rideandfly

Most of the stations in our area are $3.72 to 3.80 per gallon for regular 87. There is one station that has been at $3.29 for non-ethanol 87 for the last three years. Hope to get 14 to 15MPG local trips, will see. Most of our trips this year will be TN, NC & VA foothills and mountains. Will not be heading out west this year.

Bill, Thanks for the info!

Here's the switch Mike mentioned on the upgrade panel John also mentioned, same upgrade we installed for our Battleborn Lithium as recommended by Battleborn. We also have a spare older working panel for LA if anyone needs one. Here's Progressive Dynamic's installation and operation guide download for the PD 4000 series power control center for LA & LI batteries: https://www.progressivedyn.com/wp-content/uploads/Support/manuals/110145-English.pdf

Ollie's TV cockpit has much more stuff than my 1948 Piper that has a 1930 Ford Model A cork fuel indicator and Briggs & Stratton Magneto switch, same as equipped new. 🙂

John, In order to see the complete screen, I place the shifter to the left from D to S to see the complete screen. I can also see the complete screen in this position with two 16 OZ drinks in the cup holders behind the GPS unit. Starting to look at rear wireless camera installation on Ollie, next. This is with the iPhone in it's cradle behind the GPS:

Additional reasons we went with the Garmin 780 RV GPS. The 780 (6.95" screen) fit nicely in our center console, and we can add a wireless backup camera to Ollie that can be displayed on the GPS that transmits up to 45'. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/501486

We just purchased a Garmin 780 RV GPS and look forward to testing it on a camping trip later this month:

Yep, hope it's a consideration in the re-design efforts. Minnesota Oli did a fine modification, and if made available I would want a set, too.

Great modification! After buying Ollie, we missed our previous (SOB) camper's Dometic Seitz type hinged windows that could be open while raining. Always wished Oliver would use this style of window. Keeping the windows open during the rain is a great benefit. Nice Job!

You put plenty of thought and work into this portable solar system. Nice work!

John, Our payload is 1400 pounds. I used to reach 7100lb GVW with our 2016 Tundra with almost everything I wanted to carry, but this new Tundra will carry everything I want to carry being a couple hundred pounds under GVW with Ollie attached. I don't weigh individual items, but make sure we don't exceed front & rear axle maximums & TV gross weight. Initially Toyota dealers removed the cab to replace the passenger side turbo, but recently they started removing the passenger side front wheel to access the turbo through the wheel well. Not aware of driver side turbo actuator replacements, so can't address driver's side access to turbo. We purchased this base SR5 Tundra for Ollie towing duty. The CrewMax cab cloth interior is nice, the front seats are not bad, but not as comfortable as our 2016 SR5 Tundra's front seats. LED lights overhead in the cab work for me, but some folks want brighter interior lights. Understand the higher trim level front seats are very comfortable. Purchased a Garmin 780 RV GPS and use it in the center console behind the smart phone cradle. Around town we get 19MPG and 22MPG on the highway. If I'm at a stop sign with high speed traffic approaching, the new Tundra's acceleration makes it easy to pull out putting distance between me and the oncoming traffic quickly. It's quick when needed. We have never owned an SUV, but if we purchased one it would be the 2023 Sequoia on the new Tundra platform. Place the gear shifter from D to sport mode to see the complete GPS screen when placed in this location:

Update on our SR5 CrewMax 2WD Tundra. One of the features I really like is the electric rear cab (complete) window. Letting the rear window down is a nice feature for fresh air circulation without as much noise as open side windows. The Ollie/Tundra rig is very stable with plenty of power with the 3.5L twin turbo. Some (less than 1%) new Tundra owners have had issues with passenger side turbo actuators, but we have not had any issues with our Tundra. The latest reported Turbo warranty replacement requires removing the passenger side wheel/tire for access to the turbo through the fender well. With 1500 miles on our 2WD Tundra yielded 14MPG in central NC/SC areas towing Ollie at 60 to 65MPH in 8th gear turning 1750 to 1900 RPM. When not towing Ollie getting 22MPG in 10th gear mostly highway driving same region at 65MPH at 1500RPM with over 2000 miles on the Tundra so far. Fuel economy towing Ollie with our 2016 Tundra was 12MPG. I am very easy on the throttle during take off and don't use cruise control while towing. Our Ollie weighs in ready to camp as per CAT scales from 4900 to 4950lbs with empty tanks except for full hot water heater. This Tundra's GVW is 6990 pounds, lower than our 2016 5.7L Tundra's 7100 pound GVW. Tundra's operators manual states a WDH is required for any trailer over 5,000 pounds, since our Ollie weighs in under 5,000 pounds ready to camp, towed Ollie without a WDH and the rig was very stable. Believe 99% of LE2 Ollies weigh in at least 5,000 to 6,000 pounds. We are camping minimalist and reduce gear taken on trips to a minimum. The Tundra's operators manual indicates a sway device is required with trailer weights above 2,000 pounds, so I have an electronic device that activates trailer brakes in a sway event, but honestly the Ollie has such fine towing manners, don't believe we have ever encountered any sway events. The Anderson WDH is also a sway device. Here's CAT scale results of the Tundra/Ollie rig with Ollie's water tanks empty including hot water heater was empty. After following CAT scale results still needed to load 50 pounds of gear in the Tundra and 50 pounds of gear in the front of Ollie before a camping trip in February. The Tundra had two people on board, 30 gallons of fuel, and camping gear loaded, except for what I mentioned earlier in this paragraph. Additional 50lbs of weight in the front of the trailer will put the tongue weight within 9% to 11% of Tundra's recommended trailer tongue weight. With Ollie connected. Our Tundra does not have OEM airbags or any rear suspension enhancement installed, yet. OEM airbags would be a nice option to have.

