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Mountainman198

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Posts posted by Mountainman198

  1. 5 hours ago, Trainman said:

    Since you have been towing trailers before with your two vehicles,  I'm not sure what you are wanting to find in your comparison that most of us probably already know. It a big 1 ton truck vs a 1/2 truck, diesel vs gas, rough ride vs smoother ride, etc. Personally I'd take the Tundra, newer vehicle and less change of some type of failure on a 15 year vehicle. 

    trainman

    The Tundra was bought to tow the Oliver.  It will continue to be the primary TV, regardless of how the Ram performs.  The Dodge needs its legs stretched so it will get placed into service for this trip.  Mostly interested in M.P.G. towing between the two.  The ride is rougher than the Tundra but not by much.  Dodge has 145,000 mi on it, >80% of this running at 1900 rpm in 6th gear on the interstate.  Growing up in MI this truck would have never made it to the age of 19 without rusting apart, but as a CO vehicle from new it still has paper stickers on the axles and zero rust.  It runs like new and will remain in service for many years to come.  Drives like a new truck, just more than is needed for the Ollie.

    • Like 4
  2. Up until now, I have been towing my 2021 Elite II with a 2018 Toyota Tundra Longbed with a topper.  It tows the E2 great and I have never had issues with accelerating, climbing passes or stopping.  M.P.G. is between 10-12 depending on terrain and wind.  Fully handles the E2 as I had hoped.

    I also own a 2003 Dodge 3500 longbed 5.9 Cummins 6-spd manual with dually delete. Truck also has a topper.  Have had thus truck since new and it usually tows a 26' enclosed car hauler while carrying a popup camper in the bed.  MPG while towing has been around 12 (13-14 without the camper).

    Getting ready to head East to Hohenwald soon towing with the Dodge.  Will be interesting to compare the two.  Will post a update at the other end.

     

    • Like 3
  3. 2 hours ago, VBistro said:

    McGukins rules!

     

    I LOVE McGuckin Hardware.  They have saved my bacon many times with their broad inventory.  If they don't have 6061 Aluminum I bet they can point you to someone local who can help.  There are a ton of fabricators in Boulder and Denver.

     

    Good luck

    • Like 3
  4. Watch RV Lcck's website for sales.  They often offer 25% off, making the lock the cheapest I could find online.  I had a issue with my lock and their customer service was great, walking me thru diagnosis then sending me a part to replace the broken part.  Highly recommend them

    • Like 2
  5. I await a company which will develop and launch a true Series Hybrid HD pickup, capable of towing on diesel long distances while running on battery short distances for errands around town and unladen commutes.  Then I will get excited.  

    Full disclosure, our household has utilized a Chevrolet Volt for 6 yrs and appreciate the EV operation for commutes, errands and short jaunts near home, while having the option of heading cross-country on gas at 45 m.p.g.

    • Like 4
  6. Use my Elite II almost exclusively for Boondocking, even when at campgrounds I prefer the undeveloped sites because of the Oliver capabilities (composting toilet, solar, batteries(6V AGM) and boondock port..

    Re: leaks?  I have been on the site now for several years and have read most if not all of the forum posts about leaks you reference.  My take is that many posts incorrectly conflate a potential leak with condensation due to lack of ventilation.  Have not had any issues with leaks and don't anticipate any as I will maintain the caulking and roof openings.  Ventilation is your friend.  

    Good luck with your research and potential purchase.

    • Like 8
  7. 13 minutes ago, John Welte said:

    Certainly cheaper than the KTT mattress.   Lighter too.   It looks like a way to save money while still getting a comfortable bed.  I might go this route. 

    If you have a REI store near you, keep an eye out at their Garage Sale section.  The rotating valve appears to be confusing to many, so it gets returned and can often be had for $40-70.  Get the XL model and don't worry that the corners are square as they will conform to the contour of the hull.

    • Thanks 2
    • Like 3
  8. I use one of these, wrapped in a colorful, patterned wool blanket, on top of the factory cushion.  Then when it is time for bed, out comes the sleeping bag and ZZZZZ.  In the morning, the sleeping bag goes in the stuff sack and into the closet, along with the pillow and the colorful wool blanket over the sleeping pad stays in place.  This sleeping pad fits the twin perfectly and is just as comfortable as my custom, handmade mattress at home.

    https://www.rei.com/product/147924/rei-co-op-camp-dreamer-xl-self-inflating-deluxe-bed

    • Like 5
  9. I didn't order Lithium with my trailer and have just returned from 2.5 months in the SW, some campgrounds with hookups but the majority was either campgrounds where dry camping was available or boondocking.  The solar, 2000 watt inverter and 6V AGMs performed flawlessly.  I had enough power each night to run the furnace from bedtime to awakening, run electriconics and have lights.  I would not have benefitted from the Lithiums mostly because I don't use a electric coffee-maker, hairdryer, microwave, crockpot or waffle iron.  For my use, the standard solar and 6V battery bank is more than I need.  Now, if Lithium prices came down considerably by the time I am ready to replace my AGMs would I splurge?  Maybe, maybe not since a lot of my camping happens during Winter months and in the cold and Lithium just doesn't perform to its full potential in the cold.

