rideandfly

We have two Toyota tow vehicles. A 2003 2.4L Toyota Tacoma with Class III hitch and Firestone rear differential air bags, we tow a trailer with motorcycle weighing in under 1500 pounds loaded. We also have a 2016 5.7L 4x4 Toyota Tundra with factory tow package for towing the Ollie. Found this information in both vehicle's operators manuals. The manuals say when towing a trailer of 2000 pounds or more a sway device of adequate capacity must be used. In the case of the Tundra, it came equipped with a Toyota sway control system that uses the Tundra's brakes to reduce sway, but the manual also said the sway system may not be adequate to control all trailer sway situations. Assume many modern WDH systems also have sway control devices. Our Ollie comes in at 4950 pounds ready to camp with empty water tanks, full LP tanks, and full water heater tank. Our Ollie tows fine behind the Tundra without WDH and sway device. The Tundra requires WDH when towing a trailer over 5000 pounds. Purchased an Electronic Sway Control device for the Ollie that uses trailer braking when sway is detected when towing with the Tundra. Will post installation in another thread. Are there other vehicles approved for towing that have a sway control device requirement?

Great report and photos. Excellent looking meal, too!!!!!

Coy, You're right! Here's a few more. Space Camp: Like these tires: AL I65 Welcome Center:

Buzzy, Thanks! They were giving away standard Ollie t-shirts. Good idea having special Ollie t-shirts for Ollie gatherings!

Bill, Thanks! Yep, they call it ORR (Oliver Rocket Rig). PM sent! Airstream Quarantine Facility:

Last May we won a free stay (door prize) at Riverbend Campground, Hiawassee GA while attending an Egg rally. Will not be attending the rally during 2017, but still wanted to use the free pass. Decided to stay there while en-route to the first Oliver Fall Gathering earlier this month. Will post additional photos taken during the first Oliver Fall Gathering. After the Ollie gathering we headed to AL and camped at a friend's home. During that stay we spent a complete day at the US Space and Rocket Center AL. On the way home we stayed at Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground TN. http://www.riverbendcamping.com/ https://www.thousandtrails.com/tennessee/natchez-trace-rv-campground/ http://rocketcenter.com/ https://www.cmtrails.com/ Like always, I take too many photos, so here's a few: Riverbend Campground: Oliver Fall Gathering: Natchez Trace in AL crossing the TN River: Davidson Rocket Center AL: Ollie Rocket Rig Display:

John, The set worked OK, but is bulky. Have not found anything else to use for this type of job, yet. Learned about the kit reading on the following RV.net thread for Dexter EZ Flex installations. Used it a couple times so far. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21609645.cfm

Also used a Harbor Freight ball joint service kit to press out a couple of old bolts and press in some new bolts, had this kit from another project: http://www.harborfreight.com/ball-joint-service-kit-for-2wd-and-4wd-vehicles-60827.html

Dave, The kit came with recommended torque values instructions, like Bwright mentioned and a torque wrench was used. The nuts are self locking, but when we installed a couple of lock nuts and removed them, used Blue thread locker on the nuts during re-installation to be safe. Left the instructions at AL where we did the job. Purchased 45 degree fittings from a Tractor Supply Store. http://www.dexteraxle.com/inc/sdetail/3902 Bill, Sharp eye, the vise was in rough shape, but it was the only one available where we did the job. Took one Ollie rig photo before leaving Davidson Rocket Center AL:

Bill and John, Thanks!!!!! Made the stand out of scrap wood and it works great. Made it easy to grease the Ollie!

Here's a Dexter Suspension Kit upgrade with bronze bushings and wet pins on the single axle 2015 Legacy Elite. Old parts removed, less a few nylon bushings. The pins and bushings removed were in good condition. Removed the straight grease fittings and installed 45 degree fittings: Installing bronze bushings: One hand grease gun stand:

Thanks, Camping in the Ollie in AL as I reply, it's holding up well!!!!

