rideandfly

John, Dexter's following link for up to 8K axle electric brake service manual: http://www.dexteraxle.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/light-duty-electric-brakes019b809d2ba463c18d7aff64007a4014.pdf?sfvrsn=0 "Shoes contaminated with grease or oil, or abnormally scored or gouged should also be replaced".

We dropped by a ACE campground early last week and purchased the $10 pass. Will be using it soon, too!

Found this Dexter Service Manual for up to 8K axle electric brakes: http://www.dexteraxle.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/light-duty-electric-brakes019b809d2ba463c18d7aff64007a4014.pdf?sfvrsn=0

After rain or dew when starting off in the morning with cold brakes, our Ollie's brakes are grabby. After applying brakes momentarily at slow speed 3 or 4 times, brakes operate normally for the rest of the day. Assumed it's moisture on the shoes and/or flash rust that may occur overnight inside of the brake drum, IMHO. Brake shoes & brake drums visually looked good during bearing repack/seal replacement less than 5,000 miles ago. Using Toyota's factory installed Tundra brake controller.

Bill, Thanks! Learned much and hope to be better prepared to photograph the next eclipse.

We were heading east on I40 between Asheville NC and Marion NC about 2:08PM towing our Ollie with white TV. Saw an Elite II and burgundy TV heading west.

We just returned home from camping at Tellico Plains TN, Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground. Managed to take some eclipse shots!

Bill, Appreciate the fine report and beautiful photos!!!!!!!!!

Bill, Thanks for the report. Plan to visit Mothership during the next six months to have some modifications done and visit with the fine folks at Oliver! Hope you post a fly fishing trip report, too!!!!

John, The original owner of our Ollie had AB Lifestyles to build and ship mattresses to Oliver during manufacture of their Ollie. We wanted thicker mattresses when we purchased the Ollie from the original owners, so we ordered 11" memory foam mattresses from AB Lifestyles. They have a pattern for the Elite II mattresses. We did not buy custom made sheets from AB Lifestyles. If you want to order custom sheet sets from AB Lifestyles and they cannot find the mattress pattern, please send a PM, I have the order # and date for our order. We are very pleased with these mattresses!

Joe, Nice looking rig! Your F-150 makes a fine TV for the Ollie! Like the colors, too!

Mike, Nice photos! Appreciate the SP report!

Malcolm and Ursula, Agree, we really enjoying camping with our Ollie, too. The folks at Oliver been great to work with. We showed the Ollie several times during the last camping trip and probably over 100 times at campgrounds since buying it used last year!

Tom & Cheryl, Welcome! We did not know how the Ollie's twin bed was going to work out for us, but it has worked out nicely. We really like camping with the Ollie!

Hope to have a photo from Tellico Plains TN. Campground has two RV sites with 7 very small log cabins and many tent sites. The owner believes 300 people may gather there. Edit: Have not been boondocking with the Ollie so far, but will give it a try during the next year. NASA Eclipse Videos:

Clair & Kathy, Congrats on "Clever Beast"!!!! Look forward to seeing photos, too!

Marsha, We had the same problem about a year ago. Removed most of the old tape and used 2" wide aluminum foil tape (with adhesive on one side) to replace the original tape. Purchased the tape at a local Lowes hardware store where we were camping. Took about 1 to 2 hours to replace the tape at the campsite, used scissors to trim many pieces of tape to fit. I don't remember if aluminum tape was made by 3M or Scotch. Overlapped many pieces of tape to support the weight of the curved aluminum plate. Edit: If I had been at home where I have cleaners/solvents available, would have prepared originally taped areas with compatible cleaner/solvent for better adhesion of the tape considering the weight of the aluminum plate and heat from the refrigerator. Initially this was supposed to be a temporary fix until returning home from the camping trip. After finishing the repair, it looked good and been in service for over a year. Normally use a label & sticker remover (Turtle Wax) to remove old adhesive and clean with alcohol before applying an adhesive. Check aluminum foil tape label/instructions to be sure alcohol can be used. Aluminum tape instructions/specifications can also be found on the manufacturers website. Hope this helps! Aluminum foil tape installed after one year of use:

David, We enjoyed meeting and spending time with y'all, too! The eclipse glasses are on order!

Appreciate the great tips on how to make better coffee!!!!! Thanks Everyone!

Angela and Kyle, Welcome and congratulations on your Ollie! We also like camping at TN State Parks. The fall foliage in TN may be nice when you pick up your Ollie, too. This event is too early for your Ollie pick-up date, but we want to attend the National Banana Pudding Festival at least one time in the future. It will be held 10/7 & 8 this year at Centerville, TN. https://www.bananapuddingfest.org/

Purchased a "Coleman Camping Coffeemaker" drip coffee maker and used it during the last two camping trips. Turned the flame down low on an old 2 burner propane camp stove. It took 3 times longer to brew the coffee at a low flame setting compared to our electric drip coffee maker in the camper & home using same coffee and water. If we poured a cup before the complete pot brewed, the coffee was strong. If we waited for the complete pot to brew, it was very good! Purchased a Coleman stainless steel coffee pot to replace the original glass pot and Coleman carry case.

Since the forecast was warm and humid this weekend, we headed back to Mount Pisgah Campground NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway to get out of the heat. Had the pleasure to meet another forum member. Hiked to Crabtree Falls NC close to BRP, too! Mr. Trumpetguy: Crabtree Falls NC close to BRP:

The previous Ollie owner had built two light weight rear jack blocks with foam block encased with wood then wrapped with fiberglass cloth. He was also a fiberglass airplane builder. Use these to stabilize with rear jacks, but did not have room with the curb. Had to back the Ollie almost to the curb to keep the hitch from protruding out in the road. Will check out Tractor Supply for thin jack material, good tip! Really like these light weight jack blocks, too:

Also reading discussions on Air Forums. Folks there are starting to replace lead/acid batteries with Battle Born BB10012 Lithium Ion LiFePO4 Battery 12V 100Ah batteries with built in battery management system. Contacted Battle Born about using the 100watt Renogy Portable Suitcase Solar Panel system to charge the Battle Born batteries. They said the Viewstar VS1024BN controller's settings are not compatible with their batteries. Working to resolve this issue. We have an original equipment Progressive Dynamics PD4045 power control in our 2015 Ollie. After reading Battle Born site information, the existing power control will charge Battle Born batteries, but for faster charges the 14.4V boost mode would charge faster. After talking to Progressive Dynamics, my power control boost mode comes on when battery voltage drops to 12V or every 21 hours for 15 minutes to prevent battery stratification. Could replace the existing PD 4045 convertor section, located above the fan in existing power control, with a Progressive Dynamics # PD4045LICSV convertor section, for Lithium battery charging. The folks at solar-electric.com said to give the original Progressive Dynamics charger a try first, it may work fine without upgrading the convertor section.

Here's using 2X6 on the low side. Going to cut shorter 2X6 planks to place under the rear jacks when backed over a curb. Jack blocks normally used were too tall to fit between the jack pads and curb: