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Good Morning Campers! Site G23

I replaced shocks this weekend along with replacing the original wheel bearings and greasing the suspension. Three of the four shocks had dead spots and were not working correctly. I don't think we have 50k miles on ours like the OP, but we have at least half of that. Tires are still looking good, but I know the tires were manufactured in November of 2017 and should be replaced just because of age. Original wheel bearings looked good, but I replaced them anyway with Timkens because I already had them apart and new bearings were on hand. This was the first time I'd been into the wheel bearings on this trailer.

This is what keeps me interested in the Oliver forum. I was tipped off to a problem in the making which had the potential of turning into a uncomfortable situation where I would not have had the control over time or place of the inevitable outcome. Then I am able to access multiple perspectives from fellow Oliver owners on research and solutions to the problem. This greatly speeds up the processes and helps illuminates the possibility of over looking a flaw in ones thinking. One thing we have to keep in mind is that there are always multiple ways to resolve a problem and we may not always agree with each others solution. Thanks to all who contribute to this forum.

My objective when starting this thread was to cast light onto a significant safety problem that many of us have dealt with (and/or may deal with in the future), share my chosen solution and then share the results of that solution with other E2 owners. In doing this, I hoped others would develop and share their own solutions and their observed results following implementation. Any deviation to this objective is outside the intention for this thread. Please try and stay on objective and if you have found your own solution, please provide your reasons for your choice, including analysis and specs, where you purchased, the total cost and your observations during installation and direct observations of use after implementation. There will likely be more than one viable solution to this problem and that’s fine. Providing the details on how you arrived to that solution and real-life towing following install should be of great help to the rest of us.

Save the frustration and some $$$. Buy from Tire Rack or Simple Tire and have them shipped to a shop of your choice, or one of their installers. Both of these companies offer 2-year damage protection and DT charges $35 (each) or more. I recently purchased tires for our TV from Simple Tire and one of their listed installers was a local repair shop we frequent. Two years ago, I purchased tires from Tire Rack and one of their listed installers was the Pep Boys just down the street. I saved considerable $$$ on both purchases and much more if you are considering buying DT "certificates" (damage insurance). I've found more than one DT location, where there 20-something sales guys act like your stupid (like telling you must have ST tires) and I've left the store twice for this reason (not again). The only plus I see for DT is if you lose a tire when away from home.

Lay year I was told it is always the Wednesday through Sunday after Mother’s Day.

Nice tip GJ!

Also, you want to clean up all the excess grease after every lube job. You can see in the pics above how grease left there previously collects more dirt. In the pic below, clean Zerk caps were fitted on clean Zerks.

After 160,000 miles on our original shocks (2013 F250), it was overdue for new ones. While inspecting the underside of the truck the Ford service guy found the rubber bushings between the frame and cab, and frame and bed, were either gone or rotted, allowing steel on steel. The truck rides so much better. Next time I won't wait so long.

Discount Tire replaced our Ollie's LT 16" tires with Cooper LT over two years ago without issues, but John Davies said Discount Tire would not replace his Ollie's tires less than two years ago, assume it was LT tires. Here's a 10/22 thread about Oliver changing to 15" Goodyear ST Tires.

@Geronimo John thanks for the reminder, I need to put my zerk caps on.

We found an exquisite site on our way to Alabama! Curiosity is gently illuminated by the stars, err, sodium lamps, with the sound of a rushing stream in the background. I mean asphalt. Cracker Barrel in Cave City, Kentucky, at the entrance to Mammoth Cave National Park.

Made it through last night fairly "high and dry" - although there is a slight after-smell of wet huskies in the camper... Oh, well, it's how we roll. T-storms started again early this AM (0230) through about 0445. Nobody slept - coffee came early and prep for R&R operations with Dusten Bowden (18-year veteran of OTT). The Dexter Nev-R-Lubes swapped without even a hiccup... ABOVE: Removed and replaced the rear axle first then attacked the front... ABOVE: Note the size difference between the 12" and 10" drums... about 19% more braking surface area. ABOVE: Took about 3.5 hrs for the axle R&R, back on the road now and headed toward Nashville over the next several days. Had to stop for this pic - here's "3 hearty cheers" to Jim Oliver for designing what we consider the best TT for the money in the US RV market! Roll-on, regardless...

We’re camping at David Crockett Birthplace State Park until we head to the rally. This is a small park near Johnson City and is the childhood homestead of Davy Crockett. Only about a third full right now. It’s a nice park and a good location to explore East Tennessee. Campground Store The Nolichucky River runs right by the campground and it is running very high. The camp hosts warned everyone this afternoon to be ready to evacuate if the storms continue.