    I understand why many upgrade to Lithium and it makes sense for their camping patterns.

    • Thanks 1
    • Like 7
  10. I love what the previous owners did to create their adventure vehicle but I love more what you have done to bring it back to its original form.  I hadn't real;ized that the P.O. had cut the frame...bummer.

     

    You get my award for Most Incredible Journey with a Oliver!

    • Like 3
  11. I went a different route and am glad I did.  The ladder I carry in the bed of my truck is a multi-position ladder and can be used as a stepladder, straight ladder or leaning ladder.  The transition is done with one hand actuating a large grip latch.  The ladder is made of fiberglas, supports 375 lbs and only weighs 24 lbs.  I am tall so I use it as a stepladder which is quite stable, never touches the trailer and allows me to reach nearly everything on top of my Ollie (washing and waxing the roof included).  If a person is shorter, opening it to be a straight ladder would allow you to lean it against the hull (with padding of course).

    When I bought y ladder Home Depot had the same model for less and Lowe's price matched it (think it was $127 plus tax).

    https://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-13ft-Reach-Height3N1-Multi-Position-Ladder-375lb-Load-Capacity-13ft-Type-IAA/1003163580

    • Like 4
  12. 11 hours ago, BackofBeyond said:

    My question - when is a basically a 2-person sleeper -, 4 season RV too much $$$

    I think there will be enough buyers who would buy a EII even at a $90k base price. Granted a base of $90k would knock many of us out of play (me included) but there are those to whom the quality and exclusivity would be worth it and make the purchase.

     

    Last week I had the pleasure of camping next to a Living Vehicle Pro-EV model. For those unfamiliar with these Trailers, they are 4 season, solar and lithium monster trailers with enough power to provide level 2 charging for a EV as well as run the AC on battery and solar indefinitely. The trailer camped near me has a base price of $470k. I understand that Living Vehicles have nearly all of their 2022 production sold out. 
     

    https://www.livingvehicle.com/models

    I predict that Oliver will have no trouble selling all 2023 production slots at the new base prices. 

    • Like 3
    • Wow 4
  13. 2 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

    It’s pretty much a non-issue.  Yes, we’ve been to campgrounds that had sites that were too short for our Elite II.  They also had plenty of sites that we fit in.  Commercial campgrounds are no problem.  Some public campgrounds, National Parks, some State Parks and some COE and BLM campgrounds may have short sites, but they also usually have sites an Oliver will fit in to.  Mike

    What Mike said. Only real limitations We have experienced were where We were only staying for one night and did not want to unhitch. Even then, the camp host let us use the larger group site instead so we could stay hitched overnight. 

    • Like 3
  14. I have thought this out for some time now, long before I even knew of Olivers, so my answer is quick and steeped in personal preference

     

    25’ Nimble Kodiak with diesel inboard

    Trailerable, durable and step-up/down is easy for when you do some canal cruising or the great loop. Not the sexiest or most efficient hull shape but bulletproof and roomy for its size

     

     

    016355F0-5CDF-4674-8961-5C006EDAB4C5.jpeg

    • Like 5
  15. 4 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

    It’s a fun drive up the mountain to the campground!  That looks close to our last site there.  Mike

    Second year here. Last trailer was shorter so more spots from which to choose but still worth the risk of the long twisty drive in to see if a spot is available. 

    • Like 3
  16. On 2/14/2022 at 12:23 PM, John and Jodi said:

    So after reading this article, I ran across the Camping with Pets article further down the page and wondered: Can we camp with our dog at the new Oliver campsites?

    I brought my dog when I took delivery. The Oliver folks were adamant that I bring my dog inside the showroom and delivery area with me when filling out paperwork and doing my inspection. They are obviously dog lovers. I stayed at the Oliver campsites the night of delivery. Nothing was said to me to indicate that dogs were not allowed. 

    • Thanks 1
    • Like 4
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