Mike and Carol

I use mine every time we camp. I have a Weber Q1000 and removed the regulator so that all I have to do is plug into the quick connect and start grilling. We’ve been doing this for 5 years. BTW, I do clean my Weber after each camping trip and it still looks almost new and has performed well over the years. Mike

Congrats! Looks shiny and new in the photo, I’m sure it will look more “experienced” by the time you get home! Mike

I use this bulldog hitch with a disk lock when we’re hooked up and when we’re not. I use this in addition to the above when we’re not hooked up. It was a door prize at a past Oliver rally. Seems to work okay. They are all just deterents!

Yes it is great advice. When pulling into gas stations always check out your exit route before committing to a pump. If you can position yourself so you do all or most of your turning before fueling you’ll have less chance of being boxed in. Also check out traffic flow and if your trailer will be blocking any of it as you fuel up. Mike

Liability issues?

I don’t think you need the Andersen with the small Oliver towing with a Rebel. Sway isn’t much of an issue with Olivers. The tongue weight of the Elite wouldn’t make weight distribution much of an issue either. When I was towing our Elite II with a Rebel I used the Andersen for the weight distribution not sway control. Just my opinion. Mike

Agree. I prefer a manual model. Seems like that should at least be an option.

We’ve camped at Cleburne State Park. Had a great stay and hope to return! Mike

Paul and Linda, welcome! Getting a factory tour is smart, not only can you judge size but you’ll see what goes into making an Oliver. Bill’s recommendation to take lots of pictures is a good one. We have relied on pictures we took a number of times to figure something out. Mike

My 2016 Ram 1500 had a couple hundred pounds more payload than the 2020 Rebel did. They both had the same engine (5.7 Hemi), rear end (3.92) and 8 speed transmission but the 2016 towed better and had better gas mileage. I really wanted the Rebel and I’m glad I got it, but the towing experience was not as good. When this 2500 showed up at a local dealer with all the towing options, large payload capacity and Cummins it seemed like the time to move up. It looks very similar in color and styling as my Rebel and I got it at the end of the month so they were willing to deal. Mike

I don’t have much to add to the comments above. I’ve been able to get into some pretty tight spots and navigate some narrow roads. Remember that the Oliver isn’t any wider than your truck, so if the truck can make it through so can the Oliver. Sometimes gas stations take careful observation before and during pulling in. I like end pumps that allow turns to get out. As far as towing “such a large footprint” I think it is towing a fairly small footprint. Once you size up most of the other trailers out there it’s clear the Oliver isn’t large and is easy to maneuver. Mike

I’ve thought about a light strip for my awning. The ones I’ve looked at put out a lot of light. That’s my issue with the porch lights, they are too bright to use for anything except a temporary task. Walking around campgrounds, some of the trailers and campers with lots of built in and added on lights just seem to detract from the camping experience. Sometimes it’s like walking down a city street with all the colors, brightness, etc. Our solution is to use minimal outside lighting and camping where the neon buses and 5th wheels can’t or won’t go! Mike

Bill, you were smart to listen to that little voice and check it out on the Amazon site. I’ve had a couple of similar calls and emails that look official but can be checked out fairly quickly. I think they expect some folks to go into panic mode and not be prudent. Keep calm and check ‘em out. Mike

I totally agree with Russell. As I posted earlier, for me it is about payload and pulling. I’ve towed my trailer now with a Tacoma, two Ram 1500’s and now a 2500. Some wise owners told me in the beginning the Tacoma wouldn’t be enough. It pulled on flat roads fine but lacked payload and had a small fuel tank. The 1500’s were an improvement, and probably a good compromise as a TV, but payload remained an issue as did performance in mountains. I will say that both 1500s were good daily drivers, comfortable and lots of features. With this new truck I can load whatever we need for camping and not worry about my weight limit, I’m just not going to get there. Mike

We traded our 1500 Rebel last month for a 2500 diesel. I was tired of always being at or above payload capacity and wanted a more relaxed towing experience in the mountains. A gas V8 at 5,000 RPM in the Colorado mountains isn’t fun. Mike

Tom and Shari, welcome! Since you’re experienced you probably already have most of what you need for pick up. I’d see how what you have works and then start adding. Of course there are the things you don’t need but sure would like to have! Have fun with that shopping. Mike

If you have power at your storage area don’t worry about draining your hot water tank. Just turn it on. I’ve got a small Vornado electric heater that we run at our storage and while camping. Set it on low and let it go. We’ve done that for 3 or 4 days in a row. Set on low it cycles on and off keeping the interior warm.

Looks like a location to put on our list! Thanks for sharing. Mike

We are in section E. Anything around there would be good.

March 31 is a good pick up day. Lots of nice spring weather after that to try out your new Ollie and get it broken in! Welcome and we look forward to meeting you. Mike

Welcome to the group from a fellow Texan! Look forward to meeting you and hearing about your travel experiences. Mike

We don’t get real cold here in south Texas either. Tonight it will dip into the mid to high 20s. This afternoon, I will go to my storage, turn on my little Vornado electric heater, turn on my hot water tank and then lift the mattress and open the basement access where the water pump is. I will open and drain all the exterior water connections (just let whatever water is in there drain) then recap. I’ve been doing this for 5 winters and have not had a problem. Last year we did have 3 or 4 consecutive days of night temperatures in the 20s, no problems. We’re heading to AZ in early January and it is nice not to have to de-winterize. Mike

How did I not remember this thread before starting a new one with the same title this morning? 😂.

I put my turkey on the smoker at 5:45 this morning, it was still dark. We’re eating early so had to get an early start. I always do a small turkey on the Primo and Carol does a big turkey in the oven. House if full of kids and grandkids....

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Oliver friends and family. It’s been a strange year, hopefully we can all resume our normal camping adventures soon! Mike