Greetings, My wife and I are the new owners of hull #962 (LEII), we bought it from Coach and JoJo last fall. We are coming to the Oliver family after being long time truck campers. Having a TC gave us the flexibility to also tow a trailer for toys and the like. Last summer we decided to change direction and sold the trailer, toys, TC, and pick-up. All summer long I watched the classifieds and waited. Back in Oct we drove to Missouri to look at a 2023 LEII but passed on it. Not long after Coach and JoJo posted their '22 LEII for sale. They had recently completed the Truma A/C conversion and as many of you know, Coach knows how to trick out a closet. So, we couldn't pass it up. This forum is amazing, both in terms of educational information and give and take between members. I enjoy going down some of the rabbit holes you all have created 😉 We look FWD to many years of Oliver ownership and the memories that come with it. Cheers! Craig and MaryLou

On the road at Kartcher cavern SP in AZ. Since we are here for a week, I decided to Replace all tires and installed 4 new shocks at 50k miles. At same time checked springs for wear /cracks and re-lubed all Zerks. The tires had simply aged out but one in particular had an odd scalloping wear pattern. (Cause was a slightly loose bearing castle nut on that right/front wheel.) The shocks were getting a bit rusty and I decided to change as prevention. ( All 4 seemed functional upon removal.) Since the original tires were 16” LT Michelin, I stuck with the brand and now run: Michelin Agilis Cross Climate LT225 /75 R16 115R E1 BSW Shock replacement is: Monroe Magnum RV 555001 I was able to get the tires at a local Discount Tire in Sierra Vista. ( took 3 in one day and 2 the next as we had chores in town. ) Ordered shocks online and shipped to my sisters who we visited on the way here. Shocks went on quickly once the unit was jacked up so suspension was hanging. All set for the next stage of our trip where we will meet up with several owners at Ladybird Johnson for the Eclipse.

Mike, our Oliver came with a microwave delete, the first RV we’ve owned that didn’t have one. We don’t miss it. The increased storage is much appreciated.

Yes, 45°.

Really cool idea of replacing your zerks with ones that all point towards you in the middle. Will make greasing easier and faster too. Are those 45 degree zerks? GJ

CH says maybe not. CH says that the whale plate is part of the ball shaft that is part of the ball. The assembly is not fixed to the Anderson receiver as it turn in a white material that is a friction cone. This friction cone is what some people need for sway. As such, Nope. You can tighten one side 7 threads and the other 1 thread and the friction cone will average the forces on the two chains. CH

If you have one of the newer Ford SuperDuty tow vehicles and want an aftermarket camera system as a replacement when you remove your tailgate, be certain you know what camera is in your tailgate prior to ordering. There are several plug and play cameras that purportedly work, but if you have the 360° camera that connects by a coax, you must get a similar camera. Additionally, be aware that the entire camera system seems to not work without the tailgate connected. That is after installing the Ford supplied tailgate removed plugs. There may be something I’m missing, but similar results have been posted on a Ford Forum.

I am guessing you have this on board, but just in case you don't. Can you use a paperclip to get into the harness connector for measurement? From the manual, appears to be an inline fuse in the cable???? (Would be nice if we had schematics....😖Sorry - just had to add this)

I found that some covers just wouldn't go on despite cleaning the area. Most did go on. Have you had that problem? John

We're headed down this morning from Nashville - figuring right at 162 miles and a 4-hr run w/puppy bladders...HA! See y'all down there!

It may be the photo, but the shackle looks bent. If so, perhaps that side was overtightened. BTW, number of threads will vary rig to rig and even left to right, since for them to be exactly the same, the installation point of the rear brackets must be identical which likely is not the case. I always check the tension a few blocks down the road. Drive exactly straight for a say 100 yards, stop and check. You want the tension to feel tight, not overly tight. I kick each side and watch the vibration, and even listen to the pitch of each chain (must have good ears). Like a guitar string, shorter vibration stroke or higher pitch is tighter. Try to even out the tension regardless of number of threads, but once you get it down you should know how many threads works for you on each side.

I had a 'looseness' one time, the pin was at least a full turn out, but still there. I ran 'Bailing Wire' thru the eye of the pin, and then did a wrap around above the threaded end of the Pin & Shackle with the wire. We now tow with a 3/4 T. and w/o the Anderson. B~Out,

We don't have an Anderson, but we do use bow shackles on the truck for the safety chains. Not sure how yours were installed but at the start of every season I give our pins a quick little torque with a pair of pliers. I don't think finger tight is good enough to keep the pins in.

Mike just sent me this. Great pic. Not sure what manual that is in. I could not find it.

To the people freaking out over the Dexter spring. If your spring is indeed defective it will fail very quickly, I have 3 of the original springs with over 80,000 miles on them, 1 failed, it took approximately 2 hrs for me to change it, when they do fail it’s generally not a catastrophic event, the remaining spring eye and shock will hold the axle in place. You will need to replace it asap however since the remaining spring is carrying more weight. Personally I’m sticking with the original design, e trl can overnight replacement parts anywhere in the USA. I to would prefer to buy USA made parts and will go with Stl spring next time, I forgot about them when my original spring failed.

