Mountainman198

That’s it

I am on my fourth (and hopefully last) mattress for my twin bed E2. Each version was a improvement over the prior and so far v.4 has all of the attributes I was looking for (easy to move mattress to access valves under bed, firm base so bed can be used for sitting during the day yet soft enough to be comfortable for a side sleeper). If the deep memory foam mattresses work for you thats great. Consider this an option for those of us who want something firmer yet easy to move to access the hatches beneath the bed v.1 was the standard cushions. Not comfortable for side sleeper v.2 was a 4” thick air mattress on top of standard cushion. This was firm but with a dog and cat quickly sprung a leak and I was back to v.1 v.3 was a custom cut innerspring mattress with a 30” wide Hest foamy topper. This worked great but after two years of travel the mattress developed sagging tendencies and since it was radiused in only one corner it could not be flipped or rotated v.4 is a hest sleep system (30” wide) which features a inflatable base made like a inflatable stand up paddleboard with chambering so that it inflates perfectly flat. The 2-3” thick memory foam topper is attached to the inflatable base, which once inflated in place is secure but is easily flipped-up as a single unit to access the hatches beneath the bed. v.4 has only been tested a few nights but will soon be on the road for 2.5 months of daily/nightly use. Will report back with updates

A strong move by Casita. I would still chose my E2 again over the larger Casita (for many reasons). if their specs are accurate, I predict many suspension issues. After adding options like A/C, cooktop, electric jack, larger capacity batteries, awning, furnace plus full propane and water tanks there will not be much buffer left for furnishings, food and personal items before going over capacity, especially if camping as a Family as it is marketed. Dry Weight: 4,250lbs (Before Options) GVWR 6,000lbs I hope to see one at the fiberglas rally in Quartzsite this Winter.

I spoke with Lew at Alcan about the differences in ride between the 4 and 5 leaf versions of the springs he has sold to Oliver owners. His response was that the 4 and 5 leaf springs have the same ride and spring rate (amount of weight required to be exerted on a spring to deflect it 1”). This makes sense as the 4 leaf versions are merely the 5 leaf with the shortest leaf removed, leaving the identical top 4 leafs in place. Since the shortest leaf doesn’t go to work until the first four leafs reach their limits this makes sense. So, my takeaway from my discussion with him is that both the 4 and 5 leaf versions of his springs have the same ride firmness when towing. The big differences are in lower unsprung weight (4leaf version has one fewer leafs) and higher load capability of the 5 leaf (due to the 5th leaf providing greater load capacity). oh, and over 20,000 miles on my 5 leaf Alcans with no issue of ride harshness or things getting jostled around (tires @50 psi and speeds not in excess of 70mph)

I can confirm this, having removed and replaced a bathroom window. Proper (and judicious) application of butyl rope compressed between exterior window frame and hull is what keeps water out. A THIN application of caulk is all that is needed at the outside edge of the window frame.

I use mine to cut carrots for salads 🤣

Were this to happen to my trailer this is most likely how I would address

Thanks for posting. One thing Lew mentions in the video which we have not yet touched on in this thread is that mass-produced springs often have gaps between leafs which can lead to failure. Attached is a pic I took of a nearly-new Dexter PR4 (2,400 lb) spring which I installed (in a pair) on my rear axle to limp home a year ago after experiencing a broken stock spring. This PR4 only has 125 miles on it so I consider it to be like new. Notice the daylight showing between the leafs. Not good testament to Dexter build quality and a potential for failure down the road. Something to check during annual inspection.

My new springs took about 1-2,000 miles to fully break-in, becoming more compliant and soften-up as newly formed steel and freshly painted mating surfaces get to know one another). Hoping you will notice this too after getting a few more miles under your springs I noticed no additional jounce after the Alcan install but then again I had previously installed firestone airbags on the Tundra to address this issue experienced with stock dexter springs. What tire pressure are you running in your trailer tires? 50 psi seems good for me. Others like something within the 45-55 psi range. Happy travels!

