Mountainman198

10,000 mile update on Alcan springs: A year had passed since my dreaded roadside leaf spring break and 10,000 miles are on the Ollie with Alcan springs underneath so I thought I would provide my update. Ride height - rear bumper rides approx 1/2” higher than stock Ride performance - first 500 miles seemed a bit stiffer than stock with a few more items from counter and beds on the floor but the springs settled-in after that and there is no observed difference inside the trailer now (no additional stuff found fallen to the floor). Trailer tracks the same as stock, however visible jouncing (up and down) and side to side (roll) are observed to be less pronounced than stock. I also noticed when doing annual bearing maintenance that the spring shackles no longer invert when both wheels on the same side are jacked off the ground. Overall impression - had I known that a heavier capacity, 5-leaf spring, made in the US with US steel and featuring a design with the second leaf which extended all the way under each spring eye was available sooner I would have swapped sooner, just as I had previously done with solid stainless lug nuts and US made Timken bearings. No regrets on the upgrade from stock springs.

Never tire of this campground. Aguirre Springs, site #18. Campground was nearly empty so finally got what I consider to be the best site. Organ Mtns, NM. White Sands on plains below to left

For those who are not on the Fiberglass Rally Facebook page. Oliver camp shown both at the beginning and at end of the video.

We are turned up to Eleven (Ollies, total count) currently. Good to see old friends and make new ones.

Thanks for posting this. Top of my list to order. It also appears that this remote may also operate the rare fireplace option that some Olivers have installed (wink).

This map is valuable in showing type and location of recreation across Arizona. E.g.Arizona Land Trust, BLM are shown as well as whether camping is allowed. This map went out of print for a few years but I found a new version recently at a Arizona Tourist Information site. It is a free brochure I highly recommend carrying one of these if you enjoy boondocking in AZ

Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge. Maxwell, NM. Just off I-25 but very quiet. Pit toilets and 5 (free) campsites. Only ones here

This was one path of reasoning presented by the Parks team, however I never saw this issue at any of the parks from Dec-Feb. Must have been a larger issue during the other months.

New Mexico State Parks will be implementing a new fee structure beginning January 1, 2025. For those who have been following this topic this is not news. If you have not been following, the rate increases can be substantial, particularly for non-NM Residents and may come as a surprise. Most notable is the increase in fees for the non-Resident Annual Camping pass from $225 to $600. Passes purchased in 2024 will be honored til expiration in 2025. If you are a non-Resident and plan to purchase the Annual Camping Pass for 2025 you may wish to do so yet this month so you will not feel the impact from the increased rate until 2026.

16 mpg towing, 21-23 not towing, 19 mpg with pop-up truck camper in bed. 2003 Dodge 3500, Cummins 5.9 HO, 4wd, 6-spd manual, dually delete

Copied from Casita Forum

I just ordered the same set of items as you. Ditto here with un-level ground, so needed the outriggers. Looking forward to using the scaffold instead of ladder for reaching towards middle of top of trailer with buffer. Will also double stack as per your mention for use as outside safety rail. Once done with trailer spa treatment, the scaffolds will see double duty on home improvement projects, so win-win. Thanks for alerting us to the screaming deal on these!

I route my cable over the whale tail of the Andersen. This keeps it far from the ground

Looks like a motorhome from the Woody Allen movie, “Sleeper”…

I received my faucet adapter for newer Oliver trailers from High Sierra today. It fits great. It is made very well to boot! If you have purchased one of these and need the adapter just go out to their web page (under Help) and submit a comment stating the year Oliver trailer you have and that you had already purchased their faucet but need the adapter for newer trailers (My 2021 E2 has a smaller, male fitting on the end of the hose).

I cannot deny that the Ceramic Coat work performed by CGI is top shelf. I have seen a couple Ollies with this treatment and they are spectacular. That said, my E2 lives outdoors, uncovered 24/7x365 and lasted three years with 2x/yr hand washing and waxing before it started to show signs of light oxidation. I took the dive and bought a Makita rotary buffer and a forced-rotation DA polisher and did the top half this Fall. Looks good enough for who it is for and I enjoyed the physical activity and the chance to get intimate with my trailer. This direction is subject to change as I age of course, but for now the $3k sits in my bank account.

According to the TRP website (TruRyde parent company), they merged with EMCO in 2016. EMCO was founded in Oklahoma but has a large spring manufacturing facility in China. Fingers crossed that your springs came from the OK facility and are made with USA steel. I had a back and forth on email with TruRyde, asking about country of origin on both the manufacture of their springs and sourcing of steel for both TruRyde and EMCO springs which fit our application. It was the strangest of exchanges where I asked several times for their sourcing of steel for their springs. I was met each time by different yet similarly evasive responses to my direct questions. I shook my head and gave up on them. Below screen capture is from EMCO website.

Pulled mine off last week. Disgusting holder of all things gross. Came off in two pieces while only pulling by hand. Residual adhesive came off easily using plastic razor blades. Whole job took under 30 mins. Good riddance!

That’s a great setup you have created. I will have to try your recommendation of using the outdoor shower during the Summer months as I keep the trailer Winterized during my Winter camping from Dec-Mar.

And here is the replacement part number that Oliver service gave me to replace my original springs

Look on the spring retainers. Mine was stamped there. Model PR4B is what came from the factory on my 2021 E2, 3,500lb axles, 4-leaf springs

Progress today. Got the water jug mount bolted on. Likely will not be used to transport full jugs, rather as a spot to place my Dometic Go water jug and usb faucet for washing dishes. Jug rack has been moved farther rearward to gain additional clearance since taking this picture.

This Spring some of my graphics and the trailer decided to part ways. Some of the graphics just stopped adhering to the hull. This is what is left. Its like the adhesive just evaporated underneath the vinyl.

Ever since Oliver went to the compressor fridge I have been envious of the integrated table where the lower fridge vent used to be. Here is what I came up with for when I dont drag a bike along. It was built with what I had on hand, including a old bike rack, fishing cutting board, boat stern transducer mounting board and a broken dock leg. Plan is to add a lagun mount on the lower rear so I have additional counter space. Since the propane quick connect is in the rear this will be where I set-up the outdoor kitchen. Will circle back to provide update on how it works out.