Boudicca908

@John Welte there is a great deal of information just above; I tacked on questions to a previous thread, to get more specific information on the grease type and tools and I've ordered mine. I appreciate the gentle warning on time required to 'do the job' @topgun2 . I started cleaning them yesterday.

his favorite tackle

I paid a service center to grease my Zerks (and do other maintenance) early this year, in preparation for my current trip, but I'm confident that I can accomplish this task myself and I'll be able to do it in a timely fashion -- in fact, I bet it will take less of my time than driving to a random service center (and waiting).

Thank you all — order will be placed today. I’m looking forward to doing this.

I took note of @John E Davies mention that it's not good to 'mix products' so I thought I should try to use whatever OTT has started with -- that's a question I guess. I'm not equipped to take things apart here, so would like to just add the right grease to existing fittings. Did you push all the old grease out when you added this Marine Grease?

ZERK GREASE JOB: Can anyone tell me : what grease I need to purchase, and how many tubes to expect to use (I would guess only one) to grease all 16 zerks? I want to order everything I need for the job today, and do this myself. I read through my notes from Jason's maintenance presentation during the 2022 Rally, but I don't have a grease type noted. I did find a mention in the Instruction Manual (see item number 4 below - and THANKS to @rideandfly for the link to the installation instructions) -- even with that, the search results on Amazon didn't make me feel confident in selecting one; the prices vary quite a bit, several results refer to "white lithium grease" and clearly everyone's photos show a PINK grease. I hope to order everything today, if possible. I will need to do this twice before I land back at OTT headquarters. Thanks to all our forum members for the great information. So far I have a cart with the following: 1) Grease Tek Grease Gun: https://www.amazon.com/GreaseTek-Premium-Pistol-Grease-Extension/dp/B019P1MRKU/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2DQ0B2P6DLCAK&keywords=zerk+grease+gun&qid=1692793315&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&s=automotive&sprefix=zerk+gre%2Cautomotive%2C144&sr=1-2 (And... is that the "short tip" that Jason mentions in his excellent video on YouTube? I took a screenshot and his looks really short, making it easier to squeeze in the space.) 2) LockNLube 90 degree tip in case it's difficult to reach: https://www.amazon.com/LockNLube-Degree-Grease-Coupler-Adapter/dp/B07STDDN1S/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1PP47DJBKR4DU&dchild=1&keywords=locknlube+90+degree+grease+coupler+adapter&qid=1620267138&sprefix=locknlube+90%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-5 3) LockNLube Caps to add to the Zerks to keep clean: https://www.amazon.com/LockNLube-Grease-Fitting-Count-Yellow/dp/B0779K66DW/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=33IEWTU1ED35D&keywords=zerk%2Bgrease%2Bcaps&qid=1692795061&s=automotive&sprefix=zerk%2Bgrease%2Bcaps%2Cautomotive%2C159&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1 4) Search results for "Lithium complex grease, NLGI No. 2 such as Mobil Oil Company Mobilgrease HP or equivalent" from Dexter Instruction Manual: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Lithium+complex+grease%2C+NLGI+No.+2+such+as+Mobil+Oil+Company+Mobilgrease+HP+or+equivalent&i=automotive&crid=KK85VUSHGKDP&sprefix=lithium+complex+grease%2C+nlgi+no.+2+such+as+mobil+oil+company+mobilgrease+hp+or+equivalent%2Cautomotive%2C269&ref=nb_sb_noss

@John Dorrer -- Is that usually accomplished by taking some weight with the stabilizing jacks?

@SeaDawg -- The first thing I see at the top is the "video is private" and it doesn't have a title below it or any identifying information; then I can see a yellow text box and blue text boxes and photos below that (even above the one you mentioned). It's possible, but hard to tell -- I thought maybe there was another video at the beginning. I did watch the one you referenced, and I had accessed it via Oliver Travel Trailers YouTube channel (Thank you to the Service Team for posting those).

Hello to the Moderators -- I am having difficulty accessing this video -- it has a message "This video is private" -- can others access it? Is this posted somewhere else that is available? https://support.olivertraveltrailers.com/portal/en/kb/articles/dexter-ez-flex-overview-maintenance

You might decide later that this info is really handy. I prize my Oliver manuals. I've read them and am still reading and digesting and like @SeaDawg says, camping provides the best opportunity for learning. Enjoy!

I hope if OTT decides to do this, they reach out to existing owners for personal feedback on service experience -- because a service center can have a "great reputation" locally or even regionally and still fail on providing good service for an Oliver.

I know nothing, no experience, but will say that I was warned by OTT not to torque too tightly on those gas lines (IF / WHEN I would try to resolve something on my gas lines) because the copper pipe is so soft. They were likely speaking from experience. I like #3 too, because it's simplest.

UPDATE: Over the phone, the service center rep verbally questioned my need to see the drop tests, and said they haven't had time to finish the paperwork and invoice (I owe them for a faucet replacement.) So, I haven't been successful yet in this. I'm planning another trip to Bismarck area before I leave here, and if I have time I might stop by to try to obtain the make/model of the faucet, warranty info on it, plus the drop test information, even if it's just taking a photo of their notes from that date. Things are still non-operational and in flux. Mike and Jason have been very helpful as much as possible over the phone. To be continued....

