Mountainman198
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Posts posted by Mountainman198
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When I leave home for the road I always alert the Neighborhood Watch group who perform random walk-thrus of the yard and sometimes stop and have a bite to eat and rest for a while. Anyone who thinks moose are not good security only need surprise and corner a moose once.
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John,
You have helped so many (Yours truly included) with your thoughtful and thorough assessments and mods.
Thank you!
May your journey forward be a healing and healthy one.
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6 hours ago, MAX Burner said:
Very interesting project. Like the idea of lightening up the load - have you an estimate on how many pounds you'll no longer be hauling around? Just curious. Thanks for such a cool post.
Cheers!
Not sure how much lighter the new mattress is over the standard cushion and air mattress combination it replaces. Probably close to a wash. However, it is likely much lighter than its peer latex mattress. Slept on it last night and it is nice and firm. A good night sleep if you like that sort of thing. It was simple to make the bed. Lifting the mattress as a single unit, without flopping around and not heavy at all. I like it and best of all it was less than $200 for the new mattress.
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I did not want a latex mattress for my twin E2. I do not find them comfortable and they are heavy and floppy when removing/moving to clean and acceas hatches beneath. Until now, I have ised tje standard cushion with a 4” REI inflatable mattress as a topper. It has worked well except that the valve has begun to leak and I have tried to fix it without success. I began to look for places which would build custom inner spring mattresses. I found one and is was more than a set of new tires for the Ollie. Newp!
I decided I would try to modify a standard twin (39x75”) to fit the E2, including the radius corner. I have a spare twin mattress at home but it has top and bottom perimeter 3/16” wire which I didn't want to deal with splicing back together. So, instead I found a new innerspring twin and brought it home. After using my Ollie cushion to trace the new shape onto the new mattress I cut into the mattress and using wire cutters, snipped away two rows of coils plus a single coil on the corner to accommodate the radius, stitched the batting and cover back together and here is the result. So far I am liking the result. It is very firm and is rigid and light. Will sleep on it in a few nights to see if it passes the test
First pic is of new mattress. Second pic is the rows of coils I removed
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On 6/5/2023 at 9:29 AM, John E Davies said:
Anybody else had this happen? They insist on ST tires due to liability. I was pretty steamed but I remained polite. With difficulty!.
Comments? Is this happening to other owners? From other stores?
Thanks
John Davies
Spokane WA
The E2 tire size is a alternate size for Toyota FJ62 (e.g. 1989). If it were me I would order the tires from Discount online for a 1989 FJ62 and take them to the local store to have them mounted and balanced. From my experience, the tire technicians are young kids who won't inspect your rim backspacing or even care. The technicians did not even know how to pull my standard transmission Dodge into the bay, they are certainly not full of vast car knowledge,
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On 6/6/2023 at 9:34 PM, mossemi said:
So you can turn the porch lights on or off on both the curb and street side, but you can’t turn on one side or the other individually. Now we have to figure out how turn the lights on either side or both sides together. I’ll see if I can find a wiring diagram for a 2022 LE2 and work on a plan. Off the top of my head I would say that a SPDT switch would be a simple solution if you would be satisfied with the ability to operate one side at a time.
Mossey
Same situation on my 2021 LE2. I like the effect the upper and lower exterior lights give but never ever use them due to the issue of having a single switch for both sides. Instead I just use my LED awning light for a porch light. Would love to have a electrical diagram before cutting into wiring to install new switches to control left/right, upper/lower exterior lights uniquely. Let us know if you have success in obtaining a more current electrical diagram so those of us who want to correct this design can do so with confidence.
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26 minutes ago, CRM said:
Spent last weekend at a supposedly sold out Anastasia State Park in St Augustine where at least 30% of the spots were empty.
Maybe charging double for people who cancel less than a week out or just don't show at all would help?
