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Lots of great ideas and inputs on the subject. Have to admit I am a bit surprised by how many people do rely on Apple Car Play or the Android equivalent. My older 2013 F-150 of course does not have this built in. I do agree with many other comments though regarding Apple Maps and prefer it over Google Maps the times I have used it sans Apple Car Play of course. Plus I like Siri's voice. @Steve Morris comments regarding how bad Toyotas built in GPS is from my experience and from what I hear from others all auto manufacturers are terrible as well, plus you have to pay for upgrades. Cruel joke. All of these auto GPS built ins are already out of date the day you drive off the lot too and most of them are a major PITA to go through an update, so bad that I haven't even tried it on our Subaru Outback knowing what others have claimed. Given that I don't have a high opinion of my Furrion Rear View Camera at this point I am leaning towards the Haloview 12 BT with Apple Car Play built into the system. Like others we always carry along paper maps too, perhaps it's a generational thing but a road trip/camping trip just doesn't seem complete without them. I really like the Benchmark and Delorme state by state maps too, great having that much close detail. Then there's the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps for specific areas, ie national parks and monuments and other such outdoor wilderness areas. Thanks Rob

Looks like the Starlink Mini is on sale right now for $299.00. https://www.starlink.com/roam

I've noticed some comments/concerns that the 5 spring Alcan pack may be a bit too stiff for the EII with 3.5K axles. There apparently are Oliver Factory design concerns about how STIFF folks make their suspension when upgrading. Some flex is desirable for limiting shock to the frame and the trailer body. But if you're a true off grid person with tough terrain then that 5 pack may be perfect. I've been emailing Lew (owner of Alcan) to discuss options. For the same basic price Alcan will build the Oliver Springs as a 4 spring set with 2000 lb rating. They do this by leaving off the shortest (bottom) spring and adjusting other parts. This 4 pack still leaves in place the longer springs that cover all the way out to the last spring eye. Lew says they always recommend and provide wet bolts with brass inserts and the right size Ubolts etc. Lew also said they've had 4 Oliver's in this last week alone getting new spring packs. Craig Hull 505

Our 2022 f150 came with Apple Car Play and a 12” screen, I have been using Apple maps-pretty happy with it over Google maps. Google maps kept suggesting alternate route then applying that route before we knew it. Also carry paper maps just in case always. I am just recently traveling on my own so no navigator. (widow). Car play displays good information for a solo traveler

Toyota's GPS is notoriously awful, and until recent models of trucks and SUVs, Android Auto and Apple Car Play were not offered. As an upgrade, I simply overlaid the OEM screen with my 11" iPad. It has a cheap magnetic cover, and when placed as shown, the magnet in the flap sticks to the steel speaker grill on the dash. It's stayed locked in on some rough trails with no movement. I use a magnetic USB-C plug, so that if I need the OEM screen or backup camera, I simply flip the iPad up onto the dash. I've used Waze for years, but was having some trouble on the trip to Lake Guntersville. So I tried Apple's Map application for the first time in probably a decade. It worked really well! It re-routed me in Nashville when there was a wreck. It would be nice if it had the police and object on the road features of Waze, but I'm going to try it for a while. I tried the RV Life app when we went to Florida, but didn't care for it. Not a fan of Google Maps, either, as it's taken me on even stranger routes than Waze trying to save a few seconds time. For out of cellular range, I can download regional maps into GAIA GPS or use my Garmin InReach's tiny screen. Or, use one of the many maps I always carry with us.

Although you need cell phone coverage, I like to use the Waze app on my phone. It will re-route you if there is a accident on your route, it notifies you of vehicles broken down/parked in the shoulder, accidents ahead, debris in the road and if police are on the road. Those items are only noted if someone adds it into the app. On long trips, I use the Garmin 890, which I like a lot but trust the Waze if there is a disagreement. I do not use the GPS in my TV. 2 gps devices are enough for me along with the tire pressure monitoring system for the Ollie tires.

Initially, they are a bit stiffer but after 500 miles or so the ride softens. I dont notice much more stiffness now than stock ( judged by stuff falling off counters and beds while underway). There is less side to side movement of trailer going down the road than before. I am extremely happy with my Alcans after 10,000 miles. Everyone has to come to their own conclusion about what is right for them. I have no idea if St Louis Spring makes a good product or not. It is merely an alternative to be investigated by those who want something other than stock or Alcan.

The Starlink Mini is in sale right now for $299.00 and makes streaming a breeze. 😊 We also stayed at that same KOA when we got our Alcan leaf pack installed. We were glad to have the Mini and it worked great. Congrats on the Alcan’s! https://www.starlink.com/roam

I purchased two Kenwood receivers with Garmin for big bucks which I installed in two family vehicles (not our TV). I wish I hadn’t spent the extra $$$. The screen resolution for Garmin is terrible (not the other apps). It looks like a Nintendo screen from the 80s! One feature I do like and use it often is that it has the name of the upcoming street listed clearly top of screen. That is quite helpful to know when to turn. I never use the GPS feature, can’t stand apps that talk. Just show me the map. I end up using Apple Maps which itself is not easy to see the smaller roads. Sometimes you zoom in and it shows a highway number or street name and sometimes it doesn’t. I like it to find restaurants as we enter new towns. Love GasBuddy to see fuel prices ahead along our route. We save 100s knowing where the lower prices are. Should we fill up now or later? Should we go this route or another? It really helps!