Around the year 2000 in took a broken 50 year old boat trl spring to St. Louis spring, with the request of 1 inch additional arch in the design, they made 4 of them to my exact specs, very happy with the results.

Craig and MaryLou, congratulations on your Oliver and welcome to the group! You’ve got many adventures ahead. Carol and I are both graduates of Leavenworth High School. Carol was born and raised in Leavenworth and we go back often to visit family. Small world! Mike

This bull dog shock is a direct replacement for the Monroe 555001 https://www.4statetrucks.com/bulldog-hd-shock-absorber-replaces-555001-19-050000007 I've only have 300 miles on the Bulldogs shocks, They are so much better than the Original Monroes. I bought the trailer 10 months old with 5K miles on it. The original owner basically made 2 trips. One from the factory to Idaho via California, and another trip back to California. I followed the trailer for about 40 miles right after we purchased it. I remember thinking it odd that the trailer like to swayed side to side going down the freeway, but then never thought about it again. Then 2 years later and 2,000 miles, the trailer was moving everywhere on a rougher 2 lane paved road and truck/trailer became difficult the manage. I thought I would give the Bull Dogs a try. The Bull Dogs were the price was about the same as the Monroe 555001 online. Nothing ventured nothing gained. I figured if I bought the Monroes they would be trash in a year to two years depending on the miles I drove. If the Bulldogs make it 2 years then they will have out lasted the Monroes. Next spring I plan on new springs before we take our first big trip cross the nation.

Hope that everyone from middle TN eastward made it through last night without issue. Here is western NC the storms blew through at around 2am - bunches of lightening, wind and rain. Now at 10:15am even the light rain has stopped and it is forecast to be a glorious weekend for Mother's Day. Bill

Same here in Hohenwald... Just finished up a rainy dog-walk as the sun set somewhere to the west, not viewable with the heavy cloud formations. We'll sit it out here at Camp Oliver unless the tornado sirens blast us out and into proper cover. Stay dry and sleep well...

At Palm Springs KOA. Next stop is Disneyland for Mother’s Day weekend.

Hey, Bill, I know of one Ollie that's in FT Smith, AR with a couple Knuckleheads enroute to the rally via Hohenwald. How do I know? Because I'm sitting inside of it! HA! Check out a couple road-weary travelers: The boys put in a long day from Canyon, TX to Ft Smith, and it shows! Ha! Safe travels to all those owners headed to the rally!

At Lake Havesu Az at Cattail Cove SP. Nice level sites with Wafter & 30 amp. Thd park he’s a beach, boat launch , small visitor's center and fish cleaning station. Bathroom and showers are clean and modern with high pressure hot water. We are in site 15.

Thanks for including the part numbers. I really enjoy reading reports of 50k/100k/etc. These trailers can really pound out the miles.

I'm using Calmark cover. It's very easy for me to put the cover on by myself. I usually start from the back to front. The key is to fold the cover into a very small roll so I can unroll easily from the back and spread to the sides. Here, starting from the back using a ladder, climb one hand and the roll of cover on the shoulder. Put the cover behind the AC, unroll it over to the front of the AC using a pole. I also use pool noodle to cover sharp edges of the solar panels. Once the cover is unrolled entirely, spread it on both sides starting from the back. Now the final product after using bungee cords to tie it snug. I don't used the ropes from Calmark. They only provide 4 ropes. I use 12-15 bungee cords and find that much easier to work with. I also don't cover the rear bumper. I can do this alone within 30 minutes if I really want to but I usually take my time and take special care around a ladder and end up being 45-60 minutes. Taking the cover down is much easier and much quicker. You just climb a ladder on one side and lift the cover to the roof then carefully pull on the opposite side. The key here is the roll the cover into a really small roll. I'd recommend taking pictures how it was rolled when you get the cover from Oliver. Hope this helps.

I couldn’t say if the individual Victron components are any better or worse than any other equipment. It certainly seems top notch and of course it’s highly regarded in the marine world. To me, the Victron advantage is in the networking among the different components. Victron seems to be the only company that concentrates on the electrical system as a whole. So their solar charge controllers and chargers are much more powerful together than independently, and the more components you add, the more powerful they become. To see a real benefit from Victron gear, should you go that route, I’d say that in addition to the charge controller you should go ahead and get their battery monitor and color control display, like you have on your boat. Fortunately, neither of those are too expensive, nor difficult to install, especially for you guys. As you know, those components together will give you all of the monitoring and remote capabilities of their network. After you’ve installed that, then I can talk you into getting a MultiPlus. 😛 The other thing I’d add is that ultimately I’d like to have a separate charge controller dedicated to portable panels. I’d wire the portables as 24 volts so that I could use longer and smaller cables. So that might be something to consider yourself.