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Thanks for the clarification John. It really doesn't matter to me anymore anyway. When I upgraded to three 100 AH Battleborn batteries this spring, I disconnected the seven pin charging wire from the bus under the street side bed knowing that the charging profile from my Land Cruiser alternator wasn't going to be a match for the new lithium batteries. Someday if I make the compressor refrigerator upgrade I'll consider the Redarc DC to DC charger too. For now the solar meets all of our charging needs, including running a CPAP machine at night. BTW - Just came back inside to enjoy the A/C for a few minutes. I'm changing out the radiator on the Land Cruiser today before heading to Colorado next week with the Oliver for a 4x4 trip near Fort Collins with some of the guys from Ih8mud.com forum. The radiator has the typical crack around the old design raised boss.

You can replace the stock Southco lock with “stamped” key with this lock with “cut” key I found this one (not Southco), not sure if it will fit though, you can also check Southco and/or Amazon

I had my regular RV repair shop instal the Isotherm Cruise 130 that Oliver is now using. The refer and instal was under $3K. They did a nice job and we have been happy with the Isotherm (Webasto). As noted, the freezer is small, but the refrigerator holds a lot for its size. We have 540ah of Battleborn lithium power which is more than enough for our needs even with a few cloudy days. I was worried about the noise of the compressor cycling through the night as I am a light sleeper, but it has not been an issue.

I have no issues running Dometic AC on 20 Amp Shore power. I always wait until my batteries are charge up before turning on my Dometic AC. Also use the HUGHES Autoformer Voltage Booster. On the 20 amp service if voltage drops to 113 volts or below the Autoformer will boost up the voltage. I have the 3000 Watt Xantrex Freedom XC Inverter

A couple OTT spotting... Two Thursdays ago, 22JUN, we were I-25 northbound, right lane, 65mph, near Trinidad, CO - and a silver Tundra TV blows by in the left lane with their OTT in tow - it was looking like we were looking at us going by! Then yesterday in Amarillo, TX - we pull into the Route 66 RV Park right in front of a TX Ollie! Small world, the Oliver Family!

I think if you turn the xantrex inverter/converter to a lower max amp setting, such as 15a, to accommodate a low amp rated input and forget to turn it back up when you plug into 30a shore power, your batteries will still charge but at a slower rate, Provided the max draw from all the loads doesn’t exceed 15a.

We're very happy to be new owners and part of this Oliver Community. Just one month ago, we had no idea! What is an Oliver? We started (part-time) RV life about 5 years ago, with hopes to travel the great American West! We started big with a Class A diesel-pusher. Sold that one a year later, then tried a Class C. By the way, RV manufactures have no business mounting a 30' box on an E450 chassis. Sold this one in May, wanting something smaller, likely a travel trailer, that would make it up and down the dirt roads prevalent in Arizona. We were very lucky to find a used Oliver listed locally for sale online, and it was right down the road from us. I wanted to see it, thinking there is NO WAY we would spend that kind of money on a TT! We bought it a few days later. Haven't been out yet, but planning to leave Monday, heading north to Kendricks Peak Wilderness Area for a few days dry camping. We do not usually summer-camp, down here in the SW climate, but hoping up at 8K feet elevation, it will be cool enough without hookups and A/C. So far, I've replaced the old corner TV, with a centered 30" Samsung smart TV, got the Dish Satellite working. Filled, cleaned and drained tanks. Pulled the regulators off our grill and fire-ring and purchased quick-connect LP lines. Thought our 2008 Lexus GX 4.7L v8 might pull it, and it was OK around town, but not climbing steep grades in the Rockies! So, another great find was an older Dodge Ram Cummins, not as powerful as the newer ones, but perfect for this trailer, and there it was in excellent condition, white with gray lowers and black moldings and it looks perfect with the Oli in tow and should pull fine up the mountains (will post pic soon). We're likely have a lot of questions and will post improvements. Glad to see so much info here and with a decent search engine! Thank you, ahead of time for your help!

That's a slam/press latch. It would probably chew up the gasket and the fiberglass edge of the opening unless you remembered to hold it open while closing the hatch. I don't see any Southco compression latches with real keys that would directly fit our application. If anyone does find one please post.

