Leaderboard

I don't think clear coating flat black is necessary, nor IMHO would it look very good, I use Duplicolor Ceramic Brake Caliper Paint, gloss black, no primer is needed like regular spray paints, it flows out beautifully, is dry to the touch in five minutes, and after a week it cures rock hard. This paint is now my "go to" product for just about anything that needs one of the six available colors. Any good auto parts store should carry it. https://www.duplicolor.com/product/caliper-paint/ I just painted the receiver area on my LC200 a couple of weeks ago. The "spots" are weld splatter, that doesn't look so great with a gloss paint.... maybe next time I will grind those all away. And use the Satin Black instead.

Experience running fridge on LP, using LP furnace set to 65 every night when temps are below freezing (dog water dish left outside froze solid each night) and using cooktop minimally I could go eight days on a 30# tank

Thoughts and discoveries from yesterday's tour and purchase in no particular order. I'll add more if I think of anything. Anita was very helpful and knowledgable. When she didn't know an answer, she said so instead of faking her way through. I appreciate that. When we scheduled our tour, I selected the 1:00 slot. Anita countered that the plant gets unbearable in the afternoons, and suggested we schedule the 9:00 tour instead. As it was 91 out, I really appreciated that! The plant works four 10 hour days, so Friday was mostly inactive. This is good because you can hold a conversation and get closer to the assembly line, but you can't watch employees at work. Seeing the final inspection area where any errors were noted by employee name was interesting. Making the offender responsible has to be beneficial. We toured with another couple. We knew that was going to be the case beforehand, but by their response, I'm not sure they did. This might be offputting if you're not comfortable discussing questions in a group. Having spent 40 plus years in manufacturing, I had a lot of questions. This might have taken away some of the time the other couple could have been asking questions. We weren't rushed, and they said they were okay with the time given, but if I were them, I might have preferred to not have me along. 😉 I was taking photos of the wiring and plumbing between hull halves, and Anita stopped me. It seems an email was sent out just the day before that photos are no longer permitted during plant tours. This was somewhat irksome, as I want to know what's behind the walls. Especially with no wiring diagrams available. Several surreptitious photos may have been taken anyway... The 2023 fabric is different than the previous offered material. It seems softer, but maybe thinner and not as rugged or course feeling. Deb has samples of both and I'll try to post a photo later. The Midnight fabric is also darker. No Truma furnace or AC were on the line, as they are still building 2022 models. No Victron components were on the demo unit, but the Truma AC was. It's as quiet as reported! They resumed Elite I orders and builds due to an overwhelming number of orders placed when it was announced they would stop for a redesign. That's now on hold. The rumored larger model is still being considered with no timeline discussed. Forgot a huge point as far as I’m concerned, and caused us to change what we were going to order. When Sue and Matt offered to let us visit them to see their Elite II Twin, we found that they had the upgraded KTT mattresses. Deb and I didn’t see the value of that $1750 option until we laid on their bed. Thick, comfy, and much more firm than I expected. We were sold on the upgrade. Fast forward to this past Friday and our visit to Hohenwald. We sat in the demo trailer, and I asked Anita if they had one with the upgraded KTT mattress. She said that I was sitting on the upgraded mattress!! Go look at the option list. It no longer says KTT. They can’t get enough mattresses from KTT, so they are also getting them from Takata. And the buyer does not get to choose which they get! Deb and I both thought that the Takata that we were sitting and later laying on felt cheap, soft, offered no support, and definitely not worth the upgrade! Deb was sitting on it, and not just on the edge, and the mattress compressed enough that her thigh was resting on the edge of the mattress tray. Very uncomfortable! I said it felt like an old worn out mattress in a cheap motel. By comparison, the standard free cushion felt luxurious! Not as great as Sue and Matt’s KTT, but much better than the Takata. Anita said the difference in support was because Sue and Matt had Hypervent and the Takata didn’t. Can’t be that much difference! So, we saved $1750 and $850 by ordering the standard cushions and no Ultra fabric upgrade, and Oliver lost whatever profit they make on both. 👎👎👎👎👎 We both found the Nature's Head toilet very uncomfortable. As someone who takes a while for things to happen, I don't think it would work for me. We ordered the standard toilet with the intention of likely replacing it with an AirHead composting toilet instead. Placing our order was painless, and picking the delivery date to fit our schedule was nice. There were earlier days available that didn't work for us. Here's where we're at right now: - Elite II Twin Bed - Standard Mattresses - Standard Fabric - Midnight - Hypervent - Omnidirectional Antenna (local weather etc. if we don't have cell service) - Street Side Awning - Frosted Doors - Convection Microwave - 20 Gallon Propane (to keep tongue weight down) - Front/Rear Propane Quick-Connects - Standard Toilet with possible AirHead composting replacement - Full Truma Package AC, Furnace, Water Heater and Antifreeze kit - Largest Lithium Package - No Backup Camera: Probably add our own later - Anderson Hitch - Aluminum Storage Basket - Basement Door - No Graphics

#1150 Eggcelsior at Hammonassett State Park in Connecticut recently.

