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We are in Maine which makes the last state we had to visit with our Oliver to have a blackout of the US. We absolutely love this NE part of the US and have resolved to come back again. Onward to Nova Scotia. Craig & Rose Hull 505

After a great blueberry harvest we are finally back in beautiful Colorado! We are base camped for a few days here in Colorado Springs and the weather so far has been awesome. We are enjoying the cool 50 degree nighttime sleeping temps with our windows wide open and the cool desert breeze is great for sleeping. The day time temps have been in the 70’s to 80’s. Our plan to make our way to South Fork, then Durango and onto Montrose. Eventually we will end up in Grand Junction to get the 5 leaf pack installed. From there we will head to Utah, Wyoming and possibly Montana. If in Colorado Springs area check out Torchys Taco’s 🔥 for all kinds of yummy tacos with a kick! The “foodies we are” Ha! 😝 Safe Travels to All! Sunrise, and sunsets are my favorite times of the day. SL mini deployed - a total game changer! My lovely bride enjoying lunch. Needless to say we skipped evening dinner.

As promised here is a quick update on our SL mini field use. It’s a game changer for us. No more local WiFi or cell hot spot to think about. We are presently in Colorado Springs and the mini took about 8 min to deploy and we were up and running. Certainly the wide open Colorado skies allowed for quick recognition of the satellites. I do think the mini will serve us well. It’s a cinch to pack up and stow. Onward to South Fork and then beautiful Wolf Creek Pass, then make our way to Durango, Ouray, Montrose and then Grand Junction. Cheers all! We are happy to be traveling!

Do yourself a favor and pick up some E6000 adhesive too. I haven't found a brand of wool pad yet where the "loop" section of the pad doesn't pull away from the pad well before the wool section is worn out. The second the edges start to pull away on them I remove them completely and re-glue with the E6000 leaving a 10lb weight on it overnight. Haven't had one that I've re-glued this way come apart yet.

E6000 is useful for all sorts of stuff in and out of the Ollie. I always have a small tube of it with me while on the road. Its available (of course) on Amazon, WalMart, Ace and (probably Lowes and Home Depot too. Bill E6000 on Amazon

Finally got around to upgrading the 12v sockets to USB-C 65W for charging iPads and MacBook. This socket also has an On/OFF button so you don't have to stare at blue lights with the cap off. Cap also closes securely much easier. It is the little things. Amazon link: https://a.co/d/01MrDdX7

Our nose "Art" has been posted elsewhere, but this thread seems more appropriate for another rendering... Here's "Casablanca" in the hangar with Geronimo John's OTT being attended to last week... Building closet/locker shelves in each. HA! Great time! OBTW: Here's the new shelves: Cheers!

Nice mod for sure! I would keep the rubber cover/caps for sure, as the Oliver has plenty of night lights already 😄. Just me. 😎

Finally, leaf springs do not hit the Easy-Flex. Installed the 2 1/2 in shackles Lew sent me without difficulty. Two jacks, 13/16 socket, 11/16 socket, 13/16 wrench, 3/8 and 1/2 in torque wrench, hammer, vise, Impact wrench, wrags, and LockNLube grease gun. I know I was 2 out 1500 on the coupler issue but I can't believe that I am the only one this was happening to after upgrading to the ALCAN springs. Happy that I did not cut them to fit and theoretically the increase in 1/2 in shackle length should lower the camper by the same. So the first pull up the driveway will be the test but I did cut off about 1/2 in of bolt length on the back of the bike rack to make up difference. Again, just happy that everything is back together and working. Looking forward to fall trip and going on the ALCAN eventually! Best, Mike BEFORE AFTER

Appreciate the trip report and photos! Also happy to hear about how the Starlink Mini is working out! Have a fine trip!!!

Concrats to you guys for filling it in. Now, a couple of oars and, don't forget to plug those scupper holes you are well on your way to getting all of the States.😁 Bill

@jd1923 I just use some good ole’ elbow grease; cheap, effective, readily available and self-satisfying. There are risks however, and fully understand why many hire out the task.

You are correct.

Thanks again Mike, as I finally got mine done today! I bought a 2-pack of these for $27: Amazon.com: 83W 12V USB Outlet Laptop Charger: Newest 2 Pack 65W USB-C PD3.0 and 18W QC3.0 Multi Car USB Port 12V Socket Waterproof with Power Switch for Car Boat Marine Bus Truck Golf Cart RV Moto, etc. : Cell Phones & Accessories I looked at so many "Qidoe models" and ended up with the same choice due to this spec: "Independent Button Switch. The switch controls the USB-A port and LED Lights, NOT the PD USB-C Port. Because the USB-C port is a smart output, when the device is fully charged, the USB-C port will automatically power off and stop charging." Nice! I hope this statement is true. I installed them today, but did not yet fully test them. I charge my iPhone at the dinette. The other is installed over Chris' bed. She could use a USB-C to USB-C cable to charge her Samsung Galaxy at night with the switch off, no blue LED light above her head. Installation over the curbside bed is not simple. Remove the deck plate inside the rear kitchen cabinet. It's hard to see but remove the two female spade connectors from the switch. The large plastic nut for the outlet is between the two hulls! Remove the two screws of the cover plate and grab the old unit and pull and spin lefty-loosie until it's removed. Look up in the opening and you will see the large 1 1/8" plastic threaded nut up there between the hulls. Ours needed a lot of cleaning after removing it, rubbing alcohol to clean. To thread the new one, first reinstall the cover plate. I do not like/need the dust cover. I cut the cover off to use the rubber washer, allowing it to sit nicely in the cover plate. Then push it up firmly to contact, turn it left a bit to get the threads straight and then turn it right and turn it, and turn it, until you get it nicely tight. Mine did not end up perfectly square in direction, but I got it nicely hand tight. Then reconnect the wires. It's odd that they have the brass-colored spade for the B- and the silver spade for the B+. If I remember correctly the B- is in line with the ON/OFF switch. Take note of direction since once it's installed you cannot see what's what after it's up there! Another nice little mod done, love it! 🤣

My trailer has been outdoors 24x7 since new. Looks good still from prior years hand washing and waxing using 3m ultra marine paste wax, however this Spring I noticed the beginning of oxidation along the top leading edge. I have a small orbital but decided to bite the bullet on a Makita 9237 and assorted cutting and polishing pads. Per #Seadawg’s recommendation I will learn to use it on my 1989 Whaler first.

