Cameron

I have to believe that some of these problems mentioned are random and one-off rather than a consistent failure to complete components correctly. For example, during delivery I did not catch that there was no caulking around my kitchen sink, and I did not catch that only one duct was connected to the furnace and the other duct was loose. Also, I didn't catch the big gap around my screen door until a week later when the trailer filled with mosquitoes! I think the people in the factory are doing a good job overall, but something is bound to slip by any given worker on any given day. In case the Oliver quality control process doesn't catch it, it's important to use this list and spend as much time as necessary at OTT before driving away so that you can catch anything that needs attention. The problem is that we're so excited and emotional to finally be picking up our trailer that our eyes are not as sharp as they might otherwise be. When I have a friend who wants to buy a car I always suggest they take me with them so that I can look at it with a more skeptical eye. Maybe I should have done that when I picked up the trailer.

that's genius! how do i do that?

Spotted in Marin County, CA at the China Camp campground in the camp host spot.

So, here's an update. Tried the furnace today and realized no air coming from the vent below the sink. A quick investigation found that the duct was not connected to the furnace. The knock-out hole on the rear side of the furnace was knocked out, and that's where the hot air was coming out. No one in the factory connected it. Since I picked it up in mid-July, here are the other problems I've had. No caulking around kitchen sink, allowing water to seep underneath and drip to drawers below. Put duct tape around sink for quick fix. Need to put silicone around it. Screen door misaligned, with big gaps allowing bugs to get in. Jason suggested tweaking it to try to close the gaps. Haven't tried yet. Lettering on light switch panel rubbed off. Mike sent out new panel. Lettering on Dometic stove knobs rubbing off. Waiting for new knobs. Xantrex inverter shutting off and not rebooting due to improper programming from the factory. This resulted in a new Technical Service Bulletin (Aug. 3), and after Jason helped me change the settings, the problem hasn't returned. In another post I shared an article about the horrible (really horrible) quality of SOB RVs and the nightmares those owners are having. In that post I promised not to complain about anything related to my Oliver, and I'm trying. I guess my point here is to remind new buyers to do a super thorough check of the trailer before leaving OTT. I spent two and a half hours at OTT before leaving and thought I did a thorough check but I missed some things. For example I turned on the AC because I wanted to make sure it really could run off the lithium system, but I didn't turn on the furnace. I will say that I'm very happy with the trailer and all the components. The composting toilet is easy peasy. The lithium pro package works great. The Norcold fridge is big and cold. The suspension takes rough roads like a champ. The KTT bed is super comfy. The windows seal tight. Yesterday and today I gave it it's first wash and wax, by hand. What a job. My arms are sore! But, with a little elbow grease I got all the bugs off and with the marine wax got the hull shining.

Yes, wetness is no good. The issue with closing all the windows during the rain is that it can get a little muggy or hot inside. I'm going to try to solve this by getting a small table fan that I can put on the kitchen counter or dinette table to blow air toward the bed during sleep. The MaxAir does move air in and out but when I'm in the bed I can't really feel it. I'd rather have the open window. Love that feeling of fresh air during the rain.

Hi DJM, I have the Girard and have found that it works great in the rain. We've sat under it a few times in a light/moderate rain storm with no problems. The only problem was when retracting the awning. It gave someone (?!) who was still sitting underneath a real splash of cold water! Lol. Wish I had a video of that! So, we learned to always get the heck away from the awning during retraction in the rain. Regarding the windows, I also learned the hard way that leaving the window open even a crack will get the bed wet! When closed, the windows do great even in heavy rain. But you sure can't keep them cracked until you get gutters or something on them to keep the rain away.

oh boy! after i read this i thanked my lucky stars i have an Oliver!! https://www.rvtravel.com/pathetic-quality-rv-dealers-fed-manufacturers-producing-1017b/

Welcome! I know how excited you must be. When I comes to camping in the Oliver, I don't think it takes too much more than the skills you already have if you have done tent camping. You already know how to break down and set up a camp. You already know about how to operate a propane stove and prepare meals. You already know how to improvise when something breaks or goes missing. Granted, a trailer is more complicated than a tent but it's your attitude that's the most important thing. If you were ever camping in a tent when a rainstorm hit or when bugs got into all your food, and you survived, you'll do fine in the Oliver. In fact, you'll quickly see why they call it "glamping"!

I also have the lithium pro package and was told by Hanna during our orientation that whenever the trailer will sit for three weeks or more we should simply turn them off, using the on-off button on the top of each of the three batteries.

Just saw this article, and I'm wondering if anybody knows whether this would apply to the Oliver? https://drivinvibin-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/drivinvibin.com/2021/08/18/rv-door-locks/amp/?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a6&usqp=mq331AQIKAGwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=16293964848621&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fdrivinvibin.com%2F2021%2F08%2F18%2Frv-door-locks%2F

a certified check is another name for a bank check which is legit, but i don't know what certified funds are. i wouldn't release the title until you take the check to your bank and confirm that it's real. have them meet you at the bank, they give you the check, you deposit it, you give them the title and a bill of sale, then go with them to where they can hook up the trailer and drive away.

Wow. Mark, this is really discouraging. I've had my own issues with my LE2 I just picked up and will be posting something similar to your post in coming weeks. I think OTT really needs to figure out how to up their quality control. I agree that OTT has great customer service, but like you Mark, I'm far away in California. After spending big for the trailer, I don't think it's reasonable for any of us to have to be doing repairs or maintenance in the first few weeks on parts of the trailer that should have been assembled correctly by the factory. A few little things, OK, but suspension? windows? flooring? These should all be identified before we arrive for pickup.

Hi Skigator I got the Lithium Pro package and have been very happy with the battery performance. I don't have a generator because I can't think of why I would need one with the camping I do. I've run the A/C for about 90 min at a time and it does drop the batteries down, but the sun will charge them back up again with the panels up top. Once I left after breakfast for an all day outing. The batteries were at about 60% when I left, and at 100% when I came back for dinner. I usually dry camp or boondock. I guess having the generator would be good for constant A/C, but like I said, I'm not doing that kind of camping. A couple of times after boondocking I arrived at a friend's house for a visit and plugged into a 120v from the house. That also charged up the batteries pretty quickly. Sorry that this isn't completely on topic with your question.

I'm sure that if I had the streetside awning I'd think of reasons why it's great, but I don't, so my opinions are just hypothetical. I went with just the curbside awning because I consider the curbside to be my "front porch". If I'm at a very organized campground that only lets me park the trailer a certain way, they I do what I'm told. Otherwise, if I'm boondocking or at an otherwise "open" campground, I'll stop and look around to see where the sun goes, where the view is, where other campers are, etc., and then position the trailer in just the right way to make me happy. I'll extend the awning, spread out my big mat, set up the chairs, and that's my front porch that allows me to go in and out of the trailer quickly and easily. I only go around to the other side (street side) if I need to get something out of the basement. In other words, I'm satisfied with just one awning because it's on the side of the trailer I would normally use. Sitting on the other side doesn't feel right.

Wow. The Nature's Head is on backorder? This Covid has messed everything up. It seems like these supply issues are creeping into every aspect of our lives! For me, the composting toilet is one of the most important upgrades I wanted, right up there with the solar package. I wonder if you delayed your production date a couple months if it would make a difference? Otherwise you could wait and see if they're available around the time of your pickup and ask Oliver service to install it at that time. I bet you wouldn't be the only one doing that.

My question is whether or not to use a power tool. I've only ever waxed cars by hand. Ollie is so big that I'm afraid my arms will fall off when I give it it's first wash, wax and buff. I'm thinking a power polisher with wool or microfiber pads would save some wear and tear on my body. I've done some internet searches but it's a bit overwhelming. I'd appreciate thoughts from other owners as well as what equipment they use. Thx!

Hi John, Each campsite is different. The private RV parks will often have a sewer pipe at each campsite, as well as a 30a outlet and a faucet for water. In that case, you connect your hose from the faucet to the "city water" connection on the trailer, and you connect the big "slinky" hose to the trailer black pipe outlet inside the rear bumper and put the other end in the campsite sewer pipe. The sink/shower water will go into the gray tank and the toilet will go into the black tank. You'll then have to periodically empty the tanks into the already connected "slinky" hose and campsite sewer pipe. So, no, you can't bypass the holding tank. I'd recommend waiting until both tanks are more than 50% full to empty them out because you'll get better results due to heavier liquid flow. Some private RV parks as well as most state and national park campsites have one or two dump stations at the entrance/exit to the campsite. So, you'll have to keep everything in your holding tanks until you exit. Hope that helps.

I'm very happy with the Nature's Head. But, I get that it's not for everyone. I'd imagine a sort of calculus before deciding: - Will most of my nights (more than 50%) be spent with hookups at more organized campgrounds? - When moving from site to site, am I confident (more than 90%) that I'll easily be able to find an operating free/cheap dump station? - Does the brief sight/smell of poo/pee make me uneasy? - Does the thought of maintenance, including disassembling the head and dumping the compost, as well as pulling out the pee bottle and carrying it outside sound super gross? - Does the thought of occasionally wiping down poop/pee from the bowl freak you out? If the answer to these questions is "Yes!" then stick with the standard toilet.

