Leaderboard

Yesterday we had Jason L. reserve a spot for us on the Oliver assembly line. Construction doesn't start until November with pickup in January next year. As full-timers in our 17' Casita we are so looking forward to stepping up to an little larger FG home and moving on. I'm so impressed with the factory and people who work there. WooHoo 🙂 John

Ollie in the Wild - We recently spent a week at Natural Tunnel SP in the South Western tip of Virginia...a nice and private site at Lovers Leap. Water and electric only with a dump station. Showers were super clean and fairly new looking. Would highly recommend this SP. Our site was all nice. We hiked up to Lovers Leap - Quite a view of the tunnel -

All, Quick note back to the other Ollie owners out there to let everyone know the new "longer" shackles arrived on Friday and were installed on Saturday. Happy to report that the installation went fairly easy and the upward travel is now ~1.5" as designed. Thanks again to Jason and his team on getting me the new shackles in a short timeframe and working with me on getting the trailer ready for our next trip.

According to Magnuson, 550 hp and 550 ft-lbs of torque. I assume that’s estimated based on a dyno test at the rear wheels. I’m not trying to win a drag race, just improve the towing performance for our trips through the mountains. Downside is premium fuel required and of course, lower than the already poor fuel mileage. To me though, it’s cheaper than a new Tundra and I know my truck’s history. I’ll provide a report after the install and after towing the Ollie a bit.

Thanks John. Pulled the pan and replaced the filter/strainer a couple of weeks ago. Also did a full Amsoil ATF fluid replacement. I had previously done a fluid swap at 50K. Almost nothing other than a little sludge on the pan magnets. Had a full compliment of pan bolts here just in case, but I used PB Blaster ahead of time and all the bolts came out easy peasy. Not much salt used on the roads here in Georgia, thankfully. Yes, remap of the ECU and higher flow injectors. Mine is Flex Fuel so it already has the high flow fuel pump to deal with E85. No longer flex fuel after the swap.

And yet the “poorly” rated Tacoma outsold both the higher rated Ranger and Colorado by over two to one in 2020. Personally, reliability carries more “weight” than payload or towing capability. It’s why I drive a Tundrasaurus over a much more feature laden and modern Ford, Ram or GM truck. Sorry for the thread drift.

We are doing the same (keeping current camper until convinced the Ollie is the way to go). However, I suspect the old one will sit unused and then later sold.

Congrats! We had a Casita (17’) before picking up our E2 last fall... We loved that old camper but are so happy to have switched to Oliver.. the extra roominess makes a big difference for sure..

We picked up the trailer Friday, and I've been working on putting the interior back together. It's been warm and humid, so I enjoyed running the new quiet ac. I downloaded a decibel meter, and took a few readings from the small dinette area. Note the averages are "high", because the meter records every screenshot click as 81 decibels. On a few shots, you can see the bump of a screenshot being recorded on the graph. All the sound levels have been lower than normal conversations (60 db), so I'm confident we can sleep comfortably or carry on a conversation with the ac on.

Around these parts Brad is well known as a master of the guitar. There is an interesting video with Joe B interviewing Brad. They talk guitars and such..... Live From Nerdville with Joe Bonamassa - Episode 17 - Brad Paisley - YouTube RB

Some of the best guitarists in the industry (at least IMHO) have more than a little fun with the Game of Thrones theme song. If you haven’t seen this, you owe it to yourself to see it for the musicianship. If you play guitar at all, you will be blown into a wormhole and never return. See you there. (Yes I play. But not “quite” at this level, LOL). It starts around 2:00 if you want to skip the quick “how ya wanna do this?” chat, but I always watch the whole thing. Scott Ian (Anthrax) never does a solo (and he certainly could). Modest, down-to-earth and happy to be the foundation. Cool dude. Tom Morello has such a distinctive style. Well yeah they all do. This is GREAT FUN.

We picked up our camper on Friday of last week (March 19th 2021), and after a fairly long day of questions, tutorials, etc we set out on the Natchez Trace for our first night at Davey Crockett, followed by heading back north to where we are now, and will stay until Easter. Thanks to everyone who has answered my questions over the past year or so. Every one of your answers has helped my wife and I (and our dog valentine) get to this point and we love our camper so far.

Wow! Bet you will need to look behind the Tundra to be sure you're towing Ollie! Looking forward to your report!

Congrats Johnwen! We are a couple of month's ahead of you...but years behind you in terms of experience (our first RV)! We look forward to your insights!

Hi John, If you have any interest in the Clam, then you should take a look at Gazelle. They are a little smaller than 10x10 and stow at 63 inches long and are considerably cheaper than a Clam. We have one and the only downsides I see are that it is floor-less and the screening blocks most of the wind, so summertime you need a fan. The screening does block out insects very well. The Gazelle pops out just as the Clam does, very easy setup and take down. The hardest part is getting it back into the bag 🙂 John

LOL, within the Oliver family the question is “Is that some sort of Casita?” Get used to it. Though I do admit that within the last year more people seem to recognize an Ollie and the number of those questions has decreased. John Davies Spokane WA

And, a couple short videos, recording the sound on low from small dinette, and high from the bed. I suspect it will be a bit more quiet when I reinstall the shades, and the rest of the cushions and rugs. Sounds still echo a bit without the soft surfaces. 20210418_084422.mp4 20210418_084309.mp4

I left the dehumidifier function on overnight, instead of ac, to reduce power consumption. I don't have a hygrometer, so nothing scientific to report. It certainly felt better in the trailer than the 88 per cent humidity outside. There is a low kind of pulsing "hum" when the compressor runs, barely audible above the fan. Outside the trailer, it's also very quiet. I was hesitant to run the old unit in the sideyard, because I didn't want to annoy my neighbors. So, initially, at least, we're both happy. Let's hope it doesn't get noisier with time.

I was simply blown away by the new bigger Tundra when I first crawled around it at a car show fifteen very LONG years ago. I asked if they planned to produce a more capable version and I was quite disappointed when the salesdroid said no.... I still won’t buy one, they are really missing out on the huge US Heavy Duty market. John Davies Spokane WA

This shows the installation of a Blue Sea 6005 mini battery switch with removable key, it fits neatly into a piece of 3" x 4" aluminum angle, 6061-T6. It can be mounted in a variety of ways, using 5 mm screws and self locking nuts. This mod requires metal working tools and skill, and the ability to fabricate good quality cables. As always, measure twice, cut once, and disconnect the batteries before starting! I chose method C. If you plan to use D, you can purchase a new round label to apply, since the existing one will be covered. I bought a 12” scrap, leave it LONG until the big hole is cut! Brace that end against the drill press post so it cannot spin and take off your fingers! Bond a HDPE mounting block to the inside cabinet wall, I like JB Weld. Let it cure overnight. I used a 1" thick piece, thinner would be OK but not as sturdy. Mount the angle bracket with stainless sheet metal screws, the center hole is not used (that was used as a center for drilling the four outer ones, and also to hold a fixture to clamp it in place). The switch should be mounted upside down, so the label is easily readable when you put your head down in the hole. All four screw holes are located so that they are accessible with the switch in place: Access is reasonably good, there is plenty of room to reach around and get a box end wrench on each one, from below. Remove the battery Positive cable (this one is 4/0 gauge because there is a 2000 watt inverter installed) and relocate it to the INPUT of the master switch (shorten if necessary and install a new 5/16" terminal end.) Fabricate a short jumper cable to go from the OUTPUT terminal of the switch and back to the big fuse block that the old cable attached to. Add a red cable boot on that one, the connection is more exposed than the inner one. Add split loom and secure with cable ties. FYI, I reworked my positive cable by adding a terminal feed through post, so mine comes in from closer to the side of the trailer. A standard installation will have it come down from the existing plastic grommet up high in the back of the box. Fabricate a placard and mount it upside down near the switch. The red key is removable when in the OFF position, for security. It cannot be removed in the ON position. I do not plan to remove it. If you do, please buy a second key and put it in your spares kit! Here it is flipped over so you don't have to stand on your head: John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks Bill. We didn't have the resources to pay for an Oliver until we sold the house last year. We really hate the idea of leaving the Casita behind, so we'll keep it in storage for a year or so after we get the Oliver to make sure of the "Oliver life." They look similar from the outside and we've even had a few people ask if the Casita was an Oliver...since we have no logos on the Casita.

