mountainoliver

An incremental update. I finished the upper and lower grills so I’d call the installation complete. The fridge has been running continuously on either DC or AC since I received it coming up on a month now. We have been on a long weekend camping/test trip and we’re pleased with it’s performance. It maintains upper teens to low 20’s in the freezer and low to mid 30’s in the fridge regardless of the outside temperature. The compressor seems to run for about 5 minutes and then is off for about 5 minutes if it’s hot (95 or so) outside and is off a bit longer if it’s cool (mid to upper 60’s) outside. So far the 320 watts solar and four T105 batteries have been able to keep up. Testing will continue on upcoming trips.

I’ve noticed the large somewhat blurry avatars as well. They overlap the I guess it’s called banner.

Great job! Looks perfect. Mine has to just set out in the weather.

The fridge has a circuit specifically for a fan. The fans turn on and off with the compressor. They start a second or so before the compressor starts and turn off at the same time as the compressor.

I just completed my changeover to a Nova Kool compressor fridge. The model I ended up with is a R5810. These photos show some of the major steps of the installation of the new refrigerator. Because the opening is a little bit too wide, I had to fabricate the four stainless brackets. They are epoxied in place and allow the fridge mounting screws to pull against the fiberglass cabinet front. The outside upper and lower vents are still removable and are sealed with closed cell foam. I used the outside access several times during the installation and can see a benefit to having outside access in the future for cleaning behind the fridge, etc. Because everything associated with the fridge is now inside the camper, it is 100 times easier to remove and replace. I disconnected the gas line outside under the camper and replaced the "T" fitting with a flair union. I plugged both ends of the gas line that runs up to the old fridge so that it'll stay clean for future use if needed. The last things that I have to fabricate are the upper and lower grills. I have 1/8 aluminum stock that I'll cut to size and mill slots in. I plan on painting these gloss white. When running the only noise (and it's very slight) are the fans I added to help remove the heat from the back of the fridge. So far the fridge has been running on battery power from the day I received the fridge now 14 days ago. There have been several cloudy days during this time and the batteries have come back to 100%. The only things running have been the fridge and the Maxxfan on auto mode. There have been temps in the camper of 95 degrees and the fridge has maintained 18-22 degrees in the freezer and 33-35 degrees in the fridge. Testing will continue with a few short trips before we head out to Quartzsite in December or January.

Mary Kay and I were greatly saddened by this news! We are thinking of and praying for strength in the coming days for the Oliver family. We are very thankful for knowing Jim. He will be greatly missed.

<p style="text-align: left;">Sherry, next time you see Steve you really need to take a look the rock collection! I’m surprised you haven’t seen it yet. ?</p>

NowrNever, you asked what other folks’ weights were. On our LEII the tongue weight is around 650-675 pounds and the loaded trailer is about 6,700 pounds. I have the tongue basket with a Honda 2000 generator and a fuel container with about 2-3 gallons in it. I also have the two 30 pound propane tanks. We also always travel with a full fresh water tank and empty (as much as possible) black/grey tanks. I tow with a 3/4 ton truck and don’t use the Andersen Hitch. As John said, the Oliver LEII trailers tow perfectly stable.

Steve, this new slide design sounds cool. I know that if you’re designing it that it’ll be great. I can hardly wait to see the finished product! I have been considering a bed slide but now want to wait until I can see your new one.

Yes, 1/2 inch grade 8 bolts and nylon locking nuts. My original coiled cables were attached to the tongue with 3/8ths grade 8 bolts. I wouldn’t use anything smaller than the 1/2 inch grade 8 bolts.

This is what I ended up with. I chose 3/8ths grade 70 chain and hardware. Grade eight fasteners with heavy washers. The black washers I made from 1 1/2 dia bar stock and are 1/4 in thick. The stainless washers I cut from 3/16 plate. The large bar inserted into the tongue is 1 1/2 in thick stainless machined width to just tap into the tongue. The matching grade 70 hooks fit nicely into the Chevy 2500hd Duramax hitch. I think that EACH chain assembly is good for (WLL) is 6,600 lbs. Breaking strength is 4 X the WLL so 26,400 lbs of breaking strength.

Mine does not have any type of foam filter in the inlet. There is just the outer plastic grill and a plastic frame with a finely woven nylon screen that snaps to the grill and that’s it, just these two pieces. The terms used in the previous posts are somewhat confusing. There is an outside grill with round holes maybe 3/16 in diameter and a screen made up of monofilament nylon finely woven that acts as a filter. This is snapped to the back of the grill but no foam whatsoever. At least on my air conditioner. If there is an additional piece (a foam filter) mine is missing that. That would make three pieces: the outer grill, the woven nylon filter, and the foam filter according to the other descriptions?

