard 14 x 14 opening. What did Oliver have to do for the Truma? When we installed our Houghton, we had to file and square up a jagged corner or two, but that was it.

Following. Very interested.

And, we would be remiss if we didn't remember Tina Turner. We lost another amazing female performer yesterday, at age 83. I'm linking a video from just a few years back. We could all just hope that we'd have her energy and love at her age. You can Google a zillion performances of Proud Mary, but this is amazing.

Here are all the handouts the tech (appropriately named "Jason") gave me. Some is sales advice, but there are flowcharts for retrofits and good data - you'll see the Penguin II that is in the 2022s listed. 1971602662_ACModelFlowChart2022.pdf 1834042850_acFreshJetSalesTraining2023.pdf acFreshJet_FeaturesANDBenefits_Fall2022_FINAL.pdf

I wonder if the the Dometic Fresh Jet will retro fit and use the existing condensate drains like the Truma Aventa? Patriot🇺🇸

I was just about to pull the trigger on a Truma! I think I will wait a bit now.

The Dometic freshjet has awesome reviews in European and Australian markets. Your post is the first I've heard of it in the USA. I'm extremely happy to see it stateside, finally. (I posted a lament years ago that we in the US are the last to get the best in ac). Builtin soft start. Lightweight. Heat/cool/dehumidifier. https://www.diycaravans.com.au/shop/ac-unit-dometic-freshjet-2200/

Tillicum Beach CG is about 50% first come first served, a prime spot opened yesterday and we grabbed it, lucky #13. Wide open to solar, backed at an angle we can see the surf from the right rear and back windows. And the Verizon signal is better too. We decided to lengthen our stay through the holiday weekend, then we are off to Cape Disappointment SP in WA. John Davies Spokane WA

A few more pics: The rally was exhausting for the little brown dogs........

I didn't take a single photo all week! I finally grabbed the camera Monday morning before we left, so here are a few from G loop. The sunset photo was Deb's phone on Wednesday evening.

When replacing the black tank valve, used a piece of double sided tape to hold the nut while threading into it:

Katjo, Thank you for the heads-up!

This is one that I puchased a couple of years ago. Works great. I think that it's a bit louder than advertised and it's not a lightweight! I use it with propane fuel. I am going to build a collapsible box with sound deadening material to fit around it for use on the road. I bought it on sale at Costco for $599.00 Dual Fuel Inverter Portable Generator 4000W Electric Start with CO ALE – FIRMAN Power Equipment

We got the same deal on the C44 at the Truma booth at Overland Expo West this past weekend. Just a bit bigger than the C36 but still fits under the truck cover.

This just pulled into a site near me, at Tillicum Beach USFS CG near Waldport. it is immaculate and has a BC plate. The last two pics are not mine…. 😉 John Davies Spokane WA

Your lights are 12v and run off the batteries, even when you are on shore power. The inverter changes 12v from your batteries to 110v for your 110v outlets, it does not power your lights. Solar charges your batteries and doesn’t directly run anything. I don’t know what could be causing your issue, I’m not sure I hear it in your video. I’m sure someone will have an idea. Mike

It was a good rally. Time to learn stuff and time to socialize and meet new friends. See you next year!

Sure looks like everyone had a real blast at the rally - we hope to join y'all next year, for sure... 😎

Rocky Point, MEX last weekend... Magnus' first ever salty experience - he loved it! He really liked running the beach down there...

Tillucum Beach OR USFS campground, a lovely stunning scenic area, and nice clean air. But those darn trees! Zack appears to be feeling better now, after the loss of Zadie his mom, he really likes free running on the beach. John Davies Spokane Wa

I backed off the tension screws 3-4 rev's and was able to get another 1/4 turn on the mounting nut. Then re-tightened the 2 tension screws. the tightening screws appear to grip/anchor into the underside of the countertop, so that may end up being problematic, as it does not appear to have a metal washer between under side of sink counter and the mounting nut. A large Philips head with a 10-12" shank could possibly make it easier. One more item checked off before we leave. B~Out

SAME Here, in fact I was actually working on tightening it up, when I thought I would "Go To The Forum" and find a remedy. and here i am... Ours has worked its way loose since delivery/pickup many times. You have a better picture than I was able to get. I believe what we are seeing here is something like a "Delta Mounting Nut", on their single stem kitchen sinks. Back off the 2 "tightening screws" about one turn, then hand tighten the "mounting nut" (you can see the threads) as tight as you can, then tighten up the 2 screws. that should put enough tweak on the mounting nut to hold it in place. on my delta sink at home, it has one tighten screw, so when tightened, it puts a little tweak but just on one side, but that has held for years and is used a hundred times a day... I am going to work on mine now and see if I can get it tightened up before we leave for "VACA"...

NOOOOOOOO, no it was not easy. LoL OMG that was two hours I'll never get back. It's done and with no leaks. I filled up the grey tank to 100%, and then some. I let it sit for over an hour, checking for leaks very carefully and with a very bright light and white glove test. I also opened and closed the gate valve a few times and checked for leaks. The grey tank valve in this 2016 model is extremely difficult to do. Unlike the black tank valve that has rubber pipe connectors to loosen up for wiggle room. Next time, I drive to Tennessee and let Oliver curse through that grey tank valve. Errrgggggg. If you have a bad back, are over weight, or have arthritis in the hands I would think twice before attempting this. I hope the newer models have improved this part replacement. I had to rest my head on the jack motor several times. Oh, long arms are required. I've annotated some pictures. No certain order. Hopefully the plumbers grease will add an extra two years of life. I think the job could have been substantially easier if the gate valve could have been 1/8 to 1/4 inches off the basement floor. It would have at least saved time getting the two lower nuts off and on again. It's tricky for sure. I'm considering doing a short video with the pics and doing a voice-over to describe the challenges. In some of the pictures you can see what I believe is the grey tank sensor board in the background. Be careful with tools around the sensor, it could be damaged and work even less affective than it already does. I used a hammer as leverage to separate the grey tank side of the valve with the main black tank pipe. On my TT many of the electrical wire bundles were between the hull and the main drain pipe, preventing movement. I was however able to lift the bundles up to relieve some of the pressure on the drain pipe.

Yes, probably too harsh considering the entire continuum of all possibilities. What about the added protection against theft - aren't those "Lectric bikes"? Or, the enhanced front end collision protection to the vehicle? And, a good downpour would help to wash them off versus all that dust that is kicked up on the back of the camper going down dirt roads. There just must be other reasons but it is simply too early in the morning to ..... Bill

There are a lot of unnecessary parts listed in that kit, some you can't even use. All you need are the bearing cones and races and a grease seal. Everything else can be reused unless you damage or lose something. The bearing sets are available for $5-6 and a seal is around $3-4. Those bearing part numbers listed are correct for your axles but they are also industry standard numbers that every bearing manufacturer uses. Timken specific numbers to search for a cone and race set are: SET17 (for the inner), SET4 (for the outer), and then 473336 for the seal, which may be in either a National or Timken box.. Sometimes pricing will vary between buying a SET part number and the individual numbers. For instance: SET4 versus L44649 and L44610.