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BackofBeyond

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Everything posted by BackofBeyond

  1. What little movement there is, is not worth carrying - one more - item. I don't have an issue, my wife notices it. Perhaps if I was parked in one spot for an extended time, I would put a couple jack stands under the front. But that's a big if.
  2. As Overland said, if your a boondocker, and you don't have the composting toilet, H2O will be the larger issue. I must admit, the composting toilet has served us well, its not smelly, its very easy to use, and, we can get several weeks of use before replacing the medium. I use the coconut coir with a little pine pellets mixed in. We empty the urine tan daily. And you can drain your grey water tank almost anywhere, as long as you don't put a bunch of stuff down the drain....
  3. Being an animate object - wind chill just hurts on those really cold days. I never thought about it however - Thanks ScubaRx.
  4. As has been stated TPMS is a valuable resource to have, rear camera, I'm ok without one, but then I haven't used one yet. As for the factory installed systems - I prefer the after market - they seem to be more responsive, versatile, and adaptive to the variables - and I think more reasonably priced. RB
  5. Land Rover - Thanks for the write up - I had a similar CC issue last summer - one for $500 and one for $100 - the 500 was declined, but the 100 got through - I had a time getting it resolved. I am now much more cautious. RB
  6. Patriot, Welcome, I have been very pleased with our Oliver EII. Although it was a huge step up for us in comfort and amenities, we have enjoyed almost two years of camping bliss. As others will testify, a factory tour will go a long way in helping with a purchase decision. As good as the tour is, I believe the service folks are the stars - they do an absolutely fantastic job of taking care of any warranty or service issues. You can solve the storage problem by simply never returning home - stay out as much as possible …. ha - I know that's hard to do. Hope you enjoy the journey. RB
  7. I've come to the conclusion that every Oliver Owner, has a list of stuff that is a must have, only to discover, many miles and weeks down the road - after they have repeatably moved the items out of the way, just to put them back- again, that we end up with less of this, and a few more of that..... In a nut shell, it will sort it self out - eventually. As some have suggested, start out with a minimal list, and add as you go, wally world is always near by, as are the other supply it all stores. Enjoy your Oliver, don't sweat the small things. RB
  8. Hmmm, Sorry to hear your story, the "Fun" headlines seemed inviting, I can see it was anything but. I realize I'm probably on the fringe, but unless I'm directed to take my Ollie to a "professional" shop it won't be going. If its a warranty issue, I make the trek to Oliver, I've had great service from them, otherwise, I'll do it. If I'm in the hinterlands, I'm going to consult the Oliver referrals. I must admit I'm pretty wary of the RV fixit industry. Glad it worked out. RB
  9. kinda, sort a, another battery back up it appears to me - powered by solar. In my case, if I have sun, I don't need back-up- other than for AC - and this device won't handle that. 1500 watts - for how long? May be exactly some may need, but not something I could use. RB
  10. Welcome to Oliver and the forum! May 2021, well that is a little distant, but as I've discovered, time seems to fly by much faster now that I'm retired.... I'm sure you'll be in the Oliver before you know it.. I expect you will find the EI much more livable, comfortable, and enjoyable than your teardrop, and if our experience is any indicator, will bring more attention from the campers you'll encounter in your journey's. We get questions and inquiry at every stop. We have taken our EII to the Navarre beach area several times given the camping opportunities in your area. Our son was at Hulbert for a good while. Love the area. There is so much information and feedback available on the forum, with a little participation, you will feel like an experienced owner long before actual delivery. Have a great Oliver journey, RB
  11. Thanks David, What a great resource, and just what I can use. RB And the frugal website -how great!!
  12. Looking forward to future reports. Looking good!
  13. I must say, I'm impressed with Dexter's response. Really impressed.
  14. #359 is approx. 9' 7" . It fits under my 10' garage door with 4" or so to spare. My no go is 10' just for safety sake - After watching that video - wow.
  15. Interesting JD, although I would quibble with a few of their viewpoints. Based upon my experience given the cost of DEF, regular fuel filter changes (10k) , oil and filter changes (7.5k), I would give the gas burners a much larger advantage in the maintenance and cost to run category. Given the cost dif on fuel - I'd take gas here. ( and I generally change my own) NVH - in the 3/4 ton area, My 18 GMC is pretty sweet, the gas burner was no better, if not nearly as good. Note - the fords I drove during my selection process were noticeably rougher on the road - unloaded. I had a 2007 GMC 2500 - it road like a rigid frame chopper - until you put 500 lbs. in the bed, then it was just rough. Per JD - Now here is THE difference, no question. It is the difference maker for me. (us) The power and torque difference is so easy to like, the ride is fine, parking in small lots - harder but not that bad. Other than initial purchase price - its an easy choice. Regardless of manufacturer, the diesel is about $10k more - that's a steep step up in overall cost. RB
  16. When I first read the service bulletin I thought the torque specs seemed a little broad - a 25 lbs. spread, but then we are talking about a fastener that doesn't appear to be a critical part of the assembly - see JD's comments- and its not one where I am going to spend a lot of time worrying about the exact torque - 3/8', 1/2', universal , extension , or brand of torque wrench. If I didn't have a torque wrench - very snug tight - after full rotational stop would be good - at least for me. Your talking about 25 point spread - seems simple enough - 30% plus room for error. Now, as I found a much more critical fastener loose to the point of the nut almost gone, bolt backing out - I will take a much more active role in double checking ALL the fasteners on the running gear - A few hours once or twice a year, crawling under Ollie is not an issue for me, and I visual them often when we are out on a long trip, lots of miles..... but obsessing over torque, won't be an issue. I'll check them to the specs - as best I can - and move on. I'm just happy Dexter/Oliver notified the owners of the issue. Have a great Holiday everyone. RB
  17. I thought a separate spot for feedback on the latest Dexter axle bulletin would be a good spot for folks to relay their findings, concerns, and such. So this morning I crawled under Ollie to check the 16 fasteners referenced in the bulletin, I found all the lower bolts loose, about 1/2 to 3/4 turn "loose" and the top ones were mostly secure, one or to were just slightly - maybe a 1/4 turn. No I didn't use a torque wrench, as next month I am planning to do a wheel bearing repack and I'll put the measurement on them then, a proper triple check. FYI - Ollie #359 RB
  18. Interesting comments on "self sufficiency" - in areas of water scarcity, I fully understand, however, for all of my years of US based travel, H2O has not been an issue, nor would I consider the complexity of the filtration system, for similar travel. I've explored the concept on home based systems, but more for other outdoor use, not continuous personal reuse. Hmm I'll have to wrap my head around that a little more.