Same thing was rampant across AZ State Parks this past Winter (talking to Camp Hosts). Too bad they don't create a "Wall of Shame" for repeat offenders. Title on wall should read, "Are you a Camp-hole?"
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12 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:
Rear Air Bags:
QUESTIONS:
1. Anyone with experience using rear air bags on their Tundra or other TV - how helpful?
2. How would installing air bags affect the ride while towing/not towing?
3. Any change in cargo capacity after installing bags?
Inquiring minds are wondering....
Cheers!
1. Yes. Installed Firestone airbags. Eliminated jouncing when towing and squatting when carrying a large load in bed. Run 25 lbs.
2. I keep 25 lbs in the bags at all times. Firms up ride a little but not too bad. You need to keep some pressure in the bags at all times so they do not get pinched and damaged (I think it is 5-10 lbs minimum) so you could tailor your ride as desired.
3. The amounts on the door plate did not change. Wink!
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2018 Tundra SR longbed doublecab 4wd. ARE topper and firestone airbags. 1450 lbs payload Average 12 mpg towing E2. I also have a 2003 Dodge crewcab 3500 4wd SRW that I tow with at least once a year (16-17 mpg towing). I prefer towing with the Tundra even though I have less payload. Were I to carry more gear in the truck bed I would use the Dodge more or replace the Tundra with a 3/4 ton.
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3 hours ago, Big Cat said:
I appreciate all the help. I find it a little amusing that some people can get their feathers ruffled so easily.
I see why a hitch on the rear is not a great idea. I had already bought a container for the front for storage. I guess that was just a waste because it seems that is the only real option for a generator.
Many of us carry our generator in the back of our tow vehicle.
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I just ordered Timken bearings for my E2, from Summit Racing Equipment. Upon receipt and inspection they are ALL labeled, “Made in USA”!
shipping was quick and free.
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28 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:
I wonder when that will translate into fewer RVs on the road/in campsites?
Based on my observations from 2.5 months of travel this Winter across NM, AZ and CA, this is already happening. Greater vacancies in campgrounds, BLM land and fewer rigs on the road than the two prior Seasons.
It will be interesting to hear the experiences from those who camp and travel during the Summer months and in other States as to whether this trend is greater than just NM, AZ and CA over this past Winter.
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I saw several of these overloaded diesel crew cab DRW 4x4 3500 trucks in the SW this past Winter. Many had huge, tall truck bed campers with substantial rear overhang (some with slides on rear and both sides), some even with long stinger hitches, hauling dual axle toy haulers which likely had over 750 lb tongue weight. Saw one with all of the above at Walmart in Deming. The poor truck was squatting and they were not running any type of weight distribution hitch. Must have been like a carnival ride going down the highway. I much prefer the balanced, easy to tow experience of the Ollie for enjoyment of the trip down the highway.
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Still have the original front logo but am planning to remove and replace with the attached. If you are thinking it looks as though it was designed by a Kindergartner, it was. One of the kids who used to ride my school bus drew it and I thought it was apt for "Lottie".
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47 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:
What's an efficient and clean way to keep the Andersen chain assembly off the ground when parked?
I use a bungee cord hooked into the Andersen whale tail pin and wrapped around the Bulldog coupler when parked.
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2 minutes ago, Patriot said:
Yes, it appears to be a Kia, different side mirrors and no fuel door on the left rear pass fender well. 😮
pretty sure it is a Kia. The unique body line at bottom of B pillar, unique eyebrow roofl;ine at top of Windshield and mirror turn signal slits match up. From what I have seen, a Telluride has a 5,000 lb tow capacity.
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33 minutes ago, John E Davies said:
It is really hard to ID a vehicle from a partial roof/ side image. I think it is a Volvo XC90. The swept forward rear hatch makes it look shorter from this angle. You can see just a hint of the Volvo tall tail light in the first pic.
If so, the Ollie is too much trailer.
John Davies
Spokane WA
I believe the TV is a KIA Telluride.
