Patriot

😄

Let it be said, let it be written, let it be etched in stone! 😂

Mike, Kathy and I have been following this terrible tragedy. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with ALL Texans who have been impacted by this disaster. We are so glad you and Carol are ok. We are also happy to hear HEB was first to step up and is doing all they can to assist those in need. Thank you for the post and update. Prayers will continue to be lifted up. David & Kathy

Todd, You’re welcome! Just passing forward what I learned from the CGI team, and glad I could help. 👍🏻 -David

Up early this morning while it was still cool here in Western NC and decided to “walk the plank” and wash our Oliver. It’s a total game changer for sure and much safer and easier than as mentioned a (3 point contact rule) hanging off a ladder. The aluminum plank is actually grooved and nonslip which is a plus. Based on my first use of this plank system I give high marks and would purchase again. It use to take me 1.5 hrs to fully wash XPLOR, now it takes about 50 min which includes drying with my electric blower. Set up and take down of the plank is approx 10 min. 👍🏻🇺🇸

Bob, Any time your weep holes are blocked by felt or debris, water cannot flow and escape/drain. My weep holes are not blocked by felt and are clear. We have never had an issue with water intrusion on our 2020. I am meticulous about keeping the window tracks clean after every trip. I use compressed air from a can on trips or my air compressor at home. On much longer trips I will still periodically check my window tracks for dirt and debris to prevent this exact issue. Along with window gutters which do a good job of redirecting light rain off our windows, I have found it’s really critical to have our Oliver dead level when set up. When level even in a hard rain I have watched my window tracks slowly fill up with water and drain out the weep holes as designed, but the trailer must be level. We have been through some really hard “car wash” side way rain type thunder storms as recently as the last Oliver Rally and have not had any water intrusion. I attribute this to clean windows tracks and a level rig. I am not sure you can replace the felt, I think not. The exterior rubber seal covering your window track should be snug tight against the window glass and seated in the window track. When I reinstall the seal after cleaning the tracks, I install it with a slight angle from the glass to the edge of the frame. You also do not want any gap in this exterior seal along the track. A gap in the seal will allow in more water than the window track can handle and this will result in a trickle or overflow into your interior wall. Not the best window design IMO as it requires regular inspection and cleaning. Hopefully Oliver has addressed the window design with new tilt out windows which hopefully completely eliminate this issue. Others will surely chime in with their thoughts and suggestions. The above process has worked for me since we purchased our Oliver new in 2020. Patriot 🇺🇸

This one - https://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-620471-6000Lb-Unijack Appears to be similar if not identical to @Galway Girl jack.

The Metaltech was certainly a consideration when I was researching scaffolding and a safer way to wash, wax and detail our Oliver. For my use, the big concern I had with the Metaltech is the plywood flooring and we all know how water and plywood do not play well together. I suppose you could replace the plywood floor with treated or marine grade plywood to forgo delamination of the flooring for use in a wet environment. If you never plan to use the Metaltech to wash your Oliver this may not be an issue. The second concern is portability, set up, and naturally take down and storage of the Metaltech (tuber vid). It’s quite heavy and cumbersome and not nearly as light weight and portable as the Little Giant ladder and plank system. I can set up the 3 Little Giant ladders and two planks in less than 10 minutes flying solo. I always take down and store my equipment when not in use. The very bottom of the Little Giant ladder width is only a narrow but rock stable 22” which as mentioned is a win for my use. The other plus is I can walk the plank ARRRR!!🏴‍☠️ 😄 the entire length of the Oliver without having to ever move my scaffolding. This allows me keep right on washing, waxing until the work is complete. Take down and storage is a breeze. The all aluminum 10’ planks weigh 24# each and the M18 ladders each weigh approx 33# and are easy to manage and store. The light weight all aluminum corrosion free construction certainly comes at a cost. (See product link in my OP) Please note! This post is not meant to start a scaffold war… ✌🏻😄. Just listing the few important reasons which I based my decision on to invest in the Little Giant system. This might help others who wish to quit hanging off a ladder. As always roll with what works best for your individual and SAFETY needs. Patriot 🇺🇸

@Roger I was able to locate the 10’ planks actually in stock after an online search at a local Lowe’s store. I noticed that many stores do not stock the 10’ planks and require a special order. Just an fyi.

Bill, Thanks! I bet your Oliver looks amazing! This set up will also make it so much easier and safer when installing our Calmark Cover during winter storage months. Ladders no more! 😊👍🏻 David

I have been thinking about a different, safer way to clean, polish and detail our Oliver vs the hazard of hanging off a single ladder. Seems like I just don’t bounce like I use to. 😄 While at CGI in April letting the guys work their magic on our Oliver, I took a real hard look at their Little Giant ladder and plank set up. I decided to invest in a safer way to keep our Oliver in tip-top shape. A big shout out to both Colin and Gavin at CGI. They really shared their valuable feedback on what works well for them. With not a lot of room on either side of XPLOR in the “Ollie Hangar”, this narrow rock solid no bounce configuration allows me to safely walk the 30’ plank…. Arrrrrr!!!🏴‍☠️ And getter done! (2) Little Giant planks - https://www.lowes.com/pd/Little-Giant-Ladders-Fixed-10-ft-Plank/5001578523 (3) Little Giant Ladders -https://www.lowes.com/pd/Little-Giant-Ladders-Aluminum-18-ft-Reach-Type-1A-300-lbs-Capacity-Telescoping-Multi-Position-Ladder/1001038922 W

Happy 4th of July! Let Freedom Ring! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Patriot

Iowa sure is flat and is second to Texas in 2024 Tornado activity. Those flats can dust up really bad weather quickly. Texas was the state with the highest number of reported tornadoes in the United States in 2024, with 169 disasters reported. Iowa followed second, with 131 tornadoes reported.Apr 1, 2025 😟 ‘Stay weather aware!

A free rig wash! 😄

As always sano install Bill! 👍🏻🇺🇸🤩

Hey Gary, I highly recommend you give Lew at Alcan a call and let him know what you’re wanting to do. He will give you a quote right on the phone. 👍🏻🇺🇸 Here you go -https://www.alcanspring.com/

It’s always a good idea to ocasdionally check ALL your pex compression fittings for tightness especially during or after a long trip. Just a little hand snug, no need to over tighten or you risk replacing a cracked fitting. Safe Travels!

I agree, although I think disc brakes add a “cool factor” and are likely much easier to service I have never had an issue with the drums or have no plans to spend the $$$ to replace mine. While in descent on some of the steepest declines (fully loaded to camp) out west such as Wolf Creek Pass and Teton Pass, I let the 6.7 Power Stroke diesel engine brake work its magic and rarely had to use my brakes. Very impressive to say the least. Suffice to say, Ford nailed it with the 10 speed and the engine brake in my experience. I do recall a time when there were folks being pulled over in Rocky Mtn NP and having their brakes checked with infrared thermometers, then were told to stand by and to allow their brakes cool. We were stopped very briefly and then waived through, they never even checked our brakes. Park Rangers obviously knew a little bit about the diesel engine braking system and they waived us on. Based on these experiences I don’t see a need for disc brakes ever with our present TV. With a half ton TV, I can see the interest certainly in the name of safety.

Former trainee…😄

Our Alcan experience was seamless, they are that good. Dropped our Oliver off at 7:30 on install day, went and grabbed a great southwest breakfast in town at Cafe Sol. Gotta a call at 0930 just as we were finishing our meal that our 5 leaf pack, HD wet bolts, and HD shackles install was finished🤩. Lew and his crew knocked it out of the park. Worth every penny to have Alcan do the professional install and continue on our journey. Love our new running gear! Glad they got you squared away jd!

Our flag flys 24/7 here at our home, not just on holidays. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 🫡 Nothing like “Air Superiority” which wins wars.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

I think there were (3) left when I placed my order. They sold out fast!

Yes, I caught that in a few reviews I read as well. Not a show stopper…just a speed bump. 👍🏻

I quickly discovered after opening the box that no condensate hose was packed with the above dehumidifier. So I shot a quick txt to @Ollie-Haus who confirmed I should have received one. A quick run over to Lowe’s and I found a piece of tubing that would work to drain the condensate into our gray tank. This hose eliminates having to drain the tank every 4 or 5 days. Here is my fix and the hose part # if you should receive this unit with no condensation drain hose. This new tubing fit snug, but I still opted to add the small radiator clamp. Caution no need to over tighten just snug the clamp up. After tightening the clamp, maybe give the hose a little tug to be sure it’s tight enough that it won’t pull off. Here is the unit buttoned up after the new hose install. I cut the hose length to 4’ so I can use it either on galley counter top or on the shower floor. My bride/copilot already has a storage spot in the closet ready to transport this while underway.