Ralph Mawyer

RESOLVED I need to pickup an Andersen hitch this week for a previously owned LE2. A. To determine which model, i.e., amount of drop, their instructions ask for the distance from the ground to the bottom of the coupler. Then the distance to the bottom of the receiver on the truck. Bottom of my receiver is 20" (and might go up a bit with larger tires later). If top of bulldog is 23.5, can I assume the bottom is 21.5? Thus the difference is less than 4" so I just need their 4" drop model...which I expect is the most common. B. Then they ask for measurements to determine bracket size. Does anyone know the vertical width of the trailer frame at the front, where the brackets mount? If 4 3/8 or 8" then that bracket is used. If vertical width/distance is 3", 4", 5" or 6", then I need the distance from the ground to the top of the trailer frame, which is hopefully over 18" to use the standard brackets. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59717c92e6f2e15e9222f72c/t/59babeaecd39c35c59a52fad/1505410735094/Fitment+Guide+WD+Hitch.pdf Thoughts? thanks...

I know Oliver is repackaging prior options as standard items now, but is there a list of functional changes by year. I have the 2021 and 2022 price list 2021 to 2022 is packaged options and a new axle assembly Anything significant for these years? 2019 - ? 2020 - ? 2021 - added Lithium option

Book the bus outbound and train return, or the reverse. Coming or going through town and immediate outskirts is numbingly slow. I'd be tempted to get it over with outbound. https://www.ralphmawyerphotography.com/Travel/Southwest-US/Colorado-Durango-Train/i-JDW2QKS

Has anyone made a pre-delivery checklist of all these low probability, but occurring failures, scattered about the forums from new owner pickups?

I was just told it was a new battery size option. No other enhancements, other than the axle, awning, etc., for 2022 model year builds beginning Oct 2021.

I’ve also been looking at the incremental upgrade cost on the current price sheet...turnkey when new is nice, but also wonder what two more years of lithium evolution will bring. Solar wet cell... (EZ Start and 3000 inverter skews it a bit) to AGM = $1200 to 390 Lithium =$5100 to 630 Lithium = $9500

They still make Phil Wood grease? I'm still using a tube from my bike mechanic days from the mid-70s. 😉

FWIW. My salesman said they are building five/week.

Maybe both? I know Mike's 2016 has a panel that is velcro attached cover an access area across from the stovetop.

The interiors do present somewhat of a conflict, particularly given a factory visit isn’t a day trip like Casita factory was. The ultra has functional appeal, but not a fan of what looks like smooth vinyl. Is fiber granite heavier or just has a granite look? The 2021 option may be moot unless I decide within the next week to get on the list and hope for a cancellation slot that gets me delivery by the second week of July, for a planned trip to Colorado. July build process starts in mid-late April with paperwork etc. if I can’t hit that date, no real urgency Biggest issue is the Casita works for me solo and is an easier tow, but at 6’3” the Oliver has much more space and if we get back to more couple trips, wife still works, the twin beds, etc, does make it more comfortable...and they do look awesome 🙂

Thanks, after slicing and dicing the options and selling price for a 2021 vs 2022 it really looks like all they have done is standardize options to simplify the production line. I can live without the awning upgrade and am still ambivalent about waiting for the axle, but assuming one is looking for the same options when comparing each year the price is very close. I really thought I wanted the composting toilet and Truma water heater, but the more I read and try to be realistic about our use I’m revisiting those selections. There is something to be said for maxing options for resale, but conversely most items like toilet, water heater and AGM to Lithium batteries can be upgraded downstream. The axle, not so much, unless you’re Seadawg or a few others who can do anything. 🙂 The battery decision is the hardest, given the price point of lithium and not being able to lock-in the new vendor for a 2021 build, though likely it would be Lithionics. If not upgrading to the above items the configuration is pretty much like our Casita with more room and upgraded construction. More room being the key aspect of upgrading, for a lot more dollars. Mike @Fair Oaks will be showing us their Elite II today, which we really appreciate. Nice having a forum moderator in our back yard. 🙂

Still drum brakes, but with no brake adjustment and with sealed bearings from what I can tell. https://www.amazon.com/Dexter-NEV-R-Adjust-Electric-Brake-Kit-Left/dp/B07MLXNBT2 That is the most significant change, just wondering if worth waiting for given a chance for an early delivery. Foregoing that and the upgrade to the Powered Pro curbside awning as standard, seem to account for about $3000 savings for my configuration of a 2021 vs 2022. Which makes sense from a cost standpoint. I don't really care about the awning upgrade, so really comes down to how big an improvement the axle is and if they will commit to the new vendor for the lithium package, if I go that way as that's a $4000 different over the AGM package. (Still not sure if this is the best category to be posting in, but none of the others seem to fit for new owner configuration questions.)

[MODERATOR - Please move thread to General, better fit... TxTortoise] If I had the opportunity to get a 2021 build before they move to 2022 in Oct, would you do it? it looks like the only major functional difference is the self-lubricating axles. The 2022 price increase is pretty much adding past options as standard equipment to simplify production. Will compare build sheets shortly, but thought I’d ask, in case I was missing some nuances.