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“Lottie” is what I named my E2, as in, “la di frickin da!”
“Down by the river” seemed too long for a name. 🤪
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I bought a cheap 2"hitch ball, cut off the shaft and secure it in the coupler mouth with a collar and abus lock. When underway, the collar and abus lock remain in place to lock the coupler to the hitch.
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I have owned a Dodge 3500 crew cab SRW (single rear wheel), 8' box for the last 20 yrs. Even my 2018 Tundra is a crew cab with 8' bed. Both trucks have hard shell toppers/. My views on trucks is rigid old school and that anything less than a 8' bed is not a true pickup. I realize this is a personal and likely silly opinion to hold and like my face, it is not for everyone. 😉
This said, I have never wished either of my trucks had larger cabs or shorter beds. When not hauling the Ollie, they serve as junk, plywood, motorcycle, lawnmower haulers and short term camping rigs Having the 8' bed helps in all of these uses. The longer wheelbase of each pickup also makes for a stable ride when hauling the trailer.
I would dissuade you from a dually if the only hauling you do is the Ollie.
Best of luck in your search for a Tow Vehicle.
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On 2/17/2023 at 6:48 AM, topgun2 said:
Not on mine.
On my original build I did order the deletion of that twin bed extension in order to make that side more like an actual couch. However, Good ol' Anita called me one day and convinced me to add the "wing" and then use the combination of the back cushions plus a couple of throw pillows in order to make the "couch" more comfortable while preserving the utility of the larger seating area for a bed if the need arises. As with most things - Anita was right!
Bill
I tried this when I ordered mine in 2021. No such luck. You want the couch, no wing for you.
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I travel alone with Pets. I decided against the couch option and went with the twin configuration for the following reasons:
-couch option deletes the bed wing on the couch side, making for a narrower bed.
-I didnt want to stow all of the couch cushions when I have a human guest travel with me-couch cushions are vertical and not that comfy for slouching (those who have tried lounging at the dinette can attest to this)
Instead, I bring four down-filled throw pillows with me and can stack them into a wedge for slouching etc. It’s also easier to stow the down pillows when using as a bed. Works for me. Should you experience condensation on the inner wall under the belly band it is easier to spot without being covered with couch cushions and the pillows are easily moved
Also, I can switch sides for sleeping easily and not have to deal with a narrow bed on the one side
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I have been out camping in NM, SoCal and AZ since mid-Dec. Observations are as follows:
AZ
-While State Park campsite reservation systems have often shown no spots available, up to 1/3 of the campsites remain empty. Talking to camp hosts at several of the campgrounds they blame people who make reservations, pay and then don’t show. So no spots available but many spots empty. Frustrating!
NM-State Park campgrounds continue to fill up in improved campgrounds with hookups. Where available, room remains in campsites without hookups
-the “reserve, then no-show” behavior noticed in AZ does not appear to be impacting NM State Park campgrounds ability to fill the improved campsites
SoCal-had no issues finding campsites in FCFS areas within Joshua Tree
-had no issues finding campsites with hookups or without hookups along the I10 corridor
General observation:
AZ and NM seem to be about as busy as they were during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 Winter seasons. Even though the Canadians are back in full force, there does not seem to be a overload at State Park campgrounds or boondocking/BLM areas (including Quartzsite). This tells me that more people are parking their RVs and not coming out to camp this Winter. I just wish they would cancel their reservations so the rest of us can use the sites that sit empty.
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The neighbors like to shortcut thru the yard when I am away
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Delivery day advice
in Introduce Yourself
Posted
All of the above is great advice. Recommend you have them fill your fresh water tank part way while it is still in the delivery area so you can run the pump and faucets before moving to the campground outside. Ask them to also remove and clean the water strainer near the pump as it will have accumulated plastic particles (ask them to show you how to do this yourself. Pretty simple). They did this for me and there were a lot of particles that they removed which is better than you having to perform this task later down the road in a couple of days