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A bitter sweet goodbye to our home away from home for 39 states and six Canadian provinces. But there is comfort in knowing that Gary and Anita Teany (& Ranger) will love her as much, if not more than we did. Au revoir # 292!

That would be my biggest nightmare. Storage is 1 hour away. We plug in. We have an HOH and can't store at home. Our storage place is an old manufacturing facility converted to an RV and boat storage facility. Guess we will just hope this doesn't become a blanket thing across the insurance industry.

Some condos in Florida no longer allow eves in parking areas, because of the fire risk if submerged in saltwater. Most lifepo4 batteries are light enough to remove. And take home, if necessary . Interestingly, many new boats in Florida (which live in saltwater) are equipped with lithium batteries, but waterproof... like ours.

Thank you Bill. What would we have done without you! You and Sue will always be special friends. ♡

I'm so happy for all of those involved - humans and canines. Chris & Duke - you are still "Family" - please drop in from time to time to let us know what you are up to. Gary & Anita - WELCOME to the "Family". If there is anything that we can do to help - just ask. Also, if you have not "found" the Oliver University yet, this would be a great time to do a real deep dive in all things Oliver. This will be time well spent and make taking care of your new "baby" easier and more enjoyable. Bill

I'm in touch with Lippert about the door. They are going to provide me a quote for the "door CORE" and a separate one for the whole door assembly. The door CORE would not include hinges, door frames and jamb (which is already attached to the trailer) or the latch. I would unscrew the existing door from the hinges, take it off and replace with a new core and re-use my latch/lock assembly. Once I get the quote and part numbers I'll amend them to this post. Craig

Nice video. We’ve been up and down Hwy550 between Ouray and Silverton many times with the trailer, so this should fun. Oatman looks to have the same vibe as Tombstone AZ. Mike

Route 66 between Kingman and Oatman is not for the faint of heart!

Mike, there is a cycling map put out by the Adventure Cycling Association that is called Route 66 cycling map. I cycled part of the old highway 66 when I cycled from Amarillo, Texas to New Brunswick, Canada in 2019. There aren't a lot of original segments of route 66. We were on some parts when they were the frontage roads along I-40. No shoulder, two lanes, a little shallow curb to direct rain water. It's amazing that it was the main highway from Chicago to Santa Monica. There are some great sights along the way. Shamrock, Texas stood out to me. John

About 5 miles west of Flagstaff Hwy 66 merges into I-40. Next place you can pick it up is 7 miles west of Ash Fork AZ and 18 miles on US 66 takes you to Seligman AZ. Next town is Peach Springs AZ. If you want a great side trip you can take Diamond Creek Rd, Indian Route 6 a 22 mile dirt road, and drive to the Colorado River at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon! We have not done this trip yet, but plan to do it this winter. Ash Fork btw is just 47 miles due north of our home up AZ-89. I've watched a few videos on this. They drive large school buses down there to pick up people from rafting expeditions, so no reason a solid truck with Oliver in tow could not make it. There are several campsites near the bottom too! You need a Hualapai Indian Reservation travel permit which you can get in town. The road should be fine during the winter. During spring you’d cross running water in the Peach Springs Wash in a few places and the road could get real. This stretch of Hwy 66 circles NE and later SW ending up in Kingman AZ. It’s a beautiful drive that has the look of Route 66 before there were Interstates!

If there’s a girl, my lord, in a flat bed ford slowin’ down to look at me, I’m sure Carol will handle it! I’ll just take it easy. 🤣

I definitely want a picture of me/us standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona, such a fine sight to see!

One time we camped close to Rt. 66 Winslow AZ, Homolovi State Park. https://azstateparks.com/homolovi Nice SP and happened to be a car show on Main Street @ Winslow on Rt. 66. Just off of I40, too. Very enjoyable day.

And here it is 3 years later, Looking Good. Thanks Duke and Chris for fixing it up and putting it in the wonderful mountain of goodies you gave us. Look forward to the next time we get together and make a list of all the cool places you guys have been. My Bucket List is not big enough, now that I’ve met you guys. Gary

I no longer trust battery chargers to be on for months in any kind of advertised maintenance mode. Years ago I did that using a Battery Tender on an AGM motorcycle battery and I had to replace it the very next summer! Epoch Batteries states “for long-term storage maintain at least 50% SOC and periodically recharge to maintain battery health.” We never store our Oliver. It’s always outside, solar charger on, rarely connected to shore power, so no supplemental charging. I will only plug in if it gets under 50% but generally stays 80-90% with SC alone. It’s good know the batteries at night are mainly at rest, providing -2A (with Victron inverter and Outside Courtesy lights on), and in winter sun recharging slowly during the day. 😂

But just don't do this on your wet bolts with splines. A great way to spin the splines off. Can't say for the shackles, but for the EZ flex it will result in the center bolt walking out of it's desired home. There are ancient threads on this topic. GJ

I believe the right answer is the same torque as the rear jack bolts as they are essentially the same jacks.

