Leaderboard

For years now I have tried to tell those "working folk" I run into just how stressful retirement is. After they initially laugh I go on to explain that since they are working they have a fairly good idea of exactly what their day will bring. They know when they will get up, what they will wear, probably what they will have for breakfast, where they will go, what they will do, maybe even where they will eat, what time they will head for home and what they will do when they get there. We "retired folks" don't necessarily know many of these things and we have to make decision upon decision each and every day which leads to STRESS! However, because I (we) care about the wellbeing, health and happiness of others, this retirement thing is just something that I (we) are willing to do. I encourage those "working folk" just to continue to work, pay into Social Security, and be happy. I'll suck it up and handle all this STRESS for them. Bill 😅

I am... 36 more days..

Any 3/4 ton pickup will work fine without the Andersen hitch, choose whatever brand and 4wd model you like best. If you want to know about engines, search past topics here since this gets discussed about every couple of weeks.... there is an active “How many mpgs towing” thread, have you looked at that yet? Fuel economy is only a fairly small part of the overall ownership picture. I personally like the newer Ram 2500 trucks. Choose a nice interior because you will spend many long hours sitting inside, looking at it. Drive them all, choose your favorite, then shop for the best deal on it. BTW, we hear all kinds of reasons to change vehicles, I do not recall anyone choosing one because they already have a nice hitch....🙂 John Davies Spokane WA

I’ve used two Ram 1500’s to tow my Elite II. If you want to forego a WDH you’ll need to bump up to a 2500 or F250. Sway is not an issue with 1/2 tons, weight distribution is. I have my Andersen set to remove about 1.5” of drop in the back so that everything stays level. I have the 5’ 7” bed and we have enough space to carry our camping stuff. Mike

My wife and I look through here and on the FB page and at least twice a day turn our phone to the other and say “ooh, don’t you wish we were here?” before jumping on some dull conference call or other. Trying not to wish my life away but can’t wait to have the freedom to head for the hills whenever the urge strikes. Thanks for the vicarious thrills. 194 days until May, our Ollie birth month.

Thought I would share this minor modification to access the fresh water drain valve in my 2020 Elite I. It was difficult getting my hand past the foam board next to the pump, It finally occurred to me that I could just cut off the corner with a 45 degree cut, using a friend's oscillating multitool. Sorry that I forgot to take a before photo, but the white board to the left in the photo was a rectangle before cutting a wedge off. The valve is now easy to reach ( just below the red pipe).

I just watched this video and it got me thinking harder about deterrents.... They mention using your truck remote to start your engine, if it has that feature. If you leave your headlights in Auto the lights will come on also. Brilliant..... unless it tempts the bad guy to bust into the truck and drive away. Or you can use the panic button to engage the truck security alarm. That sounds good, if the remote range is adequate. Any ideas on how to easily wire ALL the exterior lights in your Ollie to a single prominent switch near the beds? I don’t want to wake up all confused and muzzy at 200 AM and have to walk to the entrance and figure out which switches to flip. I guess it could include a loud alarm. Has anyone installed a security system in their trailer? How about a peep hole in the door? I am concerned about large bears as much as about human predators. Please advise. John Davies Spokane WA

Picked up our Ollie Thursday and enjoyed a few days at Davy Crockett. Met another Ollie couple that was just driving through (I don't remember their hull number --- I think 256) It was cool and nice seeing and talking with them --- Considering there are only 673 Olivers out in the world.

John You should repost your shotgun mount mod. I always thought that was a great security feature 😳

Perhaps, but this would be far from a dependable scientific process. FWIW I feel far more comfortable knowing the lines are treated to -50 as oppose to somewhere between 32 degrees and hypothetically 10 degrees.

https://shopusa.shelly.cloud/shelly-rgbw2-wifi-smart-home-automation-1#220 These look like a great way to automate interior/exterior lights, complete with PWM capabilities for brightness. Though sold as an RGBW controller, it is essentially a 4 channel, 45W/channel controller with support for REST APIs/MQTT. I am going to play with one for control of the bathroom fan speed and light - then maybe try one for some of the exterior/interior lights.

