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Anyone else camping at Reno Stead Airport for the (alas, last) National Championship Air Races in Reno NV? We set up camp yesterday. We've been coming here for the past 15 years, but this is our first and last opportunity to camp out for the event in our OE2. If you're attending and would like to connect, we're in the RV West Lot. We're here in support of our team "Cruze Missle" race #10 and owner/pilot Tim Slater who's flying a Glassair SH-312 in the sport class.

If I'd known there was going to be math involved, I would not have signed up.

I’m not saying my hull moves on the frame, I’m saying my hull flexes. My bolts are tight. If I were to stand beside your trailer or any other Oliver I’m going to bet all of the hulls flex just like hulls 92 and 313. My point is you can make the frame as immovable as possible and you’re still going to have movement in the cabin due to flexing of the hull. I’m done.

Leadville is worth a stop. The highway in and out is enjoyable and scenic. If you want to do Highway 550 (Million Dollar Highway) through Ouray and Silverton a good place to camp is at Ridgway State Park near Ouray. You can also visit Telluride from there. Durango is also worth a visit (our son and family live there). Rifle Gap State Park is good for a few days of relaxation, it’s just a few miles from Rifle Falls State park, with a nice waterfall to visit. Steamboat is another nice town, you can stay at Yampa River State Park, it’s only about a 30 minute drive into Steamboat. If you want big city camping, Chatfield State Park is nice, just outside of Denver (Littleton, CO). Oh, the possibilities!

It's a trailer. It's going to move. When Steph says it's moving too much I go outside and give the rear jacks a little nudge. It's still better than our fifth wheels.

This is a great article on the high country around Durango/ Ouray/ Tellurude. https://expeditionportal.com/colorados-million-dollar-highway/ Be prepared for snow at any time up there! John Davies Spokane WA

Thank you! This is helpful! Regarding editing… In an iPhone, you can can add text or highlights and draw on photos by using: “Edit” then choosing the pen (and a good contrasting color) … like this.

OK, just back from the RV repair shop, again. They pulled the brake wires from inside the axles and attached new wires, zip tied to the outside of the axle. They gave me the old wires. One was about 11’ long, the other about 9’. The excess was stuffed into the axle. One had a spot where the insulation was rubbed through showing bare wires. The other had about 6” of electrical tape wrapped around the end where it connected to the brake. When I took the tape off I found a weird situation that makes no sense to me. This appears to be the same issue SNY SD UP was experiencing (his photos above). First, here’s the rub: (brown insulation worn to the red then to the copper. Then here’s the end that was taped. The tape extended from the end of the wires to where my fingers are, making it look as though it was one set of wires. The ends of the brown pair on top were completely covered with tape and the left end of the bottom brown and white pair was also covered, leaving only the ends of the brown and white pair showing. So, it appears they were not connected to anything? The tech simply cut the wires off when he was replacing them which are the brown/white pair. The top pair has one wire stripped and one is a few inches shorter than the other. I’m not sure what this was all about. They zip tied the new wires to the axle. I will add a few more to what they used. I had no “trailer brake disconnected” messages on the way home. We leave tomorrow for our fall trip for some cooler weather and fall leaves. Hopefully the problem is solved. I will close out my ticket with Oliver service. Their only offering was that when they’ve encountered this issue it’s almost always the tow vehicle. Not in this case.

Our Elite 1 doesn't have a very heavy tongue to begin with (no basket , nothing on the tongue, around 420 pounds.) I wouldn't try this on mine, for all the reasons Steve mentioned above. Our elite1 bumper is very short. We only carry a dump hose in the cavity .

That's a good bit of weight added behind the axles. Too much trailer weight behind the axles will lead to fishtailing and could lead to an accident. At the very least, he has altered the balance of the trailer and is reducing the tongue weight, another factor that could lead to decreased trailer control. I hope he's got a big truck pulling it. If so, he'll probably be OK. That said, "HOPE" is not a strategy.

Bill: I got to step 3 and there was no "markup" icon. I was using my desktop computer that has Windows 10. I moved to my laptop computer that has Windows 11 and was able to follow all your directions and added the blue circle. Thanks for the computer lesson

I see no movement of the body relative to the frame on our #797. Considering how the body mounts to the frame (see @ScubaRX comments), I’d be concerned some bolts are loose. I assume Oliver is not mounting the bodies any differently on later models. I’m camping for 2 weeks on gravel, and in addition to the 3 stabilizers down, I’ve got 2 Camco 3 ton jacks placed firmly under the frame at the forward Jack Points, and X-Chocks between the wheels on both sides, so 5 stabilization points in all, not counting the 4 wheels. This keeps the trailer fairly stable, especially when going up and down the stairs. I do not use the 3 stabilizers to lift the trailer. They are firmly placed on jack blocks but just enough to stabilize the trailer motion. I think there is some confusion about your question, perhaps they have not watched the video carefully. Of course the trailer moves quite a lot when moving around inside, but the body is not designed to move relative to the frame. I’d be interested in reading what Oliver Service would say about this.

