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johnwen - It is amazing how much help we have received from owners in this forum - all I did was try to merge together all the lists others had already done. My wife tells me I am missing good stuff on the Facebooks groups (Oliver Owners of America for one). I am already overloaded with my OCD list LOL and as topgun2 mentioned above - we will be having fun for sure - been having fun during the wait with all the studying and list making 😀 Your wait will be over before you know it!

As an inexpensive experiment I purchased “Timken” Set4 & Set17 bearings, and the 473336 seal, all on Amazon. They arrived today. They certainly look like Timken bearings with nice packaging and even have the Timken microprinting hidden in the longitude and latitude lines on the globe logo. But the WBA bearing app scan of the bar codes on the bearing packaging says the bearings are likely counterfeit. The seal checks out as ok. The seal was stocked and shipped by Amazon. The bearings were from a third party supplier. I do have an authorized Timken dealer not far away, so I do plan to get actual Timken bearings to use, but it was a cheap experiment, lesson learned. The two bearing sets were only about $25 total for both. I’ve had a lot of experience with Chinese suppliers in my career, but I am still amazed at the effort they will put into counterfeiting a product.

It looks like they no longer make the XLT in anything smaller than a 31" tire, which I guess is why I can only find the LT in 225/75/16. Still a good tire, though.

I have resorted to just taking the Andersen chains off and putting the whale tale on once I've driven to a nice level DRY straight section of asphalt. Sometimes slack and raising the front doesn't seem to help and I don't love the stress on the hitch or jack.. Removing the chains is easy and I don't mind it. Better than the frustration and subsequent swearing at the campsite.

If the front of the trailer is not already facing south, shift it so the sun shines on the doghouse (to warm the bottles). You could even carefully put a small 110 volt electric box heater in there to assist. That might help. Does your range and fridge work on propane? If so, it is not a supply issue. The jets on both WH and furnace can be replaced with smaller ones to compensate for thinner air, but this shouldn’t be done if you will often be close to sea level. The standard 6 gallon Suburban WH jet can be replaced in half a minute, literally, it is held in with a spring clip. The furnace one requires a good bit of disassembly….. If the tank isn’t flowing gas at all, you could have a regulator issue, or you might want to buy one of these…. Powerblanket John Davies Spokane WA

Hi VBistro. I have all my fresh water "stuff" in a single milk crate. Since we don't pick up our LEII for a couple of weeks, I can't tell you exactly where we are going to put it. Was hoping it would fit in the basement, but I think it may be too tall (19.5" sitting in the crate). I am hoping the 16" basement dimension given is for the door and the actual roof of the basement is a couple inches higher?? I have stops on each end of the filter assembly so I could lay it on its side if needed. I will let you know in a couple of weeks.

So excited for you! We are about a week behind you and hope to meet you one day on the road - exciting times for sure!

Welcome to the most exclusive club in all of FG Trailerdom. We've had two Oliver's over the past 14 years and are the owners of the first Elite II sold, Hull #050. You are going to have the time of your life.

Well, tomorrow starts a new chapter in your lives. 14 seasons in ours, we feel we're only partway through the book. Happy motoring, and safe travels. We'll look forward to photos. 😃

I do have the Honda 2200i. Great generator but... Were I to do it all over again, I'd get one like the Yamaha shown above. The Honda will run the air conditioning all day long with no problem but it was a pricey unit and requires a pricey conversion kit to run off propane. Carrying a small gas can and that generator takes up as much space and probably weighs not much less then the Yamaha dual fuel. That unit can run off propane when appropriate (lower altitudes) without the stink of the gas can.

We made it. I'm happy to report the grass is growing at the Ollie Campsites.