Have been enjoying The forum for past few month, picked up our 2025 Elite2 this morning from our Ft Worth TX Dealer. Ready to go, already have our site Reserved for Guntersville.

I hope you are plugged in to shore power, if you are running on dc. F on a dometic means failure to light. Could have been an air bubble. Or many other issues... You won't "hear" much if you're running on dc. Or ac. Pretty much have to put your ear to the door , and you'll only hear something when the compressor is running. Not nearly as much heat exhausted at the vent, because you don't have flame, and all that heat.

Exactly, shows you how miserably uninformed some of these insurance companies are! @MobileJoy not sure it will make a difference but send this to your storage facility…… Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have different characteristics that make them suitable for different applications: Chemical symbol: The chemical symbol for Li-ion batteries is LiCoO2, while the chemical symbol for LiFePO4 batteries is LiFePO4 Temperature range: LiFePO4 batteries can operate in a wider temperature range than Li-ion batteries. Safety: LiFePO4 batteries are safer than Li-ion batteries because they are more thermally and chemically stable. Environmental impact: LiFePO4 batteries are more environmentally friendly than Li-ion batteries because they are more recyclable. Chemical composition: Li-ion batteries contain cobalt and other toxic chemicals, while LiFePO4 batteries only contain iron.

Its a shame that they seem to be lumping all Lithium batteries into the same bin - some have a much lower risk of fire as compared to others. And, they basically are now not allowing the charging of any type of battery. Thank goodness that lithium batteries have such a low self discharge rate as compared to lead acid batteries. Bill p.s. I've received nothing similar from my storage facility. However, none of the storage spaces or units have electricity available in the space or unit. Therefore, the only way a renter could charge batteries while there would be via solar or generator.

Our Norcold fan is temperature driven so you can't necessarily rely on it as an indicator that the fridge is operating. It only runs when the fridge compartment reaches a set temperature.

Spent a lot of time at this refuge while collecting field data on the Northern Leopard Frog for a National contaminants study with the USFWS. Now that I’m retired from the Service, a return to camp there is on my bucket list!

Sounds like a rolling rally to me!

I want to first thank all in the group for indicating their concerns, and offering suggestions. I removed the side mounted gas cans, and upgraded to four substantial ratchet straps. The ones that I used around the generator have large hooks on each end. I crisscrossed the straps over the generator and wrapped them all the way around the tounge and hooked them to the main framing under the tounge on both sides. I also slid the generator over so it is now centered on top of the main framing and I looped one of the straps around the jack pole for added stability since the generator is now right next to it. I will watch for any wear on the straps and reroute them as necessary. Although we don't use our generator often, we wished we had it on a 45 day summer trip we took up the east coast into Canada in 2023 as there were a lot of overcast days when our solar panels couldn't keep up with our tired batteries. We took it with us on a 70 day trip back up North this year and used it about 20% of the time when the weather didn't cooperate and we were without hook-ups. Lifting it in and out of our truck's bed got old real quick. Letting it travel on the tounge of our Oliver will make things a lot easier when I need to pull it off and use it. For now, I will use the 2.5 gal no-spill gas can that I bought before this year's camping season and keep it secured inside our truck's bed as I did this year near the tail gate. I travel with the generator and gas tank empty and only fill them up at the end of the day when we get gas for our truck just before checking in at campgrounds where we won't have an electric connection. Prior to checking out I pour any remaining gas in the generator into the can and then into our truck. This way I'm not traveling with any gas in the generator, or in the gas can, and we are always using fresh gas when we need to use it. The basket that I have installed extends forward the same length as the Sea Biscuit basket and it is only 2" wider on the sides. The corners are rounded, although not quite as far back as the Sea Biscuit basket. The basket that I have left enough room for our dog's fold-up stroller which was the other item I found difficult to be pulling in and out of our truck's bed. I will confirm my ability to make sharp turns before heading out on our next trip. The quality of the Sea Biscuit products is unquestionable and I may switch out my basket for one of their containers in the future when our dog is no longer with us. For now, my wife always acts as my spotter when we're pulling in and out of campsites to keep me from hitting something so she can let me know if I'm getting too close to our truck's bumper. Thanks again for all your input. Joe

Do you want to try this after leaving Quartzsite in February, weather permitting?

Then what you have is all you need!