Purchased an iPhone and replaced the existing battery indicator and shunt with a 500A Victron Bluetooth Smart Shunt on Ollie yesterday. This system works great for our needs: https://www.victronenergy.com/battery-monitors/smart-battery-shunt#pd-nav-video Extra wire/cable needed to roll out battery tray.

Will let you know!

David, Totally agree, looking forward to the new and improved Tundra! Bill

One of the reasons we're going to purchase the 2022 Tundra is increased payload capacity compared to our previous 2016 5.7L Tundra. Like how the new Tundra is built with lighter materials in some areas increasing payload like Ford did with the F150. Some folks are waiting for the new Hybrid Tundra, too. As far as the battery location goes, it will not present an issue if I need to replace it. Looks like the double cab rear seat is larger on the 2nd generation compared to the 3rd generation, that's why we're buying the CrewMax larger cab version We're buying a SR5 "work truck" model, without many of the available electronic features with 32 gallon fuel tank. but understand why many buyers may want new technology features. Buying this truck as an Ollie TV and daily driver work truck. After required break in mileage, looking forward to towing with the new rear suspension coil springs, V6TT with maximum torque achieved at low RPMs for a gas engine and to see towing fuel economy improvements. The new Tundra may not be for everyone, but looking forward to seeing how it performs as Ollie's new TV!

The dealer moved our Tundra ETA from 1/3 to 1/10, will see! Here's the latest Tundra buyer's guide from TFL:

After watching a Victron video SeaDawg posted about Lithium battery demand and alternator damage with a particular system, purchased a shunt to monitor Lithium Battery charge with TV running and 7 pin connector connected. Battleborn told me I did not have to worry about about my system with 12V TV charging our Lithium battery, but I learn from threads here, too!

Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year with many great Ollie adventures!

We went for a morning Oliver Plant tour during May 2016 with Jason, not sure if we were going to buy a new or used Ollie. This tour was very informative on Ollie's construction and systems. There was also a LE2 for sale in the classifieds here at the same time. We drove to Missouri directly from Hohenwald that afternoon to see the used Ollie armed with information we learned from Jason. The previous owners answered all of our questions and let us camp in Ollie on their farm, with full hookups, testing all systems overnight. We purchased Ollie the following day from the couple in Missouri.

Believe the engineer's title of his video could have been how they strive for perfection. We have owned 3 Toyota pickups, with # 4 on the way later this week. With all the new vehicles we have purchased, Toyota been the most durable, not perfect, but the most dependable, so far. I used to be involved with industrial machine manufacturing, rebuild, and answered warranty claims. Honest evaluation of warranties makes us look closely at our work and take constructive corrective actions for the improvement of our products, sometimes easier said than done. I like how Toyota has a system to show where there is an issue and takes immediate action. We like pickups, have to admit after working on a couple Hyundai vehicles (preventative maintenance) really like how they are built and their warranty, too. Currently looking at their new Santa Cruz pickup for a daily driver for Debbie and vehicle for trips when not camping, will see.

Could not take a photo until today, shrimp, grits, collard greens, squash spaghetti, and bacon! Finishing off with Key Lime Cheese cake and Hot Cinnamon Spice tea!

Wow, the pierogis and pies look wonderful!!!!! Debbie has been cooking this afternoon! We will be having shrimp, grits, collard greens, spaghetti squash, and Key Lime Cheese Cake tomorrow! Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, we're looking forward to it! Plan to take Ollie for some winter camping, too!

The dealer said the delivery was moved from 12/24 to 12/28. Hope the Tundra comes in next week, will see. Don't plan to tow with Ollie until we have at least a 1,000 miles. Going to add sideboards and a Diamond back bed cover while breaking in the new SR5. There's some other members here with a Tundra coming, too. Used to call our last Tundra Stan, guess that will work for the new Tundra, too.