We don’t use the navigation on our vehicles (Audi and Ram). We’ve used Apple Maps, Google Maps and Waze exclusively with Car Play. I do have an older Garmin that we used before iPhones and I keep it updated and ready to use in case we’re out of cell coverage. We also have the larger Garmin 890 but don’t use it as much as we thought we would. Data usage has never been an issue. I use my iPhone navigation whenever we’re driving for traffic alerts and other information. Mike

When returning home from the Oregon Coast this April, my wife and I boondocked at a Harvest Host site. That cold evening, we tried to heat water for hot drinks in the microwave using the inverter, but it shut down after just a few seconds. We were surprised and disappointed, because our Lithium Pro Package with Xantrex Freedom XC Pro 3000 watt inverter should enable us to use the microwave on inverted power for at least a few minutes. It had been a cloudy day so we got minimal solar recharge, and with our Nordcold fridge running on DC while on the road, our battery State of Charge was down to about 74%. When we submitted a service ticket, Jason Essary confirmed that we should be able to run the microwave on inverted power at 74% State of Charge (SOC), and much lower, down to 25-30% SOC. With Jason's helpful guidance, I then spent dozens of hours trying to troubleshoot the electrical system, both on the DC and the AC sides. The inverter/charger was charging as designed, and would run 120V appliances that pull up to 1100-1200 watts (including the Truma air conditioner, which pulls 1100 watts with the compressor running), but loads greater than 1400 watts (like the microwave or a space heater on a high setting) caused the inverter to shut down. Nothing we tried solved the problem, including replacement of the Optifuse 300A inverter breaker, which Oliver sent to me under warranty. I also spoke with a Xantrex customer service rep (after45 minutes on eternahold) who assured me the problem could not be with the inverter, so it must be in the trailer wiring. Jason then authorized me to engage an RV service tech at Oliver's expense to try to find a solution. But that was right before I had planned to use the trailer boondocking at the Lochsa River the week of May 15. I decided to engage a tech after I returned home. But while camping (and running the Lochsa river during the day) I happened to mention the inverter issue to another RVer. He asked me if my inverter is a Xantrex. Yup. He then told me he had been advised by an RV service tech to do a "hard reboot" of his Xantrex inverter to resolve a similar issue. He explained that this involves disconnecting both the positive and negative DC cables from the inverter, and leaving it at least overnight, then reconnecting. I determined to give it a try after I returned home, as it would be relatively easy to do. To my surprise, the "hard reboot" solved the problem. My tests have confirmed that we can now run the microwave on full power (1540 watts) for 4 minutes or more at a time, at SOC levels down to 35%. So, the Xantrex customer service guy was wrong--the problem was with the inverter. And, the solution was relatively easy to implement: turn off all batteries, and ensure that shore power is disconnected (so there is no power to the DC cables), then disconnect the DC cables from the inverter and leave at least overnight. I left mine disconnected for 3 days. Then reconnect, and turn the batteries back on. If your Xantrex inverter is not performing up to spec, try a hard reboot.

So sorry to hear this, but, I'm sure that as you travel they will always be right there with you. Bill

I am so glad I had the 5200# never lubes retrofit as well as the Alcan 5 leaf pack. Glad to see your positive review after 10,000 miles Mountainman198. A very worthwhile mod! 👍🏻🇺🇸👍🏻

Final update: After 3 internal fires and 2 failed complete Truma units, and a request for a Truma Escalation, the company (Truma) stepped up and replaced our whole water heater unit and external (kinda warped/melted) door under a "warranty exception" after finding another problem in the unit during testing of the new Recall burner. That make the 3rd Truma water heater installed in our hull. This one now is fully registered and has a 1 year warranty. Hope this one is the last we need to install. Craig (Hull 505 - aka Galway Girl)

Ok, now I think I understand what you're talking about. I was breaking it down into a simple DC circuit in my brain and not thinking about the charging aspect (like i should have) which is where your scenario of taking the B+ off the battery and shorting it makes sense. That said, I still the Optifuse breaker shown above would trip in this scenario since they react to current flowing through them and break thermally. The breaker in my Ollie doesn't even have B+ and load terminals on it which is what I would expect if it were directional. I did see where there are directional breakers available but they all seem to work magnetically instead. I do agree with you that fuses are the way to go, though, and will definitely be using them when I finally get around to installing solar.

Yep, Chris usually has Waze going while I'm driving. It does help with these issues.

Gonna snag me one!

No issues so far and I don't really anticipate any. Could be wrong. We did upgrade our rack to an "RV rated" unit from 1Up. Best Tim

Thanks. There's a HF here in Grand Junction too. I did bring the same foam kneeling pad. I never leave home without it. The moving blankets look like a great idea. John

Going to be ordering ours today!!