Nicole - Good to have you here and thanks for posting. I believe that you are looking for a 3/4 ton truck. All of the 1/2 ton trucks currently on the market require a weight distribution hitch when towing something like the Oliver Legacy Elite II. I have tried to make my Oliver sway without success and I've never heard of even one instance where any Oliver trailer swayed due to wind, passing semi's or any other circumstance. I happen to own a 2017 Ford 150 and, yes, I do have and use the Andersen. My truck has the 3.5 liter Ecoboost engine with the max trailer towing package. This truck gets in the low 20's mpg while not towing and averages between 12 and 13 mpg while towing. I have towed my Elite II through out the mountain west and have never experience any trouble with any grade under any circumstance. Hope this helps. Bill

Ferries (50% more when you cross 22' - long bed is a few inches over and they do check/know) - we take them often to Peninsula/Islands, parking at airports (not a thing right now, but the overhang can make it tough to not block the aisle), parallel parking in cities, maneuvering in some campgrounds, etc... The new GMC "short" bed has so much space in it (6'9" vs 6'6" and less carve outs for posts/etc...) that we really don't run out of space. With sheet material (fairly rare these days), I drop tailgate and raise the multipro "step". If I need more room, hooking up the tandem axle cargo trailer becomes a cinch. I wouldn't mind an 8' It's not just the cheaper Diesel, it's less sketchy stations/timing when we stop for fuel that are a plus. Outside of COVID, we make our lunch/potty stop based on where the food we want to eat is vs where the fuel is if we can. Also stopping at a rest stop/pull off to go use the Oliver's facilities is often easier than going through a full fuel stop. And while I like the idea of a 1000 mile tank, it's more for the days with a strong headwind, rain, hills, etc... that make fuel economy not quite the ideal I get on level 60mph days. I'm sure ~$1500 for it installed would like a ton of savings to make up for it - so it's more a convenience thing in my book.

With a 1/2 ton payload is an issue and your choices are limited. For a 1/2 ton with a heavy payload package with a 6 ft bed is limited to an F150 XL or XLT super crew with Max payload and Trailer packages or the Silverado/Sierra with at least LT or SLE trim and the max trailer package. Ram doesn’t offer a heavy payload package. The F150 is more capable than the GM models. Both the Ford and GM need to be ordered.

But who's counting?

I forgot the turning radius . . . . I just automatically allow more room and remember to not turn the wheel too soon. Parking is very strategic, but not a problem where we live. I do choose parking spots in lots carefully as it is easy to get trapped if someone parks too close and there isn't room to back up far enough to make the turn to get out.

Charge them to 50% and then disconnect them. If they're disconnected, they won't charge, and you can plug the trailer in and run the heater all you want.

Driving south along the Mississippi River IS downhill. At least, the last I heard, even if it is only 600 feet change from Iowa to the Gulf... 🙂 Just like the Great Plains, ignoring wind effects, you get a little better mileage headed east than west .John Davies Spokane WA

Let me add that replacing the screening is really not difficult and there are many Youtube videos on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=replacing+screening However, if you chose to tackle this then make sure that you do the screen door last. The radius of the curved upper left and right of the screen door is reasonably tight which makes it a bit tricky to get the screening even in that area. I found that more force had to be applied to the spline tool while gently smoothing the screen in order to get those corners done correctly. Other than that this is a project that most owners can do without difficulty. Bill

For us - its just preference = turning radius is better. I don't equate any 3/4 ton with easy parallel parking. Overall I have come to love my truck - once the newness wore off - life was much easier - each scratch, mar, and such became less annoying. 43K later - I put fuel in it, and go. Happy Halloween all you ghouls and goblins.

Yes, you are certain what the best way is to maintain your Lithiums when in storage. Directly from the spec sheet: Storage Method: 50% SoC, test @ 90 Days, recharge if below 13.0V So don't use solar power to keep your Lithiums topped off during storage unless "topped off" means 50%. 😏

Must have been mostly downhill??

If you have (quite) a bit of time on your hands, some lengthy but informative (somewhat repetitive) info on the various Garmin inreach units. Some good photos and insights into operation, features, and benefits. https://hikingguy.com/hiking-gear/in-depth-garmin-inreach-mini-review/ Costco had the inteach mini bundle on the shelf last month. Sherry

If we’re, say, half full and need to dump before our next location we just fill the black through the black flush, then dump. It’s actually good to travel with some amount of liquid in the black tank so it can do that agitating cycle while you’re driving.

