Ralph Mawyer

I’m going to to the mothership in late August to get a bunch of work done, including lithium upgrade. My four lead acid are still reasonably good I think and a friend could use two of them. While I could haul them home, she needs them sooner vs later. So, is it feasible to run with one or two for three days, with minimal draw? Best way to do it?

He’s kinda hard to find traditional ways, no dedicated FB page or website, but all over Oliver pages and at the factory. Tried to link to catalog, but old link.

I was the second Oliver that Truma tried to do an install on. We couldn't get the unit off the roof and didn't want to risk damaging the fiberglas. Since then Oliver has done a number of them and seems to have worked out any bugs and established a pretty complete conversion, i.e., new fiberglass platform for the AC, a couple of thermostat options, etc. I'm scheduled for the end of August, but I keep bugging them, hoping someone cancels a scheduled service sooner. If not doing it real soon, you might keep track of the new Dometic low noise AC, mentioned here and elsewhere. May be more plug and play.

Ugh, now I need to go look at mine again… 😉

Craig, sidebar question. I just noticed you stayed with the Xantrex 2000 vs the 3000 the factory installs. Just didn’t want to mess with it? Im not sure of the functional impact other than limitation on number of items being run at once?

FWIW, I run Dometic AC on 20amp circuit at home without any apparent issues.

A bit of insurance trivia, but you can have the Oliver on your (USAA) auto policy as a trailer, but that's where you end up with Actual Cash Value (ACV) coverage...just like your car. Getting a standalone policy for an Agreed Value either directly with Progressive ( or Progressive through the USAA General Agency) or other carrier remains the way to go. Other than major collision, fire or badly flipping one, like someone experienced on here, it would take a lot to total an Oliver, I expect. You can play with deductibles a bit also, you may be surprised that the premium difference isn't that great between deductibles. The downside of a low deductible is the tendency to want to claim against it...and claims frequency will come back to bite you over time, i.e., pre-requisite to a non-renewal letter. Location is the big premium driver, so comparing to other's premiums doesn't have a lot of value.

Progressive writes an Agreed Value policy. It's not replacement cost, but if the trailer was totaled they would pay the policy limit. You don't want an ACV policy on a Oliver...or be prepared to justify your perceived value at the time of loss.

I used Progressive via USAA/General Agency my first year. Year two I saw a 20% increase. After getting on the phone with Progressive it became apparent that first year was discounted and a new policy issue could have three different premiums depending on whether you used USAA/Other Insurance Company/Broker, the web or called and had a rep issue the policy. I ended up cancelling the USAA renewal and generated a new policy with Progressive. Not sure what I'll do this year, as I think the policy renewed while I was traveling. Looks like it increased and renewed at $1600 for $65K agreed value coverage in Texas. Deductible decreases 25% each year you are claims free. Premiums will vary by state/location.

I ran into this a year or so ago, post on here somewhere. I gave up trying to get the old strips off and just added 3M double-sided down the middle. Worked reasonably well, but started to droop at corner again. I'd be tempted to just get new strips from Oliver, and likely add a mid-strip again, before putting it all back on. Cleaning the fiberglass with solvent would likely be good prep insurance. I think I just tended to lean against the strip. slowing pushing it down...then off.

Current labor rate is $150/hr. Might be able to back into it. That said, they may price it so they don't have do it.

For resale value alone. At this price point, add-ons are not overly significant in the price increase and makes it easier to sell.

same gaskets on all three jacks?

You might give the park a call and just see if they might have a list of folks that want to cancel over the next 6-9 months. Unlikely, but it is a small team there and worse case is they say no. Leave your name/number and maybe they'll remember you if someone calls about cancelling...someone that hasn't ready the fine print.

I'm dropping my Elite Ii with Oliver Service the week of 28 August. I'll have 5-7 days to play TN tourist. I'll start searching a bit, but any suggestions or welcome as I'll need to book hotels. I could base out of Franklin or Columbia for day trips, but open to any suggestions...or even Hohenwald. Other than having gone to school in Lebanon at Castle Heights Military Academy and kayaked TN rivers in the past, it's been 40+ years since I've been back in the area.

Should be fun. I’m not sure why we’re going, since we live in the zone with a good view, like Mike & Carol. Maybe I should rent my driveway and cul-de-sac. 🙂

That’s pretty much the scenario. The Platinum Pro comes in around $17K, $10K of that is two Lithionic batteries, new Xantrex 3000 at $2100, labor $4200.

2020 - Dual awnings, street side is manual. Truma water heater. I like the control switches better than the new ones. Mostly comes down to needing/wanting Lithionics grade batteries and a turn-key solution. The Truma AC is a given, just trying to figure out whether to have them do other items while there for the AC upgrade. Labor and parts cost have gone up on the Xantrex components since I got quoted last year, but no unexpected. No price increase on the Lithionics...yet. Apparently they've done a number of the full Lithionics upgrades, so there is demand. I guess I could look at Airstream pricing and feeling good about the total cost. 😉. Also think if one wants to do the Lithionics, I'd do them sooner than later, not knowing what the impact of the Winnebago buyout of Lithionics will do.

I'm debating making some changes to my 2020 Elite II. Second owner, bought fully loaded with original sealed wet cell batteries. The latest fully loaded models would have the Truma AC and Lithium Pro Packages at $102K? Other than those two big ticket item and the move to a DC/AC only fridge, does anyone have a list of other engineering changes that might have occurred. I like knowing what I have and have resolved any open issues, but have been looking at resale value, then buying new, just as comparison to putting money into the current trailer. Thoughts?

Ping Craig, looks like I was quoting him.

Kinda strange, but no photo of Oliver on the home page of the raffle.

Small world. Tonya's side of family lives there and her parents lived outside there for years. Going back for a high school graduation, thus the transition route to YS. Weather in May, might drive me west vs north, we'll see. Tonya may have to learn to enjoy boon docking. 😉

I'm going to piggy-back on Mike's post. I'm real late to planning, but we leave Emporia/Kansas City Kansas on May 15 and will need to be in Gardiner/North Yellowstone 22 May or a few days later. Is this simple plan reasonable to do: Emporia (2-days Travel) - Custer SP (4-5 Days basecamp) - Gardiner (2 Days Travel) a reasonable plan to explore Wind Cave and other sites above? UPDATE: Looks like Custer SP is full to the brim... Or should I consider a National Park site with hookups, since I get the Senior discount? Could split it between Badlands NP first than near Wind Cave. Still deciding on whether to cut through Kansas or just hit the Interstate north, then west to SD. May try and wing travel day stops, but will reserve if I can work out a plan. Just a bit compressed on time oncoming back from Africa last weekend and then off again.... (First World Problem, but a life event highlight..that and 5000 images to edit. 😉 https://www.ralphmawyerphotography.com/Travel/Africa-2023/Botswana-Africa-2023-Field-Selects/

Anyone in the forum with an Elite II pulled the trigger on one of these? The non-disposable third row seats is a buzz kill for sure.

Can't find the source, but you can add me to the list... Ralph Mawyer 2020, 2013 LX570 Hydraulic Suspension/6 Spd, Tekonsha P3, Toyo AT3, Andersen