routlaw

As some of the others have suggested we also roll our clothes and stack in the bins above the bed. Old habits from Navy days for me. The closet up front however is used for more utility items, small hand vacuum, rags of sorts, owners manual and litany of things like that. Like Marsha we also have the king bed which allows for tons of storage in bins or what have you below the bed. Its almost more trouble than its worth to store things in the "basement" so we rarely use those spaces so far unless its stuff we know we will never need, which makes me wonder why its even along. But as a rule the clothing really doesn't get too jumbled as long as you stack & pack neatly and tight. Bill (topgun2) next time you're out in Big Sky Country stop by for a visit. We live in the heart of trout fishing here in the Bozone as its affectionately called.

Bill you have it correct. But just to describe the procedure a bit more, here goes. On the newer Oliver's there is a water inlet in the lower right rear of the camper just to the outside of the storage area for black and gray water hoses. From there you can either winterize the system or pump additional fresh water into the fresh water holding tank. All you need is a tank/bucket of water, roughly 5 gals or more, a hose about 1.5' in length screwed into this inlet, turn the two water valves under the curb side bed into bypass mode while the pump is on. Automatically the pump will start siphoning water out of the water can and into the fresh water tank. 5-8 gals of pumping should take no longer than about 5 minutes max probably less. We use this all the time on our trips. Very easy to do. I believe what Dave was referring to is the inlet being situated on the inside of the storage area for the drain hoses. Not a good idea IMO, but this changed shortly after he picked up his Oliver. It could be that some of the earlier Oliver's did not have this function or capability, not sure though.

Agreed, they don't sway. Well not enough to make an issue out of it. Our F150 also has electronic sway control when towing and as far as I can tell given some of the harrowing experiences we have had on the road since pick up date I would say it works very well indeed. I assume that most other modern day tow vehicles have similar technologies for sway control while towing. The long and short of it is don't worry about it. You'll be fine without a weight distribution hitch or sway control bars. Ollies don't sway. I have removed the Anderson hitch and added air bags for balance and weight. No hook up issues...just push a button to inflate/deflate the bags.

Welcome John, If you haven't already I would suggest you invest in a factory tour of the Oliver plant in TN. I think once you have gone there many if not all of these concerns might be put to rest. In the meantime I'll throw my two ¢ worth in on what I know. Rear receiver? Not sure that would work and still allow for the fold down bumper to access gray and black water tank flushes and its aluminum not heavy duty steel so the tongue weight depending upon what you want to tow behind the Oliver might push the envelop of safety. Gravel protection: Not sure how a truck bedliner would help to prevent gravel issues, but perhaps mud flaps on the tow vehicle might help to some degree. On the other hand you could take your Oliver to one of the companies that apply bedliners to truck beds and have them do the same to the lower quadrants of the Oliver front. So far it has not been an issue for us. Off road coupler: I agree here with Pete, the Bulldog hitch/coupler is about as heavy duty and easy to use as anything on the planet. I can't imagine an off road coupler being any better. Lifted suspension: I'm not aware of any options for lifted suspension but not sure you need it with 18" of ground clearance on the stock trailer. Removable doorstep: I've been over BLM and forest service roads, gravel roads, jeep trails already and with some fairly steep descents or ascents and never felt the need to remove the doorstep. In summary let me say the Oliver as a stock unit is about as well thought out and heavy duty as anything on the market that I am aware and I've looked at a lot of campers over the last decade. Living in MT and traveling around the Rocky Mountains I feel your concerns about taking it into the backcountry. As long as there is room to maneuver, i.e. backing in and out of places, I've yet to see too many places where I wouldn't take our Oliver, including but not limited to UT red rock country where things can get real dicey quickly. Hopefully this helps. Hi, For example, Can I get a cassette toilet installed, and replace the black tank with an extra fresh tank? Can I get disc brakes? I just asked that in another section..... How much is a rear receiver? How much for gravel protection (bed liner and mudflaps)? Can I get an offroad coupler in place of the Bulldog? How much is the lifted suspension and what exactly is it? Spring over conversion or longer shackles? How many inches over stock? Can I get a removable doorway step, so I can unbolt it when venturing onto rough forest roads? It would be really cool if owners could describe all their FACTORY mods and options in a new section. Please include the cost if known! Also describe whether you feel that option was worth getting, or if you have second thoughts or a suggestion for a better alternative. As always, post pictures! Thanks. John Davies Spokane WA USA

