rideandfly

Took a photo of our 5200lb axles installed on a few Elite II units. About 3 3/8" from top of axle to fiberglass hull: Springs: Some Tundra owners with factory brake controller replaced it with a P3 controller. I'm using the Toyota controller in electric brake setting. The 12" brakes are strong on a ready to camp Ollie weighing in at 4950lbs with empty tanks! Our 4X4 Tundra's tow capacity is a little over 9800lbs. Dexter 5200lb Axle SN: 211277561 Hope this helps, happy to take additional photos, if needed!

We're using a Hayes Swaymaster electronic sway control with our Elite II with good results without WDH.

Hardrock, While towing the Ollie down a mountain earlier this week I entered a curve too fast and felt the Swaymaster apply trailer brakes in the last half of a curve. The Swaymaster detected/corrected a sway event before I noticed it. I slowed down for the rest of the trip. Happy the Swaymaster was installed, too.

Bill, Progressive Dynamics Warranty is 2 years on converters, I just missed out on warranty. Our Ollie was picked up from Oliver on May 2015. Thanks,

Earlier this summer noticed the Progressive Dynamics PD4045 charging the batteries at 14.4V while on gen-set power. The batteries were at 12.5V. Disconnected the gen-set (output 120V) and disconnected 12V batteries, reconnected everything and PD4045 charging went back to normal 13.6V. Later this summer after connecting to shore power at another campground, the Progressive Dynamics PD4045 converter was charging at 14.4V again, batteries were already at 12.7V. The shore power coming into the Ollie was 117V, within the 105V to 130V recommended by Progressive Dynamics. Tested shore power with a Camco Circuit Analyzer before connecting to campground outlet, it was correct. Progressive Dynamics said the 14.4V does not come on until batteries drop to 12V or every 21 hours for 15 minutes to prevent battery stratification. Disconnected/reconnected shore power and batteries, checked all connections, and turned charger power on/off several times with charger circuit breaker, converter was still charging at 14.4V. Did not see any issues with circuit boards, battery connections, and connections to converter. Also talked to a Progressive Dynamics distributor, he though I was having converter section problems. Installed a PD 4045 converter section in the Ollie's original equipment PD converter. It took less than an hour with 5 wires to connect and one bolt. Tested during a camping trip earlier this week, new converter section took care of the problem now maintaining the batteries at 13.6V while on shore power. New converter section: Removing old converter section: New converter section installed:

Agree, Matteo is very helpful and like the Easystart 364 on our Dometic unit, too!

Jeff, PM sent.

Bill, Our 2016 Tundra 5.7L with tow package requires WDH when towing a trailer more than 5000lbs and sway device is required when towing a trailer more than 2000lbs. Our Ollie weighs in at local scales under 5000lbs total weight with under 500lbs tongue weight with empty water tanks ready to camp. We probably transport more camping gear, compared to some folks, in the Tundra's rear cab storage area (seats folded up) reducing gear normally transported in the camper. We use an electronic sway control device mounted on the Ollie without using a WDH.

Just returned home from camping at Bandit's Roost ACE Campground NC. We enjoy Kayaking and hiking while camping there.

Darrell and Kathy, Welcome! We're camping in the Ollie right now. There was a knock on the door yesterday and it was a couple wanting to see the Ollie. We spent about 30 minutes showing the Ollie inside and out. Told them we purchased the Ollie used and they thought it was brand new. After getting up in the morning, make the beds up first, because many folks want to look in the Ollie after seeing the beautiful exterior finish. Debbie and I like camping in our Ollie! Time for Coffee!!!!!!!!!!

Steve, great drum to disc brake conversion. Hats off to you!!!!! Popular Mechanics article about drum brakes: "Why do some vehicle manufacturers still use drum brakes instead of the superior disc brakes? Drums are lighter and have less friction when not applied--both important for mileage. And they're used on a lot of light trucks and smaller fwd cars on the rear axle, because these vehicles have a heavy forward weight bias and don't need rear brakes that are as effective as the front ones". http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a11696/1782947/

Dave, Call Dexter with your axle serial number stamped on the axle barrel, ask them which brake shoes you have. They should be able to help. They have more aggressive 12X2 brake shoe linings available: http://www.dexteraxle.com/resources/references/frequently-asked-questions/brakes/lists/frequently-asked-questions/brakes---how-can-i-increase-the-aggressiveness-of-the-12-x2-brake

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!