rideandfly

Have to admit, we like Toyota pickups, but would like to see a Vintage truck towing an Ollie, too! :)

We have two pickup trucks a 2003 2.4L manual 5 speed Tacoma and 2016 5.7L 4X4 Tundra. Purchased the Tundra new for $37,000 and works fine for us towing our LE2, should not need replacement for years. We will eventually replace the 2003 Tacoma that we purchased new for less than $13,000, it only has 165,000 miles and runs great, so it will probably be years before it needs to be replaced with a mid sized pickup. We tow our LE2 with empty tanks and keep Ollie lightly loaded for local trips and cross country from the Carolinas. We see fuel economy between 12 and 13MPG, depending on speed and terrain. I have been guilty of taking excessive gear/supplies camping that we never used, so that's one way to reduce overall weight when camping. We have a Diamond Back cover on the Tundra that's light & handy for our camping needs. Weighed our Tundra/Ollie rig and Tundra on CAT Scales during 2017 & 2018 and rig is under all of Tundra's maximum capacities, but loading is important where gear is stored. Our longest Tundra/Ollie tow day was 720 miles so far (Tundra has 38 gallon fuel tank) we were in a hurry to get back to the Carolinas from CO when a hurricane was approaching home. Here's a shot of our rig with Diamond Back cover camping in TN: Nothing to do with this conversation, took this Vintage Dodge Power Wagon photo at a Vintage aircraft gathering at Lock Haven PA, always liked the looks of this truck, since we like pickup trucks!!!!!!!

We tow with a 2016 5.7L 4X4 Tundra SR5 double cab with light truck tires. Reading through the operators manual today and it states trailer over 5000 pounds requires a WDH. Did not find other statements requiring WDH. Recommended tongue weight is 9 to 11% of trailer weight, so trailers weighing 5001 pounds require WDH with recommended tongue weights from 450 lbs to 550 lbs. The manual also states if you tow any trailer over 2000 pounds, the trailer requires a sway device. Information from operators manual and drivers door tag weight capacities for our Tundra. Tundra GVWR 7100 lbs Tundra maximum Front Axle weight GAWR 4000 pounds Tundra maximum Rear Axle weight GAWR 4150 lbs Tundra combined maximum weight GCWR 16,000 pounds Tundra maximum towed trailer weight 9800 pounds

:)

Woodrow_apples, We tow Ollie with a 2016 5.7L Tundra. No issues with stock Tundra mirrors over 20,000 miles, so far.

This is not rails to trails, but a nice place to ride in the winter. Enjoy riding bicycles on the beach and trails at Hunting Island SP SC. Been a while since we last camped there, hurricanes took some portions of the campground on this barrier island. Experienced heavy pollen during January, but enjoy the beach while camping there. The trail area is where some scenes were shot for the jungle portion of the movie Forrest Gump. Beautiful Sunrises

Hidalga, Appreciate your time and effort organizing this gathering. We enjoy camping in this area of SD late August and September. Hopefully we will be able to attend, too! Regards, Bill and Debbie

:) Hope Everyone has a Great New Year!!!

Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year!

RockSea, Beautiful Sunset! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bill, As you can see I take too many photos! Table Rock NC is in the background of this shot taken from Route 181, just north of Morganton NC. It's an easy hike to the top of Table Rock. Rt. 181 area has plenty of fun twistys for motorcycle riders. Table Rock, Linville, and Mortimer has many dual sport riding areas, with plenty of nice places to camp, too:

Bill, Ollie's hangar companion, Vagabond, did the skywriting! :)

Thanks, We feel fortunate to camp with an Ollie at some of the beautiful campgrounds around our Nation. Already planning at least one western camping trip for 2019. Will take plenty of photos, too! Happy New Year

Thanks! Learned about Snow Canyon State Park Utah from other Ollie owner's threads here. Appreciate all of the knowledgeable folks in the Oliver family. Merry Christmas!!!!!