Kampfirekid, You're hearing great comments from Oliver owners, and it's the choir preaching to you! We are all biased because we made the decision to go with this company and we LOVE it. Oliver is a small company with just two products. Big companies can afford to make products for all segments of the market. Oliver makes just two trailers, very similar to each other, and so the market has to come to them. Your needs have to match up with just these two products, otherwise you have to look elsewhere. The LE2 may not have everything you're looking for, but I think the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages. Also, in today's market, and likely in the next few years, it won't depreciate nearly as much as the other trailers you've had. If you get a LE2, use it for a year or two, and decide it's too tight for you or you really do want to have other folks sleeping inside, then you can sell it for a good price and move on to another product. As far as the expense, I hear ya! It's top dollar for a small trailer. I could get two brand new Jayco's for what I paid for my LE2. But, when I saw an Oliver and go to spend 30 minutes or so inside, well, it was love at first sight. It will be a big decision for you, but I don't think you will regret it.

John, I agree with you regarding the dangers a bad road poses to the trailer. There've been a couple times when my spidey sense told me to stop and not go any further on a road. Once I somehow I backed out about 50 yards until I could turn around, which wasn't easy! What I like to do (and what I did at the Plumb Valley campground) is get out and walk the road, walk the campground to make sure I feel comfortable entering. If the road is too narrow (don't want scrapes!) or the rocks too sharp (don't want to change a tire!) I say no and keep going. One thing on my list is a little electric bike so I can zip ahead and scout out boondocking spots before committing to driving too far. Carl, if the road has good gravel and seems to get regular traffic, I think you'll be OK. The trailer can handle it. Go slow. Make sure everything inside is secure. Oliver markets their trailers for people who like to boondock (solar, lithium, big tanks, composting head) and usually boondocking involves getting off the asphalt.

Plum Valley campground, Davis Creek, CA, in the Modoc National Forest. I had to put it into 4WD at one point, and the road had a little stretch with rocks and roots, but it was a good test of the Oliver in a real off-road situation. Had my co-pilot get out and spot me as I maneuvered through some pines. It's a tough trailer!

At my cousin's in Idaho next to some flooded alfalfa fields, so, lots of mosquitos. I think there's a small gap around the screen door where they were getting in. Got some Off repellent spray and used it on the bathroom window screen and the screen door. Almost no mosquito inside Ollie tonight. I'm not a fan of the Off and it is oily and smelly, but it really worked for us tonight.

Mike, you may have gathered some key information here. In the morning I will try to do what you report. What you describe may have caused my problem and may be the solution. I'm thinking that you and I may be the canaries in the coal mine on this issue. Sounds like others may have this same problem if these inverters are being installed with that setting #5.

UPDATE Drove from dry camping at Craters of the Moon Idaho to my cousin's in Emmett ID. She gave me a hose and a standard 110v extension cord. With an adapter, I connected my 30a shore power cord to the extension cord. Suddenly, the inverter was alive. I then disconnected the 110 extension cord and tested each item (AC, micro, TV) separately to make sure they worked. And the outlets too. Everything seems to be functioning normally. I'm running the AC now off the lithium. No prob. I remember seeing somewhere in a forum post about someone who had a Xantrex die, then when they plugged it in to shore power it came back to life. If I can find that post, I'll ask them more about it. Very strange.

Well, things took another dump with the whole inverter situation. Today the inverter conked out. No screen readout. No lights. Nothing to indicate that it was active and alive. The remote also was lifeless. Talked to OTT service and tried everything they suggested, such as tripping the breaker, tripping the 200a and 300a switches in the wheel well, pressing and holding the little silver button for five seconds, etc. They were apologetic and said they check everything during production to make sure it works but there's not much they can do in with their shop in Tennessee and me in Idaho. I was not able to reach Xantrex. Their phone system didn't seem to be working today. I looked up "authorized service centers" and spoke to Mark Snyder Electric (Sacramento) to initiate the process the get the Freedom XC 300 replaced. Everyone agrees that it's very strange that a brand new unit would conk out. We're dry camping but haven't been using the AC. The temp was hot (89 degrees inside the trailer) but not excessive. The only draw was us charging phones and using the Maxfan. The Norcold fridge, when set to Auto, likes to go to AC so I keep having to switch it to LP when dry camping. Also, the the solar panels are charging the batteries no problem, and the batteries are powering everything that is 12v, so it's just the AC, TV, 120 plugs and microwave that won't work. Hopefully tomorrow I'll speak to someone from the authorized dealer who might be able to help me troubleshoot some more. Otherwise, it's no inverter for the rest of our vacation (9 days). It will be like when we rented SOB trailers in the past and didn't have the "extras" when boondocking. Not the end of the world. But irritating.