ScubaRx
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Posts posted by ScubaRx
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10 hours ago, jd1923 said:
I thought there would be a run on these as soon as ALCAN contact info was posted! Great to hear they are going to rush one for you. Smart to have your mechanic scheduled too!
I'll get a set at some point. I'm fully convinced on the 5-leaf 2000 LB rating now. If mine looked like they were starting to sag, I would have ordered yesterday too. But considering after tax and shipping these would be, what about a $900 outlay? I need to do this later since we can. We're not heading to Alaska anytime soon!
To do this right, it may make sense to buy 5200 LB axles, with the best hub/bearing/brake set possible and mount new axles on these springs, given our hull is now 8 years old. Likely be close to $2K total on this idea. Should not have spent $200 on new Timken bearings just 6 months ago, if I knew then what I know now!
I agree about the axles. I don't think I could recommend putting these springs on a 3500 pound axle. Then the weakest link would be the axles rather than the springs!
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On 3/7/2024 at 7:02 AM, CRM said:
Our LE2 was built with 5200lb axles but with just the 4-leaf springs. Plan on changing them out and using the same USA made springs that @Mountainman198 is using but just a little worried about the possibility of a rougher ride putting addition stress on the trailer and components. Have you experienced any such issues running the 5-leaf springs?
Never had any interior problems. Our trailer, with water and ready to camp, has always weighed north of 7000 pounds. And, for years we ran 80 psi in all our tires.
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6 hours ago, rideandfly said:
John,
Our 2015 LE2 #75 has 5200 pound axles and springs. Understand at the time Oliver ran out of 3500 pound axles, so Legacy Elite axles/springs were installed on our Ollie. 99% highway use with no spring issues.
Here's the springs on our Ollie:
When we were in the early build stage of our Hull #050 back in late 2013, I asked Jim Oliver what he suggested for axles for our new Elite II. We were coming from a 2008 Elite that had a 5200 pound axle with five leaf spring packs under it. He quickly said that he would want the same ones we had on our first trailer. So that's what we went with. The plan at that time was to use 2 x 3500 pound axles with four leaf spring packs on the regular production Elite II's. With the exception of a few trailers built in 2015 with the 5200 pound setup for the reason stated previously by @rideandfly this has been the standard on all production units since the first 2014 models rolled off the line and continued that way through model year 2021.
The 2022 to current Elite II models saw a change in their axles. The Elite's axle remained the same as they had always been but, In an effort to streamline production and simplify their inventory, the decision was made to use the same size axles on both the Elite and Elite II trailers. All trailers delivered since 2022 have been supplied with two 5200 pound axles with the Dexter Nev-R- Lube hubs on them. However, they stuck with the 3500 pound 4-Leaf spring packs that have always accompanied the 3500 pound axles rather than the 5-Leaf spring packs that are standard on the 5200 pound axles. Their reasoning is that the stiffer springs would cause a rougher ride and could lead to drawers coming open or cabinet doors opening up while under tow. This why the GVWR remains at 7000 pounds. In addition, Oliver has also changed from 16" wheels with LT tires to 15" wheels with ST tires.
There has been some recent owner interest in obtaining the Dexter Nev-R- Lube hubs. This requires a complete axle swap as they are not compatible with the axles all the older trailers (pre-2022) are equipped with. If you are contemplating ditching the OEM 3500 pound axles for the new setups with the higher rated axles, be aware of this spring issue. I can personally attest to knowing of at least 10 spring failures on the 4-Leaf spring packs on both the older trailers and a few that have recently been delivered over the past year or so. All of these springs have broken in exactly the same place. Also, I have never heard of a single failure in any of the trailers that are equipped with the 5200 pound axle with the 5-Leaf spring pack. This includes all the Elites ever built and, to my knowledge, none of the Elites II’s that were originally built with the 5200 pound axles and the 5-Leaf spring packs.
My predication is that the 4-Leaf spring packs will continue to fail no matter which axle they are installed with. My advice is if you are changing out your four leaf springs for any reason, consider a stiffer spring that the originals and to purchase and carry with you at least one extra spring pack. If you’re going to Alaska carry two sets. One owner was up around the Arctic Circle when he discovered his were broken. Not the ideal locale for a FUBAR.