I’ve dealt with U.S. Truma on three occasions regarding warranty issues. Twice with our C73 portable cooler, both times they shipped out a new cooler no questions once it was determined the control system had failed. The third occasion was when the Aquago water heater outer cover plate had started developing cracks in various locations. They shipped a new cover plate and frame assembly immediately no charge. You usually have to wait in a queue for a while to speak to a representative, but they are more than happy to address your issue if possible on that call. Make sure to have your data plate information before you call.

Thanks for being here on the Forum! Enjoy the heck out of that new baby and a real "formal" welcome to the Family. How about a couple of pics when you have the chance? Bill

What you have done fits the protocol for Lithionics batteries, but that procedure is only required every 6 months when not in use, not monthly. See attached storage procedure. Lithionics Storage Procedure Rev.7.pdf

I answered my own question! Seems the best choice is either a Chevy Express or GMC Savana cargo work van; highest tow and cargo capacity ratings for 2500 and 3500 van models. Yesterday’s visit to the COW Barn to check on the Oliver.

John, I just used a ratchet and a short section of pipe (cheater) and got it really tight. They are not a critical item so just get them tight. When at home I have several different Williams hook wrenches that should hook into the groove to hold the center tube from turning. I’ll get them properly tightened then. For now I just wanted to make sure that they’d stay tight until we get home.

Same here - largely because of what we've gleaned from this and similar threads.... Ditto!

Same here - largely because of what we've gleaned from this and similar threads....

Unfortunately I did not get a response to my question about what was allegedly said by Jason T or maybe Jason E at the rally about torque specs. Perhaps it didn’t happen. I’m writing this response because some new readers may not have seen this older thread, and if not, I encourage them to go back and read as it is a very important safety issue for all. Several of us ME’s including Geronimo John and @mjotto did some research and the findings are in this thread. GJ and I turned in Service Tickets on the issue, read by Jason E., and GJ reported back on it. GJ was able to persuade OTT to reduce the torque value, which is better, but they apparently didn’t want to go lower for reasons unknown. They updated the newer manuals, but made errors, and did not send out a service advisory to those of us with older trailers. I have been using 100 ft-lbs and 45-50 psi in my trailer tires since Mile 1, which I understand contradicts OTT instructions. I periodically check my torque wrench calibration (I have several) and never use lubricant on the threads.

Whatever torque you chose for your aluminum rims, be sure to re-torque them after 50 miles or so, to make sure a lug has not become loose.

I've boondocked at the Lower Sunshine Reservoir just outside Meeteetse, WY for a number of years. Given that the camping area consists of basically a sagebrush "meadow" overlooking the reservoir, there is no shade other than what the Ollie provides either early in the morning or later in the day. Virtually every time I've been there I've set up my small (four sided) Clam screen shelter not necessarily to shield me from bugs but more to give me an additional place to relax after a hard day of fishing. When setting up my Clam I virtually always not only stake the four corners down but I also use the three ties that come off the side center hubs and stake them. This is to protect the Clam from any sudden winds that just might come up and it has worked very well withstanding some fair strong winds - until this year. I was in bed at about 11:30pm when the Ollie started rocking. After about 5 minutes of this I got up to look out the rear window to see how the Clam was fairing - not well. So not well that it wasn't even there. Just to make sure or, perhaps, get the Clam before it was swept into the reservoir I jumped into a pair of shorts, donned a head lamp and ventured into that wind. Yep - not there! In fact, no sign that it had ever even been there! Barely being able to stand I turned to get back into the camper and a light colored square object caught my eye about 150 yards away. Could it be? Yes it was. The four sides of the Clam had collapsed but the roof remained fully open. I managed to get over to it, I collapsed the roof, carted it back to the truck and did not inspect to see what was the extent of the damage to it until yesterday. Other than being lucky that the entire thing wasn't lost in the reservoir, I was reasonably certain that the screening or the nylon material or the fiberglass poles or the hubs that hold most of it together would be broken. Perhaps I could salvage something from it for potential repairs to the new Clam that certainly was in my future. Well, all of the screening didn't have a scratch on it and the poles and hubs were fully intact. The roof does have two tears and three abrasions as well as each of the four nylon webbing tabs that are used for staking down the tent had been completely torn from where they were sewed. The abrasions can easily be fixed with dabbing on a little "E6000" and the two tears (one at about 1/4 inch and the other at about 1 1/2 inches) can be repaired with "Gear Aid" repair tape. Of course I also sewed the four tabs back on. I'm not sure if the Clam was purposefully designed so that these tabs would "release" rather than tearing the tent apart, but, it worked that way in this case. Finally, I should note that I found the four tabs the next morning after the wind storm, still staked to the ground as I had originally placed them. And, one of the three ropes used to tie down the sides was broken. I use short bungees that have metal hooks at the ends and place the metal hooks around the ground stakes. All three metal hooks were straightened! I've always liked my Clam but now I'm a true believer. Bill