It’s a boy! Due March 28, 2023. There was really no indecision. I knew what we were going to do before we arrived. Deb pretty much was set to order, too. It was more about taking the hour to sit there relaxed and make the final decision. I’ll be half a year shy of 70 at delivery, with Deb two years behind. We deserve to enjoy ourselves while we can. A big thanks to everyone who has offered advice and encouragement! We really do appreciate the input.

Storm:

@AZ Wonderer Yep. Here are photos of 2023 samples. Midnight:

Thanks for all this info. It's very helpful. I'm doing the reverse of you...doing a plant tour after order. Our tour is scheduled for Sept 11. Did Anita show you samples of the new countertops for 2023? I understand they no longer will be fiber-granite but instead will be solid surface acrylic. Congratulations again on your order.

One of my hose fittings came unscrewed during a campsite setup. I didn’t have the tool on hand so I hand tightened as best I could. I found the 2018 post and ordered this socket on Amazon (same as recommended by @ScubaRX above). Water hose connection socket Another use for the Oliver supplied 1/2” breaker bar is a socket for removing the water heater anode from the standard Suburban water heater. Water heater anode socket

Just disregard the thread jacking that occurred mid thread

LOL, I have had that personality trait pointed out to me more than once. Anita was a real Southern sweetheart (I hope I am allowed to say that) when we visited in 2016, we did not do a tour then or ever. I am 90% sure you will want to add rear airbags, you can try towing first to see how it feels, but I was pretty unhappy, the stock LC200 springs are really soft (that is why it is so great on rough roads). If you were to install an Old Man Emu suspension, I don't think you would need them. The OME kits, even the base version, are engineered for load carrying ("real truck duty") rather than for hauling kids to the soccer match. I think you have the Heritage Edition, is that correct? That may come with stiffer springs in back, you could check at IH8tmud.com. Firestone W237604164 Coil-Rite Kit https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2059-land-cruiser-200-towing-thread/ Congratulations, are you going to sell your current trailer this season or wait? John Davies 'Spokane WA

I just use Rustoleum black after cleaning the rust. Clear coat may cause the paint to last longer. Let us know if you try it. Mike

Desert

I’m curious about the photo restriction. We took lots of photos on our tours and some came in handy later. Anita gave us our first tour in 2015 before we ordered. Things were a bit more relaxed back then. Mike

JD, I believe we did because Maggie is Canadian and it would make sense to ask for that feature. Problem is how does one test that feature while down in the lower 48. I think we have this one resolved. Our phones have an ATT SIM card HOWEVER we were informed that it does not have coverage in Canada. When we ordered them I asked that they be UNLOCKED which was good for this exercise. we were able to get to civilization and to a Canada Bell subsidiary and we were able to get a monthly plan that puts us back in working order for the next 2 months while up here. thanks to all for replies.

Great suggestion, necessity is the mother of invention! 😊 👍🏻👍🏻

There is no need to buy an L shaped wrench, just get a square drive bit and use your 1/2' breaker bar, Oliver even includes a bar in the spares kit for the wheel nuts. Mine have never loosened, and I don't plan to buy a tool for the trailer kit for what might never happen. You can pick up a square bit like that in any auto parts store if you need it while traveling. I do have a full SAE/ Metric set of square drive bits at home. For about $40 you can have them all. These are not pro grade, but they are fine for casual use. John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks for bringing this up. I had mine corrected at my last service. Took them about an hour after the oil change and tire rotation. Simple fix but worth watching and getting it corrected.

Thanks John. I’ve already had the Firestone link as well as Redarc’s brake controller bookmarked for months. 😉 As noted on MUD ( I’m Slow paddler), the HE model has very slightly larger wire diameter for the coils, but I think one fewer turns. Consensus is a barely stiffer spring. My fridge is mid-ship, so the only weight aft is just junk. No rear seats, and the 60% second row seat is out. So no stiffer springs unless I get a 24 gallon tank down the road At least two more outings planned for the Hiker this year. We may keep it and let our daughter and her fiancé use of if they store it for us. Else sell it to them. I could sell online for about 30% more than we paid for it, but theyretent camping now and would appreciate the enclosed box.