Raspy and Dave, you are correct. The safety chains should each be able to carry the full load as there is no way to absolutely guarantee that both chains/hooks will share the load evenly. Having two chains allows provision for a backup in the event that one fails. I changed from the factory cable setup for several reasons, one being I got tired of cutting myself every time I had to wrestle the cables/hooks into compliance when attaching or un attaching them. Also they were only connected to the trailer tongue with 3/8ths bolts and fender washers. Lastly, the small hooks would not fit my truck hitch. I went with 3/8ths grade 70 chain and hooks and grade 8 bolts/nylon lock nuts. I believe that this chain has a breaking strength of 28,000 pounds. (That could be wrong, I haven’t looked that figure up in a while) anyway, there’re sufficient. Also don’t twist/knot the chains to achieve the correct length. That weakens them! Cut them to the correct length. I haven’t changed the break away switch cable but you are correct. The cable should not be infinite in length as our coiled cable is. It should be solid and just long enough so that if the trailer disconnects the brakes will apply before the chains reach their length limit. We (I) should get rid of the coiled brake safety cable version and get the true cable version that won’t stretch. It should be at the correct length. Also the brake safety cable should be attached to the tow vehicle or hitch directly only not to the safety chains. Sort of defeats the purpose if the chain breaks? I believe that the intent is to have an independent attachment point again for redundancy as with having two safety chains.

The sealant that is now used at Oliver is ASI (American Sealants, inc) 335. It’s a 100% neutral cure RTV silicone. I have used it and it’s very good. I have also used a GE silicone product stock number SIL2KB WHT 140648. This seems similar (don’t really know) and it works pretty good as well.

So with the “Ram Boxes” it looks like you cannot use a bed cap or a tonneau cover, correct?

Cool, you all should have a mini new owners rally! All of you staying at the same campground will be great fun! Congratulations to all of you, I know that you’ll love your Olivers as we do ours.

Mike, there are no bugs in Texas! It’s just too cold there. It’s always ice and snow and stuff...... at least when we’ve been there.

Yes, the whole inverter is under the bed. Check for 12v between the two large cables connected to the inverter. Also, check for 12v on either side of the main fuse (150A I think) which is under the rear most dinette seat. Open the seat hatch and look to your left. You’ll see the red No. 4 welding cables, follow them to the main fuse. I think the others are correct in that the unattached red cable in the battery compartment should be attached, but check the above voltages first.

The cover was a one off thing. I took the loaded basket to a canvas/upholstery shop at a lake. They make all sorts of covers, etc. for boats. I had to leave the loaded basket (generator and fuel can strapped in place) with them as they digitized the whole assembly and then fitted the cover. I also got a quote from an auto upholstery shop. Either one could do the work and you’d have to leave the loaded basket with them as well in order to get a proper fit. I used a heavy truck tarp material that is super strong but Sunbrella material would also be a good choice. The male snaps were ordered from McMaster-Carr, an industrial supply company, they are stainless steel with a (I think the size is) #8-32 stainless stud attached. Whoever makes the cover could supply the complete stainless snap assemblies. My basket is one of the older designs so it has a fairly heavy lower rail. I just measured evenly all around and drilled/tapped for the studs and installed them before I had the cover made/fitted. On the newer baskets, I would just drill through the sides close to the bottom and use nylon lock nuts on the inside for the male snaps. On a side note: Mike, if you’re interested I have a Firestone air bag assembly for a 2017 +/-Tundra which is like new. I used this only about 3-4 months until I traded for a different truck.

I carry/store my 2000w Honda generator and fuel in my basket. They are strapped down, locked and covered.

John, that’s great news! I hope to see you at the rally next year as well as out on the road somewhere. I really look forward to seeing that new trailer, they look great!

If you tow with a 1500, check your owners manual. The manufacturer may require a weight distribution hitch if the tongue weight is (I think the number is) 500 lbs or above. This is the manufacturer’s warranty continuation plan.

It’s my understanding that the Dometic will have some difficulty exiting the LEII but the Nova Kool can be moved in with no problem.

Just today I have been looking at the Nova Kool R5810 fridge. It’s larger (5.8 cu. ft.) than the original fridge and fits in the same opening. It is 4 inches shorter in height than the original so if centered, that would provide two inches top and bottom for ventilation. The outside vents should be sealed off just to keep dirt out and the outside wall can be insulated. The electric fridge vents much like the one at home.

Overland, you say that yours is a factory install? Did you not get the standard fridge at initial build or did Oliver retrofit the Isotherm later? Thanks for the other information as well.