mountainoliver

Just last week I noticed mine was out of place and snapped it back in.

I don’t have the inverter ground wire on hull 208 (2017). I don’t think that it should be attached to the DC negative buss bar, should it? But instead to the frame ground bolt under the rear dinette seat? Wouldn’t it be bad to have the inverter short internally and dump 120 AC volts directly to the batteries? I’m trying to figure if (especially due to solar charging) the DC negative should be completely separate from any AC grounds. Anyway, to be determined. In answer to the switch and breaker question, Steve (ScubaRx) and I installed Blue Sky solar equipment on my trailer and when Oliver installed the rooftop panels I asked them to install a disconnect switch and a 30 amp breaker/switch. Something like this should be in line for maintenance/safety. The switch disconnects the panels from the solar controller and the breaker is between the controller and the batteries. See photo.

Also if parked on asphalt for long term, the tires should be on a piece of wood or plastic. Something that the constantly out gassing asphalt solvent can’t readily pass through. The solvent will accelerate the tire deterioration. I believe that trailer tires have some sort of protectant against this as well as some UV protectant as well. Correct me if this is incorrect.

Didn’t need them on the front or back just the two ends. No not dulled, I don’t have any cheap drills! I took the loaded basket to a large local lake area. There I found a guy who makes boat covers and such. He digitized the whole assembly and made the cover from heavyweight truckers tarp material. Any decent boat cover or convertible top maker can do this and will have the good material. I bought the large stainless snaps from McMaster-Carr. These included either an attached #8 or #10 (can’t remember right now) stainless stud. 14 evenly spaced all around so the cover wouldn’t flap or remove itself along an interstate. Also, more effort for the curious/thief to peek under.

I just drilled 1/2 holes evenly spaced on the top rail/both sides of the basket. I then used a counter sink on both the inside and outside of each hole. Standard ratchet tie down hooks fit nicely with no extra hardware needed. I carry a 2000 watt Honda generator and a 5 gallon Septer fuel container. Both tightly tied down and locked in with a cable/lock arrangement. I also have 14 large stainless steel snaps evenly spaced all around the base for holding a custom fit truckers vinyl cover in place.

If the problem turns out to be a check valve that doesn’t seal properly l can guess why. I constantly find plastic pieces (such as you would see from drilling) in the suction filter screen at the pump and in my anti bug screen covering the fresh tank drain under the trailer. This could be your debris source. You’ll just need to flush everything out well.

I added a master disconnect switch grouping the three jacks together for use both in my driveway and at campgrounds etc. as a theft/mess with deterrent.

Yes, a nest was built in mine while at a campsite for just three nights. I had to take the cover off to get the best out. Just four Phillips screws to remove the cover. I used my Telesteps ladder on one side and 6ft. step ladder on the other. The cover is very light and I removed it without getting on the roof. I used 1/4 x 1/4 hardware cloth to make the three pieces necessary to cover all of the large openings and I attached them with black cable ties. The two side pieces (left hand and right hand) are bent in 90deg to cover both vertical and horizontal openings, and one piece at the rear to cover the vertical openings. I wouldn’t use anything with smaller openings like window screen material as I would think that it could cause excessive airflow restrictions.

Telesteps ladder. Amazon has them. Beware of the “other brands” that may fail or are flimsy. The model that I purchased was the OSHA approved model that has a higher weight rating and seems to be a little stronger.

The photo in my previous post rotated 90 deg when placed in the paragraph, sorry!

My ‘17 Tundra tailgate would hit the Bulldog latch. The truck would sag under load but the trailer was level using the Anderson in it’s highest position. I installed the Firestone air bags to level the truck and was able to lower the hitch one hole so that the trailer is still level. The tailgat now clears by a couple inches. I didn’t have to make much if any change to the Anderson adjustment due to the fact that the relative position between the hitch and trailer remains the same. The air bags require about 15 pounds for a level truck/trailer. I fabricated a manifold so that I can add air to either side or both air bags and have a built in gauge to check the pressure. I also mounted an old Coleman air compressor next to the manifold for adding air, and plug the compressor in the trailer connector as needed.

Not on hard surface roads but many times in snow or in muddy or wet grassy fields with my old truck. Once pulled out a utility trailer loaded with 15 fairly new cross ties and 15 in the truck bed. (Roughly 300 lbs each x 30) Old truck 1996 Dodge 3/4 ton, 12valve Cummins, and 4x4. There was a modification to that truck to enable two wheel drive low. Which is ideal in situations such as you described. When we bought our Oliver we also bought a new Tundra 4x4 with the 5.7L engine. More refined than the old Dodge. I don’t think the Tundra has the center differential. I do sometimes miss that old Dodge though!

<p style="text-align: left;">We also have that app but thought that there may be some favorites out there. We’ll be in the national forest around Ludington</p>

Thanks guys, maybe we can catch up again for barbecue!

We’re going into the south/central area of Michigan soon and would appreciate finding out about your favorite campgrounds and boondocking sites. We’ve traveled in this area by car before and noticed that there are very many parks. Some look nice online some not so much. Thanks!

That’s great news! Owning the finest camping trailer built is a real pleasure! There will be few things that “have” to be done which, will leave more time for relaxing, traveling, or planning.

We’re looking for recommendations for good campgrounds and boondocking areas in southern Michigan. Thanks for any suggestions.

We experienced some dampness and mold under the pantry side mattress. This took place during a western trip this past winter. I understand that this is due to moisture transmission thru the latex mattress while sleeping. The basement area underneath on this side is not heated nearly as much as the basement area under the other bed thus causing condensation under this mattress. We have been using the Hypervent material for several months now. Yes there is some scuffing taking place from the Hypervent material but wouldn’t say the surface is being scratched. We’ll see how well this works in ventilating under the mattress this winter. I also added a small 12 volt fan in the basement under the kitchen side bed to move some of the heat from this side under the floor and to the other side. We’ll see if this also helps reduce condensation this winter.

Yes, the Easy Start will always help the AC start. This is exactly why I would think that the campgrounds and RV parks would want Dometic and other manufacturers to use the Easy Start as a standard. Require less current at startup and extend compressor life equals a win-win.

Mike is correct but remember that either the 2000i or the 2200i will only run the AC alone. The Micro-Air soft start only reduces the heavy load at startup. The running amps will still remain the same. My AC unit draws 14 amps running which includes around 2 amps for the fan. So either of the small generators will be nearly maxed out running the AC. When running the AC with a small generator, make sure any/all other 110 volt items are off.

Mike, just received my magnets from Amazon and installed them with Command tape. I have been looking for something just like this to replace the bungee cord that I have been using. This works great and looks much better, thanks!

I bought the Telesteps 1600EP OSHA compliant ladder thru Amazon. Made a storage bag from indoor/outdoor carpet with the bottom side in and closed with Velcro. When using the ladder I place the bag over the top of the ladder to prevent scratching the camper. It stores in the closet on the bathroom wall side just under the vent pipe. I have two Command hooks on the wall and use nylon string to secure it in place.

With most any generator you will need to connect the ground and neutral together. If you don’t, the onboard Progressive Industries surge protector will not allow power into the camper. If you get on the Progressive Industries website they talk extensively about this very issue, among other pertinent camper related power issues.

I believe they’re 1/2in plywood with thin fiberglass sheet laminated to both sides.

Due to the propane enclosure and the main trailer body being separate I could easily see the relative movement between the two. When the trailer stopped, I could see some flexing. I would expect to see a little but, what I saw was way too much so I looked under the tongue area.