SeaDawg

At a member request, I split the Airstream comparisons to a new topic. You can find it, here.

I can try....

Oliver has eliminated the fridge vents, and replaced with a drop down table. The battery compartment is certainly a possibility. But, it would require moving a mattress (I think) to access a battery compartment.

I agree.

We use our manual awning all the time. I'd personally rather have a manual awning than power. It's so small (elite I) it's minutes to roll it up, or out. We also run on agm batteries, 2 x 105, so, we need to conserve power ,and a power awning wouldn't work for us, in that regard, since we rarely camp with hookups .

I'd call Truma, and ask them for advice.

Anywhere, is my creed. Just don't be the person who loses the awning, because a sudden, unexpected storm kicks up.

Also, and again, I'd say running max tire pressure, on paved normal roads, doesn't do much, good or harm. Getting off the pavement, especially on cr@p roads, running max tire pressure, at higher speeds, can be shown to be problematic, for ANY trailer. In a motorhome or a van, you feel the "earthquake " of a very rough road. But, the suspension is different. Much kinder ride in passenger/tow vehicles. Your Ollie is tagging along, on one point (the hitch), and you can't "feel" what's going on, inside the trailer. Frequent Rest stops may tell the story.

@Boudicca908, since your trailer is several years newer, you'll have to contact Oliver (jason) for advice. I wouldn't trust older drawings.

If you turn off each battety, and disconnect from shore power, and cover solar panels (if you don't gave a switch for solar) , you are basically down (dead in water.) No, ZERO power in, is what you want to achieve, to reset. We cover our panels with two layers of dark blue moving blankets, in certain circumstances. Disconnected batteries is quite likely easiest. If you have solar, and can't disconnect v incoming power, I'd cover, or wait until dark sets in.

I agree with @Mike and Carol, beware of sudden storms, anywhere. Always prudent to roll in awnings when leaving for the day, and at night. (Unless you really enjoy flashing night clothes in rain and wind.) We've seen dozens of flipped awnings over the years. Many, unrepairable. It's very sad. Don't let it be you. Roll that awning in. @MAX Burner, kind of you to help. They "might" have been able to salvage the fabric, by pulling it out of the slot. Not easy, and you were there, so you know. May have been/probably was stretched beyond limits, anyway. The "weatherman" has great job security, imo. Wrong half the time? No issue. Still broadcasting.

The Casita tray is pretty small,, as I remember from my friend's Casita. (We helped her swap her battery, some years back.) Have you measured? I suspect you have.

I doubt running max psi down level and clean highways does "that" much. Yours is the first post I know of, that has had weld cracks. I'm sorry for that, and I'm glad to encourage folks to inspect, as you have, and we do. Running high psi down sh#t roads, at too high speed, can definitely result in some issues. Something prudent folks avoid. Reduce pressure, take it slowly, etc. A poor weld, in the first place, could also cause issues. Since your trailer was at Oliver several times, I think that would have been discovered. They found minor stuff I didn't even think about, on our few visits. There's also a balance with LT tires-- sidewall flex and roll vs softer ride. Another reason I like st tires, with stiffer sidewalls. We all make our choices, and live with the results. Your trailer will be fine. You're doing all the prudent inspections, and repairs as necessary. You (nor I) can not possibly know all the history, with two previous owners, but we all do know this is one of the most rugged little trailers out there. And, you're not likely to go nuts on speed on crappy roads. The grime behind two year old blinds has a story to tell, on its own, imo.

Give your friend the "kidney" of two 6 v batteries, and you'll be fine. You can't camp anyway on 4 6v, and run ac. 2 6v will operate everything else, overnight. (You have solar, right? It's freaking hot everywhere but at elevation, so you'll get some charge from hookups, running the ac. You're very kind to donate to your friend. You're the best.

Yes, you do have crazy winds in the Dakotas. We've driven through ND and SD in motorhomes, and felt like the wind could overturn us at times. Steely knuckles. Same in other windy locations. Never open more than one door at a time. Try to park where the door opens on the leeward (downwind) side. Especially those days when it's blowing like crazy. You can crease, fold back, or lose a door. I've seen it. Fortunately, not let it happen to us.

Were it me, I'd be carefully inspecting springs, and shocks. Yours are 7 years old. We've had no issues with springs, but did replace shocks some years back, in our 2008. We've never seen a cracked weld in our 2008, and we do inspect regularly. Not saying someone couldn't have had a bad day welding, which could be the case, but previous owner, running 80 psi, on rough travel, "could" have created your issues. Which could translate to other issues, with shocks and springs . When we picked up our 2008 Elite, it was also set to maximum psi on the tires. We didn't think much about it til the microwave tried to commit suicide, almost jumping out of the cabinet, on a rough, snaking mountain road. (And contents of drawers spewed everywhere.) We have an Elite, st tires, so I have no recommendations for your elite ii with lt tires,,except that max pressure isn't it. Everthing has to work in harmony. If you look back, there are dozens (probably) of posts on ideal tire pressure for the Elite II. I'm very glad you inspected, and got timely repair. Good on you, for inspection. .

I can split this topic, if you like, so that your question gets more attention. I looked up your profile, so others know: Elite 2, 2022, hull #998, picked up a month ago. So, you bought a pre-owned trailer, correct? What other loads were on in the trailer? Microwave? Fan (what speed?) Or, just lights. And, were there any other loads on the 15 amp circuit from the home, or is it a dedicated outlet for the trailer? (Meaning, nothing else in the home or garage can be plugged into this circuit., and the circuit breaker only controls that single 15a outlet.) I don't have your gear, but I do have an older xantrex on our boat. With only 15 amps to work with, if there is much of any draw on that circuit, I think your xantrex would direct those amps to other draws, and not to charging. Hence, the initial show of charge, then switch to no charge. Have your batteries ever shown "full 100 per cent charge" since you've owned the trailer? Our batteries, even agm, need to reach 100 per cent from time to time, to "reset" the algorithms of the monitor. Others with your gear will have better suggestions. With my limited knowledge, I'll leave it to you to explain the situation further, and let current /newer owners answer.

Is your grill on a solid table surface (not slats)? I'd probably find a big storage bin, cover it with the bin upside down (no lid) after it cools, and put a weight/rock on top. Not had a problem with our grill. Yet.

Your installation is clean, and pretty. And, I love reading about well-planned, well-executed mods, like yours. Our older (2008/2009) trailers had the tiny Jensen 12v TV, in the corner, silver frame. So old, the system has an integrated cd player (@!!), but no Bluetooth, etc. It doesn't fold up. When it dies, we'll probaby take it out, and patch the holes, tuck the wiring up in the attic, case our daughter wants to use it someday. Lots of other projects in the meantime. Do relocate the exit stickers. Here's our tiny "black eye."

Gbergh, there are quite a few very nice, and active on our forum, owners in Michigan. You might revise your title to reflect your very polite request, including "Michigan. " If you've run past the 24 hour edit privelege, pm me or another mod, and we can do it for you. Good luck.

From my cousin's cabin, outside Cantwell, on good days, we can see Denali. I'm so very happy for you. Your photos show a very (unusual) clear sky.

It is a total joy! Sometimes, the miles drive you crazy,,but how much fun it is to wake up in a totally different environment.

Awesome! I'm so happy for you!

Adding another to the list, for certain bites: Ivarest. Made for poison ivy, but really calmed down my double bites from a yellow jacket. The key is to let it dry, and cover with a bandaid, , if clothes will rub it off. Or, leave it open, when dry, if clothes won't rub it off. It's calamine, generic 2% benadryl, and benzol alcohol. Very pink. Cover the area til you can't see through it. Got the bites three days ago. No issue at all, now. The stings weren't as bad as the crazy itch. I "iced" as well, first day a few times, with a cold patch, to keep the venom from spreading. I had it in the locker for our friend who has a lot of issues with poison ivy. Glad I had it.

A very excellent recommendation. Not only will the blocks help with jack travel, and accidental drive-off, but if you're ever in a situation where a jack fails, it's so much easier to wind it up manually if the jack is less extended. Plus, the pad or 2 x 6 chunk spreads the load, under the jack.