The regulated voltage is too low, I have a Scan Gauge and rarely see over 13.9 volts, it usually stays at 13.5. I don’t know if this also applies to 5.7 Sequoias and Tundras, my guess is yes. But that voltage works perfectly through a smart DC to DC charger like the Redarc. John Davies Spokane WA

The sensor does use an O-ring and they supply some spares in the kit. Good idea to add silicone, I'll do that next time.

Thanks for the info. Does that sensor use an oring? If so it needs to be inspected and replaced if necessary. I always add a dab of silicone dielectric grease to the oring and threads to to keep out moisture and prevent thread seizing. I am glad you figured out how to get it open, non-destructively. John Davies Spokane WA

Here is part of an e-mail from Hanna in Oliver Service

The pink flower was a Lady Slipper over on the Island! Great walking spot right on campgrounds, as was the bubbling Brook falls! Such a wonderful trip even in the rain!

16th season in, I agree. We toured (literally) over 100 trailers. Obviously, we're happy woth our choice.

John, I was looking at a used Ollie and called OTT service who mentioned that they can or will soon offer the refer retrofit. I didn't ask about the controller. The $5k is in the ballpark and includes the outside table.

Shoreline near Phillips gardens

Inside the Port au Choix National Historic Site Visitors Center looking out the window at a Caribou

The relief stopped bubbling and hissing. I also turned the set screw and allowed some propane out 2-3 seconds. Turned a tank on and lite both stove burners. All seems to be good.

Thank you for your kind welcomes, Mossey and Kirk & Carrie! Was just out to check the hitch height again and set the trailer brake controller. I just installed a modern Tekonsha (It had an old one, circa 2001). Took a couple of pics, TV and OTT!

I think it was this one. Best if you go get a few of the fittings at a HW store and a couple short pieces of PEX tubing.

I sort of went through the same exercise as you, but only in my mind. I have been studying RVing for almost three years now. Oliver started our EII last Tuesday. Delivery is scheduled for August 9. You made a smart choice! 😁😁😁 Happy RVing and stay connected to us here.

Elk in a field along the roadside, Oct 2022, Orick CA

Just plugging in tripped. I Forwarded an e-mail from Hanna to Steve to share what I needed to do. #28 on the inverter had to be changed. I have easy start, but we weren't using anything but the lights, and the house was charging the batteries. Not sure how I can get that e-mail on here. There are great tables she sent in the e-mail.

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your shakedown trip! Mossey

FWIW, I run Dometic AC on 20amp circuit at home without any apparent issues.

I agree on the interesting question. I suspect based on my reading that if the trailer is plugged into a source that is insufficient to start the air conditioner, the ems would trip shutting off ac power from the house, or the house breaker would trip. Not sure which would happen first. It would be awesome if the inverter had a way to power the converter with low amperage shore power and run the converter with only battery power. I haven’t found any documentation that this is possible. Lets us know what the outcome is.

Exactly. She did say registering wasn't required. I had to get Oliver to send me a signed letter that our Oliver was a 2022 and we picked it up in March 2022.

Well, it's 16 seasons later, now. Three years ago, we upgraded our 2 x 100 watt panels to 2 x 200 watt bifacial panels, made in Michigan. Great upgrade. Now, I see Renogy has introduced 220 watt bifacial panels, with perc tech, plus half cut cells. We're happy with what we have, for now, but I do love the concept of this new product. (No size listed. We have a 2008 elite,so, limited space, even with our custom sidemount.) Think of the watts generated bouncing off that glossy white hull? We think we get extra, but have never tried to measure, with our bifacials. I'm glad to see manufacturers continue to upgrade the status quo. https://www.renogy.com/bifacial-220-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-solar-panel/

Saw this today. A rollup solar awning has entered the international marketplace. Kind of pretty, too. https://www.rvnews.com/solar-awning-competition-grows/

Yep… definitely #7!

Truly beautiful. So very well performed. My great grandmother's first husband died in the Civil War. A recruit from central Iowa, leaving her with two little boys. She sold that farm, moved up to Southern Minnesota near her brother, and homesteaded 80 acres. The message in this music is haunting, and so very moving. O the horrors of war. Truly it may be considered the most cruel and awful scourge which can befall a nation. Heaven grant there may be an end soon. (Samuel D. Lougheed letter to his wife Jane "Jennie" Lougheed, October 7, 1862) thank you.