Thank you Mike and Carol. 🙂

I almost bought a Casita - but - I found Oliver before I could pull the trigger in Texas. Glad that you are here. It will be interesting to hear your take on the differences and similarities between the two. Bill

Thank you SeaDawg. Full-timing for about 15 months now. Sold the house in South Carolina and haven't looked back. Our Casita is an 2018 model we bought at the end of 2017. It still looks new. I hate to part with it but, as I age, a little more room and the safety of 4 tires vs 2 will be appreciated. I'm sure glad to find this forum....so many ideas and much information. 🙂

Underestimate or pigeonhole any of these guys at your peril!

Most folks think he’s just a country boy that sings about muddy trucks but I’ve seen him really wail on his paisley Fender.

Congratulations! Sometimes size does matter and I’m sure you will enjoy the extra room in your new Oliver.

YES! And many of my “way better than I will ever be” pro guitarist friends say he is actually the best in it. If such a thing can even be said at this level.

Here is another trick with lid. I marked the place on the lid where the threads engage. Used a sharpie. So I can align the mark with the top screw of the ring and start turning. No more guesswork. Zef LE II #707 Heart-a-Lee

Excellent craftsmanship as always JD! I really like the location you chose as compared to OTT - they are putting the master cutoff under the street side bed. I have never personally used the master cutoff (I'm sure I will someday). Do you plan on putting a cutoff between your charger and the batteries as well? OTT also puts that cutoff switch under the street side bed and I used the cutoff at least 2-3 times a week. I was seriously considering moving that cutoff to somewhere more accessible until I figured out how to turn the charger off with software. If I'm ever forced to move that switch, I'd pick under the dinette as well.

Here is a bit of history. https://brookandholler.com/blogs/trail-guides/viewing-the-eighth-wonder-of-the-world-at-natural-tunnel-state-park

Thanks SO much for this ! I sent it on to our son...thinking about mooch-docking in his driveway this summer.

Enjoy watching and listening to Videos at "Norman's Rare Guitars".

I just LOVE this. And have watched it a few too many times. They are just having a helluva time and Joe is the MAN. My work here is done. (And there was much rejoicing throughout the land.)

Tows ok. Fuel tank and payload much too small.

Harsh - given the current cultural environment - perhaps one could describe the performance as: The Tacoma tries very hard to overcome the shortcomings of its heritage, certainly it had the intentions to be the best TV it imagined it could be, but in every case, lives up to the potential of what could have been, given the state of design inherent to a process that was not optimized to produce a modern full featured high powered unit that EVERY RV owner deserves but doesn't have the opportunity to obtain. More representative of the Tacoma's performance would be to say it is top of its class - any issue with actual results is most likely the fault of the RV in tow - a mis match of expectations and .................. RB

dewdev, We use Meguiar's Flagship marine wax for cleaning and waxing. It will remove some stains/spots and make new spots & stains where waxed easy to remove. We had some water spots that could not removed by waxing. Called Meguiar's and they recommended using their #67 one step compound, then using their Flagship marine wax. This process took care of the spots. We purchased Ollie used and now looks better than when purchased.