I will be going to the Hershey RV show next Wednesday just to make sure but, I think Ollie it is. I have a few questions regarding my set up and needs and I welcome your suggestions. My tow rig is a 2021 F150 hybrid with a built in 7.2kw power supply. As for battery upgrades, I have done many in the past on RV’s but frankly never felt the usage I got was worth the money spent. I will use my built in power supply from the truck when Boon-docking (which I will do almost exclusively) but I will use the house battery’s for standard 12v tasks like lights, blower motors etc. But is the 4 6v AGM battery upgrade worth the freedom from checking battery water hassle? I want the upgraded mattress’s on both sides for the occasional visitors but also want a couch, suggestions on couch back cushions? Any other must haves in your opinion? thanks! by the way, I live in the Smokey’s about 45 minutes from Gatlinburg, Dollywood, Pigeon Forge on 4 wooded acres, I have an Rv spot with full hook ups for friends and family. If anyone wants to camp for a night or two feel free to contact me and if the schedule is free, you are welcome to use my facilities. Brad

If you have had more than one Ollie, please include the mileage of all of them, combined as one figure. I think it will be eye opening to see how many owners “rack up those miles”. Thanks. John Davies Spokane WA

Hello Everyone, We only started looking at Oliver Travel Trailers a couple months ago due to a need we had in the family. After reading everything we could find and watching lots of videos we decided it was the one for us. On our way home from a 36 day driving vacation out west, we decided to get an appointment to tour the factory and talk to someone in person. We met with Anita on 9/23 for the tour and discussion. As someone mentioned earlier there were several Ollie's sitting in the parking lot awaiting pickup. However, there was also one whose owner had a major health issue and was not able to pick up his 2021 Elite II. Anita told us to take a look at it. We fell in love. It had more options than we were planning to purchase, but since it was a 2021 the cost was within our budget. We bought it! And we pick it up next Wednesday, Oct. 6. We are so excited and can't wait to take our first trip. We have learned so much from these forums and are looking forward to learning a lot more from you pros. We are totally new to camping. We both recently retired and looking forward to many years in our Oliver. Thank you all for the wonderful information you have shared. Kathy

@Mike and Carol, that's another thing most Oliver owners are good at. Maintaining records, as well as their trailers. and, traveling. You've done a done a lot of traveling in 4 or 5 years.

I agree. That "built to last a lifetime" is more than a slogan. I know our trailer will outlast us, and probably our daughter, too, if maintained. Like our 44 year old fiberglass sailboat, it just keeps on going. We have no hesitancy in taking it into the wilds. Love our little Oliver.

We're well over 150K. You're gonna need a bigger poll...!

We’re at about 65,000. After this trip we’ll be close to 70,000. Yes, I do keep a spreadsheet. 🤓 Mike

Pretty sure that they're stainless panhead screws. I keep a bunch of different sizes around to use on the trailer. In fact, I'll replace any screw I see of Olivers that isn't.

Mine is just under 7,000, but then I haven't had it a year yet.

Another possibility could be that with the cold temp propane does not vaporize as fast. Combine that with the altitude and ??? Having said this, I have never had an issue with altitude (up to 11,000 feet) nor cold (down to 28 degrees). I have experienced a combination of altitude (roughly 8,000 feet) plus cold (about 28 degrees) and had no issues with the heater nor the fridge - sorry but I didn't use the water heater that time. The first thing I would do at this point would be to use compressed air to blow out any dust/debris in the burner areas of both. Also, you could try lighting them during the warmer part of the day to see if that was the issue. Good luck. Bill

I don't nor have I ever owned an Andersen. The only way I can see that the chains could have "tightened" was for the whale tail to have made a 360 degree 'flip' while it was unhooked, thus drawing the chains tighter.

The mobile unit 2 is headed back to the nest to have the battery/solar/electric upgraded. First stop: Kettletown Campground in CT.

We even had UT orange shirts made for everyone who helps us with our renovation.

I hate to say this but on the very rare occasion that I've run into problems with my Andersen it has also been raining. Perhaps those chains shrink?😁 Seriously - If I'm having trouble I simply loosen the nuts several turns, attach the whaletail and then re-adjust those nuts my "standard" number of threads showing. Bil

Hello Pilots Lounge, We picked up Ollie LE2 last May. I have an Anderson hitch and a F150 TV. We've camped alot so far and I've tried a number of methods to deal with the whale tail. I've settled in on backing the chain tension adjustment nuts out until about one or two threads are exposed. When already hooked up I raise the tongue which reduces the chain tension enough that I can back the nuts off by hand. When hooking up I keep the Oliver supplied socket with a ratchet handy to tighten the nuts. For my set up, I tighten the nuts until I have eight exposed threads. Now that I have been doing this process for a while it has become easy and takes just a minute or so. Other methods worked ok but I encountered variences in difficulty also. Using the tension nuts Steve

In my 5 years of Andersen use I never had the situation you are describing. The chains don’t tighten over time. Was there a kink in the chain? Sometimes a link will twist a bit and then not line up right. I’ll have to give this some thought. Mike

YES, we have this problem in less than one year since delivery. i would attach a picture; however then you could figure out what our door combo is... we will order a new cover when we return home for the season, and maybe start using a UV protectant. Bryan - Out

So much for the 98% certainty - it changed into 100%! Congrates! And, welcome to the family. Enjoy working with a company that really does do business differently. Bill

We have solar and feel it is worthwhile. Solar panels charge the battery while traveling, as well as when camped. Our lithium batteries are full by mid morning after small overnight draw down from running the MaxAir fan, charging electronics and the usual phantom amp usage.

Brad: I spend three months a year in our Ollie. We mostly boondock. Over the past four summers, we have averaged 5,400 miles a summer. Mostly out west in the mountains. We don't have AGM or Solar. I am not up-to-date on what the new Optional/Standard features are, so please forgive me on that. That said, from your above first post, here is what comes to my mind: For A/C, we run a Honda EU2000, as well to charge our Lead Acid (L.A.) batteries during afternoons. One trick I use is to meter the amount of fuel I put into the generator tank based upon how long I want it to run in the afternoons. Sort of a way not to overcharge should I not be in the area. You may want to explore if your Ford 7.2 KW generator has an auto shut off based upon the Status of Charge (SOC). That would be really cool. Pretty much all the OE2 loads can be covered by a 30 amp 120V feed. Your 7,200 watt Ford generator can theoretically put out about twice this amount of power. So with the truck, you should not require an additional generator. However, the fuel efficiency of a Honda EU2200i may be very beneficial should you do a LOT of boondocking. With your on-board Ford generator, and it's remote start, you can easily extend your SOC (State of Charge) for morning heavy 120V electrical loads and not have to leave your bunk to do so. Just be aware of the neighbors. Overall, our lead acid batteries work OK. I do stress them every morning with our coffee and microwave cooking, as well as at night with microwave cooking. They have lasted us over four years now, but I suspect that next summer I will want/need to replace. Most likely with lithium's. I suspect that you could save $$ by getting the standard L.A, and then waiting a few years for the Litho upgrade. You will FOR SURE want to have an Anderson Charge Plug option at the front of your trailer to make easy connection from your Ford rear power point. I would also get the 3,000 watt inverter if you can. The lead acid batteries will not make use of the extra 1,000 watt capability. But when you get the lithium's, you WILL be glad you had that upgrade. to allow A/C, microwave and coffee pot all at the same time! (GJ Update: All at one time may be a bit excessive. ) For sure get the EZ Start for the A/C. I don't recommend the mattress upgrade. My budget solution was to purchase via Amazon a Zinus 6 Inch Ultima Memory Foam Mattress. I got the larger one (Queen I think but double check this), and used a butcher knife to EASILY cut it long wise, and rounded the rear outside corners for a perfect fit on the twin beds. I place my Zinus below the Ollie standard mattress, and my wife does the opposite. Saves $$$ and works very well. But then bedding is something that is different for everybody. The extra height of both mattresses stacked does make the couch cushions a bit tall. I may try not using the factory mattresses this coming summer to mitigate this issue some. But then, the stack up sure works great for sleeping.... We chose to get one set of couch cushions. Why not two? Because one set will store at night nicely in the dinette area. Two sets much less so nicely. Just some thoughts from a RoF (Retired Ole Fart) :-).

I had 4 AGMs for 5 years, about 280 lbs. I replaced them with 2 Lithium’s, about 75 lbs, 9 months and 10K miles ago. I don’t notice any balance issues. The trailer sits level side to side. I do notice that the tray is much easier to slide in and out! Mike

Is the Oliver suspension set up for that much weight on one side? Or it counter balanced by cabinetry and components? If you reduce the weight by almost 200 pounds would you be effecting the handling characteristics going down the road?

@John E Davies I think the Ford system lets you draw from the battery until it needs to be recharged. The engine comes on to recharge it and the process starts over. I would personally put in a couple lithium batteries vs the agm for your constant cycling of the charge system but you could probably skip the solar if you wanted to.

My main complaint with the 4 AGMs is mine were toast by the third season. Plus they are super heavy, nearly 300 pounds. A single lithium battery would be not much more costly, and the weight savings gives easier towing or a fair amount of extra payload. A 100 AH Battle Born is just 37 pounds. Your built in inverter is cool, and that will replace a generator for powering the microwave or AC, but you cannot access the Ford onboard battery, am I correct? So you still need at least 200 AH in the Ollie, unless you plan to idle your truck all the time, which is not campground friendly…. but if you are boondocking and don’t mind adding a lot of hours to the truck engine, I bet it would work well. John Davies Spokane WA

Hey Brad, welcome! You live in a beautiful part of Tennessee. We had 4 AGMs for 5 years and enjoyed the low maintenance they provided. We never had an issue with them when dry camping. Let us know if you have questions. Mike

Hi, at the camper show, look in the basement of these new units ( and these are the ones good enough to take to a show). Last time I went to one the plastic trim was held on with staples. My desk stapler has bigger and stronger staples. Also the wooden "studs" were 3\4" by 1", and a knot had already fallen out as it had started to twist. They sure were pretty though. I always go through and look, because their designers sure come up with some innovative ideas. Cabinets that rise to the 11' ceiling on an electric powered track, electric fireplaces, and 2 full baths. Just what I need when boondocking. Good luck! Hull #211

Welcome to the forum, Brad. The Hershey show should be fun, like our Tampa RV supershow. We go most years, just to poke around and see what's new in equipment. Truma is showcasing the new to USA aventa ac at Hershey. I'd love to hear a report from someone who has seen and heard it in person, though I'm sure you're going to look at new trailer models. We've never found anything to tempt us to change up our Oliver. Good luck with your decision. It's a process.

you might try Tractor supply for a 2200i Honda. I saw some in one of the Oregon stores a week ago.

In the interest of complete fairness to Kool-Aid: Flavor Aid is a non-carbonated soft drink beverage made by The Jel Sert Company in West Chicago, Illinois. It was introduced in 1929. It is sold throughout the United States as an unsweetened, powdered concentrate drink mix, similar to Kool-Aid brand drink mix. The drink became linked to the Jonestown mass murder-and-suicide when it was learned that the cyanide poison taken by or forcibly administered to the commune's members was placed in Flavor Aid. Large barrels filled with the grape variety, laced with the cyanide and a variety of tranquillizer drugs, were found half-consumed amidst the hundreds of bodies. Kool-Aid, rather than Flavor Aid, is usually erroneously referred to as the drink used in the massacre, most likely due to it having become a generic trademark. The association with Kool-Aid has spawned the figure of speech "drink the Kool-Aid" but is regarded by some sources as a factual error. And now, back to our regular thread...

We use the Hydroblu Pressurized Jerry Can Water Filter. We have a Burke system at home but find the Hydroblu better suited for camping. The particle and carbon filters are modular and can be replaced separately.

Got these at Kohl’s but also available on Amazon. They are silicon and stick to the inside of the trailer without any adhesive and are moveable. The brand is Tooletries and they are a little pricey but well worth it This one is called the Harvey. They work great. I forgot to remove the razor before travel. When we arrived 6.5 hours later the pillows had bounced in the floor but the razor was still firmly in place! We also got the soap holder called The Benjamin. All of them have drainage holes in the bottom and can be removed to clean if needed then reapplied.

Yes. I had repacked the bearings on the RV below just prior to this trip of 5,000 miles. I was headed east on I-70 just outside of Hays, KS and two young guys drove by telling me to pull over - the passenger side bearings had totally come apart and the whole thing was just about to catch fire. The up side of this was that I got to spend the weekend in Hays and when I got home I immediately purchased a TPMS. Between the tow and the replacing of the bearings it "only" cost me $650 and that was after AAA gave me $75 towards the tow. (Note where the spindle is relative to the hub)