The screens in the Oliver windows are made with standard fiberglass screening material. Unfortunately, in many places I camp there are very small bugs (no-see-ums) that are small enough to fit through the holes in that screening. As a winter project last year I replaced all screens with a finer mesh screening suitable for keeping virtually all of these bugs at bay. This small bug screening can be purchased at virtually any hardware store and is fairly inexpensive. In addition, I purchased two different bug zappers that will get anything that flies through the door as I come and go. Both can be used as a bug zapper alone or be combined with their internal regular light function. Even though the NEBO was more expensive (about $25 versus the $15 I paid for the U-Lantern) I tend to like it better since it seems to be a bit brighter (the bug light portion) and thus takes care of critters a bit faster and it can be used as both a lantern and spotlight. NEBO Bug Zapper: https://www.amazon.com/NEBO-6587-Z-Bug-Lantern-Light/dp/B074TH22FB/ref=sr_1_2?crid=27FXU7XDX781S&dchild=1&keywords=nebo+bug+zapper+lantern&qid=1603047333&sprefix=nebo+bug%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-2 U-Pick Camping Lantern: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T64CGZY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Small Insect Screen: https://www.amazon.com/ADFORS-Premium-Insect-Screen-Charcoal/dp/B00KIQKN0I/ref=sr_1_5?crid=32ZP3AH1Y8HIF&dchild=1&keywords=small+insect+screen+mesh+roll&qid=1603047517&sprefix=small+insect+screen%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-5 I should note that the NEBO is battery powered while the U-Pick is USB rechargeable but neither seem to really use that much juice. Also, it should not be a surprise but the tighter mesh of the small insect screening does restrict airflow more than the original screen. But, while I did notice the reduced air flow, it is not a major factor - just crank up the Maxair another notch 😉.

I’ve noticed in the latest rounds of factory photos that Oliver has switched to Reflectix style insulation, which is sort of like a foil bubble wrap, rather than the thinner foil backed foam that they were using before. I’d think that it should be more effective. I’ve been adding a layer or two of reflectix in the lower hull myself, over time as I do other things. Unfortunately, there’s no way to get into the upper hull, but with some work you can access much of the lower hull. We’ll see if it makes any difference. One place I’m glad to get the extra insulation is around the beds beneath the windows. It’s actually quite easy to stuff two layers of reflectix in there from below, and I’m hoping that it will keep those walls warm at night and eliminate the condensation if you happen to sleep up against them. So far, I’ve added extra insulation behind the bath vanity, extending somewhat into the closet and bath floor, all of the curb side from the fridge back, then all along the back and forward on the street side to the pantry. The insulation goes from about the belly band down to the floor and underneath the plumbing in all those areas.

You would not have to run the wiring on the outside. Send Oliver the wiring harness and ask them to place it into the belly of the trailer during construction leaving both ends accessable. You can finish the installation once the trailer is delivered. If that fails it is not hard to run the wiring yourself after the fact. I'm assuming the camera receives its power from the truck and the harness, so most likely there will be no need for wiring inside the trailer.

I don't know what the upgrade prices are, but I know that we added solar, not quite six months in. If it were me, I'd get standard fla batteries and solar. Upgrade the batteries when they die in 5 or 6 years. If you're ok with the maintenance of fla batteries. At the very least, make sure you get a port for portable solar My opinion, only. I can (and do) live without a lot, but not without my solar panels. Sherry

I go down to the camper in the winter. Turn on the heater, turn on lights, turn on the tv, maybe watch a movie. The solar has snow and ice on it. Usually around 13.4 on the meter when I leave. The sad part is when I forget to turn off a light. Now get dressed again, after dark of course, find a flashlight, wade through fresh fallen snow. Only to find out it wasn't a light after all, it was just a reflection of the moon on a window. Just like camping.