Hello to the LE2 with green/yellow livery we saw westbound on I-90 near Utica, NY this afternoon!

If I ever decided to remove it, I would consider installing the 1/2" rain gutter the entire length and as close to the awning so it didn't stick out and look unsightly. That way the area would be open and easy to clean, and keep most of the rain out.

Now y’all have given me an excuse to buy another tool - Dead-blow hammer. Although, I don’t think it would be necessary in this situation. I used a regular hammer and a 3/4 in socket to cover the zerk fitting and it seated easily over strong base like a vise. Unfortunately, I am in the process of changing out the 2 1/4 in shackles for 2 1/2 in shackles that Lew sent me. So after 3 subsequent wet bolt installs I have gotten fairly proficient at it. Hopefully, this time it will give me the necessary clearance for the easy flex to work properly. M

The first use of the mini out in the wild. I was surprised it worked pretty well given the tree cover we had. The setup is super easy and does not seem to care much about how it is pointed. Pull it out, plug it in, open the app, and follow the instructions. The app does all the work to align and celebrate based on where it is pointed. You can see in the images below how it was set up and how many trees we had creating obstruction. The screenshot shows based on that setup how it performed over 60 mins. 2 mins of no single and 7 mins of obstructions. For streaming and video calls not great but for web surfing and some slack messaging it worked great!

Today we pulled the trigger on the Starlink “mini”and I also ordered a custom fabricated aluminum protective Striker mount case made by a small family owned company in Florida 🇺🇸 called Strikerfab.com. I will post up thoughts on connectivity, speed and use once we receive it and get some camping and travel time in with it. https://www.starlink.com/us/roam?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3VXVoA8Gb9hdnLaMWqBcXsa1BfRBdqm_l2iKkNW-Va5r6RJiPc2u8PpD0_aem_DeHBx7JMI-i_vIWAYBg03Q https://www.strikerfab.com/

Same here. We're getting 2, also. We've got iPads, iPhones, and MacBooks - no more "wall warts"! Thanks, Mike - good call!

some of my best memories in Wyoming involve hoppers in September

I too would do that if unable to stabilize with cam-lock wheels. I’m careful when positioning and once the cams are set it stays put. With the shape of the Oliver, the only potential point of contact on the sides is where the top and bottom halves are joined. However, extra caution is needed forward at the propane cover when straddling the tongue. The rear is not a problem.

I don’t think @Geronimo John is factoring in the intermittent beer drinking!

For sure! I usually try and detail XPLOR in early Spring or early Fall in cooler temps. I have to admit although it is a bit of a time bandit, yet satisfying to see the final results of the effort. Parking XPLOR in our “Ollie Hanger” out of the hot sun UV and elements has been a game changer. I always just try and stay ahead of that chalky dull looking oxidation. A work in progress. Soon off to the coast of somewhere beautiful with my bride for some beach R&R and incredible seafood. Onward!

Young or old, you don't have to do it in one go.

We moved to a smaller home with much less land, 2 vehicles and no toys. In our opinion, less is more. More time, more camping and more exercise in the proper way, so waxing a trailer is just one of the ten things I must do this year. I have a diesel zero turn that knocks out the yard in 30 minutes, weed eating is down to 15, and the steaks are ready in 9 on the Blackstone. Personally, I would never spend $3000 to have my trailer polished just because I didn't want to do the work. Much better to grease the elbows and leave that money invested.

Whoa! No need to haul yours around @Geronimo John - we've got the Dewalt 9" variable speed angle buffer with wool pads like CGI uses and one of these Cyclos left over from our AS days - works like a champ: But... 3-hours? I'd give is a bit more time than that, we're not young pups anymore like the CGI guys! But we could certainly get 'er done! As for the cold ones, I've definitely got that part covered! Cheers!

Although I use CV-2 grease on lots of things, I recommend staying with the Barker OEM grease (Mobil SHC Mobility SHC PM 460. I purchased it from Amazon. Reason is that to convert to CV-2 can be a true PITA to get it all.... and I do not recommend mixing greases. Here are items I recommend you have: Items Needed: · Cans of CRC Green (NOT RED) due to plastics · New Gaskets: Barker MFG Model Number 32453 https://www.barkermfg.com/ Gasket part # 29306 (3 Each). They sent me some at no charge. Be sure to tell them you are an Oliver owner! · Grease: Mobil SHC Mobilith SHC PM 460 (Amazon Prime). · Silver Paint Marker · Black Nylon Ties · 2 OZ Syringe (Optional) · 5/32” Allen Wrench · 5/16” and 3/8” sockets for ¼” Drive Ratchet While you are servicing the jacks, be sure to also check their mounting bolts. Attached are summaries on "how to" that I downloaded. Cuddo's to John Davies for the original posts, and others for some of the edits. GJ VIP 3000 Front Jack Service.docx VIP 3000 Rear Jack Mounting Bolts.docx VIP 3000 REAR Jack Service.docx

The CGI team (4 young guys) worked on our trailer for about 10 hours. Power washer, multiple buffers, a lot of hand polishing and no beer drinking!!