Greetings from hull # 50 (plus 67)! 😁 Bill

Using Windows; 1- open the picture from the picture files 2- left click on "edit" (its the icon at the top of the screen with a "pencil" 3 - left click on "markup" (another pen/pencil icon). This will change the "mouse" to two mice with a red "plus" on their backs. Moving your mouse in a circle around the area to be noted will draw that blue line. Bill Note - I have other programs that allow for changing the color of the line, size of the line or even shapes for the line but using the standard Windows program for viewing saved pictures was the quickest and easiest.

Scuba RX, We're not alcohol drinkers either but stay at HH quite often. We especially like the museums and farm stands. Probably my favorite HH stay so far has been the Soaring Museum in Elmira, NY. It was great to watch the gliders take off and land just steps from our Ollie.

There is no dampening built into the trailer. The hull sits directly on the frame separated only by quarter inch strips of rubber between them. The attachment bolts go through the hull, rubber, and frame from the inside.

Where about's in CO are y'all headed? Since you're on "our side" of the Mississippi now, you'll find that there's plenty of Buc-ee's as you traverse through TX! FYI: If your travels take you to southern CO, we're only a couple hours south of the border on I-25. Got an easy drive-through, flat site w/30amp H/U - all yours for a just a cold one! HA!

Hello all you HAM operators. I am curious who’s LE1 is on the front cover of the June issue of QST magazine? Steve R.

The wheel pictured above was from an eBay auction. They wanted too much for these (without the tires). I found another eBay auction last night and bought them at a very good price! They will need a little clean-up, but happy to have 17" Dodge OEM forged wheels! (Four center caps are included.)

Hello from Amanda, Brent, Claire, and Sarah. We recently purchased hull #976 and can’t wait to put it to use. This is our first “Travel Trailer” kind of as we also own a Turtleback Expedition we are selling. I consider the Turtleback to be an overlanding trailer and it definitely has a different set of instructions. We have been gleaning tons of information from the forum and Facebook group and really appreciate everyone’s efforts to document their upgrades, ideas, and solutions. We look forward to meeting some of you in our travels. -Brent

I use a Hobie 16 main sheet tackle (Harken) to suspend a 50 pound Yakima box, no worries at all and it looks cool with blue line, but I would not trust any rope setup with a 250 pound canopy. This works great for 170 pounds of Maggiolina RTT plus steel crossbars. It is rated for 250 pounds. https://www.amazon.com/Racor-PHL-1R-HeavyLift-4-Foot-Cable-Lifted/dp/B0009I8AO6/ref=sr_1_1?m=A2EJCTH67GJMT3&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1542837300 It is discontinued but still available for a while. Buy 2! $49! I have no idea about shipping, the box is not big but it is pretty heavy. I bought mine new in box on Craigslist for $120… https://www.classicdiscountstore.shop/products/racor-ceiling-storage-lift-phl-1r I used the two spreader bars but not the actual platform. I also tossed the ceiling attach hardware ( tiny screws), drilled out the 8 holes, and used 1/4” lag bolts going directly into studs. Once lifted for the off season, criss cross the cargo with 1” nylon straps. Those go into FORGED closed eye 3/8” eyebolts in studs. Open eyed bolts could, well, open if a heavy load is dropped onto them suddenly. Probably overkill, but I sleep a lot better knowing a $5k tent is not going to drop onto a $40 k Land Cruiser…. This is temporary strapping for short term, I was reworking the attach hardware… and needed the truck bars out of the way. Normally the bars will stay attached all the time. John Davies Spokane WA

Mind-blowing possibilities!

@Patriot - OBTW: We'll be in Crested Butte with Casablanca 20-24SEP... Another fine area in the high country to watch the fall colors, they call them "Quackers" up there not Aspens, HA!

Agree. It’s never been an issue for us, not something we’ve ever been concerned about.

WOW! That's a big elephant - one bite at a time... Concur with John, I'd add Pagosa and Silverton to his list. Try not to miss the San Luis Valley and the Arkansas River from Ponchas Springs all the way up to Leadville (highest aerodrome in US). There's a nice transition over Independence Pass from Leadville area down to Aspen, your Tremor will eat up that breath-taking route with 14k'ers in all directions, Mt Massive, La Plata Peak, Castle Peak, and others. Enjoy CO, we've got a remote off-grid cabin there near Antonito - love it!

