routlaw

We actually ended up camping on BLM land from the east side closer to Las Vegas but considered the Poverty Flats area you mention too. I knew there wouldn't be any available spots at the VOF campgrounds since we made the decision to go there as a spur of the moment affair. We enjoyed some great views and it was only a few miles out of the park and not nearly as crowded as Poverty Flats or Lake Mead area. Thanks for the heads up info though.

No worries, but thanks for getting it done. I can attest its working fine now just uploaded a large batch of pics myself.

Thanks

We just returned last week from another camping trip down in the southwest. Great time, with great hikes and weather although the first few days were a bit more chilly than normal. Hit some of our past best hits, San Rafael Swell, ST George Area, and finally a new one which has been on my bucket list for a long time, Valley of Fire State Park in NV. Beautiful place but have to say we were surprised by the crowds even in mid week. Thought I might share several pix including a few taking on heaps of mud while traveling down 25-30 mile gravel roads in the outback. Thanks BLM campground at Swinging Bridge shot of mud bath mud was inches thick, started falling on its own weight. Once this stuff dries it is hard as a brick. Took over an hour of pressure washing and $20+ to get most but not all of it off swing bridge now retired swinging bridge pictographs

We come from a backpacking and tenting background so tend to travel relatively light but do carry extra fresh drinking water and use the holding tanks sparingly. Seems like we always over pack for food too. You just never know what might develop

No worries, it’s all good. First world problems anyway. But thanks for info

@jd1923 we have never run out tires at 80 PSI nor would I, usually keep them at 45 unless we are on long rough gravel roads then I drop the pressure even more. We did travel a very well maintained gravel road on this last trip, going into San Rafael Swell. It was muddy going on but not rough at all. On the way out to I-70 to the south the gravel road was in great shape, easy cruising. My guess is the weld was weak from the start and over time collapsed after 9 years of use.

We were below average the first half of winter but second half we have seen quite a bit of wet heavy stuff. Not sure what the snowpack is now but probably a bit lower than normal.

@John Dorrer yeah love the Winds and that lake. We have been there the last couple of summers love it. Hell of road getting in though.

Thanks for all the feedback folks, good info. Once the weather clears I will look into the repairs, crappy wet snowy weather up here in Big Sky country these days.

Roads were a mixed bag from Interstate to backcountry gravel roads none were terrible though and nothing compared to the road up to Green River Lakes in the Wind River Range. Fresh water was nearly full most of the recent trip.

https://www.roboutlawphotography.com/oliver#1 Hey folks thanks for all the help and interest, try clicking on the link above which should provide two thumbnails you can use either your cursor keys or click on each image to view the next. Anyway this should give you a better idea of my cracked frame, it's not terrible at this point but bad enough.

Thanks appreciate the heads up.

Anyone ever run into something like this, photos below? Just returned from a trip to the SW and noticed this crossbeam at the rear of trailer broke loose from its weld joint. Thinking about bolting it back on instead of finding someone who can do aluminum welding. What do you guys think? Thanks

Good one 😂 must have been part of my Alabama genetic code.

This reminds me of trip, might have been our Oliver pick up trip, driving through Texas on the return. Gassed up in Lubbock where it was calm and quite warm but by the time we were on the north end of the city wind picked up noticeably and continued to get much worse. We knew 70-90 mph winds were supposed to be in west TX that day and sure enough it happened. Made it to Palo Duro State Park just outside of Amarillo, pitch dark and temps had gone from mid 80's in Lubbock to 40 ± degrees at Palo Duro and all I had on was a t-shirt, shorts and sandals freezing to death trying to get the gate unlocked in the dark, then setting up the Ollie. There might have been half a dozen locks on the gate chain. The amazing part was the second I shut the door as we were getting settled in you could hear a pin drop. Trudi and looked at each other WTH, howling wind outside but quiet as a church mouse inside. Opened the door again, sure enough still howling wind.

Another reason for Oliver to change their suspension system maybe? Just saying.

Hadn't thought about that passageway, but that clears up a lot. Not sure how much of the return air would hit the outside shower pipes though, maybe some.

Thanks that was one of the companies I had found while searching for this product. Knew about the pipe wrap though. All good info.

While looking around the internet for this material I came across a number of RV Van modification companies that use this stuff extensively and also sell it on the open market. It is used mostly for sound insulation more than thermal insulation though. Apparently the R value of the thinsulite is 5.2 better than nothing and pretty good for something this thin. Yep, seen the pipe wrap by the box load in the home centers and hardware stores.

A couple more thoughts on this. Good thread though. To my way of thinking there is yet another mod to do if you decide to install a vent under the seat cavities. There is a barrier made from 1/4 inch plastic just behind the furnace and hot water heater that would eliminate any air flowing back through the basement as a fresh air return. This sheet is sort of a janky affair that is most likely meant to protect the furnace and hot water heater should stored items go flying around in the rear compartment under the bed. I suppose one could devise a heavy duty net that might accomplish the same thing but otherwise a vent hole needs to be cut into this barrier sheet. No idea if this is installed with those people who have the Truma units. I have taken mine out a couple of times to service the hateful Suburban furnace and it is a PITA to get it out then back in.

Dave I am certainly no expert at these things and honestly haven't given it much thought until you brought this up but everything you state above makes total sense. Have always thought the heating system in the EII was sub par especially noticeable when really cold but it seems like you have worked through this and improved the situation considerably. This is going to be my next mod for sure once it thaws out here in Montana and I can get our Ollie out of storage. Are these 4 inch vents commonly available? If not no big deal I can use something else in lieu of those. Is it possible to have too much return air venting thus lowering its efficiency? I also want to purchase some of the 3M insulation and pipe wrap @rich.dev mentioned too. My thoughts for now are one in the bath under the toilet paper roll, one below seats probably closest to the rear if there is room and another one close to the fridge at the entry. The existing one will get closed off completely. It's not a bad idea to have a vent for the closet if for no other reason to vent off heat during summer camp trips. That space if left closed can get pretty darn warm. Thanks

Dave I would encourage you to check out the virtual tour videos, linked here, to see their placement. However this still doesn't make sense to me because the inside of the closet is mostly sealed. I am at a loss as to why they wouldn't have put a 4" inch vent in the bath, then one under the seats of the EII, and a 3rd at the side of the fridge. Also if you look at each different video the placement of these vents all slightly differ from one to the other. Maybe someone with the newer EII's or Elites can update and inform us.

@rich.dev looks like you added some additional insulation of some type in addition to the pipe wrap. Don't ever recall running across black fabric faced insulation in the past. Just curious what is this stuff?

I am a bit confused by this placement in the closet area top and bottom. If the closet door is closed which I would assume it to be most of the time those return vents would not be able to draw much air if any. Seems like a curious and odd placement for them to me, but perhaps there is something I don't understand. Thanks