Boudicca908

Yes, I toured the E2 November last year with owners who were amazingly helpful. They had everything set up, and shared information that was so helpful, including lists for "departure" and "arrival" tasks. I'm waiting for a confirmation from another owner to see the E1, with my fingers crossed; the closest owner is about 3.5 hours drive from me on the east coast of Florida, but I think worth the effort to get there, to know for sure.

This is all welcome feedback -- thank you all! When I hit the road, I want to be meandering for months at a time, and as I looked again at the photos online, I see that the Elite 1's space for food is pretty limited. It also requires tearing down the bed for a decent table, though maybe I'd learn to not care -- all these years of tent camping, I hardly spend any time in the tent because I want to be outdoors! This weight and space issue recently became a question for me, because a friend who bought a used RV last spring has discovered scant capacity in her rig. @dewdev I think you nailed it for me --

This is not the 2500, because EPA doesn't test those, but just to compare one diesel to comparable gas engines: Compare Side-by-Side.pdf

Yes, I was actually quoting the spec sheet that you linked -- But what I'm wondering is if this is a standard or typical recommendation/requirement for all heavy duty gas engines.

Greetings -- I'm weighing decisions with my Oliver order. I toured the e2 over a year ago, and I'm hoping to tour the e1 very soon, because I want to be SURE that I really need the extra weight, space, and expense of the e2. I'm a single person who hopes to have friends join me on long sojourns now and then. I love to cook and plan to make all of my food from scratch (it's a thing). Therefore, part of the 'extra space' in the e2 that I consider important is actually the ability to carry more food and water. As a self-supported adventure bicyclist, clothes don't weigh more than about 20 pounds. When I talked options with the sales team, I was very surprised that they couldn't cite the weight of any of the options. How can that be? Many options are tempting, but maybe superfluous and if they limit my food and water capacity, I'll tend to rule them out. Right now I am considering many options including 2022 Power Package for e2 - Lithium Pro package: lithium batteries, solar panels with charge controller, micro-air easy start for a/c, 3000 watt pro inverter [$9,500]; 2022 Outdoor Pro - 30# propane tanks, quick connects, storage basket, rear bumper receiver, 30 amp convenience connection [$2,000]; convection microwave composting toilet tankless water heater (good? bad?) Cell phone booster & WiFi booster backup camera (though now I'm beginning to believe that the new trucks will ALL come with one?) Anderson no-sway hitch Can anyone let me know what their final build-out actually weighed with same or similar options? Better yet, has anyone discovered the weights of any of these features? Thanks!

ChrisMI, on that spec sheet cited above, the payload is listed for each (minding the fact that this is NOT with the individual build-out of options, etc). Maximum Towing Capacity (LBS.) 4x2 Double Cab 4x2 CrewMax 4x4 Double Cab 4x4 CrewMax Payload 1,860 – 1,940 1,640 – 1,830 1,810 – 1,885 1,575 - 1,820 TRD PRO: 1,600

Thank you! Oh my. Hmmm. at 1:52 -- "Comes in Twin Turbo V6, (about) 390HP or 440HP in some Upgraded models thanks to the addition of a hybrid system." Does that 'extra HP' via additional Hybrid System sound reassuring or dubious? TRD PRO and Toyota and Tundra 'everywhere' -- All that space devoted to displaying the brand name is a real turnoff for me. I'm sure they charge the buyer more money for the privilege of brandishing the brand name on every inch of the vehicle! Still, I'm trying to focus on the utilitarian aspects here. at 8:30 -- "crawl control" and "Multi-terrain Select" -- The Crawl function and the Multi-Terrain Select adjustment seem interesting. I have a lot to learn. at 10:00 -- front recovery hooks. I seem to remember tow trucks fastening beneath a vehicle to recover from a ditch, snow or mud, but I haven't seen it done in a very long time. Are these really necessary? I have to imagine that there is a way to recover, maybe less convenient and maybe not as 'stylish' (I have to hope that I won't need them on a regular basis)? at 11:00 -- no more V8; instead Twin Turbo V6 ... most models 390HP and 480#ft torque. Option for iForceMAX ... 440HP and 580#ft torque. Can tow "about" 12,000#. He likes the throaty sound and the feel of the truck (I guess it feels powerful enough behind the wheel?) But then he says it's not as powerful as some competitors. He doesn't really explain how that works, but I'll be grilling the salesman when I go! All-in-all though -- if it's powerful enough and gets better mileage, that's a good thing -- right? All-terrain tires -- Is that something to be desired, if boondocking part of the time? I've been in plenty of State and National Forest campgrounds that are not paved and can be slick, muddy and difficult in shoulder-season weather. Seems to me they let the marketing department get out of hand, with all the extra $$ spent on 'easter eggs' and branding, and they even want the buyer to watch an advertisement every time they start the vehicle? But they have a goofy 360 camera, and forgot about bed access. Hmmm. Regarding that spec sheet there are a few things I notice: High octane fuel recommended -- any comments? Is this typical for all the new HD trucks? Granted, diesel is more expensive fuel; I would expect better mileage though and much better engine longevity. TRD PRO payload: 1600 Power folding tow mirrors: don't seem to be an option on the TRD PRO? pg 13 Seats: note TRD PRO is 8-way adjustment, Limited & 1794 have 10-way adjustment. rear under-seat storage: all models EXCEPT the TRD PRO. ..... All of this and yet I have to remind myself: Beggars can't be Choosers. I hope to visit the Toyota dealer in the next couple of days. I'll add more info if it comes.

