topgun2

Virtually any late model 1/2 ton will do the job if properly equipped with towing package. However, you will need to watch the 1/2 ton's payload capacity very closely and you should use the Andersen weight distribution hitch. The 3/4 ton will generally not be a sensitive to the payload issue. The Ford you mention will get you between 11 and 12 mpg towing the Elite II while getting over 20 mpg when not towing at interstate speeds (65mph). The 1/2 ton is generally easier to live with when you are not towing (i.e. it is smaller). The 3/4 ton is easier to tow with particularly if you get a diesel since you will have an engine brake. I can't speak for the diesel since I've never owned one. Good luck with your decision! Bill

Gap - Have you tried a small nail set on that ball at the end of the zerk? You should not need to hit it hard - but - what have you got to loose? Bill

OK - consider yourself "consoled"😁. It would appear that your choices are to either take your chances on getting the "new" equipment or to delay your delivery/production date so as to insure you get the "new" stuff. Not a great set of choices in my opinion. I live in Western NC and have done a fair amount of camping with the Ollie here. However, the most telling experience I've ever had was camping in Colorado a couple of years ago and my campsite was under some lodgepole pines - reasonably shaded. Add to this 4 solid days of rain! My batteries never fell below 87% full! Mind you that I was solo camping and I'm fairly frugal with electric usage. My solar setup is 4 regular lead acid batteries and just the rooftop array of solar from Oliver. Bill

Actually, I should have said to use the tape to stick some blue paper shop towels around that window. I'm not sure just how the tape alone would show a water leak!🤪 Bill

If you are at all "handy", have the time and want to save a bit of coin HERE is a YouTube video that shows you how to make your own version of Andersen Levelers. Bill

Sure - I like spending your money and I've already got enough different kinds of paint prep things in my garage 😅. Seriously, it sure would be nice if this works well. Bill

Just thought of another potential place to check - the door window! Some blue painter's tape around that window and a garden hose should let you know it that is OK or not. Bill

The "proper" configuration for those valves should be shown in a drawing that is included in your delivery instructions. In addition - many (if not all) Ollies have a diagram of these proper positions taped under the street side bed so that they can be referred to while making adjustments. If your particular Ollie doesn't have this drawing then I'd suggest a copy be made and taped in that location. Bill

In that case - assuming that the TV spare tire is not shown on the original setup - I'd buy two more sensors. 4 for the road tires of the Ollie, 1 for the Ollie spare tire and 1 for the TV spare tire. Bill

I believe that your understanding of lack of charge from the 7 pin is correct. Without a DC/DC charger you would probably burn up your TV alternator if 7 pin charging was allowed. I also believe that dependent on your actual electricity usage, you will be favorably surprised as to how much you can count on those solar panels to keep up the batteries. Bill

I received both and carry both forms of all these manuals with me while on the road (if I can't sleep these are sure to do it for me 😁). In addition - with the hard copies I keep assorted other articles and notes (such as torque values, maintenance charts, how to articles, etc.) just in case. One of the "secret" areas is a great place to keep these papers . Bill

Yep, my 2016 is still good too. I assume that you've checked the door fasteners and latch for tightness. Other than that - does the weather stripping look to be in good shape? Is there any sign of the door being out of alignment? Bill

Shiny and new! I remember that excitement and joy. I also remember that sense of trepidation with systems that were new to me and not wanting to "wreck" anything on my new "baby". The excitement of planning trips with this new thing and then the enjoyment of actually going on those trips. The promise of many years of travel together. Hopefully all of these things came with your Ollie. ENJOY! Bill p.s. that sure is one strange antenna on the roof of your Ollie!😄

I suspect that the answer to the question of length has to do with the length of the tongue on the Oliver versus that of "normal" trailers. Certainly the Oliver's tongue is longer than any other travel trailer that I've owned. Bill

I'd bet that most of us have not used both. Therefore a direct comparison has not been done. So, as they say, you place your bets and see what happens.🤔 Bill

Depends on the age and condition of the batteries - If they still have good life in them I'd try to sell them but they still probably will not fetch much in the market because the buyer doesn't know how good them really are. If they are near he end of their life then I would take them to anywhere that sells automotive batteries like Mike said above. Another Ollie owner took his dead batteries to NAPA within the past month and they gave him $5.00 each for them. Bill

Those Carmtek levelers look interesting. I like to install "pull ropes" on both my chocks and anything else that I put under the wheels and/or the Ollies jacks. Unfortunately, I've not found an easy way to install a pull rope on the Andersens and it looks as though installing ropes on the Carmteks would not be difficult. Bill

While "snug" they DO fit right out of the box. This is another one of those 1001 reasons to carry a rubber mallet - not only do I use the mallet to "set" the levelers prior to driving up on them but I also use it to "encourage" a leveler if it is being a bit tricky in letting loose from its position. Again, I travel mostly alone. This means that there are times when I slightly misjudge how far to move to get the Andersens in a position where it is easy to get that center one out (the one that will always be between the wheels). With two people this procedure should be easier. On the other hand - maybe not and that is where the mallet comes in handy (either for the other person or for the leveler😁 or both 😇). Bill

Yes, they do have a lifetime warranty. Bill

Certainly that F-150 will have no issues towing your Ollie. However, do keep an eye on your payload capacity with it. Bill

There is a whole very long thread over on Fiberglass RV Forums: HERE They cover the whole spectrum there. After a bunch of sanding, filler, sanding the hardest part will be to get the color match for your hull. Even all Olivers are not the same color. If you want to get that perfect then I'd suggest that you talk to Service and see if they can get you a small amount of the correct color for your Ollie. Good luck! Bill

Red one is about 1.5 feet from the rear bumper. Bill

See my comment on this several posts above your question. OR In addition - I never cover my Oliver unless it has just been washed. Bill

I have moved the sub-topic concerning lists at delivery to a new topic called - Delivery List. Bill

In regards to the Andersen levelers - and a few other items around camp from time to time - I always carry a 1 or 2 pound rubber mallet with me. When setting the Andersens in place I give each a tap with the mallet in order to make sure that they are firmly in place on each tire. Perhaps this is the reason I've never had one slip or slide. Bill