Sorry, no worries, this is why you should always use the Quote feature when you are commenting on somebody else's post, especially if you are referring to one on a previous page. I naturally assumed you were responding to the post directly above yours. I see that I am not the only one who was confused... John Davies Spokane WA

Please don’t waste your money on an Andersen. No way does any HD duallie need one for a 7000 pound Ollie. Spend the money you save on fuel😬 and on a set of extra wide Rock Tamers, and enjoy the simple ease of hitching it. John Davies Spokane WA

I also chose the Midnight decor, with black and silver-grey metallic graphics. I wrote my 2nd deposit check today. You'll have a few months before you have to cut the 2nd check and finalize your options

Midnight, with standard fabric and standard mattresses.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Capri-Tools-1-2-in-Drive-1-2-in-Hex-Bit-Socket-3-0558/305590114?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Hand_Tools&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Hand_Tools-71700000086053656-58700007291967538-92700065470082093&gclid=CjwKCAjw0dKXBhBPEiwA2bmObZv9tvRhJahr2TsT0YEj4AYoLNASzW-9qBbtR2LAw-koQHgx1ffRBBoCc3cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Dry wool socks, weight depends on season, takes care of cold tootsies. (Change socks before bed.). Comforter weight depends on season. We keep the trailer around 55 at night, in shoulder season. Never tried an electric blanket. I will line the side of the hull with a rolled lightweight fleece, if it's cold, but our 2008 doesn't have the newer better insulation.

We just just spent a week at Bear Den CG just North of Spruce Pine, NC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ with Hull# 634 which performed flawlessly. It was a well needed vacation post our blueberry harvest. We took time and spent a lot of time learning our Ollies systems- Love Love the Truma, long instant hot showers a win.I think it took like 6-8 seconds for us to have constant hot water at the kitchen sink and sink/shower. Microwave convection oven a must have for us. We were easily able to quickly cook/heat meals during a heavy storm one evening. Full hook ups allowed us to use our black and gray tanks seamlessly. The generator tray was extremely useful for a number of tasks. (We did not take our Honda generator this trip). Our AC kept us cool and cycled as it should. We did run the Dometic furnace on a cool 60 degree morning and it performed great. All in all a great safe week! A few photos....of our great State of North Carolina! 😊🇺🇸 Our Tundra CrewMax and it’s reliability delivered and performed outstanding. Check out Bear Den if your ever traveling the gorgeous elevations of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Happy Camping! Patriot

It was time to touch-up the bulldog hitch. I used a pretty good Rust-Oleum flat paint, after wire bushing and cleaning well. Should I bother with a clear coat enamel on top? What would you do? Thanks, Chris

Picking up trailer on Sept. 7. Heading back to Washington State on a southern route through Texas. Never been to Texas. I see there is a Alabama/Texas football game in Austin. Wondering if anyone knows if you can stay a night around stadium, tailgate, and walk to game. Don’t know campus layout. Will call school on Monday for info, also. Definitely, won’t wear our Huskies or Cougar stuff!

what was the issue?

I agree with John here. When I went from a half ton to a 3/4 ton the Andersen came off. Not really needed for a truck like yours. Mike

We will have the same truck and trailer combination. I couldn’t quite make out if you had the Anderson sway hitch or not. Curious because we’re getting one but had mixed feelings about it. Looks like you are living the good life!

An Oliver owner on the Olive Facebook page passed on his purchase of this 1/2” hex head wrench off of Amazon. It’s used to tighten the city and fresh water fittings on the Oliver and its compact, easily storable, space saver, works perfectly. My city water fitting was loose, and not anymore. I feel like this was a little expensive for this tool and had trouble locating it anywhere else. Lowes, HD and even our local hardware had nothing in available. You may want to shop it for a cheaper price. It’s also a good time to check both your city and fresh inlet water screens. If this has already been posted, MODs please delete or link to existing post.

Congratulations! What did you pick? I'm sure you'll love it!

Sage advice Patriot!

roguebooks Thanks for posting this issue. As soon as I finished reading the post, I went out to my 2018 Elite II and checked to see if the connections were tight, which they were. Attached is pictures of my transfer switch, which is a Series 5100 switch. When you get the new one, let us know if the wire connectors are different then on our transfer switch.

