Jump to content

Patriot

Member+
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    2,546

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    120

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Patriot

    The 600 Watt Oliver.

    in Ollie Modifications

    Posted

    On 1/3/2024 at 7:50 PM, Jps190 said:

      I replaced the original zamp panels installed by Oliver.  I used 1/8 inch thick aluminum angle.  I used 1 1/2 inch for the cross bars that I mounted to the existing Oliver installed brackets.  I framed the panels with 1 1/4 inch angle down both sides.  This frame was then bolted to the 2 cross bars.  I’ll grab a few more pics tomorrow.

    Nice work John. 👍🏻

    Made in USA leaf springs

    in Mechanical & Technical Tips

    Posted · Edited by Patriot

    8 hours ago, jd1923 said:

    Not fair to compare a small custom shop to Dexter. The $670 total for 4 custom leaf springs and required hardware is extremely fair. They could charge $995 and provide for a warranty. They are likely a small family-owned business and cannot have 5-years of future liability.

    Your choice 1) Alcan, 2) find another supplier, or 3) buy Dexter springs with 5-year coverage for China junk, that has a high likelihood of failure. Have any of you filed warranty claims on your broken springs? I prefer the promise of craftsmen, and the product looks great in the pics, more HD in all aspects. I'd rather go better quality, less cost and forfeit the warranty. But that's me; one who NEVER pays for extended warranties (a hugely profitable industry).

    If they are not right, you'll know in 90 days. And from what has been written here re their exceptional CS, they would likely work with you if their work was determined to be at fault.

    If anyone’s custom shop is that good there should be no reason why they can’t stand behind their product 💯%  with a very solid 3-5 year warranty. Mike at Alcan told me he has been in business 40 years and they have never had a broken leaf spring returned. 

    A 90 day warranty is honestly laughable on custom suspension leaf springs costing over $700.00.
    Agree with @CRM stand behind your product if it’s as good as stated. Gotta have some skin in the game and up the warranty. 

     

    Just an observation.

     

    • Like 3

    Made in USA leaf springs

    in Mechanical & Technical Tips

    Posted

    1 minute ago, CRM said:

    Take Dexter out of the equation. Having only a 90 day warranty on springs that should last a decade or more is kind of ridiculous. A year at least would be reasonable. I'll probably still buy them but will now wait to see how they hold up for others who have purchased them already.

    And honestly, I would pay the $995 for 2 sets if they came with a 5 year warranty. It's not about the money, it's about a company standing behind their product. I doubt even a set of Chinese Dexter's would fail that quick. 

    You sir are on point 💯.

    • Like 1

    Made in USA leaf springs

    in Mechanical & Technical Tips

    Posted

    2 hours ago, CRM said:

    That's a little disappointing... Even Dexter gives a 5 year limited warranty.

    @CRM yes, I agree. Mike seems like a super nice guy while speaking with him on the phone yesterday. He is proud of his company and products. Per my notes from yesterday, Mike quoted me $742.68 plus a $75.00 shipping (estimate) to my zip code via UPS. Seems a little bit of a  price increase from what @MAX Burner buyers order/receipt quote shows. 

    I presently have a 5 yr or 100k warranty on my new 5200# axles and leaf springs through dexter. I think I will stay in a holding pattern for now. 

    • Like 2

    Made in USA leaf springs

    in Mechanical & Technical Tips

    Posted · Edited by Patriot

    8 hours ago, MAX Burner said:

    OBTW:  Our new USA-made steel 5-pack springs should arrive from ALCAN Springs (Grand Junction, CO) around MAR26-ish.  $671 (incl. new U-bolts), no tax, plus shipping to NM from CO.  

    FYI:  Owners interested in this mod should note that according to Mike from ALCAN, U-bolts are a one-time use item.  Once they're mounted and torqued to specification and re-torqued after 50 miles, they form a "stretch fit" and cannot be reused once originally fixed to an axle.

    Screenshot2024-03-12at7_21_47AM.thumb.png.00b06c95ff07b1bbee19e8b03f157996.png

    Hey Max, 
    I spoke to Mike at Alcan yesterday and asked him several questions and also what his warranty is on these leaf packs?
    He said 90 days.
    Just passing this along for anyone interested in these leaf packs.

    • Thanks 2

    Made in USA leaf springs

    in Mechanical & Technical Tips

    Posted · Edited by Patriot

    In looking at this and keeping all things in perspective, Oliver has now produced 1500 plus trailers and a smaller percentage of these being Elite 1 models.
    If my quick math is correct it tells me that the leaf spring failure rate of let’s say (10 trailers) as noted by  @ScubaRx is approximately less than 1% or 0.67%.

    Of course no one wants this type of failure ever. 

    I will wait and see what Oliver recommends or if they put out a safety bulletin. I feel sure Oliver will address this issue given the safety concerns. 
     

    Following.

    • Like 5

    Made in USA leaf springs

    in Mechanical & Technical Tips

    Posted

    5 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

    I agree. 

    But I just don't generally like sole source procurements.   For most of us, there is plenty of time to run down some quotes from other USA Spring Manufacturers, who use the same steel, and have a great reputation as well. 

    Also, we have not heard a peep out of OTT about this topic.  Nor has Dexter been brought into the discussion either.  So I caution rushing into such purchases too early.  Now if you have a trip on the near horizon, then by all means buy now.  I certainly would based on what we think we know now. 

