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I've been meaning to write this for some time and it's primarily directed for us very few Elite I (one axle) owners. I was preparing, last summer, to take my 2022 Elite I Hull #1209 to Hohenwald just shy of it's one year anniversary. My primary issue was a fiberglass defect I discovered on the roof that several of you on this Forum suggested I get repaired. A week prior, I decided to install mudflaps inside the wheel wells on the Ollie. This required that I jack it up and remove and each tire to access the frame in the wheel well where I mounted an L bracket on which to mount the mud flap. I used a 4 ton bottle jack on the front jack point and once jacked up, a 4 ton jack stand under the rear jack point for safety. I carry both on all trips. Earlier I had installed a carrier and storage box on the rear bumper receiver hitch and posted it here May 13, 2023. At that time, I developed my technique of removing the spare by just partially sliding out the rear bumper receiver hitch assembly just enough to remove the cover and spare. The carrier and box stayed filled and connected to the hitch. I was about 90 miles SE of Hohenwald on a Sunday afternoon on a two lane highway when my EEZ RV Tire Pressure Monitor alarm sounded. My curbside tire pressure was dropping. I started looking for a place to pull over as I was in a long stretch of road with a railing and no shoulder. I saw an adequate shoulder about 0.4 miles ahead. I watched the pressure fall from 60 when the alarm sounded to 8 lbs as I got to the shoulder. There was no cell service so no AAA. My TV is a Subaru Ascent SUV. I've learned to travel lighter on each trip, but I had to dig for the jack and jack stand. Since then, it's easily accessible. It was inconvenient, but I was so thankful that I had just gone through the process of jacking up the Ollie and removing the spare. I tried first pumping the tire back up, but heard air coming from the base of the valve stem. At the tire store in Hohenwald the next day, it was the valve stem that had cracked and caused the incident. My purpose in posting is to strongly urge, especially Elite I owners, to at least practice and prepare for this scenario and I can't recommend enough using a tire pressure monitor system! Safe travels and I hope to meet more of you at Lake Guntersville next month. (We'll be in site E25) Ron

I'd unhook from the water there until the plumber is long gone. You don't want contaminated water from where they worked on the lines to get into your system. Another reason to use from your own water tank when the other choices are questionable.

Yes 💯agree totally worth the cost for us. 👍🏻 It lives in our TV.

Thanks for the reminders! Like you, I have a box on the back that needs to slide out to access the spare, and my Michelins are now 6 years old. It’s time for new shoes.

We use the same compressor, minus a few of the attachments. It appears to have gone up in price, but IMO, it’s worth the expense.

@Ron and PhyllisFirst glad that it all worked out safely for you. And it’s always a good idea to check your spare periodically for correct air pressure IF you don’t use a TPMS sensor on the spare. As a part of our go to gear we always carry a floor jack, a tire temporary plug kit and we also have a portable compressor on board. (link) Not an advocate of running a plugged tire, but it will at least get you to a repair shop in a pinch. Safe Travels and hope to see you at the rally! https://www.amazon.com/40047-400P-RV-Automatic-Portable-Compressor/dp/B004B68XGC/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2CXF2TAPW4C19&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Eys-V0OIft8RXPo9KyhLYMtEzTC1gVkd12IQ8QX0XsWgXT4wr-aQ3UNywG3dZFL50DToSh3Wv0fob50yoNsmRcRcgHxwz-S78KIlhwHb4OurfKZ4F-OX6GE_l_t2Ba2Wm9JIf2X1wjtHcrSxXsdwRvI16QVHnK_hFafbhZh2ZL1BsmgAMTdvek0kOlCLCHBwPe_wNBjfFxmqyyLDMtbvJSqrRbyR2UA2dkC8wSKrKlA.YXfRIKzFhg2jMU9BN2Pr1w-HMX_z-NSR68nn8Ji7Nuk&dib_tag=se&keywords=rv+air+compressor&qid=1714030907&sprefix=Rv+air+%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-4

I'm unclear why you would think that. Your wheels have you at 7.8K pounds, well above the stated 7K GVWR. Which tires, axles and spring packs are riding under your Hull #045? How much does your trailer weigh full of water, gear and ready to camp for a 3 month long foray? The wheels and tires under my Hull #050 have a load rating of just over 13K pounds. The Axles are rated at 10.4K pounds. The Alcan springs can support 11K pounds. The Outlaw Oliver has always weighed well over 7000 pounds in its natural habitat. And, it has traveled over 100K miles, most of it with the tires sitting at 80psi all without a single issue. I'll be forever grateful for Jim Oliver's guidance and assistance in designing the most over built Oliver rolling down the road. But, there are those here that think I tend to over-engineer everything.

Won't be so bad in the morning if you'd cut back on the jolly juice.

Same, but mine is in a Subaru Outback.

Proper use of aluminum

Correct, IMO. But in the original scenario with the 3.5k# Dexters and "under-rated" 4-pack springs from China -- those springs will always be the weakest link in the running gear. Poor design - specifically regarding the short "2nd" leaf spring and questionable quality (at best) of steel will be a critical path to failure and breaking of the 1st leaf near the eyelet. Jim Oliver, lead OTT designer, had it right. He likely knew of this shortcoming since he insisted on configuring his personal rigs with the 5.2k# axles and higher rated (2,750#) spring packs. AND, the "Jim Oliver" configuration has yet to report broken spring packs. Owners having chosen to upgrade their rigs with Alcans or similar designed/rated spring packs are clearly on the right path and making an informed decision leading to significantly lowering the probability of spring failure, IMO. Do not second-guess your decision to toss the Chinese packs and upgrade your running gear to a more robust/safer configuration. For us, the 5.2k# Nev-R-Lube Dexter's with our new Alcans are close-in on our radar screen.

In this scenario, I think the wheels and/or tires would limit most of us below that effective GVWR. Mine wheels are stamped with a 1950# rating.

So, we built a ramp for the R90 to get it into the bed of the "War Wagon" and would routinely take it on camping trips to have a fun mode of transport whilst boon docking with the "'Ol Rivet Smasher"! Sadly, we can't manage that option anymore with the TUNDRA, but we still have the ramp. This pic was taken pre-Magnus at Catalina SP near Tucson - D with our sweet "Willa"... Kinda miss those days, but Magnus and Oscar are making up for it! HA! Ya'll keep the shiny side up!

HERE's another air compressor that is getting rave reviews with a couple of YouTuber's actually replacing the ViAir. But, its not so much about the compressor as it is being prepared in the first place. Bill p.s. Besides DeWalt a couple of the other battery powered mfg (like Ryobi) have a similar tool.

Proper training and practice, plus the proper gear combine to make the sport much less "risky". But that can be said for just about anything. Bill

Chris and I met playing tennis in 1991, and 3 years ago we transitioned to Pickleball for the community and it's also a little easier on our older bodies! Chris has competed in a bunch of tournaments with her Ladies partner, and we have played a few mixed doubles together. Loved our visit to St George for this tournament last year and we are playing it again this week: Selkirk Red Rock Open in St. George, Utah | PPA Tour So, it had the makings of a great Oliver trip. Thought we would boondock a first night just 2 hours from home, then 2 nights at Valley of Fire Nevada on the way. Starting tomorrow, we will spend 3 nights at a St George RV park right in town to be close to the tournament. This was our first night, off Signal Rd in Wikieup AZ (pics below).

Valley of Fire was not in the stars for us this trip. We drove into the east entrance today, which should be less busy than the other side from I-15. There was a line of cars and trucks backed up a ways from the entrance gate. After 10 minutes they had only let one car through. Chris and I voted, and we decided to pass until our next time, perhaps on the way back or next year. At least we live relatively close. This is as close as we got! (see pic) Pulled a big shoulder to shoulder U-turn and headed directly to St. George. Love how you can turn with the Oliver sharply without issue. Nice cool breeze this evening. We hit the ball a little to warm up and watched some of our favorite pros practice. High tomorrow forecast is 77 for our tournament play-day (very nice if not too windy). High of only 62, chance of rain forecasted for Friday! Thankful for the cool. Snow Valley should be great next week.

This is a good example of why we always fill the fresh water tank with the RV park plumbing system via our fresh water hose & activated carbon filter. Once the FWT is full (indicated by water exiting the overflow tube near the main hatch steps), we stow the hose/filter for a tidy "look" outside(*). This way - using the OTT water system is exactly the same procedure whether we're boon docking or staying at an RV Park (usually with unknown water pressure unless we ask). This practice exercises the water pump "ON/OFF" procedure used by OTT owner/occupants. If you're feeling "froggy" - as your FWT begins to drop in volume, use your 6-gal spare fresh water container to exercise your "boon docking" water valve procedure by topping off the FWT with the spare water. Then reposition your water valves, refill the FW container, and stow it and the hose. (*): Don't you just love seeing that SOB at an RV park leaking precious water everywhere from their fresh water hose connections that's spread helter-skelter between the hose bib and the trailer?

I have the Elite II and have tire pressure/temp monitors installed. I have yet to remove a tire but I don't think it will be an issue since the stabilizer jacks will comeplete lift the tires off of the ground.

My inverter automatically turns off when not in use but because of old habits, I just turn it on when I need it and shut it off as soon as I am done.

Yes but I'm afraid I might cry myself to death afterwards.

For sure. I had some parameters that I had to work within so I went with 10' wide and 10' 6" tall. Adding that extra 6" was the max I could increase the height with a 12' ceiling and that extra 6" required bigger door openers as it was. That should fit the Ollie and my TV without any issues. Might regret it if I ever get anything bigger but I am having them put down class 5 out 12' all the way down the one side in case I ever want to put a lean-to on or if I have any visiting Ollies!