I think att and tmobile use the same towers in Canada. Or, at least share. They're both cdma based. And share with another couple majors in Canada. All this is changing, with 5g. None of the above work in many of the more remote places we camp in Canada. Nor, does Verizon. We choose to live with it. They all often do work, however, on many of the highways. Not all. And, in most communities. Not all. Way back in the day, we'd have to stop at visitors centers in towns to hook our phones to the free wifi, and check in, because neither carrier worked, elsewhere, or worked poorly. Not necessary today, in most towns. Most services will work in towns, on roaming. With any Canadian prepaid, you'd probably get service most places. Check prices on roaming, on your service. I've never had your service, consumer cellular. Chances are, they simply have no sharing/ roaming agreement with Canadian services. Til you get it sorted out, you can probably still do the old school thing, and use your phones on wifi at visitors centers, etc. You may find it cheaper to go to a Costco/walmart/rogers/att store, get a throwaway phone, and buy a bit of service for your month or two in Canada.. I doubt your consumer cellular phones are unlocked, to just use someone else's chip. Maybe.

T-mobile/rogers apparently have a connection in much of Canada. We find our tmobile phone works best there. Not everywhere, but better than Verizon. So many places with zero signal.

Forgot this, if you buy an inReach you can also use the Earthmate app to navigate while out of cell coverage using its downloaded database, and you can pair it to the device so you can compose and send (short) text messages from the inReach using your phone or notebook’s familiar keyboard. The maps are OK, at best. Garmin Earthmate App John Davies Spokane WA

We don’t use electric blankets. If dry camping the furnace does a fine job of keeping things warm. If we have electric our little Vornado keeps things warm. Like JD, we keep a window cracked and a roof vent open. Sheets and blankets work well for us. We also have a couple of LL Bean fleece sleeping bag liners that are nice under the covers when it gets really cold. Mike

The base price for my 2021 Elite 2 was $57,500, ordered September 2020. I made a list of the LE2 base prices that folks have posted in this thread. 2017 $48,500 2018 $54,100 2019 $53,900 2020 $55,000 2021 $57,500 2022 $65,000 2023 $73,500 Unfortunately, you cannot use these base prices alone to do a cost increase analysis. As John D pointed out, there were many popular optional features in previous models, that were included in the base price as standard in subsequent years. If you wanted to do a good analysis, you’d have to dissect the build sheet on all model years and factor it into the cost. I’m happy with my decision to buy an Oliver.

@AndrewK, and it still looks great! Mossey

You are welcome. Having our Ollie here at home I can usually get a photo to help out of someone needs one. It certainly provides solid privacy when using the shower, blocking out the hot sun, sleeping, or having a little quiet dinner at the dinette. It’s a pretty easy straight forward install. Unfortunately my original glass was really glued in solid and did not just pop out of the frame. So I replaced the frame and glass. It’s all Topgun2’s fault, he turned us onto this mod. 😄

Yes, we do! So helpful! The other brand that folks installed couldn't be operated from the closed screen door. Useless, imo. Who wants to open the door, to operate the blind? Thank you, very much. I could see operating your blind from the side, and squinting out.

Read this I thought I had a thread on the forum where I talked about my “fresh water tank overflow tube clamp being loose” but I can’t find it. Anyway, if your fresh tank is full and your trailer is slightly nose down and the overflow tube clamp is loose you might be getting water out of that drain.

I just did the same! Although I miscounted 1 “L” fitting and one “T” fitting so I have 2 more to do. That being said, any of the connections that have come lose in the last year were replaced. (this has happened to us twice in less than 5K of miles on the road 😬) For such a nice trailer at such a high price, these should definitely one standard with brass fittings. They are even easier and faster to install than the plastic alternative anyway, could save a small amount of time at the factory.

Thanks for the post. After reading some threads about leaks emerging at fittings after some travel time on some trailers, I bought some tubing and a mix of fittings and a few tools (crimper for crimp style fittings and a cutter made for cutting the tubing) and have that strapped and taped down under the curbside bed. It indeed takes little space and is not heavy and it was fairly inexpensive even going with decent quality tools and fittings.

I understand why (money) plastic fittings are used but it couldn’t coast more than an extra $30 to do it correctly and use brass fittings. At this price I would expect the best materials to be used during manufacturing. John

I got the aluminum box off of Amazon. About $100. It carries my heavy rubber chocks, wood blocks, 20 legos, gloves, flashlight and a couple of other items. I never lock it. It’s held up well the past few years. For what I use it for it’s perfect. Mike

We've carried the same Yamaha 3000 watt generator over 150K miles on the front of two different Oliver's. Wouldn't have it any other way. Fuel goes into the generator tank. Fill it up when you get fuel for the truck.

Very pretty! I'm really missing North Carolina views right now. Thanks for sharing. Glad you had a fun trip. Sherry