Yeh, I was hoping someone would chime in, but alas, I just submitted a ticket. I'm hoping it won't be too much of a hassle to pull the fridge out and figure out what it will take to re attach the top piece of plastic. For the time being it's being held in place with some nice wide blue paper tape. We were getting ready to move the trailer when I noticed the loose piece so I really didn't have the time to fully address it, there's no problem with the function of the fridge, but I'm glad I caught it before driving the 5 hours down "the hill" to Denver, otherwise we may have found a different problem when we arrived. We've put over 14,000 miles on the Ollie since picking it up last June so I suppose a loose piece of plastic here and there are to be expected. Take home lesson: Always check everything before rolling

Thanks to all for the examples of calculations -- We have to be mindful that some people's Olivers might have different tires (am I right, that they had to switch during tight supply chain issues?)....

Great how we work together, isn't it? (Eye rolls aside, lol. It is what it is. How many hours of my life have I spent looking for Paul's caps, keys, glasses, etc. It's just what we do. ❤️❤️❤️ and how we roll on down the highway. ) If we can't joke about it, it just isn't "fun" anymore. Thanks for the memories. 🤗

the lithium is great for that for sure.

Snow Foxes

I'm catching up on some reading, I know this from a few months back, but @Ron and Phyllis it's great to hear someone else enjoying the Elite I like we do. We use the beds the same way. We do use the side bed in a permanent setup like @David Purkey was considering. I hope that is working out well. We find we enjoy not having to setup/change the beds daily. And we have pillows that allow us to use either the back area as a lounge area for us both sitting up w/feet up and watch TV together. Or we have our "separate" areas and I'll use the dinette as my day-time lounge area with my wife in the rear. We have some nice sized lap trays we use for the few times we eat in the camper. We've had our trailer (Hull #36, third owners) for about 18 months and have found this to work out very well for us. We all have our own ways of course, but again it's nice to hear about some shared views too.

Nice work.

Ron, Following up on the articulating table mount. Here is what I plan to install in "Coddiwomple" (Elite 1) when we get it next spring. With this setup we should be able to position the tabletop next to the stovetop and my wife is happy about that. It is a lagun-type removable table mount and seems to be very strong. The powdercoat finish is nice and the fit is tight. I contacted Foy and he can make a tabletop for us with the underside routed out to lighten it up so I will order that later when I dial in the final tabletop dimensions. Need to figure out support bracing and backing later. Might have to have a custom brace made so as not to stress the fiberglass. I purchased this from EZ-Reach (division of Cass Hudson) and spoke to the design engineer about my plan to add a second arm so I would have an elbow like movement rather than just one arm with an arc. He thought it was a good idea and would work so I ordered two of the 12" arms. I cut one tube down so it would fit in to the other and it works great. I extended it out all the way and put 20lbs on the table bracket - It is solid. Now I just need a trailer to install it in! David Purkey

Many of these "locking mechanisms" are adjustable as to the length of the rod that holds the metal tab which slides onto that thicker block you installed. Pictures certainly would help us determine if this could be done in your case. Bill

After looking closer at the Lagun mount and your idea of using it to increase your prep space, I will be very interested to see what transpires. Ron

We keep our Oli EII @ 55psi also. For a couple reasons. 1. I have calculated the weight for the Oliver while towing, the tongue weight, and the weight on both my front and rear axles of the truck with everything fully loaded for towing. 2. The truck uses the same psi and all I have to remember is 55 psi for all the tires. 3. I figure that at 55 psi it’s a little high for the Oliver but it allows that if one tire goes bad the other three tires still have enough strength to carry the load. If I remember correctly I did the calculations for 6500 trailer weight. Not that I am planning on driving on three tires on the Ollie I just wanted that extra safety factor so by the time I found out that a tired gone bad I’d still have time to get it parked over on the side of the road and maybe limp it to someplace where I could change it without getting someone hurt

When we took delivery in may 2022, Oliver told us 55 psi.

We keep our Coopers at 50. We have the AT3 not the HT3. Mike

We normally keep ours around between 55-65, 60 seems to be our sweet spot so far.

