rideandfly

Finished a 940 mile round trip yesterday with another 470 mile towing day through the TN/NC mountains on I40. Experimented with different speeds checking fuel economy. Got 250 miles out of one tank using 15.7 gallons out of a 21.1 gallon tank. Speeds around 55 to 60MPH yielding 15.9MPG on that tank. Tested one tank at about 60 to 65MPH and it yielded 14.6MPG. On the previous leg of the trip the fuel economy was 15.1MPG @ about 62 to 63MPH. Overall round trip fuel economy was 15.1MPG. The Timbren rear suspension enhancements reduced rear end sag and bounce. Downside of this modification while on rough roads, ride is stiff while towing. We have towed the Ollie with the Fronty about 2000 miles so far.

Bill, During our plant tour last month, I did not notice the road named after Mr. Oliver and the Safe Step Sign inside the fenced in area across from the parking areas during our first visit. It was important for us learning about Oliver's involvement with other fiberglass products, eventually manufacturing fine travel trailers built there along with other fiberglass products today. Appreciate seeing the continuous improvements made to new campers ready for pick up in the lot next to the Safe Step Sign, too. Happy Oliver Camper, here!!!!!

Took the Ollie in last last Friday to have some work done. Tommy, Dusten, and Justin had the Ollie ready by lunch time on the same day. Great folks to work with and appreciate the great care they give to Oliver owners. Like always, took a few photos:

We stayed at Fall Hollow last Thursday and Friday nights while Oliver did some work on our Ollie. Enjoyed visiting with Noel and Sheri at Fall Hollow. Spent some time on the Natchez Trace:

Initially I did not think the Frontier would be adequate towing the Elite II in the eastern US, until I tried it. Towed the Elite II 470 miles yesterday in the NC & TN mountains without any issues. Something else surprised me, found towing at 62 to 63MPH, overdrive off, (2200RPM) and allowing to slow to 55MPH on slight grades and speed going up to 65MPH down hill averaged 15MPG yesterday. Have towed on 6% & 7% grades in 3rd gear, 2500RPM @ about 40MPH so far. Going down 8% grades try not to go over 35 to 40MPH using a combination rig & engine braking. I'm reluctant to say I would try towing out west using the Frontier for now.

Need an Ollie Delivery Day song, too!!!!! :)

Here's a few more:

Buzzy, Thanks! We were going to buy a larger TV before buying a new Ollie at the end of the year. A 2015 Ollie came up for sale used, so we decided to try towing the Ollie home from MO with the Frontier. The Fronty surprised us how nicely it handled the Ollie on the trip home. We give plenty of credit to the Ollie's fine towing manners, too. We decided to use the Frontier as a TV for the Ollie in the eastern US this year.

Took the Ollie/Fronty rig out for a test ride today. Not using WDH or Sway bar. The Ollie has great towing manners. Overall rig weighs in at 9800 pounds ready to camp with empty water tanks. This Ollie weighs in around 4950 pounds ready to camp. Tongue weight around 420lbs. Timbren suspension modification makes overall rig feel more stable and reduced bounce on rough roads. Fronty ride is firmer with Timbrens installed. Happy with this rig for now, may eventually buy a F-150 for trips out west, current rig will serve us fine for trips east of the Mississippi River. Try to average 60MPH towing with overdrive off in 4th gear (auto tranny), unless in the mountains. Worst fuel economy in mountains so far at 14MPG no faster than 60MPH and slowing to 40MPH on grades. Best fuel economy so far 15.8MPG in SC @ 60MPH in the flat lands on the interstate. Average fuel economy so far at 14.5MPG at 60MPH. Height with 3" lift forged ball mount to top of ball is about 21". With Elite II connected, height to top of ball measures 19 3/4" with about 1 1/4" of sag with the Timbrens installed. Timbrens installed:

Installed Timbren rear suspension modification this afternoon on the Fronty. Will probably be towing the Ollie later this month or early next month to check out the ride. Nissan rear differential Bumper blocks: Timbren during installation on rear differential: Unloaded hitch with Timbrens: Loaded hitch with Elite II and Timbrens:

Cleaned Dometic windows with Microfiber cloth and Plexus plastic cleaner. Also use Plexus cleaner on aircraft windows and motorcycle windscreens. Easy to scratch if care is not taken while cleaning. http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/about.html

Would be happy to let Oliver retrofit our Ollie, if they start using Dometic windows! We purchased an induction hot plate to try out.

We had Dometic C-5 windows on our previous camper. Never had leak issues and can be opened while raining without water getting into camper. Would also be interested in replacing existing Kinro windows with Dometic, if sizes available for older Ollie Campers.

Thanks, That' Coy's Ollie. He decided on using a compass rose decal during construction. Purchased our Ollie used, so not familiar with the process. There's other folks here that had custom decals installed, too.

There were six Ollies with 32 or more various Egg Campers at the gathering. It was great meeting all of the fine folks attending! Rained some Friday, but was a nice Saturday during the "trailer" open house. We probably showed our Ollie to 30 folks or more on Saturday: Mountain drive home:

Coy, Looking forward to meeting you and seeing your Ollie!

Welcome!!!! We are new Oliver owners purchasing a used Ollie last month. Also like flying, riding, and photography. Saw a Red Wolf close to Little Switzerland NC last year while riding the Vstrom. Had to look it up to be sure what I had seen. Took these shots while on a camping trip last year. Somewhere in Montana: Flying & Riding shots :) :

Same here, we really enjoyed our breakfast! My Wife's Dad used to hickory smoke hams on the farm and Debbie mentioned it the night before. Noel made good on his promise that she would have country ham in the morning!

Appreciate the info in this thread. We purchased our 2015 Elite II used with about 6000 miles and 1 year of use. Will order the K71-653-00 E-Z Flex kit and hub seals to install this summer when I inspect brakes and pack bearings. Took a couple of photos of axle info while under the Ollie today:

Enjoy seeing the video!!!!!! Nice job!

Congratulations on your new Ollie!!!!!!!! Glad the folks at Oliver corrected everything, so you're ready for many future Ollie adventures! Great photos and graphics, too!

Looks like we will be the 6th Ollie on site F2! We're looking forward to meeting everyone!!!!!

The previous owner installed a 110V outlet in the overhead storage compartment over the TV. We use the 110V and existing 12V outlet for device charging that's out of sight:

Appreciate the report about everyone and photos!!!!! Like your last statement, too: "Oliver owners, more than friends, they’re family". Camp On!

We were originally going to order an Elite II with King Bed Configuration. A used 2015 Elite II with twin beds became available, so we decided to give twin bed configuration a try. Our Ollie came with 5 1/2" Poly Foam AB Lifestyles mattresses ordered by the previous owner and installed by Oliver during Ollie construction. We ordered a set of 11" memory foam custom size mattresses (special order for the Elite II) from AB Lifestyles today, 29" X 74.5" X 11" with 15" radius cut one corner of each mattress. We both like memory foam mattresses, so we ordered new 11" memory foam mattresses today. It's easy to make up twin beds standing between them. We like the walkway between the beds, too. I'm 6' tall and 215 pounds, the twin is comfortable size for me. My Wife is 5'2" and 120 pounds, the twin is comfortable size for her, too. We're happy we bought the used Elite II twin bed configuration.