Been there and looking forward to returning! So... I can't run (can't outrun a bear in any case) and I probably should stick to easier trails and wading for this year, but I'll enjoy checking out these locations and thank you so much! I don't have the means to do much more than piss off a bear. Are you the person who told the story at the Rally last year about going home and telling someone, "I'm going to need a bigger gun"? I'm pretty sure I've been down that road and fished somewhere in the vicinity but it was 2014, I wasn't driving and I didn't mark it on a map. I might recognize it though when I get there.

This is great. Is that EAST of the Yellowstone Outfitters (horses) on the map? EDIT: If you prefer, send me a message. I know that great spots are hard to find and appreciate your sharing.

I was looking at FS campground east of Kelly. I've stayed in that area once and 5 minutes after being out walking and bird watching, came back to cabin and left again and discovered a bear with cubs on the road I had just traversed. She was large and focused on eating. I felt lucky because my friend had forgotten to carry the spray on that walk. Now I carry my own, always -- but will need to purchase. Other measures being any particular caliper? Fishing -- I would prefer wading actually, but since I just had a hip replacement, I may be sticking to the edges of the water or -- if I can find a guide on short notice -- maybe do a half day trip somewhere. I've fished in Yellowstone, wading with a guide (awesome trip), and did a float trip at Flaming Gorge and also north of Yellowstone in Montana, but have only fished very briefly off the side of the road in Grand Tetons area.

@topgun2 -- when you are camping in this area, do you keep food in your truck and/or trailer, or do you move it all to a bear box? I'm getting ready to head that direction! Really hoping to do some fishing there. Haven't bought my bear spray yet.

I don't know about word choice, but I'll say you are more brave than I am. :)

Sniffer arrived in mail today. I'm volunteering today, so I'll use it this evening to search. Propane leak was determined through multiple drop tests (I didn't get written copy) and other work by a service center; after tracing to the Truma AquaGo WH, and after replacement of that heater, the alarm went off again (2nd time) and then I had propane off for a few days and it went off a 3rd time. So this is ongoing. There's another thread about the propane leak.

I have (3) 20# tanks of propane, but I can't use propane right now with my Oliver because of an ongoing suspected propane leak (the alarm has gone off 3 times on the trip, but the last time it went off my propane had been shut down for days). I bought a DREO space heater and will try it out tonight. I wasn't sure I could run the heater using the lithium batteries -- wouldn't it drain them? EDIT: Dreo spacer heater is 1500w.

I called them on Friday; the guy they want me to speak to wasn't there, so I'm going to call again today. I'll try to obtain better documents of what they did. I'll have my sniffer today, as well, so I can begin checking this evening.

So.... I only partially emptied the tank, because I took a trip on Saturday. I'll continue to drain it and see how low I can get it. If the tanks have a small bit of water left in them, is that okay for winterization, as long as I fill the lines between ports and tank? ** I only use fresh and gray -- I have composting toilet. @dewdev -- Did it hit you in the face?! @topgun2 I have the Truma Aqua-Go water heater, and I believe I have to use the bypass valve for it, as well, whenever winterizing and also when sanitizing the tanks and lines. I will watch those videos again because I want to be sure I'm doing everything correctly. I do have the optional electric heater / filter for that Truma. Can it run using the solar lithium batteries, if I'm boondocked? Does the Truma WH need to be TURNED ON at the Water Heater AND at the Truma control inside for that heater element to work? I believe it does. My friend has a wild hair to boondock for about 3 weeks in the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Grant Teton beginning after Labor Day; I don't have a generator. I'm hoping that my batteries will last that long, if I'm not using anything else. I can recharge my phone in the TV, and I can use a flashlight if need be. As long as I can keep my Oliver safe, I'm fine with the cold. I brought a down sleeping bag. I'm likely going to drive back to Bismarck to stock up on things for this upcoming journey (parts unknown!) which is the adventure I have been yearning for. Since I'm still without use of propane, I am preparing to winterize, stocking up on drinking water and alternative foodstuff that doesn't need to be kept in the fridge. It's a bit frustrating since I brought a lot of great food to cook, but that's okay. @topgun2 thanks for the advice on 4-6 gallons of AntiFreeze.

Yes. LP was shut off at tanks from 7/15 to 8/3, and now from 8/3 to present. I did not smell propane the third time, but the space was definitely feeling 'close' and stuffy. I'll check around everything, from the front at tanks all the way to the back. What do you mean by 'clamshell fittings'? After the Truma replacement, I had to ask several times whether they actually did another pressure test, and they finally did confirm that they did and it passed. They didn't give me anything in writing. Should I have asked to see the test results?

I'll do that. No pet. A friend's pet sets her alarm off all the time. :0 I'll check the toilet with the sniffer. :-D Will be interesting!

I didn't smell anything, but it was definitely 'stuffy' in the Oliver. I do have a composting toilet; a friend suggested that it could be the culprit, but 2 of 3 times it went off when propane was on, and last time with it off for days. It's a conundrum! EDIT: my Oliver is just a bit over a year old and the alarm says replace by Sept 2026, but now I'm suspicious of it.