    GJ 

    Wise words. 👍🏻

    • Like 1

    Made in USA leaf springs

    in Mechanical & Technical Tips

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Ollie-Haus said:

    Just sent off an email to Alcan Spring for information for a set of 4 springs for our LE2. I would like to be proactive in replacing the springs in my driveway rather than on the side of the highway. Plus I am a real big fan of supporting American manufacturing companies. 

    I will be interested to hear what you learn Chris. 

    • Like 3

    Lagun Table Side Mount Retrofit in Twin Bed Elite 2

    in Ollie Modifications

    Posted

    13 hours ago, MAX Burner said:

    Lagun Table Project Update:  Moved the table mount from night stand to street side bed rail using @Overland's detailed instructions:

    Been wanting to finish this up since building the Lagun Table top last spring!!!  

    Used a bandsaw to rough cut the four 45-degree ends - then finished them with an end cut bit on the mill:

    Screenshot2024-03-07at5_10_21PM.thumb.png.a7a1a14849f27cd1bf290b54403d7256.png

    Screenshot2024-03-07at5_16_55PM.thumb.png.b3a76d7cd9154ff63ae49d0fc60b1cb2.png

    Assembled finished parts and checked fitment on PORT side bed rail:

    Screenshot2024-03-07at5_15_13PM.thumb.png.e51ff156ac73925b253e15e048b552e2.png

    Screenshot2024-03-07at5_14_57PM.thumb.png.6d05d9bdf26dc44d7d315a234431d0dc.png

    Used three 1/8" aluminum backing plates behind each of the mounting points:

    Screenshot2024-03-07at5_18_54PM.thumb.png.8e3a1669b4bfb6d67ad079ff7a566110.png

    View from underneath:

    Screenshot2024-03-07at5_22_16PM.thumb.png.8f51c43121ea3a32b5894729a66d20ce.png

    Completed new mounting area:

    Screenshot2024-03-07at5_23_42PM.thumb.png.c0e34f23a6f47e7b2949ea24f1e169e0.png

    Now we've got nightstand drawer access with table in place - whereas before, the mount was just below the drawer making it impossible to gain access to the drawer with the table mounted there:

    Screenshot2024-03-07at5_25_01PM.thumb.png.64e38ee4fd06c75e4aad9389b06879e1.png

    One and done - D approves and is happy, mission success!

    Screenshot2024-03-07at5_31_35PM.thumb.png.c82b9138b70b8817724c2f0e999fa71f.png

    Many thanks to @Overland for developing the initial design for this great mod!

    Cheers, All!

     

    Well done super clean finish and install! 👍🏻

     

    • Thanks 1
    • Like 1

    LP Gas Tank Level Measurement Devices

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    1 minute ago, MAX Burner said:

    FYI- the rubber “Halo Rings” allow the bottles to sit a bit higher in the rack giving the sensors a bit more space.  Makes a tight fit - and keeps the rust from taking over on the bottom of the tank rack.

    Agree Max! I use the rings and installed custom cut 1/4” rubber mat on the tank floor to keep it looking purdy.👍🏻

    LP Gas Tank Level Measurement Devices

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    23 hours ago, johnwen said:

    We've had issues with mopeka and pro smart so I went back to my fail safe plan 🙂 We have 2 x 20lb bottles and open only 1 at a time.  If the open 1 runs out, we switch over to the other and go fill the empty.  We have a pretty good idea if we need to fill before we run out.  Cold weather usually depletes ours in 1 week and if we don't run the furnace we get about 3 weeks. If we cooked every meal in the trailer I'm sure we wouldn't get close to 3 weeks.  2 to 3 meals, and coffee most mornings, a week is about all we do inside. If anywhere close to those times we usually stop, when convenient, and top off.  We ran out this morning :)BTW and knew right away in Tucumcari, switched over and all was fine.  We were stuck in those 48-63 mph winds for 3 days so I couldn't follow my "gettin' close" plan.  Now that we're in 25 degree temps again we'll refill on the way to Amarillo today.  Don't get me wrong...if 1 bottle gets depleted, we fill it asap.  I'm not trusting my plan with 1 bottle empty.  I tried the sensor route and am not spending any more money on them.  Works for me so far.  BTW...full timers for 4+ years and lovin' it 🙂 If I was part-timin' I wouldn't have a clue as my time line would be tossed out the window.

    John

    John, haha! Love your plan, we are on the same plan! 😄

    I agree and use pretty much the same plan. On our 42 day 6000 mile trip last fall out west we topped off one tank 3X during the trip and again when we arrived home. Never a concern of being out of LP. We have 30# tanks and never ran into any issues getting a refill. We don’t swap tanks on refills for many reasons. We also never got into our second tank. We don’t use tank sensors. Based on our use, I don’t see the need for LP sensors along with the added frustration of reading about the failures and complaints. 
     

    Hang On to your hat in Amarillo, that’s a windy place. You and Wendy go enjoy a big steak at the Big Texan! 

    Safe travels and hope to see you both at the rally!

    David & Kathy
     

     

    • Like 2

    Disabling the speaker on an Apple Air Tag

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Rolind said:

    So I recently played around some with AirTags that were registered to me and had them “follow” my wife’s phone without my phone present. Her phone pretty quickly got a notification that she was being followed. Her iPhone gave her the option of playing a sound on the AirTag so it could be located, but no other option that I could see to disable the. AirTag. I subsequently removed the speakers from my hidden AirTags. If they can’t find them they can’t remove them.

    Yes, gotta remove those speakers. 👍🏻

    • Thanks 1
    • Like 1
×
×
  • Create New...