We are going to try and see as much of CO as we can! So our itinerary is wide open. Thanks for the invite MAX, we’ll keep it in mind and PM you if we make it down your way. 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸 Onward!

Always wanted to attend the Reno Air Races, but never made it to the Races. Any word on where the Races may be moving to? Have a great time!

Do this help anyone? The black "blob" circled in blue is the fuse.

Mike also told me that the fuse for the CO-Propane detector was under the street side twin bed (not under the dinette). He was correct. Above, I posted the picture that Mike sent me. Since there is further confusion, I have posted a picture of that location in my 2018 Elite II. The fuse holder is black and is on the red wire in my picture. It is a 1 amp fuse. If I had the proper software I would have circled the fuse in red to show you but I do not have that capability. Hope this helps.

I had asked him to run the wires on the back of the axle. I guess it depends on what your definition of back is? I’ll move them when I add a few more zip ties. Mike

That is scary wiring that the tech removed, BTW the wires should be run along the back side of the axle tubes, not the top or front. That way errant stones won’t cut or crush your pretty new wires. I personally would install split loom over them, but that is a personal choice. I bet the brakes work great now. John Davies Spokane WA

100%. ...and for general safety of occupants and passersby. 😅

I agree when parked off the road for higher visibility and especially insurance reasons. 👍🏻

Last night we night we stayed at Washington State recreation area. https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/camp/park.washingtoncounty.html A really nice CG @$20 per night elec only and a dump station. Super quiet, concrete pads, super clean rest rooms/showers, and really nice camp hosts. The park had plenty of availability when we arrived and is only 8-9 miles off I64. @rideandfly yes sir, we will be crossing the Mississippi today. 😊 Onward!

I’ve had five different tow vehicles over the past 15 years of Oliver ownership. The second TV I bought was a used 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ. I bought it to replace a (very bad choice) 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that I had leased with the intention of towing our new 2008 Hull #026 Oliver Elite. It had 20 inch wheels and worn out passenger car tires when I got it in 2009. I went to purchase new tires at Walmart, and found out that they didn’t handle any tires larger than 18 inch and they directed me to Mac’s Tire, a local tire shop here in town. When I got there, I told them that I wanted a Light Truck tire as I would be using this as a tow vehicle. They informed that there was no Light Truck tire for 20 inch rims. Muttering under my breath, I said what I really would like to have is a set of 18 inch rims. He made a phone call and about 10 minutes later a guy shows up with an essentially brand new 2010 Tahoe LT with 18 inch wheels and brand new tires. I told him I would trade my fancy LTZ wheels and worn out tires for his not quite as fancy LT wheels with the new tires. Even money, he was to pay Mac’s for the swap out. I kept this vehicle until I sold the Elite and bought Hull #050, the first Elite II sold in 2014. The third TV I bought was a new 2014 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 with the 6.2L Gasoline engine and the Max Tow Package. I had found it on the internet at a dealer in Illinois right across the river from St. Louis and bought it over the phone. When we got there to pick it up I told them I wanted to keep my old wheels and tires. They swapped out the 20 inch wheels that had come on the Sierra for my old 18 inch wheels and tires and we were on our way. We kept this vehicle until 2017 slowly realizing that this was not a particularly great vehicle for an Elite II. The fourth TV I bought was a new 2017 Silverado High Country 2500 HD with a 6.6L diesel. It was only available with 20 inch wheels. Ironically, the 3500 HD was only available with 18 inch wheels. By this time our Elite II was needing new tires so it was back to Mac’s. The grandson of the original owner saw me pull up and he came running out to see my new truck. He excitedly pointed across the lot to his new Silverado 3500. We talked trucks for a few minutes and he said the only thing he disliked about his truck was he couldn’t get any wheels bigger than 18 inch and I told him I felt the same way in that I could not get anything but 20 inch wheels. We looked silently at each other for a few seconds and I asked, “Wanna trade?” And we did. We kept that vehicle for a few years until I realized that I was about 700 pounds over my cargo carrying capacity and to be safe and legal, I needed a bigger truck. The fifth TV I bought was a new 2022 Silverado High Country 3500 HD with a 6.6L diesel. I increased my cargo capacity by 1700 pounds and all was good there. But by the time I ordered my 2022 model, the 3500 HD had dropped the 18 inch wheels and only came with 20 inch wheels. So, I swapped them again. The reasons that I did all this was due to what tires were available with the properties I wanted at the times I was buying. In 2007, 20 inch tires were rare and expensive. I wanted a size that I could buy at any tire store anywhere in the country. Seventeen inch wheels were the most popular size for trucks and SUV’s at that time and could be had at a reasonable price. Between 2014 and 2017, 20 inch wheels became very common place but there was still not a great selection of heavy duty tires in that size. Eighteen inch wheels were the standard on all the HD trucks simply because of the availability of heavier duty tires in that size. I could have stuck with the 20 inch wheels on the 2022 Silverado. But 18 inch tires are still easier to find and cheaper to boot. Besides, I’ve kinda gotten attached to those wheels.