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21 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:
Suggest starting a list of hull numbers, Month & Year MFG, trailer miles, and predominant use type (RV Parks, Boondocking, Off Road).
GJ
I've personally seen 10 trailers with one or more broken.
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3 hours ago, routlaw said:
Another reason for Oliver to change their suspension system maybe? Just saying.
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E19 - ScubaRx - Steve, Tali, and Rocky - Mississippi - The Outlaw Oliver Hull #050
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On 2/16/2024 at 10:57 PM, mossemi said:
I am not a historian but I believe the 2017 OTTO rally was the 1st at Lake Guntersville SP and all of the subsequent rallies have been there. There was at least one other OTTO rally before 2017.
MosseyThe first two were held in a muddy campground just outside of Hohenwald. All the rest have been in Guntersville.
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9 hours ago, topgun2 said:
Also, when attending functions at the Lodge don't forget to bring along a sweater, sweat shirt or light jacket - there are times that the air conditioning works VERY well.
This is not usually a problem, except for the elderly folks.
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11 minutes ago, Jason Foster said:
I'm probably the minority here, but I don't really like big crowds. I camp because I love nature and quiet evenings where the crickets converse with each other in harmonious symphony, adding to the trumpeting overtures of coyotes and the occasional fluting of a tree frog or bass tympany of bull frogs.
The wind blowing through the trees, snow drifting lazily along a riverbank, and birds singing the praises of our Creator are the only friends that I've ever known. When I join a forum or schedule a meeting with like-minded people at a campground, it actually goes against my grain and puts me out of my comfort zone, but that is a good thing I suppose. Tina, my wife, always says that I need to come out of my box to smell the fresh air every now and then.
I really don't think you're in the minority. I don't like big crowds either, but I'll admit I do love to be in a big Oliver crowd. All of the Oliver folks that I see as friends are what I consider like-minded.
Are you coming to the rally in Guntersville? I'm not a rally type of guy, but this gathering is not like any of the others I've ever attended. No pot luck suppers that likely will leave you with the squirts. No Karaoke night, although I have been known to do John Belushi's rendition of Joe Cocker's cover of the Beatles' With A Little Help From My Friends. Don't Ask.
Just a bunch of Oliver-Centric folks getting together to talk, have fun and help each other.
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A few spots are open!
We have had a few cancellations so if you have a friend or anyone that would like to attend, have them send us an email and if we still have a spot available, we will send them a registration form.Email us at: solareclipse2024bellarose@gmail.comIf you're headed to Fredericksburg, now would be the time to cancel there and see if you can get into this one. It's FREE.It's just down the road a bit in Purmela, Texas and is actually a little closer to direct center. She's having food trucks, porta potties and live bluegrass music. All fiberglass, no kids under 18 and you can stay 5 nights.There are several other Oliver owners that will be there and we could have an exclusive Mini-Rally.-
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5 hours ago, Mary Rutherford said:
Hi, I have been to a Oliver rally in Guntersville before. I don't remember the price to attend was $200? Is it really that much? Last time we went and just paid for the site.
It's always been around $100 per person.
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I'll step in here and say that as far as I know, there has never been a member on this forum that has volunteered to take on the responsibility of listing all the fiberglass rallys that are ongoing all the time across the nation. There are sites and people that do it, with FB being the most popular platform. The Oliver Rolling Rally FB page requires that you be an Oliver owner to sign in. Since the folks at Oliver don't read or participate here, there is never much mention of even the Annual Oliver Rally. If someone here wants another project to consume their life start a thread and list the dates and places for Rallys.
With the exception of the Oliver Rally, we rarely attend any of the others.
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1 hour ago, jd1923 said:
🤣I have done this for years! Caveat -
NEVER, never try this in an enclosed space where gas can accumulate!The first time I worked with LP, we lived in Northern VA. I installed 80+ feet of threaded black pipe to go from a newly leased propane tank to heat the lower level of a 4K SF home to supply 2 ventless wall-mounted space heaters.
When I completed the install, the LP company agent came to fill the tank and test the installation. Now this was western Loudoun County, VA and the good 'ol boy that arrived, with decades of experience, used a long-stem butane lighter to test each and EVERY joint. He found a small flame at one connection, and we corrected that joint.
Been doing it ever since. If fact I was under the Oliver with a lighter to test the rear leak we had (mentioned recently in another post). LP is pressurized, while the compressed liquid is released as a gas. The flame can only go out of the system. No way can it go in! You cannot cause the tank to explode.
