AlbertNTerri

We'll be picking up our EII in a few weeks. When I was looking for a tow vehicle I was set on the Tacoma for many reasons. It's a very nice truck and being a Toyota means a lot, not least of which is it's the highest rated tow vehicle on consumer reports as far as customer satisfaction and reliability goes. That said, with an Elite 2, the load carrying capacity of the Tacoma is dismal. After accounting for the tongue weight, two adults, dogs, basic travel gear, add a truck cap, and a full tank of fuel, now you have a vehicle that MIGHT be able to carry 100-200 pounds in the bed before you reach capacity. I finally started looking a 3/4 ton vehicles and after much research decided that the least worst vehicle that wasn't the Tundra was the Ford F250 which I bought (2017 model). The advantages are: 1) load capacity of almost 2,800 pounds which means I can have a truck cap on my bed AND carry things in the bed 2) (MOST IMPORTANTLY) Braking capacity. You can tow anything with a small vehicle, the question is, will you be able to make a panic stop while coming down a steep grade in Colorado (where we frequently drive). By maxing out your vehicle's load and towing capacity you risk having precious little wiggle room if you need to stop the rig while coming down a hill. Stopping is the bigger question. Opting for a larger tow vehicle will (generally) decrease your fuel economy and increase your maintenance costs, but it also markedly increases your safety margin. I believe that if you are carrying so much stuff that you need to consider shifting your load to the back of your trailer in order to keep your TV within its limits, then it is reasonable to consider that maybe your TV is undersized for your needs, marginal at best. While towing with an SUV certainly is more comfortable, the newer trucks really ride well. I think a 1-ton is over-kill for an Oliver but at the same time it completely removes the concern of having to do a "weight and balance check" every time you change something in the gear you're carrying to determine if you're within the limits of the tow vehicle...Just toss it in the back and be on your way. The 3/4 ton by-and-large is the same, but at some point I certainly could overload my F250 If I just keep loading stuff in without regard to how much weight I'm adding. I have to be aware, but not like if I had gone with the Tundra. The Tundra would have required a close look every time and then some shifting or possibly leaving stuff behind. The 2022 Tundra's numbers are a bit improved from the previous model years, the problem there is they won't be available when I need it and I also wasn't in the market for the price of a new one. Ideally I'd like a cyber truck, but no telling when they'll become reality. Good luck with your search, I hope to see you on the road. Happy trails!!!! albert

Drone launch pad

Thank you John, that answered several questions I had on my list to track down and a whole bunch more on top of that. Now the thread about venting the battery box is making sense as to why it should be considered important. From that article, it sounds like the battery box would be better off sealed to the outside, vented to the interior to be allowed to be maintained at the TT's interior temp (assuming it stays between 32-86F) Your Thoughts?

This is exciting! Looks like it will really be a game changer!!

Thanks Topgun. No, unfortunately we won't be able to make the Rally this year. My work schedule conflicts too much with it, but Terri and I discussed it and we're hoping to block it out next year so we can make it and come hang out with the flock (or is it a herd?) Perhaps we should call it a Pod of Olivers?

Thanks! it seemed a bit pricey at the time ($1,400) but when I saw the finished product I was astonished...really makes it pop! it took 5 days to complete, I will bring any fiberglass work to these guys from now on. I'm sure if Mark and Mary have the door worked on there they will be pleased with the outcome.

Thanks!

CORRECTION: THE PHONE NUMBER IS 303-424-7440 (not 404)

If you're still looking for a door repair, bring the ollie by this place in Denver: https://calibremarine.com/ Calibre Marine Body Shop and Paint 5505 east 48th ave Denver co 80216 303-404-7440 They do all sorts of fiberglass work, and were recommended by several places when we were looking for someone to buff out our Trillium 1300. I was amazed at how high the quality of workmanship was when we picked up the trailer. You could literally see yourself in the trailer it shined so nicely. When I asked how they pulled it off so nicely, Les the owner matter-of-factly said that he just has one of his guys hand wet-sand the whole thing, no power tools, because it makes for a better finished product. They also do fiberglass repair. If you go there tell him that the guy with the little green trillium sent you, he'd never worked on one before and it was less than a year ago, I expect he'll remember.