Wishing Everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bill, Had a snow blower when we lived in Ohio. Have about 2 to 3" of snow/sleet so far, just north of Charlotte. Enjoy snow here, since it does not stay on the ground very long. Happy we found a place to store Ollie inside, too. We had on track Snow Blowers with military surplus jet engines to blow snow out of switches on the railroad. Parked a pickup truck too close to the track one night, jet blast with debris put five holes in the pickup radiator.

Kim and Travis, Welcome! Congratulations on your new Ollie and future camping plans! Looking forward to hearing about your camping adventures. We camped at Foss Lake State Park OK during October, beautiful area!!!! Best Regards, Bill and Debbie

Steve and Hobo, Installed Firestone airbags on our Tacoma without air compressor, been working fine for five years. Plan to install airbags on the Tundra. After reading your posts checked out Air Lift airbags, they have good reviews for competitive pricing. I'm going with Air Lift airbags, too. Thanks for the information!

John, Here's an example, stayed mostly at State Parks on our trip from NC to UT, returned back to NC only camping at SPs. All of the SP campsites used had at least electricity and not too far from I-40 & I-15 in following states: TN, AR, OK, NM, AZ, NV, UT

John, Find campgrounds with research using US State Park guide and ACE guide purchased from Amazon.

Trainman, Sounds like we camp at similar campgrounds. Started camping out west this year with Ollie. We like State Parks and Army Corp of Engineer Campgrounds. Purchased Ollie used and don't have factory solar system on our LE2, it's perfect for our needs. Ninety nine percent of the campgrounds we camp at have at least 120V available. We have a 100W portable solar panel and 2000W Honda Gen-Set for trips on the Blue Ridge Parkway when camping at Federal campgrounds without electrical connections. Ninety nine percent of the time we don't use on board LP gas system unless camping on the BRP without 120V. We use a 120V 1500W portable heater for cool nights and 120V portable induction cook top or microwave for cooking needs. Bill

Bobfirst, Thanks for the information about ASI 335 currently used by Oliver. Talked to ASI a few minutes ago about applying ASI 335 silicone, they said using alcohol for surface prep on a clean surface is OK with ASI 335. Next leak reseal, plan to use ASI 0240 adhesive remover/cleaner before installing ASI 335. http://www.thesealantandadhesivesource.com/asi-335-neutral-cure-silicone-sealant-adhesive/ ASI 0240 can be used to clean surface when silicone residue is being removed before installing new silicone. http://www.thesealantandadhesivesource.com/asi-0240-adhesive-remover-cleaner/

Ours did the same, it dripped down between the hulls, around the rear window dripping out of the window frame on the curbside bed. As far as time to do the job, it takes me 4 times longer than other folks, I would give myself a day so not to hurry and to do the job right. Once the sealant is removed, follow directions on the adhesive/sealant tube cleaning/prepping area before installing.

jhorton, We had the same problem. Probably better tools available than what I used. Used a wood paint stir stick sharpened to a dull point on one end to remove the sealant without damaging lens or gel-coat. Took my time being very careful. After digging out all of the sealant possible with the lens in place, used the same wood paint stir stick sharpened on one end to lightly pry the lens out placing plenty of cloth padding between the wood stick and gel-coat to prevent damage to the gel-coat/lens. Removed the lens twice because of leaks. Sealant used by Oliver leaked the first two times. Recommend contacting Oliver, they may be using different sealant on the Lens than sealant used during 2015. Last time used white Marine Silicone adhesive/sealant to stop the leak. Taped the lens and gel-coat with painters tape where I did not want the adhesive/sealant to contact. Placed the tape so it could be pulled off in one direction while applying the adhesive/sealant. Have not had any leaks since sealing lens last year accumulating over 12,000 miles on Ollie during that time. This is where the water dripped from the LED lens housing in the upper rear cabinet: Resealed lens: