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Merry Christmas to our Ollie family!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I assume that your Elite Hull #12 is not in Florida in that picture. Merry Christmas to All !!

For people interested in over landing vehicles, check out NutHouse Industries. We can haul 3 to 4 bikes over the cab. Also 2 18 foot sea kayaks. The kayaks have to be removed to raise the tent. We have an extra full size spare under the RTT. Also set up with hi-lift Jack, 18,500 # warn winch, land anchor, 2 burner stove, water tank with pump, ARB fridge, and an attached shower/toilet stall that folds out in about a minute. We carry a portable propane water heater for the shower.

Merry Xmas everyone! It is going to be a snowy one in Twin Falls, Idaho. Kirk

Wow you guys are good I’m full in three days and that’s with no toilet paper. I guess I am full of 💩

I think you realize from many posts, this is actually untrue. And, probably, just a kneejerk reaction to your post being hidden. It was not deleted.. We look for improvements, through honest reviews and comments. We have never, ever deleted or hidden a "problem with a trailer" post. We have, from time to time, hidden posts for moderator discussion that we felt could possibly trigger a firestorm of political commentary. We're here to share ideas on improvements (as you have, many times) , share camping sites and fun, and sometimes, joke around, as well. Your many posts have been very valuable, to me and others. I would like you to reconsider @katanapilot bowing our of the forum. We really, truly just try to avoid politics on this forum.

No one was offended but this is a good opportunity to remind everyone of the forum guidelines, which I’ve linked to below. Inflammatory content, which includes politics, is taboo. If you want to talk politics, there are quite a few spots on the internet where you can do just that. Also, as an FYI, if anyone ever has any issues with moderation here on the forum, the correct course of action is to send a PM to the moderators. It’s often that posts come across in a way that was unintended, and that’s why the moderator team hides posts rather than delete them. This gives the poster the opportunity to speak with us; and perhaps if needed, make some wording changes that bring the post in line with the guidelines so that it can be unhidden. Forum Guidelines

Here's Colin Hay (Men at Work) at Norman's Rare Guitars:

Here's a 2022 Tundra Brochure that gives trim curb weights, gross weights, tow capacities, and load capacities including the hybrid. https://www.toyota.com/content/dam/toyota/brochures/pdf/2022/tundra_brochure.pdf

Other than being VERY quiet up here in the mountains of western North Carolina it hardly seems like Christmas at all with temperatures in the low to mid 60's. Of course, I'll still take that versus Idaho snow. I'll bet that the rideandfly pic and the seadawg pic were taken within 40 miles of each other. For those traveling - please be safe and warm out there. For those at the Mothership - thanks for all you do in making most of us very happy campers. AND, for everyone - MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Bill

We use a Marmot Halo tent when we’re away from the Ollie, and really like it. Plenty of room for two cots with room to walk around them, and the halo feature really expands the stand up room beyond the center of the tent. It’s held up well for several years, and weathered some good winds.

My directing career has yet to take off, but this gives me hope.

That really depends on the person. The small dinette is roughly 24 x 72, so physically possible, yes. This is about the size of the seat (not arms) of a standard 4 seater sofa, or a standard sleeping bag. Someone who sleeps restlessly, or starfish sleeper, would have a hard time. I'd personally be ok with it. I would, however, likely make a quilted pad and velcro it to the side of the hull at night. Back in the day, Oliver offered a twin bed plan for the Elite, with a slightly wider bed at the rear, and the 24" side bunk, which allowed for an additional cabinet, and a fold down table. I knew two couples ( @ScubaRx and a couple from Texas) who had the twins. Scubarx upsized to the Elite II. The couple from Texas kept theirs a few years, and traded for a 5th wheel. His wife was never a fan of compact campers. A friend of mine converted her Casita (similar floorplan) to two twins to take her handicapped friend camping. She adapted the full size bed in back to a 39" twin for her friend, and took the smaller bed for herself. This opened up the cabin space a little to make it easier on her friend. Maybe scubarx will chime in with his thoughts.

We plan four nights with no other facilities. If there’s a vault toilet or other facility we can stretch to a week. It’s a little hard to predict how long you can go because everyone is different with different amounts of inputs leading to different amounts of outputs. Mike

We decided to go with a LEER fiberglass cap with Thule top rails and a BedRug. No regrets. Stays dry.

The dealer said the delivery was moved from 12/24 to 12/28. Hope the Tundra comes in next week, will see. Don't plan to tow with Ollie until we have at least a 1,000 miles. Going to add sideboards and a Diamond back bed cover while breaking in the new SR5. There's some other members here with a Tundra coming, too. Used to call our last Tundra Stan, guess that will work for the new Tundra, too.

The older BAKflip covers required the tailgate to be closed first before the last section of the tonneau cover. My first one was like that. The new covers (last couple of years) don’t require that. The tailgate can be closed and the last section will just snap down when closed. Much more convenient. Mike

r and f did your new tundra come today???

Like some of the others, I have a Bak Flip on my RAM truck. It has served me well. However, I've had to repair the back latch and discovered that a well placed tire iron could easily pry the rivets from the thin sheet metal if someone wanted into the bed of the truck while parked. Couple of other considerations. My Bak Flip requires you to close the tailgate first and the cover second which is counter intuitive (at least for every delivery person that has helped me load my truck) Also, because it flips up, it prevents the use of most ladder rack type systems (we'd like to carry a couple of kyaks over the bed and still have access). Finally when fully retracted, it blocks the rear window preventing me from seeing if the straps holding my motorcycle are still tight. My son-in- law has a Peragon cover on his Raptor. I'm aways jelous how easily it opens and closes.

Very nice 👍🏼

Well, at least there are four of us!😊

Before our pop-up tent trailer days, we used to have a stand up tent with 2 cots that allow us to sleep off of the ground. Now with the Ollie, I am looking for a new similar tent (still got the 2 cots) so the grand kids can go camping with us. We have square sleeping bags that can be unzipped so they are almost like sheets. We do not have the issues here in New England that out west has with bears. No posion snakes and after spring passes little bugs (somewhat). We use a tonneau cover which was purchased before the Ollie. If I were starting new, I would consider the cap with racks and side opening windows and carry the bikes on the cap roof instead at the rear of the Ollie. Happy Holidays

Really like this video/music, nice work!

Thanks John valued opinion I’m in the looking stages. Like you I’m always looking at the good bad and ugly and don’t like to buy unless I get up close and personal I have to touch it. It’s amazing how many big items are being purchased by a internet picture or video. Thanks

I currently use a tonneau cover because I like to be able to climb up into the bed without crouching or being on my knees. It has obvious drawbacks though. My model is not as secure as a cap, and if I need to access the bed in the rain my gear gets wet. The front of the trailer dominates the view from the rearview mirror while towing. I leave the rearview camera monitor on all the time and I use it in conjunction with the side mirrors to navigate safely. If you prefer a cap, don't let the view in the rearview mirror sway your decision. Not much there to see anyway. However, if your TV will also be a daily driver you may be more comfortable with the added visibility afforded by a tonneau cover.

I saw the levelmate pro on @Mike D.'s trailer. Pretty sweet gear. If I were traveling alone, I'd probably get one.

And, there are such things as "wag bags" and "blue boys" that can be used to greatly extend stays.

My husband loves them for this reason. He normally goes out and sets up while I'm still at work and then I drive out when I get off. He has no problem getting level by himself. On our 5th wheel we had the Level Mate Pro but left it in it when we sold it. So far he said he hasn't really needed it with the Oliver and the Andersen levelers.

This is good to know for others of us who are / will be solo travelers. Thanks!

In Florida, every time a hurricane takes the power out for days (weeks) at a time, generators prove useful.

If you search on YouTube for “winterize RV with compressed air”, you’ll get a good many videos. We’ve also had some topics about it here on the forum with some additional tips specifically for Olivers. As far as difficulty goes, it’s a much easier process than using antifreeze, for sure. I think the main thing is to make sure that your compressor isn’t set at a really high psi, which could potentially damage the plumbing. The other thing to think about when using air is that you won’t get 100% of the water out, and what’s left could possibly settle in a low spot. I think the only place that might be a problem would again be the check valves, and some people will squirt just a bit of antifreeze in the water ports when they’re done, just to make sure that if any water settles in the valves, it won’t freeze. Or you can do like me and rip all the plumbing out and redo it so that those check valves are inboard and at a high spot in the lines. 🤓

Tali and I can easily go a week and possibly 10 days if one of us is willing to pee outside.

We opted for a high topped (but not the highest topped) A.R.E. shell. I like the extra height; it's easy to crawl into the back; taller items (e.g., bicycle, chairs, patio rug) can be transported vertically. Eventually I'll build slide out drawers that can double as a bed platform. I agree with Jim and Francis: build quality is good but not great. I really like the flip out side windows for side access.

We also went with the Leer painted to match our truck with the Thule bars on top. We added Thule Hullavators to lift our 12’ kayaks easily on top. Inside we carry 2 electric bikes, 12’ Clam, a propane fire pit, chairs, a 22” Blackstone Adventurer grill with stand, a 12’ rug, an aluminum table that folds to fit in a bag, a tool box, small air compressor and 2 stackable crates with cords, lights, helmets, battery chargers, etc. The cover also has lights and it locks with the remote when you lock the truck. We have had no issues at all with leaking. We also have a bed slide that pulls out to easily load and unload items.

If you go the route of a truck topper, I recommend getting the awning side window option. One of my trucks toppers has the option and the other does not. One makes it simple to access items in the middle or front of the bed without either unloading everything or crawling in the bed and over everything.

I like the Andersen’s. They are more expensive but I am mainly a solo traveler and find them easy to use on my own. I bought levelmate pro as part of pre trailer pickup supplies and have yet to install.

I am commenting from past experience and future desire, there are two really good fiberglass canopy brands, Leer and ARE, I have used a Leer and I felt it was adequate, but no more than that. To avoid long term hassles, you have to spec the canopy so cleaning the back of the truck cab isn’t a nightmare, and so you can get good ventilation. They all leak dust and water, so you need to use weatherproof containers or covers. None of them hold up well on rough washboard roads…… check the warranty to see if that would be considered abuse. Few are rated to carry much on a roof rack, the Leer can be ordered with factory installed rails and a thicker roof structure. In an alternate future I would have a Power Wagon with a Go Fast Camper on it, so I could boondock a couple of nights in the rooftop tent when exploring the back country, while “Mouse” is safely parked at a more developed base camp campground. The last I heard, GFC was backlogged forever, but recently they have been hiring and working extra shifts to meet the demand. https://gofastcampers.com/ John Davies Spokane WA

Your neighborhood is requiring a bed cover for your truck? I’m as progressive as it gets but I know the three types of bad governments: dictatorships, church committees, and HOAs. Regardless, how covered is covered? Do solar panels count?

I always tell people that the choice of cap vs. tonneau cover really depends on what else you want to use your truck for besides camping. I haul a lot of stuff for home projects, hauling motorcycles in the bed, and moving furniture for friends and relatives, hauling top soil or mulch, etc. So I wanted full standing access to the bed when needed. I went with the WeatherTech folding rigid tonneau cover and a home built bike rack mounted over that as our setup for camping/towing the Ollie. The bike rack is built with quick release attachments so the rack can be easily removed so I can fold up or completely remove the tonneau cover.

Yeah, but sometimes you've got to bring in the big dogs. And most parks frown on that...

We use the big square black and yellow Camco legos. I have two sets of 10. I use them under the jacks with wood blocks so that I only move the jacks a few inches and under the tires if we’re not level. Mike

Thanks guys. I really haven't "used" the batteries very much yet. I'll go ahead and run them down to RVC and the give them a full charge to see what happens. John

Pete, @bugeyedriver, told me about this shop. Boerne is a small town but with several mega RV dealers with repair shops. Our shop is very small, husband/wife operation and they do great work.

Few know that Snowball is known as the Lonely Disco in the right circles (that circle consisting of my wife and me, but we're accepting membership applications). And I know that there's not a single Grace Jones fan on the forum apart from me, but I've posted before about how much I like Sonos gear as a replacement for Oliver's speakers, and thought some of you might like to hear what they sound like. Or it, this is actually just the Sonos Move playing, which you can see on the ground at the first of the video. Helps that the playa is basically a 10 mile wide soundboard, but that sort of makes up for this being recorded through an iPhone microphone.

Never heard Kacey before, great sound!

Been packing all of our trailer bearings with Redline CV-2 Full Synthetic grease for a few years, we have four trailers including Ollie, no bearing issues.

I'd suggest Summit Racing Equipment if you want legit parts for cheap. They ship all over the US. Summit Racing is 20 minutes from the Timken factory and is an authorized distributor. Odds are good they are legit. 😁