We've done three of the 'classic' overland trails since we've gotten our Ollie, and driven each keeping the trailer in mind and whether we could have taken it. The answer in all three cases was mostly no, but never would the suspension have been the limiting factor. On the White Rim Trail, tougher tires would have been needed, but that's irrelevant since the trailer is too long - you'd never make the switchbacks. El Camino del Diablo - tires on the lava section, but the real limits are width and sand. It can also be super muddy at the wrong time of year. That's probably the most borderline trail you could do. If you went slow, did some recon, took good sand mats and an extra spare, and are OK buffing out scratches from palo verde, I think you could do it. Actually portions of that "trail" are a joke (as are the videos of people acting like it's some huge three-day adventure). It was a 4-hour trip for us, though granted we were flying - the border patrol keep some sections super wide and smooth as glass. On the Mojave Trail, the limit is sand, and lots of it in some sections, or mud on the lake bed, if it's rained. I think there's a really steep section, too, that we never found. All the other trails that we went down in Mojave are sandy, but not 4WD sandy; so, easily done with an Ollie in tow, if you're just looking to camp out in the nowhere. And even the Mojave Trail, if it's dry and you want to take your Ollie out on the playa for some instagram photos, no issue. Bring a dog. Playa, trailer, labrador - Instagram? Instagold! Kill me. And I've been on other bad trails and never once has outright clearance been the concern. Even with smaller tires, the trailer has better clearance than most trucks. And if it's bumpy, you just go slower. I think these big suspensions on some trailers is little more than eye candy for offroad nerds. That's not to say that the trailer couldn't benefit from a somewhat softer suspension, which of course requires some additional clearance. But that's a tradeoff, since the softer the ride, the less stable the trailer becomes on the highway. Perhaps a combination of a softer suspension with a few more inches of clearance, plus an anti sway bar, would be the right solution. But, I personally don't see that as a special 'overland' package or anything. I think that it would benefit every trailer and is just something that Oliver should fix. And they should do it in an Oliver way, which would be practical and functional rather than just looking so. All that applies to the Elite 2. If you've got an Elite 1, flip the axle, put on some AT tires, and go. Take pictures. Just don't get mad at me when you get the bill for airlifting your Ollie off a switchback.

We had our first boondocking experience this past Friday when returning to Texas from picking up our Oliver. It was a short overnight stop through Harvest Hosts (our first time using them) at Melrose Plantation in Melrose, LA. Just parked in their parking lot and the next morning after breakfast we took a tour of the plantation before heading home. It was a fun stop with lots of history. And look at the size of the 150 year old trees with resurrection fern growing on them.

I have the Sony WM-1000XM3. All the reviews I read emphasize their comfort, and I agree. I can fall asleep on my side with them on without waking up later with a sore ear. No idea what my hat size is, but contrary to what some might say, my head is on the smaller size - small enough that the headband doesn’t extend any when I put them on. As such, they’re just ever so lightly loose and will want to tilt forward if I bend down, but they stay in place otherwise. If I’m doing anything active I’ll wear AirPods. I don’t have the noise cancelling version of those, but I’m very curious how well they work and how comfortable they are to wear. I do have software issues with the Sonys, in that they don’t seem to hold settings (the capacitive touch buttons on the sides can be a pain and they simply won’t stay off like I want), and they don’t always want to switch Bluetooth connections without turning them off and on again.

This is Clear Springs COE campground just outside of Texarkana in east Texas. Nice campground, we’ve been here before.

We added a screen to the awning along with the Carefree support poles. It’s been great as extra living space with a bit of privacy, but it’s still quick to stow away in case of high winds.

Clam tents are even easier to take down versus putting them up. I've got the small version of the Clam tent and it fits nicely in the closet of the Elite II, Bill

Might have to try that. It also might help with the issue of the folks next to us at the moment ( street side) in a tent that must feel like a UFO has landed 10 ft away from them when I snap on the porch lights.....

Black Rock Mountain, a Georgia State Park. August 29-31, 2020. Elevation 3600+. Hot, wet and humid after the remains of Hurricane Laura past through Western North Carolina which is just 50 miles north of the park. But we were camping for the first time in 2020, so we just sucked it up. Mossey

This is Lyman Lake State Park in eastern AZ. Nice park, sites are well maintained with views of the lake. There are some native hieroglyphs on the bluffs at the lake. Easy hike to see them. We stayed a couple of nights on our way home from Colorado and northern Arizona a couple of weeks ago. Nice sites, covered shelter, lake view. Short hike up the bluff to the hieroglyphs. Campground in the background. Sunrise. Mike

This is Lost Dutchman State Park outside of Phoenix this past January. It’s a big park and very scenic. There were a number of Olivers there in January, including the crazy Oliver owners in the middle picture.

We’re currently at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. It’s one of the parks in the Maricopa County system. It’s quite lovely although a bit pricey at $32/night. Has water and power and nice shower/bathroom facilities. It’s near Phoenix and has allowed us to visit numerous friends in the area. As a bonus it has free roaming burros! Heading towards Tucson then eastward into New Mexico and Texas.

Catalina State Park just outside of Tucson last month. We’ve made reservations for next January already.