Very interesting thread to read through. When I ordered our EII last October, I asked the sales rep if there were any plans in the pipeline for a larger unit. His response basically was that before COVID they were looking at a 25-27 foot unit, but then all that was put on the back burner when the orders started rolling in and the priority changed to filling the orders. My delivery date set in October 2021 was for the end of May 2022 (7 months). Now our pick up date for Hull #1125 is on June 3, 2022 (counting the hours). The things I'd like to see in an Oliver are more solar charging capability, although I don't think I'm going to be disappointed with the top-end package I've ordered, and an incinerating toilet. The Nature's Head which I ordered is a fine unit but an incinerating toilet seems like such an elegant solution to the age-old problem of what to do with our waste. Turning a single usage into a table spoon size amount of ash seems quite efficient. Current technology will allow you to use either electricity or propane but you have to pick one type, it's not like a fridge that you can switch back and forth. In any case, no one makes an incinerating toilet that is rated for rv use (although people are starting to use them). When someone comes up with a toilet that can run like a 3-way fridge, on AC, DC or gas, I'll be first in line to buy one. For now, I'm looking forward to the soon-to-be new addition to our family just the way it is and can't wait to start using it.

Wouldn't this qualify for warranty coverage of manufacturing defect?

OK, After looking through the NYC options, I'm voting for my first choice to be Liberty Harbor RV park for the following reasons: 1. You'll be able to go to the statue of liberty and Ellis Island which if you haven't been to either or both is a nice way to start your New York City experience. I recommend springing for the Ellis Island Hard Hat tour, it's kind of behind the scenes and a little more intimate. You have to get your tickets in advance and make sure you're booking the ferry that goes from the Jersey side, same thing applies for the Statue of Liberty, book early and make sure you book for the ride from the Jersey side. Depending on the time of year, you may have to book months in advance so get on that early if it is something you really want to do 2. There is a ferry that runs steps away from the RV park from morning commute (~6:30 am) until about 7:30 PM to-and-from Manhattan for about $8 each way. After that time you can take the PATH train ($2.75) which runs until 10:45 PM. The station is 0.8 miles from the RV park so after dark I would Uber (~$11) from the station to the park instead of walking. If all else fails, you can always just Uber back from NYC to the RV park Which is on the order of $60 each way and takes about 30 min (I checked the price for Uber on Friday Night at 10pm). 3. Even though I would still like to try the Brooklyn RV park (and still might), The Liberty RV park looks less sketchy than the one in Brooklyn and seems like it may be a bit more secure. I haven't stayed at any of these places so if anyone has been to any of them then their input would be most helpful. I'm comfortable riding the train and subway but I know some folks are wierded out by those transportation modes, I figure it's part of the NYC experience and kind of look forward to getting around that way, plus if you purchase a Metro Card it is pretty cheap, on the order of $3 /ride and can be used on all the trains and busses 4. NYC is a wonderful place to walk around and explore so if you're up to it, make sure you're wearing good walking shoes. Surprisingly, the terrain is a bit hilly so it can be a bit of a work out. In the warmer weather there are kayak tours of the city. The view from the water is the way the city was originally seen so I'm told it is a wonderful perspective. We have yet to do that tour but it is on our bucket list. I hope this is helpful.. Albert

The Living Vehicle (LV) is an interesting option. It is about 6x the cost of an oliver which sounds crazy but when you consider that the solar array is basically enough power to last for infinity AND be able to charge an EV. It is just a matter of time before there is a tow vehicle available to pull it (15,000 pound dry 18,000 loaded). That will be a game changer for me since you will be able to tow it with a vehicle that is fueled by the LV. You then have a vehicle that runs on the sun. They're built like a tank. I figured that we would need a Ford F550 or 650 to be able to tow it and carry whatever else we need (i.e, add another $150k for the TV). For now the only electric vehicles that could handle it are class 7-8 trucks like the electric freightliner or volvo, neither of which have expected cruising ranges near 300 miles. Also, the technology just isn't there yet. Even the Tesla cyber truck would be able to tow it but not have enough carrying capacity to meet the needs. The Telsla semi is expected out some time by years end (good luck) and certainly could do the job but it's designed as a single passenger semi, and waaay overkill (not to mention the pricetag in excess of $200K. So, for now the highest quality trailer I could find was the LV, and the next highest quality trailer I've seen is the Oliver. Airstream seems to be somewhat less quality then the Oliver (even more questionable since being taken over by Thor) but has some really nice options. We decided we'd go for the Oliver and if a decent EV TV ever becomes available that's in the class of the F650 (550 at a minimum), then we'd consider getting the LV since it would largely eliminate our fuel costs which will completely change the calculation of overall cost of ownership. All three (Living Vehicle, Oliver and Airstream) hold their value well enough that it's a decent gamble that you may be able to recoup most if not all of the investment when it comes time to sell. I don't see that happening with any of the other RVs on the market. For now, even at the 2023 pricing (about $11,000 more than what we'll be paying for our Oliver in May), I believe the Oliver is the best value on the market, will continue to hold it's value, and looking at the numbers quite conceivably may appreciate in value. Can't wait to start using my Oliver!!!

boy oh boy, looking at all this makes me nervous, do I need to pull the drawers and check all those connections when I take delivery?

