hobo

Looking for specific suggestions for some good quality camp chairs. We have a pickup as the tow vehicle so space is not a huge consideration but we don't want crazy big either Secondly: How many chairs should we have with us? There are two of us but who knows when someone might swing by to say "hello"? I would think 4 chairs would be ideal but with the limited space available for the storage for all things camping, do you carry extra chairs (just in case)? Just wondering what the "norm" is here. Thanks

Overland, Any chance you could provide a link to the "refrigerator handle from IKEA"? I can't seem to find it on their website. Also, "VHB" tape? Thanks, Hobo.

Thanks for suggestion. Those are pretty darn cool. If the RV was just for me, that is what I'd be looking at (or their toy hauler version). The other unit I was contemplating is the Conqueror off road RVs. However, Conqueror doesn't have an internal shower, only an external one. Not real appealing to most women. I think if the quality of the Black Series proves to be good, they should do well within that market.

At this juncture, sounds like you've ruled out the BigFoot and the Oliver. Seems as though the issue is resolved; your only other mentioned option was the Lance. As you say, "To each their own." See you on the road.

Also, Which brand? 3M or Suntec? In the 3M world, I think there are different grades, thicknesses. Can you touch on that point if you happen to know? I heard there are some 3M products that don't yellow as much as others. Thanks

From my limited perspective (only been into the Ollies for about three years doing research), seems most buyers (almost all) pretty much max out on the factory options relative to what goes on the roof. The only item we didn't order for ours was the satellite dish. If you're looking for a semi-clean roof, you're not likely to find it in the used market. Knowing how the Ollie is constructed (double hull fiberglass) I for one wanted the factory to install anything that I might ever want up on the roof vice me having to worry about it later.

I would recommend a trip to the factory for a tour. You're talking significant $$$ for anything you're considering so a quick trip to Hohenwald is time and money well spent. I believe once you have gone through the factory and seen one up close and personal, you will be able to make an informed decision. Again, I was sold on a Bigfoot as was my wife (due to size and purported "quality") but when we actually saw an Ollie, the decision was easy. Sounds like you're an experienced RVer so you will instantly see what the Ollies are all about. Doesn't mean you'll decide to purchase one, but at least you'd know the product. Just a suggestion.

I don't have our unit yet but am wondering in the "tool box" are Olivers primarily SAE or metric? My guess is major structural components are SAE but many if not most accessories are metric. Probably need a complete set of both but wanted someone to confirm my suspicions before I start piecing it together.

I seriously considered a BigFoot 25 foot trailer but after actually looking at one, although good sized, it is your traditional wood frame, wood this, wood that...ect. trailer. Wood floors with vinyl covering. It's also wide. When I looked at the underside it was a mess. All in all, a heavy duty version of a traditional maintenance plagued trailer. The unit I saw was less than a year old and there was rust and peeling paint on the frame already needing attention. I was leaning heavily toward the BigFoot until I saw an Oliver. Game over. My wife and I both agreed immediately that the Oliver was a much better product. Also, the BigFoots are built in Canada (west coast) so support would be poor for those of us on the east coast. NO CONTEST! Oliver is a much better unit at the start and will be so for many years to come.

John, I agree. I recently re-wired my BriMar equipment trailer removing all original wires, replacing all lights with LEDs and best of all, replacing the crappy little house-hold metal junction box (yes the factory did that) with the box you used above. Neat, easy to read what goes where and not a box full of wire nuts, weird colored wires, and who knows what. else. Nice job.

We are the proud owners of hull # 414 which was the very last 2018 model produced. We however, won't take delivery until 1 May due to some scheduled medical procedures (hip replacement) that will put a "hitch in my giddy-up" for a couple of months. We're excited to see others taking delivery of their units and having such good luck. We too plan on being at the rally in May.

