ScubaRx
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Posts posted by ScubaRx
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Jason Essary asked me to please poll the group here to see if there are any particular topics we might want him to specifically focus on for his presentation at the rally. Please name a topic such as "Bearing Care and Lubrication" or "leveling the trailer in quicksand", anything that you're curious about and might be of general interest to the group attending. Be specific, I will send him the link to this thread and he can pick from your suggestions.
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3 hours ago, Wandering Sagebrush said:
Hello to the Oliver Community!
We are Diana and Steve Parsons, currently Airstream owners (2012 Flying Cloud 25 FB), but have been wanting an Oliver since we learned of them via Air Forums. One of the things we need to figure out is living in a smaller trailer with to large German Wirehair Pointers. If anyone has tips on how to make it work, we’d love to hear from you.
Kind Regards to all,
Steve
We travel with two (formerly three) dogs. One, a 104 pound Doberman Pincher and two, a 10 pound mix. Reacher (104 pounder) sleeps on the dinette bed which must be made down for him on demand. Rocky, at 10 pounds sleeps wherever he wants to, usually with one of us. We keep their water dish in the bathroom (Reacher will drink a quart of water at a time and make a big mess in the process.) We usually carry a forty pound sack of dog food in the closet.
Everybody loves their dogs and many folks travel with them. You make it work because you can't imagine traveling without them with you. Ours have been to every state, lots of Canada and Alaska.
"Wanna go for a ride?"
"Wanna get in the truck?"
"Wanna go camping?"
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9 hours ago, MarkC said:
Anyone run into this problem. I get into the basement storage area during the day...then crawl into bed during the evening. I turn out the lights in the trailer. Then look down at the basement access door and see that the basement light is on. Depending on my mood (and/or weather), I get up go out and turn it off or roll over and go to sleep. I'm thinking Oliver should relocate switch.
You actually need to replace the existing SPST switch with two SPDT switches wired as a 3-way setup with one of the switches inside the cabin. I mounted mine down beside the basement access door.
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4 hours ago, ShallowGal said:
Me too!
My worst anxiety inducing situation is merging onto busy interstates. "Please let me in, please let me in, please ..." is my prayer.
Chris (not Duke)
Another Oliver owner taught me this. You're about to merge or change lanes, activate your blinker, assume the attitude that you're not asking for permission but rather you're indicating your intentions, don't try this with anything bigger than you.
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Just open the bathroom window and turn on the Maxxfan.
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Welcome to the club, from Hull #050...
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10 hours ago, Ollie-Haus said:
That's a nice demonstration of how not to strain one's back. Very nice setup. Do you know roughly how this effects tongue weight. Some of the comments indicated they were a little bit lite on tongue weight. This seems it would put you up in the good range. Thanks!
I've not checked my tongue weight in a while. I had my Sherline out earlier today to weigh the tongue weight on our daughter's new trailer, It was less than 100 pounds,
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I always just open the existing drain valve when we are 25 miles or so from home and let it go. Our valve is very easy to get to.
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4 hours ago, Ollie-Haus said:
In the comments on tongue weight, nobody has mentioned cargo or generators mounted in the tongue storage basket. Are any of the mentioned tongue weights including significant weight in the basket?
We have carried our Yamaha EF3000iSEB 3000 Watt Generator in the front basket for the past 15 years. It weighs well over 150 pounds when fueled. I can easily lift it by myself and place it into the basket! 😊
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4 hours ago, SNY SD UP said:
MAX Burner
what is with the Grey Box inside your dog house on the street side?
That box is where all the connections for the 7-pin cable and the trailer are located.
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28 minutes ago, GAP said:
...When questioned, our salesperson told us that she knew of a couple that lived in their stock Oliver through the winter in Alaska. This is simply not possible. We are very disappointed in the exaggerated claim...
Be careful when you say something is "simply not possible." i.e. Many engineers have long said that bumblebees shouldn't be able to fly, or that bumblebee flight is not consistent with any known aerodynamics. This is obviously a myth since they are, in fact, able to fly. Modern research using technology such as aerodynamic modelling and high speed cameras, have provided further proof that bumblebees can indeed fly. So, this Alaska "claim" is not exaggerated. I have personal knowledge of several different Oliver's that spent two winters in Alaska. Also, for years every trailer forum I am associated with (including this one) said that it was impossible to run an RV air conditioner off batteries. But now.....
... and a bit insulted by the recent caveat that they are 4 Season Trailer - in the south.
Please state the source for "the recent caveat that they are 4 Season Trailer - in the south." Also, although I have long searched for a definition for the term "4 season trailer", I have yet to find a reliable source that could provide a definitive answer. If you have one please share it with the group.
