rideandfly

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!

Cheryl, Randy, and Dennis, Forwarded this thread to Matt, I can't update some things in my profile, too!

Agree with Stan about how good the Ollie stability is. Checked the VIN load capacity (from Oliver) and it’s 2140 pounds. Ollie GVW 7000lbs – 2140lbs = empty Ollie weighed in at 4860 pounds (assumed) at the factory. Scale results at local landfill, no CAT results yet: Ollie axles weighed while connected to previous TV scale results: 4520 pounds 4940 pounds Ollie weight, gear in camper with empty tanks, our Elite II has optional fiber granite counter tops, exterior LP gas connection, reading lights, thicker than standard memory foam mattresses, and Winegard ROADSTAR Omni-Directional Antenna (RS-3000) . Ollie weight 4940lbs – 4520lbs axles weight = 420 pounds Tongue weight We started towing during August 2016 with a 2016 4x4 5.7L Toyota SR5 Tundra with factory tow package not using WDH. Our Tundra weighs in at the local landfill scales at 6120 pounds with full 38 gallon fuel tank, two people on board, and 50 pounds of stuff, without travel trailer tongue weight added to Tundra. Been getting around 13MPG with the rig so far in the NC foothills. The Dexter EZ flex was installed on the Ollie before we purchased the Tundra, so can't give a handling comparison before and after EZ flex upgrade with the Tundra. This is the first time we have had a backup camera, and we really like it. It's easy to connect the ball to the Ollie hitch with only TV driver

Hidalga, Debbie & I are looking forward to meeting you! Will send a private message shortly!

Talked to Oliver Sales Staff this morning. So far there are 12 campsites reserved for trailer owners. We will also have folks attending staying in campground cabins. Looks like it's going to be a great Ollie Gathering!

Don & John, Just signed up for a free Evernote account. Will be checking out features!

Agree, would like to see a rock/debris guard available on Olivers similar to the Airstream guards. Check out this factory fiberglass repair: http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/i-hate-it-when-this-happens/

Larry, Appreciate the discussion about high altitude camping. Concerned about the effects of Hypoxia while flying aircraft without pressurization or Oxygen. Always trying to reduce the effects, especially since we're not getting any younger! Good article!!!!!!

Welcome Ray, Here's some Oliver factory tour photos taken earlier this year. Hopefully this will help seeing Oliver construction until you see one in person. We purchased our used Ollie in Missouri last April and very happy Ollie campers: