djpinaz

I placed it in a spot I felt would provide the best clearance. The 45 degree bracket can point backward or fwd, and you can also not use that bracket and mount it so the bikes are straight above the bracket. The way I mounted it and it's placement on the tongue pushed it back as far as possible while not interfering with the jack. I believe I would have to nearly jack knife it to kit the bikes. Honestly, I'm more worried about getting the Anderson Hitch "whale tail" off kilter by turning too sharp, so I avoid at all cost. Yes, it's a Jeep Gladiator, and it's an LEII. I've posted about this elsewhere, but I'll summarize by saying I love the truck, but it's unlikely to be a long-term solution for towing the trailer. I had the truck before I got the Oliver, but wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to buy a used Oliver. Darren

Just a follow up to this post. Our first long distance trip with this bike rack. From Mesa, AZ to Davis Mountain State Park. I was very happy with the stability of the rack. I was concerned it would have some sway, but the movement of the bikes was minimal. FYI, this pic was at a Harvest Host stopover on the way (D.H. Lescombes Winery in Deming, NM). Darren

We were in the same boat as you last year. We started looking at RPOD's, then TAB's, and then as we learned more about quality started looking at the InTech SOL (Horizon). We purchased a Jeep Gladiator before buying the travel trailer, but assumed we were in the right ballpark as far as towing capabilities. My curse as my wife puts it is that I can't stop researching, and that led me eventually to Oliver due to quality. Knowing that a new Oliver (I or II) was more than we wanted to spend (and could wait forever for a used Oliver, especially an LEI), we settled in on an InTech Sol Horizon. But we ran across a used LEII and couldn't pass it up. Now we're "stuck" with a Gladiator pulling an LEII. Luckily since this was our 3rd (i.e. spare) vehicle to be used for camping, the occasional need for a pickup, and some very light off-roading (think just dirt roads), we leased. So there's an end to this, but it will be painful until then. Last week we traveled up the "rim" from Phoenix to the Forest Lakes area (elevation change from 1900' at my house to 7500'). Not the first time I've done it with this combo. It's doable, but painful. This was the 8% grade John described above. A brief period of driving 40-45. No overheating fortunately. I watched the gauges constantly and it was ~100 out. But not a fun experience. I love the Gladiator, and on flat terrain it really tows well. I have to catch myself as it's easy to get in the 70-80 mph range and not realize it. But an under-powered tow vehicle will make you dread and think about every trip. We're going to Davis Mountain State park next month and I've already used Google Earth to look for the trouble spots that have climbs. Darren

Here’s one that is stored next to mine. Inside has been nicely updated.

LOL, you posted this while I was composing mine. FYI, I initially ordered that version of the bike rack, but it doesn't clear the Barker jack. @mossemi has his slightly modified to attach to the cargo box I believe. So I went with a different version which attaches to the tongue. Darren

Here's another option. I posted about this rack a short while back when looking for options with our trailer. I planned to report back once I had it fully installed and tested, which I haven't yet. But so far I'm relatively happy with the bike rack. This rack can be mounted directly to its tongue bracket, or via an angled offset as show in the picture (I'm undecided on mine yet). If you're considering or have a cargo box on the tongue that would be additional consideration (room and weight). https://www.lci1.com/lets-go-aero Darren

Susan, the first link provided above by Overland above is where I purchased our lagun table hardware and top. We’re very happy with it and the options we have with it. We fold the top into it’s smaller shape and rotate between us when we’re sleeping to make sure the walkway is clear for a middle of the night potty run, and it acts as a nightstand. During the day we rotate it to the hallway and open it up for coffee or while watching tv. Darren

I've looked at those and the concern is the weight limits (see below) which would exceed the Oliver Elite II for sure. Don't know off-hand if it would also exceed the Elite I. Maximum tongue weight: 400 lbs Maximum trailer weight: 4,000 lbs

We’re very happy with how our conversion from the standard floor plan to the twin turned out. Thanks to Andrewk for his help in navigating the project along the way! Before pics at the start of this thread. After pics below.

Thanks drfaux. I'll take a closer look under the propane tanks to see if there's at least a pre-drilled hole in the frame to install a bolt vertically. If the two forward horizontal bolts are for two pre-determined tongue lengths you would think there would be two vertical holes in the rear section of that tongue. I purchased the bike rack mentioned earlier in this thread and should receive it this week. I plan on installing it this week so I'll look at the tongue and bolt configuration more closely then. I'll report back as well as take some pics if I find anything of value.

Will do. Thanks.

Thanks John. What would your thoughts be about mounting the bike rack pictured below to this extended (additional 10”) section? Besides preventing corrosion between the bike mount and trailer, would this put undue stress on that section of the tongue? I’m trying to avoid mounting our bikes to the rear of the trailer so I’m looking at options for the front. https://store.lci1.com/hitch-it-double-bike-carrier-system-731138.html

Attached are a couple pictures of the tongue on my Oliver. The 3” section which the bulldog hitch attaches to is 54” long when pulled completely out! Besides the hole in use for bolting that section to the frame in it’s shortest position, there’s another hole 10” back. Is it acceptable to extend and attach to the frame using the 10” hole? Is that there for for use when a customer selects the optional storage basket and therefore needing more space on the tongue? Are there any benefits or drawbacks when towing with a longer tongue? Darren

Mike, Did you mount the tower under the jack as they intended or did you mount it to the trailer frame directly and in front of the jack? Looking at the specs of the tower it doesn’t appear to have enough room for the Barker VIP jack. Although maybe you rotated the jack to face towards the rear of the trailer and then mounted the tower to have the vertical pieces to the front? Also, how has the bike rack been since you installed?

Thanks John. The box is bolted to the supports so using them would be a good option. I’ll see what I can find that would work. I didn’t weigh it but based on a sticker inside it’s a box from Tractor Supply and a similar box that came up in a search of the model number it weighs 40#. I would guess that seems right based on my moving it. It’s actually a handy size and when I’m not camping I store a majority of the items we put in the bed of the truck in it. For example I store 3 camping chairs, a portable grill, gas fire pit, a box of kindling and newspaper, propane hoses, etc. The previous owner also did a good job of integrating brake/turn lights along the rear of the box which connect with a 4-pin connector between the box and trailer as well as between the trailer and TV. My concern with using it was the forces you mentioned as well as the affect on tongue weight. I think we’re at the low end, if not under, what the tongue weight should be as a percentage (10% if not less). Although I haven’t traveled with both 30# propane tanks full so that could help offset. However, then we’re pushing up the overall weight. Until/unless we get a more stout towing vehicle I look to keep the weights down. A couple additional pics attached.