That is misappropriation of a widely accepted term in the name of marketing. Given our style of camping (primarily boondocking in ski resort parking lots - we are concerned that no amount of consumer level modification will allow reliable mid winter use. Our situation may be somewhat unique but we spent roughly $75k on the trailer and $50k on a truck capable of towing it based on inaccurate marketing so feel we are justified in squeaking about this situation.
I'm sorry, but unfortunately, given your style of camping and the 'as delivered' capabilities of the Oliver, you may have chosen an inadequate trailer. I could not begin to advise you on an alternative as I would never intentionally camp in the conditions you have chosen and have never researched it along those lines.
Oliver can and should do the mods, even if offered as an add on package, to accommodate reasonable winter use...
Oliver can do mods after the build, if they choose to which they may or may not. Whether you can afford it would be another question and entirely up to you. It would have to be designed by you and presented to them for consideration. Honestly, I would not count on it.
or should curb their claims of 4 season capacity. All that said, we love our trailer and appreciate it's build quality and aesthetics. Thanks to this super knowledgeable community for your thoughtful feedback on this subject.
In a side note, we will be coming thru your area in June and I would be happy to hear your ideas on what you think would be needed. I've done many extensive mods on our trailer thru the years and if I could offer you any assistance, I would be glad to.
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19 hours ago, GAP said:
...My take is that these trailers without extensive mods are not safe to use the water system when outside temps sit in the low 20s for more than a day or so...
If I were someone that actually enjoyed being out in weather that cold and had purchased a travel trailer for the express purpose of being able to do it, I would make whatever modifications I felt were necessary to enable me to be able to safely and comfortably enjoy my passion.
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8 minutes ago, John Welte said:
Mike, I read all the comments above in the thread. My understanding of PEX lines are that they can expand quite a bit without breaking. 3 times their size if I recall. Water expands something like 9%, a figure that wouldn't present a problem for the PEX lines. One source I read said that the temperature needed to freeze water in a PEX line that isn't insulated is 20°f. Two problems that I see happening in freezing temperatures are the inability to have water at the faucet due to the water now being frozen in the PEX lines and possible breaking at the non PEX junctions. Maybe if they use PVC fittings which I think are used, that wouldn't be able to expand like the PEX and they would fail. I would think that the water in the small PVC fittings would expand out into the PEX line laterally instead of pushing against the walls of the PVC fitting, in other words, the path of least resistance. I can't see myself camping in sub freezing temperatures, but a brief period of sub freezing temperatures might happen while pulling the trailer through mountains, for instance. Maybe for most of us, we don't have to worry about freezing lines. I winterized the trailer and will take it out when it's safely above freezing. Am I being overly confident in the ability of the trailer to withstand a little cold?
John
My research into the capacities of PEX have netted similar info as you have stated above. Although there have been times where we were caught by bad weather, I too, reside in the group of folks that would never purposely camp in sub freezing temps.
There have been mountains of how-to information posted here and all over the internet concerning cold weather (at freezing or above) camping and, since you've probably already read it all, I won't go into it again here.
So, in answer to your question "Am I being overly confident in the ability of the trailer to withstand a little cold?" ... Absolutely not.
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That's the same price I paid (out the door, no tax) at the Big Tent in Quartzsite last month. I bought an extra 100 amp hour battery to put into the truck to run the Dometic fridge/freezer.
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On 3/16/2023 at 12:02 PM, Mountainman198 said:
Still have the original front logo but am planning to remove and replace with the attached. If you are thinking it looks as though it was designed by a Kindergartner, it was. One of the kids who used to ride my school bus drew it and I thought it was apt for "Lottie".
Looks just like you, Lance. I’d get the artist to sign the original. It might be worth a fortune some day.
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4 hours ago, Ollie-Haus said:
I'll leave any on line research to the owner, but I will pose a question that will need to be answered. What does Toyota and the owner's manual say about using a weight distribution hitch on that particular vehicle. It sounds like it's within the tow rating, but payload does not define tongue weight capacity. Some vehicles don't allow WD hitches to mitigate tongue weight. Just saying this is another limit that must be considered.
Weight distribution works to distribute the tongue weight of a trailer up to the front axle of the tow vehicle so that it will sit more level and handle/brake better. That being said the weight distribution systems do not "reduce or mitigate” tongue weight or allow you to tow beyond the capacities of the vehicle.
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6 hours ago, Rivernerd said:
My quick Google search suggested that your V6 Highlander should have at least 1485 lbs. of payload capacity. 4700 lbs. of Legacy Elite I will likely result in at least 470 lbs. of trailer tongue weight. That leaves about 1000 lbs. of payload capacity for 3 passengers+gear. IMHO, this is within the safe range as long as you are not carrying 3 NFL linemen. But, I would strongly recommend an Andersen weight distribution hitch.
You would need some kind of weight distribution and since Andersen is your only option, we’ll go with that one. Take another 65 pounds out of your cargo capacity.
Assuming your current vehicle has all the stuff that JD listed above: Three average passengers, 450 pounds. Gear for three, who knows. Technically, you’re within the limits. Realistically, it will be a mediocre experience at best. I would expect this experiment to last a year at most before you trade for a more capable tow vehicle.
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On 3/10/2023 at 6:40 PM, Gliddenwoods said:
I may have to replace my electric water heater element. I have watch a Youtube on the process and it looks straightforward enough. However any advice and/or cautions from those with experience would be welcomed.
Thanks.
It simply takes a 1-1/2” socket to remove the element. If your set doesn’t have one that large, I’d get one at Harbor Freight.
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On 3/8/2023 at 11:53 AM, ChrisMI said:
I’m looking for a relatively safe place to store an elite II starting next week for just under two weeks. Traveling down from Gulf shores to take a 10 day cruise out of southern Florida. Thought it might be easier to drop the trailer on the way down vs storing it at the cruise terminal. Any help/experiences would be great!
Chris, your profile info states you don’t own a travel trailer. Is the OEII a recent acquisition?
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56 minutes ago, taylor.coyote said:
we have ton's of content about choosing TV in this forum without making an example and making fun of these people. We do not need to alienate these people.
You are 100% correct that there is more than plenty of towing information both here and on the thousands of other forums and RV sites all over the internet. That “these people” apparently have not taken the advantage of this plethora of free information speaks volumes. They are either completely oblivious to the terrible danger they are placing on themselves and everyone else that shares the road with them OR they don’t care because everything seems to be “just fine” OR some combination of it all.
I didn’t get the impression that any comment was “making fun” of them. If these comments have alienated them, I shudder at the thought of the way they’ll feel with a good lawyer bringing up the same points.-
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6 hours ago, mossemi said:
I haven’t had the opportunity to work on any of the marker lights, but I believe someone on the forum, maybe topgun2, mentioned that the lights are installed from the outside and pushed into place. Is that the case?
Mossey
Yes, the light has to be removed from the chrome bezel first. This is not easy because there’s nothing to grab hold of to pull it out. You just have to keep at it and tease it out. If someone knows an easy removal method, please share. Once out, clip something to the wires so they don’t disappear back down into the hole. The bezel can now be easily removed.
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I've encountered marker light problems with the OOII several times thru the years. I like the way Mossey described their locations, so I'll be using his nomenclature. First it was the front port upper corner. Now, (several years later) it's the bottom front both corners.
The first time turned out to actually be a burned out LED. That was surprising. The second instance is going to be tougher but, since it is both sides, I suspect it will be a loose wire. All these lights have their wiring run before the outer upper hull is installed and can make rewiring a challenge.
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9 hours ago, Geronimo John said:
Great post and a fun read as our family solved the "Who Dune It".
Maybe to help the owner a bit, could we change the thread title to indicate the vehicle make and model?
That way the owner likely would notice the post, and hopefully read the above sage thoughts.
GJ
Done…
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On 3/8/2023 at 10:08 AM, Frank C said:
Does Oliver have any responsibility or give any input when a new owner shows up on delivery day with an undersized/unsafe tow vehicle? We’ve seen owners towing with unsuitable vehicles, overloaded with respect to towing rating or payload, using a WDH when it’s contraindicated with certain uni-body SUVs, or not using a WDH when they should be, some with no trailer brake controller, etc. Maybe in this case (or the others noted), the trailer was bought used? So no input from Oliver, just from the previous owner?
On 3/8/2023 at 11:23 AM, Steph and Dud B said:I doubt there's any liability for OTT. The driver is responsible for the safe operation of their vehicle. As long as OTT correctly identifies the "as manufactured" weight, I think they're good. It's like every RV salesperson says: "Sure, you can tow this with your [insert vehicle here]!"
I do agree that MANY truck and RV Salespeople are probably not the best examples of integrity, but let's not be unfair and just arbitrarily lump those that work at Oliver in with the general bunch. I spent the past three days at the factory and had the opportunity to speak with the sales team as well as several current owners and potential owners. I had towing discussions with all of them. The sales team DOES advise the potential owners against using undersized trucks or these tiny SUV's to try to tow an Elite II with. Obviously, they can't control or, in my opinion, be held responsible for the ultimate decisions made by those that are just getting by. Don't attempt to use the wrong tow vehicle to pull the right trailer.
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Meet "Curiosity" - Steve and Deb's 2023 Oliver Elite II - #1360
in Delivery Day Photos
Posted
Are you guys planning on coming to the OTTOR in May?
Edit: Sorry, I remembered just now that you're the keeper of the list.