Patriot

We would highly recommend Colorado National Monument (beautiful) as @MIkeandCarol mentioned and we drove through Grand Mesa National Forest. We enjoyed Powder Horn and took the ski lift to the top of the mountain and had lunch there. Ski lifts are fun! We also drove out to the (4) corners…meh…it was ok. The KOA in GJ was close and convenient to Alcan so we opted to camp there. You certainly could stay at James M Robb, but you will need to do some research and see if they have availability. They did not have openings when we scheduled with Alcan.

Ralph, When we had our 5 leaf pack installed by Lew and his team at Alcan it took them approx 2.5 hrs and the team did a great job. We got there first thing in morning and all of my expectations were ✅ off. It was worth every cent to have it done professionally and done right. We dropped off our Oliver and went and had an excellent breakfast in Grand Junction at Cafe Sol, gotta go hungry! 😋 We actually camped here the night before- https://koa.com/campgrounds/grand-junction/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp maybe 15-20 min from Alcan with traffic. Cafe Sol…we ate here during our 2023 trip and again as noted in 24 while having the 5 leaf pack installed. Great coffee and we let the forks fly!! 😄 Patriot🇺🇸

Correct Steve, my mistake, they are 12” drums. I edited and corrected my initial reply. Thanks! 😊

Not yet, but buds are coming on! A lighter crop this year as we had to prune way back last year. We don’t do ladders and many of our bushes were 10’ high. So it goes! Enjoy the music rally!

You may want to give Oliver a call and get the latest pricing.

Yeah that too! 😄 thanks John!

John, You keep that torquing up and you will have arms 💪🏻 like Popeye! 😄 Hello to Wendy from Kathy and I, Mod On Brother!

As for the original hub bearing manufacture my SWAG would be made in China bearings like the rest of the Dexter bearings. And yes, you would need to carry a spare hub. At the time I had our 3500# axles swapped out according to Jason at Oliver there were more than 200+ Olivers running the never lubes with zero failures reported to Oliver by owners. And so far no reported failures on here or the FB forum. My local Dexter dealer said they have never seen a reported failure on this particular hub. Not saying that you won’t ever have a failure as anything certainly is possible. They are never lube, not never fail. I could easily carry a spare hub but choose not to as these are available from Dexter and most shops. These 5200# axles are admittedly IMHO overkill for an OLE2, so I just don’t get overly concerned about a bearing failure. I really like the noticeable stopping power of the 12” drums on level roads. That said, with my diesel engine brake I rarely use truck or trailer brakes on long descents like Teton Pass or some of the higher passes in Colorado and areas out west or even here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are trade offs for sure. If it’s within an owners budget, I say have at it.

@John and Debbie I had Oliver Service swap out my 3500# axles to the never lube 5200# axles. I had no issues with my 3500# axles, but just prefer having the never lube bearings and larger axle and 10” drum brakes. On our trip out west last fall, I made an appt with Lew at Alcan Spring and had his team install the Alcan 5 leaf pack, HD Shackles, and HD wet bolts. This took about 2.5 hrs for his team to install. Based on my experience at Alcan, I would not have any reservations what so ever about having Lew’s team do an axle swap along with the 5 leaf pack. Lew’s guys did a great job on the install and I am very happy with my new running gear. I highly recommend traveling with a torque wrench if you have this work done. You will need to torque your new leaf pack Ubolts and wheel lug nuts if you opt for the upgraded 5200# never lube axles. Lew will provide you with the mileage interval and torque specs for the Ubolts. PM me if you have questions.

John, I know you will do your research on this, after your dive please post up your info. I feel sure others would like to know. My initial thought is the weight difference may not be enough to justify the added expense of aluminum tanks at least for me. Another reason we opted to roll with a 1 ton diesel truck. Safe Travels! CAMP, CAMP, CAMP!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🫡

I wondered a little about if there would be enough room with a round lock, it might be tight. 5 years in and we have AGM’s and we only use the exterior hatch lock. I suppose if I had Lithiums I might consider a lock on the tray. This all sorta falls into the bucket of LP tanks and spare locks, I have never heard of either of these items being stolen at least from an Oliver owner here or on the FB owners forum. But if it allows an owner peace of mind, I say MOD ON! 👍🏻🤠 Lock’em UP!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

John, Another lock option which is a little more difficult to get a bite on with a bolt cutters. If nothing else makes it more difficult. Not seeing many reports of batteries being stolen at least from Olivers, I suppose it is a peace of mind especially for those that keep their Oliver in a storage facility away from home. https://www.amazon.com/BRINKS-173-80051-Stainless-Resettable-Combination/ Hello to Wendy! David

@GEN11 Welcome to the forum and congrats on your maiden voyage. A great looking new OLE2! Patriot🇺🇸

It was so cold here the other morning I saw a politician with his hands in his own pockets, and no spare tire! 😂 Ba da bum!

We have a 1Up Super Duty Bike rack which lives on the back of “XPLOR”. In order to access the spare, I have to unlock and remove our bikes, then unlock the bike rack in two locations, and remove it. So for now that’s how we roll with rear spare security. Steinaker SP, Vernal, Utah

As you state mostly good reviews. I will take 72% on solid reviews vs 5% not so good reviews any day of the week, fairly easy math on the old skeeter beaters! We all have to roll with what works and our experience these work were very effective and work very well. Patriot🇺🇸

Surely no man ever said I have too much LP, so I am in the 30# tank club here. 😄 We enjoyed rarely having to fill out LP tanks on our 48 day trip out west last fall and rarely had thoughts about LP. Never had any issues with locating an LP supplier out west during our travels. I digress. Nice work @rideadeuce nothing better than a clean fit and finish DYI install! The only thing you may want to consider is adding a lock to your T-handle where you secure those pretty new aluminum tanks. Will it completely stop a theft likely not. But it may cause the thug to move on to a more target rich environment. Although, I have never had anybody attempt to steel our tanks, it is merely a peace of mind and an easy mod. Simply flatten your T-handle out a little after tightening it down mark and drill a hole through the T handle and the tank security bracket (pic). I ran a small pistol cable lock securing the T handle to the mount bracket. Or you can just use a decent pad lock. Again nice work on the scooping up the tanks and mount fab! Patriot🇺🇸🇺🇸

We use a couple of these “therma cells”. I can say they do work, and have served us well. Typically just turn it on set it next to our camp chair and no mosquitos. Strong reviews too! https://www.amazon.com/Thermacell-Cartridge-Repellent-Protection-Mosquito-Free/dp/B07JCQ8GQJ/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.

GJ, You bet! My kit is pretty basic and simple. Several shark bite fittings, a pex cutter from Harbor freight, two 3’ lengths of blue and red pex which I store in our Olivers closet. Naturally pex tubing can be picked up at Lowe’s, or most hardware stores in short 3’ lengths along with the below shark bite fittings and pex cutter. I just never like to be “flapping” if I can prep a little and fix it myself. Or even better, help someone else out. Two is one and one is none.👍🏻 Shark bite fittings https://www.amazon.com/s https://www.harborfreight.com/finger-release-ratcheting-pvc-pipe-cutter-62588. or here- https://www.amazon.com/Bates-Choice-Pro-pipe-cutters/dp/B09BVXZBLN/ref=sr

@jd1923 Check ALL your white compression fittings. And like Mike said a blue paper towel is your friend and will really help identify the culprit. Before, after and even periodically while traveling I always make it a point to pull the hatches and check the compression fittings especially the ones that are in the very belly of the hull. Vibration is no friend to these compression fittings. Once in a while I will find that one or two not completely loose but do need snugging up by hand only. I also carry a shark bite and pex tubing repair kit. Good to hear that those stainless steel “scuppers” are doing their job allowing the water exit the belly of the beast.

John, Hoping all goes well with Lou and his staff with your install. Maybe post up on how the install goes? I think you will be very happy with the Alcan leaf pack, HD shackles and wet bolts. Oliver Service might be able to ship you a jack pad/steel foot or for the bottom of your stabilizer or front jack. Or better yet a local RV shop may have a spare. I would consider using a little blue locktite on the fastener to secure it. Safe Travels!

And campfire stories..

These black end caps are Oliver OEM. You must be talking about the brass end caps that the black caps screw into. I attach the brass end caps you see in pic to my fresh water hose or filter connection for ease of quick connect. When breaking base camp, I just screw the black end caps and secure for travel. Agreed, the Ely fittings must have 1% gold flake in them 😄, they sure are proud of them. Looking good JD! Mod On! 😎

By the lake…

By the Lake..