@John and Debbie Pro tip 😊- A cheap HF moving blanket is nice to have to lay on while under the belly of the beast while greasing zerks or torquing running gear fasteners. I always carry one for this purpose. I carry several others to lay over my truck in the event of a hail storm. These blankets came in handy when we had rain and small hail at the last Oliver Rally. Here- https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=furniture moving blankets I carry this also, my knees a grateful - https://www.harborfreight.com/foam-kneeling-pad-56572.html

I have an HDMI cable that connects my phone to the TV. I'm sure there are other ways but it's probably going to be tricky if the phone and TV are not on the same WiFi network. You might also want to try setting up your phone as a WiFi hotspot and then connecting your tv to it.

I would talk to the office at the KOA in the morning. I know at the Charleston KOA has a number to call if you are streaming on their WiFi. No extra charge involved, just a few extra steps.

Hi Mountain Man, we just got the Alcan Springs in Tuesday. Lee said he has no competition in the USA. He said you were the first to get them, but he's done about 100 Oliver's since yours. How much stiffer are these 5 leaf springs versus the 4 leaf ones? We have about 10 miles on them so will be going under the trailer in 40 and 90 more miles. I have a big piece of cardboard to use when I torque them.

Yep. I will get it posted up

Oliver tested everything and said the breaker is bad. It went bad on 2nd day of ownership. Reset it and all was good and it happened again. Oliver sent a replacement. I went 2-1/2 years and it failed again. I will know on Friday, when I replace it. I will post up after I test it.

Yep - With so many vehicles being sold with navigation, many people simply rely on that to get them where they want to go. Actually, there are many times on longer trips when I use both the nav in my F-150 and my Garmin at the same time. However, whenever the two disagree I almost always trust Garmin over Ford. To be fair - I have updates for life with the Garmin and I've never even considered paying to have the nav updated in ANY of the vehicles I've ever owned. So, it is highly likely that the Garmin would have the more up to date information. Of course, I always have the good old standard paper maps to include a Gazetteer map. Bill

I went to run the AC off the inverter to bring the lithium batteries down to 50%. Then I plugged in and the 20 error code came on. Xantrex got that resolved. When I touched the cables they were hot On our trip we went to fix oatmeal in the microwave. We were at 13.7, and battery SOC was 100%. Set the microwave for 2:15 minutes, and at 30 seconds down to 12.1 and it shut off. 5 minutes later it was back to 13.7. Hoping the new one will cure the problem. The new trailers use a super fuse that is more reliable than the breaker.

@Geronimo John no bounce, but light tongue weight can cause porpoising (tongue up and down movement). None with the Andersen WDH, only without. Many people don’t notice or care and with newer 2500s it’s not an issue. New shocks on truck and trailer. Likely my rear leafs springs a weak, worn after 25 years. I could add a leaf and new u-bolts, but $90 to Anderson for new 2 5/16” ball was my choice for now. In the future, I hope to beef up the rear on my TV and stop using the Andersen. Thx

I experienced this last fall. Jason E. checked out at the Texas Rally and it was diagnosed as a bad inverter breaker. Cables got hot. Oliver switched to a fuse in the 2024 or 2025 models and didn't have any more Zoro breakers. I bought 2 and will be replacing it this week. I think you have the same as our 2022 and it is a breaker, not fuse.

Given the area of the country in which you live and the kind of camping that I think you do, I'm a bit surprised that in addition to the data requirements for cell phone based GPS there is also the issue of cell coverage. I too tried to reduce that number of screens in the cockpit - but - I failed. Having as many "programs"/apps as possible on a tablet seemed like a great idea. Unfortunately, I found that there was no "simple" way of switching from one app to another. Mind you - I normally travel alone. For those that travel with a navigator that is good these issues become much more tolerable. Good luck! Let us know if you find that perfect solution. Bill

Good grief @Steve Morris indeed there are some sleaze bags out on the road. Never ran into this yet, hope I don't but something serious to consider now. In the meantime I also found another very interesting device on Haloview that I initially overlooked. It's the Rear View Camera integrated with Apple Car Play or Android Play. Link here For those who already have a TPMS system but not the newer tech found in new trucks and autos this could be beneficial. Thanks

I’m certainly not a velcro expert, so I will probably go with what everyone recommends. I may also hardwire it in if I don’t have to drill a big hole.

With the Savana readied to roll our COW to a scheduled destination, last week’s trip went very well; credit to the many upgrades and mods in the past few months. Here’s a few pics: Loading modular box at COW Barn containing camping gear. Improved safety chain management with newly installed hammerlock coupling links. Newly configured 7-pin and DC-DC connection cables. Ready for takeoff. Smooth landing at destination. Camp R&B, Guadalupe River SP, Spring Branch, Texas. Trailhead parking for an evening bike ride. Morning coffee inside the Savana from a rear passenger captain seat. Wash station setup.