The thing is, everyone is correct. Because everyone has different needs, wants, and situations. Overland knows the calcs as well as anyone. We are severe power misers, accustomed to camping without power, and no 110 appliances or inverters. JED uses an inverter, at least sometimes. I wouldn't recommend a dc fridge to most people who have our puny batteries, and limited solar. Even though we doubled our solar, I'm still not recommending dc fridge to those who aren't willing to monitor limited agm battery power. I've spent (as I've mentioned other times) hours, chasing the sun with portable solar. And, in crappy days, I still have to run a fossil fuel Honda 1000 for a half hour to an hour in the morning. Everyone has a different plan, situation, and certainly, most have more battery power than I do. And, most don't want to limit consumption as much as we do. If I had lithium, I could certainly relax for a weekend. But, hey. I'm the one who monitors pretty much everything, at home, or camping. I know what we "need", and yes, there is certainly more I'd love to have. But, indecisive if it's worth it, for us, and our habits. More power to you all with lithium. (No pun intended.)

Need is a word that gets thrown around a lot right after someone does that mod on their own trailer, lol. I don't think it applies here, because, you know, generators. But definitely some thought needs to go into both power sources and storage. Like SeaDawg said, expect your electric bill to go up by anywhere from 50 to 75 amp hours. So, you can plan to recover that each day by some means, and/or, up your storage to get you from charge to charge. We use roughly 70 Ah non-fridge, and 60 fridge - so, 130 Ah total to try to recover. To get that from solar exclusively, that would equate to 650 watts (rule of thumb = 20 Ah per 100 watts of solar). So, that's not gonna happen without serious modifications. You'd also in addition want 3 days of battery storage to get you through cloudy weeks, or 400 Ah - an easy but expensive upgrade. You said you had LFP batteries, but not how much. 400 would be the minimum in my opinion, but SeaDawg is reading that and laughing. But, you might not be able to hear her over her generator 😜. If you got the 600 Ah option (platinum, natch) then you've got the extra amps in the bank to get you from charge to charge. 4 or 5 days, easy, more with good sun. So unless you're a dedicated boondocker, I'd say try it and see. Or get that generator. Or get a new truck. Those F150 hybrids with the built in generator are pretty sweet. I do however agree 100% that you should put some thought into a truck fridge. We've got a DC fridge in both truck and trailer and I wouldn't give up my truck fridge for anything, except perhaps for a larger one. In fact it's become permanent. It's very convenient for grocery runs, when you don't want to head straight home to put everything up. But just as importantly, we can stuff 3 weeks worth of food in there.

We have been running a Dometic CFX-35 in the bed of our tow vehicle now for a year and find it to be an excellent addition to the fridge in our current SOB trailer. Plan is to keep this compressor fridge in the TV after getting the Ollie in September. The setup we have to run the chest compressor fridge in the bed of the truck is a 100W solar panel mounted on the roof rack on the truck shell run to a MPPT controller which then feeds two 12v AGM batteries mounted to the front of the truck bed. Never had any issues with being able to run the dometic either in fridge or freezer mode 24/7 and then fully recharging the batteries the next day. This system is NOT tied into the TV electrical, rather a stand-alone system. Planning to use it after getting the Ollie to charge Ollie batteries when Ollie is parked in the shade by parking TV is full sun and running wires from battery bank in truck bed to Zamp port on Ollie instead of hauling around a ground mount, portable panel. The Dometic sips amps and is useful for either overload food or to freeze a lot of water bottles/freezer packs for use in a cooler when away from the trailer.

If you install a DC fridge you will need a better way to recharge. For your gas fridge, use the propane mode when towing, but always be aware of the wind direction when refueling at a gas station. I have done this forever and have yet to blow something up. You can fix the lack of TV charging for the factory lithium batteries relatively easily, but you have to be able to fabricate a mount and run wires or hire somebody to do it. If your TV has a “smart” alternator you have to run a small gauge voltage sense wire all the way up to the engine bay, but most TVs do not require this. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/5270-how-to-redarc-dc-to-dc-11-amp-output-trailer-charger-installation/ Consider a separate DC compressor fridge located inside your truck, it will be very useful for stocking extra supplies. I carry a mid-sized ARB one for any trip longer than two weeks. I haven’t camped at over 8000 feet, but so far the gas fridge (running on propane) has been fine, even going over 10,000 foot passes. Run with what you have before getting too worried about upgrading..... John Davies Spokane WA

You mean this evolution thing never stops??