It was great seeing old friends and meeting new friends! Enjoyed the Rally and appreciate the effort the Oliver folks put in the gathering making a fine event! Can't wait until the next gathering! Friday night: Saturday night:

John, Welcome! We have been thinking about taking our Grandchildren camping, ages 5 & 7. The 7 year old will sleep in the dinette/bed. Will cut out short foam mattress and place in the floor between both twin beds during the night for the 5 year old child. This will leave room to step off the end of the beds, when needed with the mattress between the twin beds. Our Daughter and Husband will eventually buy a camper, so when the Kids are older, they will stay with Mom & Dad.

If needed, will paint parts white like the top 1/2 of AC, MaxxFan, TV antenna, just like the front jack covers. Will go with recommended jack lubricant or equivalent and cross that bridge when I get to it. John makes valid points.

The bottom part of our Dometic heat pump is black and top half white. Been thinking about painting the interior window shade frames white like the jack covers, but have a couple Ollie projects in line before working on the shade frames!

Dean, Please let Oliver Sales know you will be joining Jeannine's tour, 888-526-3978. We started the tour last April at their sales office:

John, Good questions and Thanks, Rear jack heads are under bed or beds inside and protected well. Believe Oliver went to black covers because of discoloration experienced with the original white covers. Figured painting the existing covers white would hold up longer, will see. Did not see any signs of water getting inside of the covers on the front jack. Some folks use a waterproof cover to protect the front jack. Here's the link for the Barker VIP Power jack owners manual: https://www.barkermfg.com/uploads/5/4/9/4/54943161/vip_3000_all_pages.pdf Here's maintenance recommendations from the above owners manual PDF file: "MAINTENANCE: Once a year, the powerhead should be removed and a liberal amount of grease (preferably a grease with high melting point) applied directly to the coupling on which the drive pin rests. DO NOT POUR OIL into top of the jack post. Once a year, the housing cover should be removed and the gears inspected for proper lubrication. Remove 4 screws and tap around edge of housing to free cover. DO NOT insert screw driver blade! (This may damage mating surfaces.) Before replacing cover, clean mating surfaces. If lubrication is needed, use Mobil 460 grease or equivalent."

So far there are 14 campsites reserved for trailer owners. We will also have folks attending staying in campground cabins. Looks like a great event coming together!

Dean & Laura, Welcome! Debbie & I look forward to meeting you later this week! We have a white Toyota Tundra tow vehicle. If you see our pickup with an Oliver, please knock on the Ollie door and say Hello! We camped in KY a couple years ago in a very nice ACE campground. From the campsite:

Oliver started installing black covers on newer Ollie front jacks. Our older white covers had discolored, so decided to paint the existing covers. I did not install a new decal indicating switch operation. Was able to carefully reuse original rubber toggle switch covers and seals. When I take it apart again, will install new toggle switch rubber covers and operation decal. You can see how much the parts discolored in less than 1 1/2 years: Under the covers you will find two switches, gear box, light bulb fixture, and 12V motor: Used Valspar clear plastic spray primer and Valspar gloss white plastic spray paint. Sanded parts with 1000 grit sand paper before priming and lightly sanded primer with 1000 grit sand paper before final spray paint application. Let final paint coat sit over night before assembly.

DonBob3, Installed Firestone rear differential air bags on one TV and Timbren rear suspension upgrade on another TV. I prefer Firestone air bags. Ran 30PSI in the air bags while towing another camper and 5PSI when not towing. Both reduced bounce, but the Timbren system resulted in a rougher ride while towing for me. My 2016 SR5 5.7L 4x4 Tundra has to have a WDH when towing over 5000 pounds. My Ollie total weight came in under 5000 pounds ready to camp with empty tanks, been towing without WDH with the Tundra. Firestone Airbag installation on a 2003 Toyota Tacoma rear differential: Timbren suspension upgrade on a 2013 Nissan Frontier rear differential:

Matt, You found the issue, updated my signature! Thanks,

Matt, Attempted to update my signature with new tow vehicle, but it will not work for me. Thanks for working on this,

Matt said he's working on this problem right now!