Absolutely agree with topgun2's assessment. Oliver's first priority must be to ensure a consistent flow of the production of a quality product for their own survivability. I think we can all agree they build a superior product as evidenced by our purchasing them. They in fact offer several factory options when ordering to tailor to the needs of most folks. I personally wanted a 2 5/16 inch Bulldog hitch on my trailer and was told that they wouldn't do that as a factory item during production but I could have them do it as an after-the-fact speciality item. It cost me $261 to have them remove the factory 2" coupling and put on a larger one that they purchased separately. (Now I will have both as I paid for the original one and therefore want it too.) I have zero need for it, but I did pay for it. (Anyone need one?) I have noted too, that Oliver is VERY careful to research from an engineering aspect, any and all changes or upgrades they make to their trailers. I am sure due to the litigious society we live in today, if they added (for instance) a custom shelf extension or a different appliance and it failed for some reason, or someone cut themselves on the bracketry, they would potentially find themselves liable for damages. Not necessarily from the Oliver owner but perhaps from someone visiting the trailer. For a small time operation like Oliver, one such lawsuit could be financially devastating. I can fully appreciate Oliver setting a single standard and sticking to it for production efficiency. In 1909 Henry Ford advised his production and management team that the consumers could have “any color - so long as it is black.” Kind of what we're seeing here. Can't wait to take delivery of our unit this spring and take advantage of all the great ideas the current owners have offered up as upgrades and additions. Hobo

Thanks to all who contributed. This looks like an easy fix if and when the pump (or fuse) goes down. Probably will get a spare to carry with me. It's cheap insurance in my mind.

Love the paper towel holder too. Is there a double faced tape that would secure this well enough to avoid drilling holes? Also, I noted the towel bar across the face of the surface just below the counter top. Can you advise on that also.

Overland: What's involved in replacing the pump? (Not having my unit here to look at, I'm at a disadvantage.) That might not be a bad idea. Are the pumps used in the Ollies readily available? Thanks

John, Quick follow up: When you disconnect everything for travel, do you leave the 90 on the trailer or do you remove everything? It looks in the pic like your cap chain is now affixed to your 90 elbow. Maybe it's not but that is what the pic looks like. Thanks again.

John, PERFECT! Thanks for the pic. I'm a very visual learner. I am ordering the parts as we speak. We take delivery on "2 Hobos" in May but I want to gather enough most of the basics over the winter. Thanks again.

John, Could you possibly snap a pic of your setup? I want to make sure I do this correctly.

Thanks Bill. Per your instructions, I think I just fixed it. Thanks and if someone sees it's NOT fixed, please let me know.

OH, I do in fact tow with pickup truck so space, although not unlimited, is less of an issue for me than some.

Dog gone it; I was sure I filled in my profile because someone made the same suggestion a little while ago. I must be doing something wrong. Can someone give me a refresher on this? Thanks for noticing that. Hobo

I'm sure somewhere on this forum, this subject has been addressed but for the life of me, I can't seem to figure out to do a "search" for select subject matters. In any case, the existing info might be a little dated anyway so I'll just ask the collective for suggestions. Looking for specific recommendations for a grill as we plan on doing as little inside cooking as possible, weather permitting. We do have the external propane ports on our trailer (to be delivered 1 May). Thanks for any insight. Hobo

The other drawback to these types of units is that you can't park it and leave in your vehicle. That is precisely why we decided on a pull trailer vice a motorhome. Hobo

We have not taken possession of our 2018 Oliver yet but this morning, my wife asked if we were going to install a safe of some nature inside the trailer to protect valuables (cameras, binoculars, jewelry, etc.) I know there are "hiding" places within the trailer but can anyone recommend a product and mounting location within the trailer to secure items? Thanks,

Having received great suggestions about items to procure before our delivery of our Elite II, I just realized that I am perhaps mixing apples and oranges in one arena: Many have suggested the CAMCO stackable blocks but I'm beginning to realize that some folks are talking about blocks to put under the levelers while others (I believe) are talking about blocks to put under the wheels/tires. To be honest, I was thinking in terms of the levelers. Do I need to have blocks of some nature for both? Again, I'm a rookie when it comes to travel trailers so pardon the basic questions. Thanks, Paul (HOBO)