Removed: Old Xantrex inverter, transfer switch including ac legs IN/OUT, charger from PD4000, Trojan batteries, Battery tray Mods: Wired Outlet and microwave circuit directly to breaker, mounted pos and neg bus bars using Star board (heavy), Pulled all wires from battery compartment except 4/0 pos and neg, ran wires for Epoch battery remote battery on/off switch and external battery level indicator, COM port from battery to MP2, Re-used all electrical wire (Used some new lugs and heat shrink), removed 10/3 main shore AC from EMS to PD4000Installed: POS and Neg bus bar, (2) Epoch 460 ah batteries, battery wire zip tie holders Waiting on MP2 stand to give lateral support since it will be mounted horizontally. May still bond starboard to fiberglass wall to fixate MP2 but it weighs 49lbs so I want the extra support from stand. We shall see if it fits with some modified aluminum support for feet.

Nope

I recommend the widest and tallest door you can get, you never know what you might want to park in there.

Gotta love those awning lights!

We have had a Goal Zero 400 Lithium power pack for 4-5 years. I got it as a back up to run my CPAP if home power goes out. I have taken it on every camping trip from truck camper to Oliver. I store it in the closet. I used the other night when we had severe storms for my CPAP and we charged our phones and my hearing aids. When we take our truck fridge, I use it overnight to power the fridge, and then plug it into 12-volt in the truck to charge it back up. I have their solar panel that I can take, but I find it bulky to take on a trip.

Are you going to 'spray foam' the walls & ceiling. I see we are about 1° in latitude of each other. One delta is, you have the 'water effect' and we have 'flat plains effect'. So moisture vs. NONE. But we still get -10~20° for weeks at a time. I believe spray foam and a boiler system for floor heat is the way to go. SNYSDUP winters-over in that environment, I just do not own it... Are those trees, or tilling's in the background between excavator body & bucket? Regards, Bryan

https://goalzero.com/collections/escape-ecosystem-off-grid They sell lots of different integration kits for off-grid use. So It can definitely be the primary power in ones TT but my specific application is trying to use it in conjunction with a Multiplus II. For me, I believe it will have to be used boondocking for powering external equipment only. But all in all, tremendous upgrade for the GZ line of solar generators. LiFePO4 finally.

All of a sudden, the Dexter 2400 pounders don't seem so radical after all. If proven to be the case, then maybe a rethink of running your tires at 40 or 50 PSI is in order. Likely maybe 28 PSI???? But the great news is that those ALCAN's are great springs and will certainly last ten life times. Maybe 100 life times! Steve, please tell us that your post was just a joke! Please. My condolences to those "early adopters". GJ

This is unfortunate as many of us were quoted weight rating of 2k. Mine are installed so I am running them as I do not want to go back to the cake that Dexter installs on their axles. I know of at least two E2 owners who have towed with these springs (one for 5k miles and another for 1.5k miles with good results. I head out Thurs on a 1.5k mile trip with the Alcans. Thanks for posting this after speaking to Lew, Steve. I guess at this point it is tow forward and observe. Stay tuned.

I love me a Boxer!

We spent a few years together. An '08 R1200R at a home we had in Lakeway Texas.

...or aluminum and rivets!

...with all the Touratec options possible!

True, but our Oliver’s could surely withstand more “tree” impact than a sticks and staples!

Important for Ekrano and EPOCH battery users: If you use or plan to use the Ekrano display with the EPOCH batteries and Victron COMMS you must go in under Settings and go to Services and change the VE.CAN 1 to CAN BUS 500. Works like a charm now but literally no-one at EPOCH or any installer I talked to knew how to do this. Once done the batteries BMS talk to the Victron Components and take over charging parameters/needs. If you are using the Cerbo GX just plug into Can Bus port.

Very nice work Mike and I am talking about the write up and installation. Keep us posted with your progress. Is the stand for the MP2 a Victron product? I haven’t seen it before. Mossey

Very good choice with Epoch batteries, I mean, if Will Prowse gives it a thumbs up it must be good!😊 HERE’S the Review by Will Prowse

Packed to the gills. I felt like a German mechanic changing a water pump connecting batteries but I am happy with the result. No maintenance and they have remote monitoring and shut offs so they shouldn’t need to come out.

Yep! I placed a dish towel over the top of the door to keep the door from closing over the winter. If placed correctly, the door stays open but the light switch is depressed, shutting off the light. Or, add a separate switch.

Oliver must have started doing that labeling with the 2023 model year. Our late 2022 doesn't have the labeling. But, now that I've seen yours, I think I'll grab our label maker and add some of my own. Thanks for posting!

Only one way to find out.

User error 🤣 I eventually realized I could look at the pressure gauge (I was told to buy here) while my wife looked at the flow from the faucet. The fluctuation was coming from the campground. And, apparently, I wasn't the only one to notice. The camp host told me they were having a plumber come by today. So the water might go out intermittently.