  19. My experience - I truly hoped my 2004 GMC 1/2 ton 5.7L would handle the Oliver EII. If I were to limit our travels to flat terrain, short excursions, the Little GMC would have be OK, just ok. Steep grades drove way to much shifting and high rev situations, as well as towing was on the bubble of the tow and payload specifications. I used the Anderson WDH - and it made a difference in the handling department. I upgrade to a 2018 GMC 2500 Duramax diesel - yea its a big expense, and the performance was astoundingly better - not jut in stability, power, passing ability, payload, etc., but in cruising comfort. Towing for hours was a job, it now just a cruise down the boulevard. I think, looking for a well maintained pre owned 3/4 ton my be a good choice, not to mention some have great experiences with modern 1/2 ton vehicles. Given my experience, the HD vehicles are just more capable. Try your current one out, you may be perfectly happy. Good luck and have a great time with your new Oliver.
  20. Not selling. Unloaded (no Ollie) on the hwy, 70 mph, figured by hand , I get on average 20 + mpg. Around town, stop go - 15-18, just depends, In the end my 2500 GMC does cost me more per mile than my old gas engine GMC, but for the performance and comfort, I'm satisfied. Towing, on the big roads - 14-16, as high as 18, as low as 11. It all depends on grades, headwinds, time spent sitting, and if my wife is driving. I cruise at 70 , her, a little higher.
  21. I ordered one with my Ollie initially - as I was towing with a 2004 1/2 ton GMC - I really loved the truck - put 150K on it, and was still a great truck - but towing the Ollie was just a little out its comfort range, so I sold it and looked for a more appropriate TV. I also had a Ford Transit with the eco boost - a great engine - but the overall vehicle was not really what I wanted for towing. I was certain the Ford F250 was my next truck, but after spending time in the GMC it was an easy choice - the GMC got the nod. The Anderson doesn't really do much on the 2500, its a little more planted while towing, but not worth the trouble, it sits in a bucket in the garage, I do use the ball/receiver assembly, why spend additional $$. As for bragging rights - I could give a rip, don't know anybody that does. My TV does what I want, is comfortable, and more importantly inspires confidence going down the road. Weird - the Ford had a rougher ride, the GMC was much nicer, as good as any of the 1/2 tons I sampled, yet a payload of 2200#. As was mentioned the exhaust brake is very nice to have - and we like the mountains - so.. I also transport a tractor, construction materials, farm equipment, etc. from time to time, and the 2500 just does the heavy lifting much better. If I was to really look for reasons to complain - 1. DEF tank fill is in an inconvenient location (fixed in 2020), and - well that's about it. When I win the lottery I'm getting a 2021 GMC 2500. well maybe not.... RB
  22. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/segway-dirt-ebike-the-epic-off-road-ride--3?fbclid=IwAR26m6utk4i5A1dbrrSFL7TLSGPonLPWDGQ40SwpYL5Vuxp-SEfFoJe5mIA#/ When they add a few pedals to these - or vice versa - That's what I was referring to previously. The go fasters out there will hot rod the Ebike world completely out of off road acceptance - sooner than later the Ebike crowd will be restricted much like the petrol powered crowd. Class 1,2,3 be darned, progress will not be denied. 20 years younger and I'd be right there - modifying and go fasting - seems that's a dying breed today.
  23. I believe composting toilets are an "older" technology, in a somewhat modern package ….
  24. I use a tiny Truck... ..the pull through works fine, never thought about it being "backwards" although I do use my 4wd tractor to move the Ollie around - washing, maintenance, etc. The GMC handles the open road duties. The solar keeps the batteries in the 12.7- 12.9 range, nothing is running - static demand.
  25. The current systems in the Oliver's are designed to manage the battery charge appropriately while on continuous shore power. Depending on battery type, you may need to perform some sort of battery maintenance. My AGM's require nothing extra. While the Zamp equipment doesn't provide a ton of information, for most of us, its sufficient., and the onboard charge/power management system works in the background keeping things up to snuff.
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