“Lottie”, inspired by the Deming, NM gambler Carlotta Thurmond whose nickname was Lottie Deno (self-stylized from the moniker “Lotta Dinero” given to her by another gambler). Carlotta is thought to have been the inspiration for Miss Kitty of the Gunsmoke TV series the nickname performs double duty for my Ollie as I commonly refer to her as Lottie Frickin’ Da due to her being frequently found camping “down by the river”. Lottie sounds a lot better than calling her Matt Foley. IYKYK

Montana

Saw this 2025 E2 in a salvage yard. Hoping everyone is ok. Hard to imagine a SOB trailer surviving a roll-over as well is this Oliver did. The Solo Stove in the tongue basket did not fare so well.

John, I am interested but wont be able to pick up until this Winter when I am back in AZ. Please PM me the details along with measurements between the legs going back into the bumper brackets and the square tube o.d. I doubt they changed over the years but best to be safe).

I prepped both surfaces by sanding then cleaning with alcohol, used two-part epoxy and has stayed put for 3yrs and 30k miles

The Collar, ABUS lock with 2” de-shanked hitch ball locked in the jaw. If leaving for extended period, will remove safety chains. If they want it, they will find a way to take it, merely deterring honest and lazy thieves is the goal. Buddy had SOB trailer stolen from his drive by thief merely wrapping safety chains around hitch and dragging it off, sparks flying down the road.

You tell him! 🤪. That’s what a daily wipedown with disinfectant is for. Still trying to train him (it’s only been ten yrs). I am delusional that I am making progress.

Covered litter box goes underneath dinette, against the hull. My cat loves to travel. Here is a picture of Tommy Lee attentively watching Sandhill cranes in Willcox, AZ

You may find success by re-graining the stainless finish on your existing sink using red and/or gray scotch brite hand pads. I did this with great success on a stainless oven door which had been heavily scuffed during transport. Looked like new after application of some elbow grease. https://specialtystainless.com/tips-stainless-steel-countertops/articles-about-stainless-steel-countertops/graining-blending/

Lagun mount

Table and swingarm get stored in truck. Upright mounting plate is bolted to pelican case so it can be adjusted up and down.

V.2 Updated outdoor Hitchen to house my camp stove and propane hose as well as attach a Lagun table. Like several of us, I prefer to cook outside and digging my camp stove and table out of the back of the truck can be a pain. Hoping this latest version will work well. The use of a Pelican case as a outdoor kitchen is popular in the overlanding community and should be easier to setup and stow than pulling cooking gear from the back of the truck. A pair of cables will be installed on the lid of the case so it rests parallel to the ground and can act as a surface upon which the stove can sit while cooking. Last image is the from a overlanding site. For those wondering why I don’t use the rear receiver to haul bikes, well I did this in the past but found that with a dog I would rather be on foot with her than on wheels without her. I also prefer not to cook inside the trailer as I detest cleanup of cooking residue (yes, I am lazy).

No drinking or cooking from on board water tank. Wont even use it for filling pet water dishes.

Perhaps you have already tried hooking up the Oliver to your Ram or a friend’s tow vehicle that has a known, working brake controller? It may be too late to try this as a definitive test as you have made several changes to the trailer wiring. I had a similar issue when hooking my Dodge Ram to my car hauler and the brakes would not work, yet worked when hooked-up to another trailer. Brakes on both subject trailers worked when hooked-up to my Toyota Tundra. I put a new brake controller on the Ram and the issue has not returned. It’s worth a try. Hate to see you fire sale your Ollie if the problem might be with your tow vehicle.

Saw a grey/white E2 heading West on I80 in Nebraska today (grey top/white bottom). Best-looking E2 I have ever seen. If this was you, how did you achieve the solid grey on the top clamshell (wrap, paint, gel coat)?

The cat did it!