I've been AWOL from the forum, but not for lack of interest or enthusiasm. My research was interrupted by: a dead washing machine (stacked unit) -- a new unit finally ordered after obligatory searching and gnashing of teeth, and then an email 3 days later announcing the "delay"; no time certain for delivery ("next week we will inform you" reminds me of "The Money Pit" scene); plumbing disasters-in-the-making discovered when said laundry stack was pulled out from the closet ($2,000 later I am feeling thankful that the washer broke?). So to update my own Tow Vehicle search: I'm still looking at the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD diesel, with cold hard cash down for the 'first right of refusal'; yesterday I heard that the official build date is Monday 12/6/21 -- progress! It's also still the ONLY vehicle that I've been able to claim an option to buy -- ALL others have already been pre-sold sight-unseen online or over the phone. Most people know what they want and what the vehicle will feel like, so I'm at a clear disadvantage. However, I was able to sit in and test drive a used high-trim model very similar to this one, as I said. However! I just spoke with a local Toyota dealer who is (finally) receiving some 2022 Tundras (the V6, not the iMax Hybrids that are not expected until mid-Spring) and I plan to go meet with him to give the specs a better look. The iMax sounds like the better vehicle of the two -- they are touting fuel efficiency will be greatly improved (high 20s). It will be interesting to see. Only thing is -- my Oliver will be ready for pickup in March. I have to ask my salesman about temporary storage there in Tennessee if I'm going to delay my pickup.

Does that article only refer to gasoline engines? Or does it include the diesel engines?

I’m curious about the axle on your truck. I’m looking at the ‘22 Silverado 2500 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel V8, with the 10-spd. On one part of the description, it says the axle ratio is 3.42. On another post in this thread someone mentioned that the smaller axle ratio would not have as much power — boy do I have a lot to learn!

Wow -- I had no idea. This appears to show up on the windshield, but it's hard to really say. I could see the speed limit, my current speed, and there were warnings as I approached a school zone. The downside of all of this new technology (imo) is that it's all requiring those pesky little chips that are stuck somewhere 'in transit' or not yet available. I miss the days when I helped my Dad gap the plugs and change the timing belt, when it felt possible to do some of the maintenance on an engine.

Unfortunately I had a similar experience today, traveling an hour each way on a friend's recommendation, to look at another dealership. What I found was 1) slim pickings, 2) extreme prices, PLUS 3) dealer "fees" that were not mentioned on their website price quotes that added up to $10,000 per used vehicle for a "protective coat" they added to the paint jobs (done deal on every car in the lot) PLUS a second dealer fee that varied from $3,900 down to $1,900. They had 2 used 3/4 ton 2500 trucks (one Chevy, one GMC) and the salesman wouldn't even retrieve the keys to let me look at the Chevy (!) but it didn't matter because the extra $9,999 + $2,989 drove the price to $62,000 (plus tax title license) for a 4yo vehicle with 100k miles. The new one I'm considering is $69k (plus tax, title, license) and has a much nicer trim, plus modern accoutrements. Did I mention the Heads-Up display in the Chevy? It's the first I've seen in a vehicle.

Bill -- Thanks for heads up on the new Tundra; I was trying to decipher all that chatter and not getting it. Also, thanks for the reference to RV Magazine, I will look for it this week. I do feel that I need to read some more reviews about vehicles and study about TV and RV in general (suggestions appreciated). The Chevy I am considering is a diesel engine, so hopefully the defects you mentioned are not involved with those models.