Again, when escaping flammable gas can fill a room or other container, it is in this state explosive. But if you have a minor leak in a line OUTSIDE of your home or TT, it will just light a flame, revealing the leak. Recently, I found the leak in the rear of our Oliver, while lying on the gravel driveway, lighter in hand!
Prior to this, I had already smelled the gas. The nose knows! The gas sensors are OK if you trust the Chinese manufacturer. But my nose will now immediately, in seconds, and those sensors only work in closed spaces. Indoors yes, and don't try a flame indoors. If you smell gas indoors open up the entrance door immediately, followed by opening windows. In fact, outside if there is any wind, the sensor will likely not read any gas. I can get a joint to burn in the wind though.
I don't believe I have convinced anybody here, but I will continue using my tools, in my way, and haven't blown up anything that I did not intend to!
Back to the subject...
I have the Mopeka sensors on my wishlist! They look great. Until then, I turn the LP switch one direction, so I know when one tank is empty.Now you've gone and done it. You have just made all the snowflakes and liberals heads explode. Do you have any idea how much paperwork this will create? And the Darwin awards are just going to build up. It just means there will be more warning labels. How are we ever going to drain the gene pool swamp if you keep warning them?
Actually, that's the way I've always done it, outside. As you (plainly) said, "NEVER, never try this in an enclosed space where gas can accumulate!" If that's not warning enough for someone, they deserve what they get. 😃
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If you are looking to buy a new Oliver Travel Trailer here are some things to consider. With the implementation of the new dealer network you now have several new options available to you that previously did not exist when you could only go to Hohenwald to buy a trailer.
There are two ways to approach the first step. If you live a long way from Hohenwald and don’t want to have to drive that far to see the trailers you should check the Link on the Oliver page that will show you where all the current dealers that will be selling Oliver’s are located. There are currently 18 different locations spread across the United States. There are future plans to add new dealers here and in Canada.
With the information on the locations of the dealers, if one is close to you and you want to do business with them that is perfectly fine. If one is no closer to you than Hohenwald you may choose to contact the sales team there.
When contacting Hohenwald a member of the sales team will take your personal information and work with you to get you the exact trailer you want in the shortest time possible. They can take an order from you and get you into a queue to have the trailer of your dreams built for you. The current wait time after ordering is around four months. If you live in a state that does not have any dealers, they will see if there is a trailer already built and available at one of their dealers. If so, you could have your new trailer in a matter of days rather than months. Even if there is not one that is just like you desire, if a dealer has a trailer on order that is still early in its build, Oliver will work with that dealer to attempt to have the build altered to be what you want. Doing it this way will still get you a trailer much quicker than starting your build from scratch.
If you live in a state that has dealers, Oliver’s agreement with those dealers is that you will be referred to them.
Another option that was not previously available to you is that if you already own an RV of some sort and want to trade it in, many of the dealers might be able to do that whereas in Hohenwald, that was not and will not ever be an option.
You can also buy a trailer through a dealer, do all the paperwork there and still pick it up in Hohenwald if you want to. And, as always, you are free to buy a trailer and take delivery in Hohenwald if you so choose. Both of these options are a good choice if you want to do a plant tour prior to pickup. At some relatively near future point (certainly this year) their plan is to have all sales conducted through the dealer network. The rumor that they will stop working on trailers older than two years or out of warranty is patently false. Service will continue to be done in Hohenwald. The rumor was started by a fired service employee. He and his wife propagated this rumor as well as other false information about the Oliver TT after he was terminated. It was posted both here and on the various FB pages. He has been terminated there as well and the false statements have been removed.
As always, the Oliver sales staff will still be available to assist you and the dealers with any questions and issues.
If none of this works for you, my suggestion is to take the list of dealers from the website and call each of them and tell them what you are looking for to see if they have one is stock that would suit your needs.
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On 2/10/2024 at 9:23 PM, jd1923 said:
Was hoping to see some of you, but only found non-Oliver fiberglass. The way it turned out, we just did a drive-by.
We were there nearly 3 weeks, but we were gone by this time.
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On 2/7/2024 at 9:10 PM, Jim and Chris Neuman said:
Drove though Quartsite about 10 days back but could not bring myself to go in ... what a zoo!