"New" Oliver Service location - 228 Industrial Ave, Hohenwald, TN 38462

Nope - it is not in the same location. I don't have the address handy but if you turn north at the WalMart stoplight, cross the railroad tracks and proceed to the end of the street - the new sales office and service center will be right in front of you. Bill

Titan recently released this gem for the 2020+ Duramax HD Trucks with 6'9" beds: https://titanfueltanks.com/products/xxl-replacement-tanks/2020-gmc-2500-3500-crew-cab-short-bed-7010220 36 gallons to 56 gallons. Keeps spare tire and all the bed space. I think I could squeak out 1000 miles with the Oliver behind me on one tank.

Have a great time enjoying your new Oliver.

We stayed at Davy Crockett 2 nights. Yes pickup was at new sales Center but it will be 2 more weeks before they complete remodeling. Pickup was wonderful and informative but they didn't have electricity in delivery area yet, at least where we were. Also if you are seeing this we just got our name in forum updated to our Ollie hull name Pilots Lounge. N0673. Hope to meet other Ollie Owners in our adventures.

Congratulations fun times. I also like your colors. Enjoy it and be sure to answer SeaDawg's questions because I want to know too 🙂

So, did you pick up in the new sales center? The old one had green grass carpet? How was the pickup? Where will you stay the next few nights? Inquiring minds want to know. .

Since I was taking some inside photos today, I thought I'd snap a few to add to this thread. Plus I'll add some that I've posted in other threads recently. Here's how we organize all our drawers: Top right, we use an expandable cultery tray from OXO - I cut out some pieces of a stiff felt liner from Ikea to put in each of the compartments, which cushions the utensils and helps keep the tray from getting marred - In the middle two and bottom left, we use a different OXO tray, with the same felt lining as above - Then on the bottom right, we keep two cutting boards, place mats, coasters, towels, etc., so no need for any organizer - For the nightstand drawer, I used the excellent trick that Bill came up with. But instead of the aluminum angle, I added some adjustable shelf pegs to the drawer, and then stuck some thick felt on the sides of the insert to both center it and keep it from sliding around. Then I placed a similar 10 x 16 tray in the bottom, also with some felt pads to keep it in place. Man, now I know where all the lip balm and sharpies end up. I added two wire organizers to the pantry door (glued some 1 x 2 PVC to the door to give some extra depth and something to screw to.). Unfortunately I can't find these exact items on Amazon now to link to - We added storage nets galore, and these are incredibly handy - In the pantry, I added a stainless plate from Amazon, to which I attached a small box from Ikea (discontinued) to use as a spice shelf. (The box slides under the pantry shelf when closed to keep the contents from bouncing out.). A bungee across the very top on the inside holds a folding drying mat perfectly. The boxes are Sterilite Clip Boxes, medium and small, which you can get on Amazon or at Target. They're the best fitting that I've found so far. On our last trip, I had trouble finding stuff to fill them. The light in the pantry is a Luminoodle Click. By the way, I buy bungee stuff from www.hookandcord.com. I asked for the cabinet instead of the microwave/convection oven, and we keep a toaster oven there, plus I made a shelf for plates and bowls - Some hooks by the door are always handy - As are some flashlights - Over the kitchen, I found these boxes for glassware, mini bar, etc. They're another discontinued item, but if you want to find something similar, they're 6.25"w x 11.5"d x 5"h. We keep out the two or three pans from our Magma set that we use all the time, while the rest stays in their storage bag. I lined the back of all our upper cabinets with the same stiff felt from Ikea that I used on the drawers (they had them on closeout sale, so I bought them out.) Like with the drawers, it keeps things from marring the fiberglass, plus I think it looks a lot better - The bath cabinet stays stuffed, but these boxes from Ikea help to keep it somewhat organized. I covered the back of the door with black vinyl to protect the mirrored surface - In the back of the attic, I put another storage net to hold books in place, and then in front of that, we keep camp chairs and other small items that get unloaded at the camp site. The rest is filled with electronics. -

Such great info folks... I really appreciate the comments. I've never owned a travel trailer and so excuse my many questions that arise.

Actually, now that I think about it, I don’t think that mine are on three-ways. I think it’s just a separate switch and power. I’ll have to go verify but I seem to remember on one of our trips noticing that the lights were on and not being able to get them to go off - then remembering the panic switch, which had gotten inadvertently flipped.