@ScubaRx, et alia: Watch video. Disregard cicadas and dog panting. Note movement of body relative to frame. It is not a “distance from wheel skirt to lens vs. frame to lens” optical illusion. Check your Oliver and tell me what you see. I’ve seen it on John Roemer’s hull 92 and my hull 313. I bet they all do it. You’re chasing your tail trying to make it “non wobbly”. IMG_2653.mov

Before you waste more money, make sure the mounting bolts for all three jack are tight. They DO loosen over time, the front especially. If the hardware is loose the trailer is going to move around. worst case scenario, a jack will bind and won’t operate. The front is held on with three small bolts, that seems a little shady to me. The rears have big 1/2” bolts, the correct torque is 43 foot pounds if I recall correctly. The rears also have some bolts inside that you should check, but I don’t think they are the problem, it is the looooong ones that go through the frame that loosen, sometimes dramatically…! John Davies Spokane WA

Yes, however I have a storage box for the pole to keep it looking sano as it travels in the bed. The light mounting plate will live where you see it mounted and I can easily attach the light and solar panel at base camp set up. The light is plastic and likely would not withstand towing down the super slab underway. The lower profile light mounting bracket should be fine. Mod On!! 😊

I just did a db reading from my Freshjet and it was 62 average right under the unit running it on solar. I alsi did a video for reference. IMG_2501.mov

I always have APRS running and monitor 146.52 with my FTM400 and can usually score some HF contacts using my FT 857D and an ATAS 120A screwdriver antenna. Sometime last year,ARRL put out a call for field day operation pictures. I obliged the request and totally forgot about the photograph, until I learned it would be the cover shot Serendipity happens

We had this intermittent issue probably 10 years ago. It was a poor ground connection.

The longest we have made it truly “off the grid” by your definition is 11 days. We have an extra cooler for frozen, pre-made food (will upgrade to a 12v cooler one of these days), a composting toilet, a filtering jerrycan for extra drinking water purified from the creek, a sun shower for bathing, and a “scrubbing” laundry bag for when we inevitably run out of clean cycling kits. By the end we are craving fresh fruit, but it can be done!

We never drink from our fresh tank but still seasonally sanitize it. We usually carry 10 gallons of drinking water in one gallon containers. It stores nicely in milk crates in our TV bed. We will likely run out of food before water and restock as needed. I always chuckle when I hear “off the grid” camping. My thoughts are you are only “off the grid” as long as you have a plenty food and water supply and clean clothes. The grocery store, or laundry mat has the magical way to pull you back into to town for supplies to keep your “off the grid” camping trip moving forward in my experience. Just another view point. Patriot🇺🇸

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-gored-bison-yellowstone-national-park-rcna94791 Stay a safe distance from wildlife. And, keep your pets contained. Please, pass it on to new campers. I know all of you experienced folks know better. And we all read the signs. I see these articles all the time, with great sadness .

Actully - This Oliver belongs to Bosker! He only allows Pete to stay in it, pay for it, and get it from place to place!😁

My guess without seeing the cover is that it is Pete Marks, @bugeyedriver. He’s a HAM guy and mentioned being on the cover. Mike

Organize one. They’re a lot of work.

100% Concur, definitely need OTT Caravans! Let's make 'em happen.... Funny story: We were passing through Durango, CO a few weeks ago. Stop/go traffic, etc., at one of the stops a dude next to us is yelling, "what kind of rig is that?". We give them the 25 second answer to his question - he and his lady respond with: "We want one!".... Can you imagine an Oliver caravan through some of these towns? It would be impressive, IMO...

No, I would not clear coat it. Given the wear and tear the hitch gets you are probably going to need to give it a shot of paint every couple of years anyway. Having said this, I would not paint the hitch black in the first place. A black hitch is difficult to see when using those rear cameras in most vehicles today. This is particularly true if the road surface is dark. For the past several years I've used Rust Oleum hammered silver on the front part of the hitch and Krylon satin black on the rear portion. Bill

We just used Harvest hosts on our drive from Minnesota to Colorado and back last week. We used it five nights total. There are breweries and wineries right off the interstate that are popular and you’ll need to reserve ahead at least a week. Others attractions are available on short notice, especially if they are less popular and further off the interstate. If you travel on state highways during the week, no problem. If you only travel on interstate highway on the weekend, expect to plan ahead at least a few days. Needing to plan ahead months in advance wasn’t my experience.