Not sure yet, I know there's a place in brooklyn that has been described as a mosquito heaven (I think that's the place with views of the stature liberty). As far as I know there are no good places close in just as the other folks have mentioned but the advantage of being able to walk out of the camping area and get on the subway in my mind out weighs having to spend 45 minutes or an hour on the train everyday coming in and again going out, but that's just my personal preferences. If you opt to go for the place in Newburg (which sounds like a nice place), I would highly recommend staying away from the train during rush hour because then you'll have most of the train to yourself

I'm loving this! NYC is certainly one of my wife and my favorite places to visit. I've been driving all over the area since I was 19 and started driving 18-wheelers. It takes a bit of getting used to the culture but as far as places to go, things to see and do etc, NYC is by far the place to be. We've never done it in a camper, only in hotels, and one of our first plans is to take the new Olie to the city and see if from that perspective. One of my favorite finds is https://thepit-nyc.com/, the peoples improv theater (The PIT) on 29th st between 7th and 8th ave (28th st. subway stop is about a block away). This is a place where improv students show their talents. Shows are in the $5-$20 range and run 30-40 min. There's a bar when you walk in and 3-4 theaters so you see a show, go get a cocktail then go see another. It's a cheap night out and you will rarely be disappointed. Terri and I will leave a few days open to just walk around and explore, if you keep your eyes open you're going to see some very interesting things and find some places you'll want to return to (that how we found The PIT). Keep an open mind and have a great time. Here's a 4min youtube about visiting NYC that I love. Enjoy!!

My solution back from my trucking days was simple, i set my CB antenna (mounted to my mirror bracket) to about 2 inches taller than my trailer and adjusted the height whenever I changed trailers. I'd slow down and if the antenna hit then I knew I had less then 2 inches clearance (or possibly none!). I hadn't thought about it recently, but it wouldn't be difficult to mount some type of "measuring stick" to the truck to accomplish the same thing. That said, I've not seen many overpasses or tunnels that are less than 10 feet so my backup plan has always been to open the driver's door, with the vehicle in gear and my foot hovering over the brake, I stand in the open doorway while watching the top of the trailer and if it looks like it's going to hit I jam on the break (which in the old days resulted in stalling the truck but sparing an accident). Even if it has enough clearance if you hit a bump in the tunnel or under the bridge, it could cause the trailer to jump high enough to crunch the roof so it's always better to creep through those places slowly and like you said, it generally results in testing "sphinter control."

So what's the consensus, Anderson, Carmtek, one of the other brands, does it matter? Sounds like the bluetooth system is a must have as well as the rubber mallet. The Carmtek's "teeth" seem like a good idea unless you're at a point between two of the teeth and then it might slip to the next one. I haven't used any of these so I'm still on the fence as to which brand to buy, I love the concept of the cam-style construction, seems like a great idea.

That's all very good information and helpful, Thank you everyone for your input

Thanks for that input tallmandan. Colorado is one of our more common stomping grounds which is in large part why I've been looking at the GPS systems. Your information is helpful, I appreciate the response. a.

Fingers crossed for starlink living up to all we're hoping it will be!!

thank you everyone for the inputs. I'm starting to lean more towards just using a compass and maps and sticking with the apps I can download on the iPhone, seems like that'll work for what we need.

Thanks John, I'll take a look at that!

We were looking for a device to use when the ipad/iphone are not inservice and that will provide information in line with what you get wtih the MVUM maps, which is my default when all else fails. I thought the 750i was it until I read through all the comments and now I'm a bit gun-shy to spring for the unit since several of the comments indicate that it doesn't seem to work as well as it's touted.

AMEN to the compass and map!!! :-) Yes, I have (AND know how to use) a compass and map. I initially was looking for a handheld unit, then as I was looking I came across the Garmin 680i, 700i and 750i, all of which would also work nicely as a dash mount. The 700 and 750i are quite heavy for hiking but that is much less of an issue for us since our ability to do much estensive hiking is limited, so really what I want is a device to reliably get me in and out of areas that have no type of cell or internet service (other than a compass and map).