Firestorms -- I have a question about Chevys. Yesterday I felt *lucky* to find the opportunity to test drive a 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 High Country (19k miles, advertised for $83,000). It's far beyond the trim level I want, but allowed me to experience the feel of the engine, sound, cabin comfort -- all of which would be the same on the lower trim I might consider. This opportunity ONLY came because someone had traded it in that day; dealers don't have anything on the lot, so I can't see the vehicles I want to see in person. It was a nice drive, quiet, comfortable, very easy to handle (mind you, it was raining and afternoon traffic, so I didn't get to test the highway.) Why have I always heard bad things about Chevys? Is is just my Granddaddy's prejudice or something? What's the deal? Is there a solid reason (or a laundry list of reasons) that I need to know about before considering a Chevy truck? So far, I've tried the following local dealerships: Nissan, Toyota, Ram, Ford and Chevy. I've only been afforded 2 test drives (both used vehicles -- one Ford F250 dually, one Chevy 2500 diesel). I really want to know more about the new Toyota, because I hear a lot of chatter, but haven't found one yet. Ram dealer had 2 vehicles to see, but I might go back to test drive the 2500 diesel (it was still being checked out, had just arrived); I sat in it and it wasn't near the comfort level of the Chevy. The TV that has bubbled to the top of the list, for now, is this: Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax diesel V8 Turbo with 10-spd Automatic (Allison) transmission. Torque 445, HP 910, max tow capacity 18,500, GVWR 11,150, mileage (3rd party reports) 14 - 19 mpg (dealership owner tows 15,000# trailer with 2500 High Country model and reports 9-10mpg). I'm still learning what some of this means. Talk to me about Chevys, please! And also if anyone has had opportunity to test the new Toyota Tundra.

My salesman told me this week, while it's listed as 4900# dry wt, it "averages" 6000# loaded and that the tow vehicle should be rated for "not less than 7000#" which I translate to read (for my personal comfort level expecting long haul trips and mountains) to be min 10,000#. I'm a NOVICE. I don't know but that's where I am in what I'm hearing and reading.

I have to say -- after visiting the dealer to the south of me -- there were SLIM pickings on their lot, and they were claiming they had no control over what they would have in the future. "buy the one model we are pushing or goodbye"

This comment may be late for your post, but I thought I'd chip in -- my husband had a Nissan Titan XD when we first met; he had towed a larger TT from Florida to the far north end of Alaska and back with that truck. We took a few shorter camping trips with it (and other trips without towing) -- it was hands-down one of the most comfortable rides I've ever experienced. Better than any of the automobiles I've owned or friend's trucks or vans I've traveled in. It was easy to drive, and easy to ride. He gave it to his son-in-law a few years back. Anyway, he had great experience with it through the Rockies.

Mini-Rally!?? Did I miss this already? I appreciate the 'seat comfort' discussion. Some seats seem to not work for some people, others do. Need to spend more time test-driving!

Greatly appreciated and very useful for this novice -- thank you for sharing the file.

I don’t own a truck yet — looking around and there are a few used and fewer new available. One thing I don’t like about the Elite I is the single axle — I’d prefer the double. I’ve seen the Elite II and have requested to see the smaller model, if they can find one for me. Thanks for the great tips!

Hi John -- Excellent point about the sites and maneuvering! I've noticed on many camping trips that sites can be rare and difficult to approach for trailers. I'm by myself, used to do solo self-supported bike camping (though at that time I over-packed food and tools and had 100# of stuff on the bicycle, I could barely pump my legs up the Oregon Coastal road!) My guess is the biggest weight issue will be food for me, if I'm trying to boondock. Love cooking from scratch. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Greetings from the Swamp, where we seek to escape summer by meandering north! I'm a life-long camper but I am a novice for trailer life and everything associated with towing and setup. I was very lucky to see an Oliver in person last year, and I'm in line for production of a '22 model -- not quite decided but leaning toward the Elite II because I prefer long trips (I've been tent camping for months at a time, traveling both by bicycle and by automobile in the past.) I think Boondocking might be fun. I love being in remote places, with dark skies and quiet. However, the smaller model might be more appropriate for me, due to easier towing, easier storage (I will have to pay to store, due to homeowner association rules) and also to lighten the load and hopefully result in a less expensive and more manageable truck. (I'm feeling somewhat doubtful about people telling me an F150 can easily handle a loaded Elite II -- but maybe I'll be surprised!) I'm very glad that Oliver has this Forum -- I'll be working to educate myself, beginning with the truck I need -- I have plenty to learn and this looks like the place to be! Cheers all --