Following this.. We pick up our Oliver on 12/10. We live in South Dakota. We are wondering about how low a temperature people have camped in (running furnace) without freezing problems (I mean the camper not us). The place we plan to store it will be 40 degrees (heated hangar). At what point do we need to winterize ..i.e. How long can it set at 40 or do we need to do anything for storage at that temp.? Thanks Linda We live in just down the road a piece in MT (Bozeman) and have camped in some quite cold weather. In fact just after our pickup back in Mar we were in TN where each night got down into the low and mid teens with nary a problem. Heat of the day barely reached freezing or above. We've since hit a few other nights out with close to those temps at night. If you have a heated storage shed @ 40º you should be fine without winterizing this assumes of course that the area does not loose power due to winter storms. It happens here so wouldn't think it would be all that unusual there. Its my understanding that water lines can take a couple of days of freezing temps before issues start to occur so there is a buffer of sorts. I don't have to tell you though if its windy and freezing temps all bets are off on how long the tanks and water lines will hold up. Regardless its fairly easy with the Oliver system to winterize your camper. Takes about two gallons of the potable anti freeze, the pink stuff to complete the task and an hour or so of your time. Do be diligent about emptying all tanks and lines first, thats the most important part. Fully charged batteries should be good to about 90 below zero or so I'm told, but you might check on them throughout the winter months to be sure they are doing ok. Hope this helps.

We have a whole house water purification system as well and have often wanted something similar for our Oliver, however the taste of water from the holding tanks with or without purification is… shall we say less than desirable. Not sure what it is about these holding tanks that impart such an ugly taste when by comparison you can buy purified water all over the country in gallon to 2.5 gal plastic containers that do not impart this nasty taste. This is not something unique to Oliver all RV's have this problem. So on our last trip we just broke down and bought gal jugs of water, and will probably continue to do so. This system looks promising though I'm not sure I would want to use the chlorine supplement. So can you run the pump from your 12 volt system? Thanks

Just saw this thread. Stan and Carol Moyer have a Durango and use it to tow an Elite II, they visited us this past summer here in MT on their way up to Glacier NP. I believe Carol said they got 12 mpg regardless of where they were, apparently it didn't change much due to conditions. I don't recall them mentioning anything about issues with this tow vehicle for the Elite II, so I would say you're good to go if dead set on a Durango. We use a 2013 F-150 with Eco Boost engine and it does great even on steep slopes/grades outperforming any non diesel V8 I've ever driven. Back in Oct we were down in the Four Corners area and averaged 14.5 MPG for the entire trip. There are lots of steeps grades between MT and the area as well as upon arrival, and some travel unhitched and not towing. Generally at 60-65 mpg we tend to get approximately 13-14 mpg towing our Elite II, unless we hit heavy winds or constant steep grades. I love trucks for their versatility but realize they are not for everyone. The 2015-16's newer model Ford trucks took it up a few more notches in overall design, comfort, support and performance and better gas milage to boot. This truck is our only vehicle currently, but we live in an area where we can walk or ride bikes to do the vast majority of any errands we need. Typically while at home a tank of gas will last a month to a month and a half bare minimum and often two months. Like Gary we have the larger gas tank, well worth it. FWIW in the conversation our daughter and son in law have a RAM 1500 with 5.7 Hemi, but just recently bought an Expedition with Eco Boost engine too. They looked at the Durango but felt it was not large enough for their needs and preferred the Expedition over the Suburban by some margin. To early to tell about their MPG, but it is a very nice rig with some accommodations the trucks do not have. Not sure if they implemented the aluminum bodies on this vehicle yet. Hope this helps.

Thanks folks, got busy over the last couple of weeks and have not had time to followup on this, but plan to soon, so stay tuned as the saying goes.

The two we rely on the most are Allstays Camp and RV and The Ultimate Campground Project. Wouldn't be without either, but on occasion will also use RecGovCamp if we know we need reservations on government campgrounds, i.e. Nat Parks etc.

Absolutely using the LP mode in Glacier, we were off the grid the entire time, no hook ups. Freezer froze, fridge kept everything very cool or cold. IOW's we had no problem what so ever with cooling or freezing. Just got back from a two week trip to the SW, same thing off the grid for two solid weeks, no generators using our 4 pack Trojans and all solar and fridge using LP. Temps were in the mid to high 80's with a day or two knocking on the door of 90. It really does work well.

I concur with what Steve said. We have been out in our Elite II many days with temps not only in the mid to high 80's but also well into the 90's and some days this past summer in the Glacier NP probably into triple digits. We know for sure that the Flathead Valley hit 109º one day while in the area with days on either side of this a few degrees cooler yet still triple digit heat. Glacier stays a tad bit cooler but make no mistake it was HOT. I'm a bit of a gourmet ice cream maker and always like to take some along with us and it has always remained frozen, not rock hard, but frozen enough to scoop a bit easier. We keep the setting on the fridge at the mid way point which is 3 dots out of 5. I will add though we still keep a cooler or ice chest along with us, if for no other reason to have some cold drinks after a long hot hike, or bike ride. Hope this helps.

Thnaks and yep, dead serious. You're time will come too. Enjoy when you get it. Will post some more photos of campgrounds later. rob

Howdy All We just got back from a two week trip to the southwest, exploring ruins, rock art and canyons. We were off the grid the entire time solely dependent on our solar system with 4 Trojan batteries. Never even came close to tapping into the electric reserves. A couple of nights were chilly enough to run the furnace but we did accomplish this on less than one 20 lb tank of propane. The coldest night out was in the Madison River Valley here in MT fist night out. Most days were cloudless and I do mean not a cloud in the sky with temps ranging in the low to high 80s most days with a few in the mid 70's. It was unseasonably warm even this far south but overall beautiful weather. Overall gas mileage was 14.3 mpg for the entire RT. Though a few tanks dipped below this especially in the steep hill climbs around the mesas in UT and AZ with many grades in the 5-8% range. Tow rig is a Ford F150 with Eco-Boost engine. Thought I would share a few campground pics with the Oliver for those interested in adventuring off to the area.

Tia I can't help you with this question given we are on the opposite sides of the country but would like to add an update regarding your sensitivities in your initial post. My wife and I just returned from a two week trip down in the SW where most days were in the mid to high 80's or at bare minimum well into the 70's with nary a cloud in site most of the time. I can now confidently say the fiberglass resin smell as completely vented off from our Oliver. We were not the least bit aware of it during the cooler desert nights with windows closed, or for that matter when we came back to camp mid dayish with the camper being closed up. Hopefully you'll find this helpful in your decision making process.

Welcome to the forum and Oliver Trailers. No doubt you'll get lots of input on this but I will throw my two cents as well. Many like to compare Oliver and Airstream though I'm not sure why, they seem more like apples and oranges to me. AS look really cool and the interiors are usually beautiful. Sort of a the lap of luxury version of camping. Olivers by comparison simply put are just built heavy duty, true 4 season camper, virtually leak and dent proof, high ground clearance as in you can take them anywhere or nearly so. No pop rivets to replace on a continual basis, the Olivers also have a narrower profile, i.e. 7 ft wide, vs some AS that can but up to about 9 ft, thus IMHO probably tow much better. We do not use a WDH while towing while most people do employ them with an AS. Dual pane glass on all windows and probably better insulated. Regarding the FG smell. Unfortunately I have to agree. We picked ours up in March of this year and the first few weeks the smell was very noticeable. Since then it has dissipated but not 100% gone. While I don't think this smell is formaldehyde it is offensive and this has been the only disappointment for us. I suspect you are smelling the resins used to make the FG material. We hope the smell eventually dissipates 100%. During the summer months its hardly noticeable since the trailer is aired out with open windows while camping but during the winter or shoulder seasons where things are closed in this might be a concern for you. I hope this helps.

I have one in Bozeman, MT a full days drive if the other two don't work out. Be glad to show you ours.

David, Have you checked to see if one of your circuit breakers below the driver side bed has been turned off or tripped for what ever reason. There are 3 there, well actually two circuit breakers and an on/off switch for the solar panels. I would start there.

I posted this information and link to the FGRV forums this morning but knowing there are some here who had planned on trips to Glacier this summer thought I would also include it here. Not that you can't find this out on your own but… The state had torrential rains and extremely cool temps all day yesterday which has helped. Good luck in your travel plans http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4405/26089/

With a Tundra I seriously doubt you will need the WDH, I certainly don't feel the need for it with out F150 but like you was a bit concerned early on before taking delivery. If nothing else perhaps on delivery day you could hook up with out the Anderson and take the Oliver for a spin in the area to see how comfortable it feels to you then make your final decision based upon that. Regardless good luck with your decision and travels.

For everyone planning on trips to Glacier please look at my post under campgrounds thread. There is a large fire on the east side of Glacier near St Mary's Lake. More info there. Feel free to PM me if you need more info.

I know that a few of you Oliver owners are planing on trips up to Glacier National Park soon. Unfortunately a large fire has broken out on the east side around St. Marys Lake. Both campgrounds are close on this side, that being Rising Sun and St Mary's as well as the lodge at Rising and the Visitors Center at St Mary's. From what I can determine the situation is bad enough that most of the east side of the Sun road is closed and a few evacuations have occurred. Feel free to PM if interested in alternate travel plans within the state of MT, be glad to help if I can.

PM sent, be glad to discuss your routes and travel plans.

Bill we are right on I-90 which presumably would be your route heading down to Cody. By all means PM me be glad to help if we can. I have to ask though why you chose the Highline (Rt.2) across MT. There are dramatically more scenic routes to Glacier and I would be glad to share them with you if interested. Regardless I hope you have a great trip. We have spent lots of time in and around Glacierand more than willing to lead you astray in that country.

Good input Rob. My Avalanche must have weaker springs than your F150 because it drops about two inches when I hitch up. The WDH corrects this and that is the main reason I continue using it. I am going to look into some helper springs because I sure would rather not go through the extra step of hooking up the Anderson. Perhaps, but it is worth noting my F150 also drops. Never measured it but once I am hitched up the truck sits visually level and without hitching the F150 has a noticeable rear end rise as do all trucks. This is most likely from the design figuring the vast majority of trucks do get used for some towing. However this may or may not apply to your Avalanche. We've all seen trailers that either point noise down or up due to incorrect hitching setups. We did make some changes however at delivery day in order to accomplish this by simply reversing my existing hitch upside down and flipping the ball at the hitch, otherwise the Oliver would have been very nose down. Don you might also want to check in with the Fiberglass RV forums if you haven't already. Lately there has been a lively discussion regarding tow vehicles WDH hitches and as you might guess opinions are all over the place. I suspect your Taureg will do well and w/o a WDH.

Don allow me to throw my two cents worth in though my tow vehicle is a considerably different than yours. We use an F150 with Eco Boost engine and do not use a WDH nor do we feel we need it. As others have stated these TT's tow extremely well. Perhaps just as important we have had a few emergency maneuvers where the Elite II performed very well. Coming back from Glacier Nat Park a couple of weeks ago traveling down highway 287 in MT an older style jeep decided to do a u turn right in front of us from the opposite side of the road. This is a two lane yet major highway in MT. There was a string of traffic behind me perhaps half a dozen or more that did not allow for hard braking IMO. At the time I felt my only course of action was to literally veer left into the opposing lane of traffic which thankfully was empty while apply as much brake as possible without creating an accident. It worked and I did not rear end or slam into the the jeep. Drunk drivers on the 4th of July. Most importantly the Oliver did not sway or get out of control during the quick maneuvers. On our way back from TN with our new Oliver traveling up I-15 and near Pocatello, ID an 18 wheeler decided to move over into our lane as we were passing on a large uphill climb. The semi was going quite slow for some unknown reason. This time I hit the brakes hard, moved over into the shoulder of the interstate as far as I could go while laying down on the horn. Driver finally figured out he was screwing up and got back into his lane. But I'm literally going down I-15 driving on the hash marks and beyond wondering if the next move was to ditch the entire affair to avoid colliding with the semi truck. The Oliver stayed put just where it was supposed to. My wife nearly had a coronary that day. For a brief period we were both thinking our entire affair was about to implode, tow vehicle and camper. And finally a few days before the previous episode traveling up I-27 from Lubbock to Amarillo we got into some headwinds the likes of which neither of us have ever seen on road trips. We'll probably never know the force of these winds but my guess is they were from 50-80 mph. Felt like we were in the dust bowl days, with a couple of hours of white knuckle driving, yet once again the Oliver did very well. I would be lying if I didn't say there was not some motion behind us while towing but it was never ever swaying out of control. Not even close. We were amazed and could not have hoped for better performance. At the end of the day only you can determine what you feel comfortable with towing. In the meantime hopefully these experiences will provide at least a modicum of knowledge to help evaluate your needs. More importantly I hope the heck no one else here goes through them. Trial by fire?