hobo

AND THE WINNER IS (for me anyway)........ Tried the silicone and it failed miserably. Cleaned all the threads (again) and tried the paraffin. That seems to have fixed about 90% of the problem. Still a little tough to unscrew initially, but once you get past the start position, it seems to be working much, much better. Thanks for the assistance. Hobo

OK, I have come to actually hate removing and then replacing the cover plug on the trailer propane lid. Threads are always acting as though they are cross-threaded when they're not. There must be a trick or something to apply to them to make this process a little easier. I might try some lithium grease but before I do, (this stuff turns yellow and ugly), does anyone have other suggestions? Thanks, Hobo

OK, you perked my interest. What are the "Mighty Five"??

I drilled a couple of holes in the basket and used some threaded bolts. Easy/peasy.

Here's one that I LOVE everytime I park the trailer: It's a bubble level that I mounted on the face of my basket so I can see it from inside my TV via my backup camera. Makes leveling the trailer (side-to-side) almost a one person operation (except I still need my partner to shove the Anderson wedges under the tires before I let the brakes off.) I did seal the backside of the tubes with epoxy per a suggestion from (I think) John Davies a few years ago. https://www.amazon.com/Camco-25563-AccuLevel/dp/B000EDUTOA/ref=asc_df_B000EDUTOA/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312128189269&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12342072316441648381&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008247&hvtargid=pla-448524087016&psc=1

No trailer can be everything for everybody. Everything in life is a compromise. The Oliver niche is well established. A very high quality, durable, exceptionally nice looking, easy to maintain, all weather trailer for folks than can afford it. The market is the same for Airstream which has been doing well for many, many years and I suspect will continue to do so even though their quality is lacking. If Oliver is going to expand their product line, they should in fact just make a larger version which will satisfy the younger crowd that have kids and the oldsters that simply want the "best-of-the-best". I expect this is a much larger demographic than those that want an offroad, backcountry capable version (which I personally think are pretty cool myself).

We are pulling "2 Hobos" out of the barn (Hobo Hideout) at the end of April and will head south from VA. Stops include: Charlotte, NC to visit some friends. Beaufort, SC (my hometown) for a few days. Then on to Jekyll Island, GA to just to hang out on the beach. Next: St. Augustine, FL for five days of bouncing around FL to visit old haunts and some friends. After that we move up towards AL for the unofficial owner's rally with a stop along the way at a HH overnighter. We'll be at Lake Guntersville for four days and then head back to VA with another stop along the way at another HH location. Currently, I'm in the barn installing propane gas monitors, greasing the axles, checking tire lugs torque, etc. Next week I roll it out and dewinterize it wash it, then put it back in to wax and detail. Donna already has most of the camping cloths, seasonal decor, etc. in the trailer. We're anxious to get back on the road. We have had both of our Covid shots (completed 22 Feb). Big trip in the fall will be planned around a wedding in Nebraska so we'll be looking for suggestions of places to stay and see along the way from VA. We'll probably head west for a while either before or after the wedding. Probably end up in Wyoming/Montana area before turning back east.

Thanks. Looks like a winner. I just ordered one via Amazon so I'll compare the features and see which one is best. Amazon: $68.99 https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Field-Portable-Adjustable-Backyards/dp/B08B659V2Z?ref_=ast_sto_dp

We have used Harvest Hosts on several occasions and in fact stayed at a couple of locations about 3-4 hours north of Hohenwald on the way to a from the factory. One was Tennessee Valley Winery which we liked enough to return a second time. It's literally only about 2 miles off of the interstate but secluded with a nice view of the Smokey Mountains. John, the proprietor, has a 120V plug and water if you want it (no charge). I think he'll also let you stay more than one night assuming he's got space. There is another vineyard close by which is very nice too. I forget the name right off hand though. HH sites are not intended for hookups or multiple night stays but each location is different so you may be offered some amenities for a small charge or for free. We've had both. We find the HH system to be quite useful and thus far, have had zero issues. Beats hanging out in a Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot. You are encouraged (expected) to support the host by supporting the business while there. Drinking wine or beer and having some good "eats" is not too much of a burden on us. I think as you head west, you will find fewer locations than on the east coast.

Problem with that (for me) is that the truck is parked in front of the trailer and I'm cooking in the rear. I do use my tail a lot for other things though.

The "hoards" of RVs may subside after they have spent their $1400 "critically needed for daily subsistence" checks.😕

Trying to find a source for a short power cord simply to run from my generator in my basket to the inlet on the front curbside of the trailer. Maybe something in the five to six foot range. I hate using the much longer cord for that purpose as it gets in the way. Any suggestions??

Overland, Who makes the version with the one adjustable leg? That sounds about perfect.