My allergy to crouds is a personal problem though and I have a number of friends there now and they are having a good time.
For those closeted science nerds out there ... stopped into the Jansky Very Large Array in New Mexico a couple days ago (see the movie "Contact") - what an amazing place in a seriously out of the spot. Birding on the Rio Grande was also impressive.
On to Big Bend NP!
I wish you had stopped by out at Dome Rock. It's not crowded there and there were several Oliver's camping.
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On 2/27/2024 at 3:53 PM, ADKCamper said:
...so that I could control & monitor converter-based charging activity with the Victron app.
Apologies for the thread creep...
You can do that with what you already have.
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We've passed that place dozens of times over the past 50 or so years. We've stopped there a time or two but never actually ventured into the back to see "The Thing".
For all those folks that say they hate the desert and rarely travel West of the Mississippi River, you're never even gonna have the chance to know...
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On 2/21/2024 at 8:38 PM, John Welte said:
Congrats to you. We are #1290, one of the last hulls made in 2022. We love ours. Hope you have miles of smiles to come.
John
You are correct @John Welte. Hull #1292 was the last 2022 model produced.
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17 hours ago, Galway Girl said:
We’re 505, 999 ahead of you. Wonder who will be 1000 (hull 1505).
craig
And we're 050, 455 ahead of you.
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39 minutes ago, jd1923 said:
...Thank you though for getting me to think about this again. I just went on eTrailer and spent $159 for the original stainless twist-lock receptacle. I would need 400 to upgrade to SmartPlug and another $200 or so to upgrade the front shore power connection. I should have this fixed next week, sorry no upgrade.
Love eTraile! I recently bought a Timbren suspension upgrade for your TV. Over torqued the supplied U-bolt (bad design btw on this part). The eTrailer CSR called the manufacturer first thing Monday and the company sent me TWO parts received by Wednesday, installed before the weekend!
I'm happy to hear you got good service from eTrailer. I ordered a new MaxxFan Deluxe from them a year or so ago simply because it was a few dollars cheaper than Amazon and had free shipping. When It came in and I installed it, there was a problem and it would not work. When I call eTrailer to see about an exchange, I was informed that it was now considered a warranty issue and I would have to contact and deal with MaxxAir myself as they did not do exchanges or returns on warrantied products. As The Who said in 1971, I ... 'Won't Get Fooled Again'
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34 minutes ago, Jason Foster said:
How much are they currently using and how much is empty?
Over the past 16 years, I've been taken to many nooks and crannies in that building. It's so vast that you really need a golf cart to easily get around. I've even spent a couple of nights inside a while back when they were doing service on my Hull #050. It's kinda creepy inside it at night when you think you're all alone and yet you hear voices beyond and above you. Turned out it was something completely normal and not evil boo hags or haints, apparently the resident poltergeists keep those away.
I have never asked what percentage is not being used, but now that service has left for the new service center away from the factory there is that area that could be utilized. I would guess they are using about 2/3-3/4 of their floor space.
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8 hours ago, Geronimo John said:
AND commercially viable. (IE: Would they sell enough to amortize their costs + profit requirements. )
That's exactly what I meant by, "...as big as they deem practical."
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On 1/26/2024 at 10:26 AM, Steph and Dud B said:
Well, if we all pitched in...... 😁
On 1/26/2024 at 10:08 AM, topgun2 said:I understand that EACH of the molds costs between 2 and 3 million dollars.
I'd bet that there would/are some real interesting conversations within Oliver about dropping that kind of money versus how much the finished unit would cost versus just how many of them could be sold.
But, to help answer the question - I don't see why a 30 foot Oliver couldn't be built.
Bill
It’s the plugs that cost the money. The ones for the LEII were $1M each x four. The bigger plugs for a larger trailer would probably cost even more. From the plugs they make a mold. Each mold is good for just so many hull pulls. After each mold’s useful life is gone, it is scraped and another one built. As new exterior or interior changes are made to the hulls, the plugs are modified to include these changes in future builds. They could build a trailer as big as they deem practical.
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Made in USA leaf springs
in Mechanical & Technical Tips
Posted
John, I don’t think there’s any rhyme or reason to why, or when the springs are breaking. They are breaking due to metal fatigue, and or the quality of the steel that they were originally made from.