Jitters

I should ask OTT if the hitches they're providing now are the updated version or if they still have old stock to liquidate first.

Thank you both Johns! Great explanation on how the hitch works and now realize the location of the brackets do not impact the sway control. I do already have an Equalizer hitch from my last RV (ORV 280RKSB). I am thinking of possibly using that instead since I already have it and they work well. Greg

Thanks John....I didn't even think about ball wear. But how does the 2" ball with a 7K limit have a huge safety margin with a maxed out 7K lb trailer? Is the safety margin built into the rating of the coupler? Either way....for the various reasons the larger ball just seems to make better sense, especially considering it's only a $12 price difference between the two (Amazon prices).

After reading the instructions provided in the link in one of the replies it seems it would either need to be removed or partly cut. To me, cutting would not be an option and removing the doghouse sounds troublesome. Maybe a machine shop nearby that you can ask them to quickly round off the bracket corners and cut the chains after making the measurements? Greg

Hi all...good morning. Looking for input on changing the bulldog coupler to 2-5/16". The 2" is rated for 7,000 lbs when installed welded. It would seem that installing with two bolts would decrease this rating by some. Even if it didn't, the 7K lbs = Ollie GVWR. Is that really safe? Seems like it should come standard with the larger coupler to provide some safety margin. Is the center tube 3"? I am looking at which coupler to get and they all seem to be for a 3" mounting location. Looks like would have to remove the old one and use that as a template to drill the holes in the replacement? Thanks Greg Retire Navy Chief

Thanks for the great info in this alternate installation location. I wish a civil engineer was available to comment on this alternate location. It seems the pulling force from an angled chain would be more effective than straight back when controlling sway. Also one comment on the setup (beautiful instructions by the way and thank you)....you emergency break-away cable should NOT be attached to the same clip as the safety cables. If something happens with the cable connection then the break-away cable for the emergency brake would no longer be connected to the TV. This should be an independent connection to the TV to still activate the emergency brake when the distance between the trailer and TV increases in a mishap. Thanks! Greg Retired Navy Chief ARS: AB7R

I wish a civil engineer was available to comment on this alternate location. It seems the pulling force from an angled chain would be more effective than straight back when controlling sway. Also one comment on the setup (beautiful instructions by the way and thank you)....you emergency break-away cable should NOT be attached to the same clip as the safety cables. If something happens with the cable connection then the break-away cable for the emergency brake would no longer be connected to the TV. This should be an independent connection to the TV to still activate the emergency brake when the distance between the trailer and TV increases in a mishap. Thanks! Greg Retired Navy Chief ARS: AB7R

Hi Raspy. I'll take another look. I was looking for one with the factory solar and other accessories. Heading to bed and I'll be in touch tomorrow. Thanks Greg

We went to a dealer today to look at the HQ17 (No 19 available on the lot). Lots of cool and innovative features but to be honest, I thought the quality was lacking. All the cabinet facing seemed to be a stick-on material for that shiny look. I looked at the corners and cold see where it was not applied all the way. Maybe a veneer but looked like something else. Some of the ceiling material was bubbled and peeling in the rear corners. Not crazy about the all aluminum (thin) walls and front. Tapping on it made parts sound very hollow and you can see the skin give some. Any road damage (remember, off-road) seems possibly expensive to fix having to replace the entire panel. The handles to lock down the windows were very flimsy and I can see them breaking easily. Not sure about the smoked plastic windows...they don't seem to provide much insulation or very durable. Nice Cooper tires and suspension but what about service availability when on the road. Only 8 dealers in the US and this doesn't seem like something many RV places will work on. It does come with spare bearings. I read in another post somewhere that the suggested service interval on the axel bearings is 300 km. Seems crazy. I asked the salesman and he did not know. And for a trailer designed for boondocking it seemed weird to have only two 5gal propane tanks. I thought the separate water tanks for drinking and GP water was interesting. There's also a separate water tank for the toilet flushing. The larger fridge (thank Ollie) is nice. So is the control panel with circuit breakers rather than fuses. No accumulation tank with the water pump and the pump seemed small though I did not check the gpm rating. Excellent outside kitchen! Have a great evening! Greg

Thanks! We will likely take 189>28>287 rather than I-80.

Thanks Jennifer! Good ole Bellingham! I moved to ID a year ago after retiring from Fed Civ Svc and active duty while at NAS Whidbey Island. I figured 38 years with the Navy was enough. :) Our TV is a GMC Sierra 1500 SLT with the max tow package. 6.2L V8, heavier springs and an 11,700 tow limit. I had a nice Dodge 3500 dually for our horse trailer back at Whidbey but I sold it for the Sierra...dumb move in hindsight but the dually was really too big for our driveway. Also looking for good camping areas/campgrounds for the trip back. The LEII is setup for boondocking but would rather not on this trip...but will if necessary.

Hi John. How much do you think a retrofit like this would run? I'm in the process of purchasing a 1-yr old LE II and this idea sounds worthwhile. Where in Northern NV? I'm in Caldwell, ID....maybe not too far? Thanks Greg

Good morning OTT group! We've been looking for a new RV for a few months. Started with Arctic Fox/Nash/ORV, then Airstream and it all led to OTT. My funds are limited living on Navy retired pay and a part time job. I found a 1-yr old Ollie LEII Twin that I can meet up in Rapid City SD to make the purchase. I live in Caldwell, ID and have not been in that part of the country yet (been to Yellowstone/Jax Hole). I plan on taking the route shown in this google maps link. Anyone have any information on how easy/difficult this route will be? Any high passes such as the Tetons (going south of them)? We've had plenty of trailers in the past (horse trailers...BP and GN, 5th wheels and TT). https://goo.gl/maps/B5HPkur15xhJ8ckY7 We plan to take 3 days to get there and 5-6 to get back. Thanks so much! Greg