When preparing food and cooking on the grill, we need some dedicated workspace to use for such purposes. We tend to use the propane hookup in the rear (curbside) corner of the trailer. Wondering what folks are using when they drop anchor for a few days? Ideally, I'd like to use something that bridges the rear bumper and the grill area that tends to sit just off of the awning area. Looking for ideas.

Suggest you NEVER leave the trailer to go on an outing without first retracting the awnings regardless of type. We stopped at a Harvest Host winery about two hours away from Hohenwald on the way to a service appointment and a late afternoon storm rolled in and before we could reach the trailer from a pavillion about 50 yards away, a gust of wind caught the awning and folded it back. Ruined instantly. Ours is the manual version so it ONLY cost about $2K to replace. Luckily, the service department had our particular awning in stock so they replaced while we were there. I do believe a weighted tether of some nature at the two outside corners would have helped and perhaps given us enough time to retract them in time. Lesson learned (the hard way).

Actually have a 2006 Dodge 3500 Mega Cab diesel (5.9L) right now. Last year before they started all the EPA "stuff". It only has 144K miles on it but I really like the safety features on the newer vehicles. I might just drive it till the wheels fall off but if I decide to replace, I might very well go with a gasser. The 7.3L reportedly develops its torque at lower RPMs than most gas engines. That's why I'm interested in real world MPG data for your setup. I'll keep an eye out for your findings.

For a small up-charge, they will convert the BullDog hitch to a 2 5/16". We did that with ours.

I think too, the F-250 version of that truck only offers the 7.3L (Godzilla) engine with the 3.55 (too small IMHO) or the 4.30 rear end which isn't needed for the purposes of towing an Oliver. You have to move up to the F-350 to get the 3.73 rear end as an option. Would be really interested in knowing what your "real world" mileage turns out to be with that combination.

We booked "2 HOBOS" into space D-3 last week. BTW: The young lady that took our reservation said that they have "unofficially" blocked off several spots down in the normal Oliver trailer area for folks attending this years NOT Oliver Travel Trailer (NOTT) rally. Looking forward to seeing other owners again.

My only comment is relative to (if) you go with a more aggressive tread over a street tire. I used Firestone Destination tires on my Dodge 3500 Mega Cab diesel for years and was fairly pleased with them EXCEPT; they picked up gravel like a magnet and then sent them flying down the sides of my truck when you get up to higher speeds. These would obviously be death to the finish on your Oliver too. Although it seems somewhat contradictory, when I went to a much more aggressive tread (Nitto Grabber), the openings are much wider and therefore don't pick up the gravel. They are reasonably quiet too. Just food for thought. Gravel sucks!

I have the heavy duty Diamondback lid on my 2006 Dodge 3500 Megacab diesel. Mine is set up to rear-load a longer wheelbase ATV on the top of it. These are great covers and the folding sections are easily removed when needed. Good customer support too. The slip hinges for removing the lids were re-designed after I purchased mine and Diamondback provided me the updated versions free-of-charge when I talked to their rep at the Harrisburg, PA Great Outdoors show a couple of years ago. NIce looking setup.

All I can add is this: A good and trusted friend of mine owns an RV repair and service business and has been doing it for many, many years. When I came to him asking about our first purchase, I explained and showed him the literature on the Olivers. He was in fact at the time working on an Airstream. He HATES them. He said that the beauty of an Airstream is "skin deep" and even that's questionable. He showed me the interior of the walls construction which was abysmal. When I finally took delivery of our Oliver, I had him come over and inspect it and to say he was impressed is an understatement. He crawled all over it and took pictures stating what a "serious" trailer the Oliver is. Even the battery tray surprised him how good it was laid out. Having a guy who works on all manner of RVs tell me that he's never seen anything that compares to what he saw in our Oliver is quite a testament.

We were just a few miles south of you on that same day at Holden Beach, NC. In fact, on the 23rd, we drove over to Hampstead, NC (Surf City) to look at a new home my son and wife are purchasing. They're relocating from VA to coastal Carolina. Not my cup of tea of a place to live but nice to visit.

Great topic but the level of comments and detail is dizzying. Can some simply provide me with just the proper part #s for the Timken bearings, seals, & races or otherwise a part # for a complete kit? Thanks, Hobo

Thanks for that. Good to know even if I don't envision ever having both connected at once. I guess it's the having a wife who worked for Dominion Energy for 40+ years in me that always makes me think of the guys up on the poles trying to restore power when they get the hell shocked out of them because homeowners have hooked up their generators to power their homes but didn't install a transfer switch which prevents that power from being back fed into the grid. It also took me a while to get comfortable with keeping the truck hooked up to the trailer while feeding the trailer with shore power. I don't usually do that but it has happened on an occasion. I was afraid the AC power would go to my truck via the 7 pin cable and fry my electrical system. It won't happen (in theory) but I always feel better when there are zero paths of conduction between the two. Just me I guess. Thanks again though for the info.