John E Davies

Lucky Site 13, Tillicum Beach CG: John Davies Spokane WA

This just pulled into a site near me, at Tillicum Beach USFS CG near Waldport. it is immaculate and has a BC plate. The last two pics are not mine…. 😉 John Davies Spokane WA

Tillicum Beach CG is about 50% first come first served, a prime spot opened yesterday and we grabbed it, lucky #13. Wide open to solar, backed at an angle we can see the surf from the right rear and back windows. And the Verizon signal is better too. We decided to lengthen our stay through the holiday weekend, then we are off to Cape Disappointment SP in WA. John Davies Spokane WA

FYI your picture didn’t work, please try again, and tell us your trailer model, hull number and tow vehicle, your location is optional but helpful. I strongly disagree with the other replies (and I have for seven years). If you plan on driving a lot of graded gravel, like loooong western ranch or farm roads, any flaps that reach close to the ground will be a liability. If you drive dead slow they will be acceptable, if you want to drive at 25 to 40 mph, they will hit the road at any dip and throw up a rooster tail of stones, which is very bad. You will also get rocks bouncing back onto your tow vehicle off the trailer and that can break a rear window or tail light and ding paint. You need to accept that some damage is going to occur, or add a protective film to the front of the trailer and your TV. How much gravel driving do you anticipate and where? There is a perfect solution but it will require custom work. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2504-how-to-stone-stomper-gravel-guard/ That will do a perfect job in protecting the front of the Ollie, but it directs all the stone “carnage” underneath, so you also need to add rubber flaps under the trailer, in front of the suspension, entry door and black tank port, and after the rear tires, to knock down those stones. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2505-how-to-subframe-gravel-guard/ https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2513-how-to-rear-mud-flaps-for-the-ollie/ The system works wonderfully, the front of my 2017 looks like new, and the only damage underneath occurs in a very few spots where it can’t be seen. And it also works on regular highways, you will no longer cringe when you see that sign “Fresh Chip Seal Next 50 miles”. John Davies Spokane WA

Maybe you should tell us your hull number and what brand and model inverter. It should have wiring instructions for the DC and the AC parts, that list cable sizes and other important specs. A 3000 watt inverter requires very heavy cables that you will probably have to make yourself. .John Davies Spokane WA

Oliver Service did that as a factory option in 2017, one on each aide, they don’t do that sort of stuff to new trailers coming off the production line any more, but I am sure they would do it for you for time and materials cost. Anybody who can cut and drill fiberglass can easily install the doors. The floor should be done by a skilled aluminum welder IMHO and tacked down to the frame in a few spots to keep it from moving and damaging the hull. John Davies Spokane WA

You could carry a whole bunch of Lego blocks in there with only one bottle…. John Davies Spokane WA

It would be a horrible idea, but only IF you didn’t plan to bring a 20 pound backup bottle in your truck. For safety reasons the bottle should be completely open to the air, not under a tonneau or cap. I have thought about your plan, you could take off the doghouse completely and build a dandy bolt-on aluminum storage/ bike platform there. But you have a light duty truck so you would still have to watch your tongue weight. What would you carry there? My trailer has an aluminum expanded mesh floor under the bottles and I keep all my wood blocks and some ropes in there, accessible through two hinged side doors. But nothing bulky will fit there with both bottles in place. you could install a floor and access openings and travel with a single 20 pound one in the factory location. would that be enough space? John Davies Spokane WA

We are currently at a USFS campground in Oregon, fortunately we will be moving on to a state park next week. The Feds might decide to close and lock the gates on all the USFS, DNR, BLM, etc campgrounds after telling all the campers to leave… Maybe, maybe not, but if you are at one, you should probably make contingency plans. But if we do default, camping is going to be a pretty minor issue. John Davies Spokane WA

Tillucum Beach OR USFS campground, a lovely stunning scenic area, and nice clean air. But those darn trees! Zack appears to be feeling better now, after the loss of Zadie his mom, he really likes free running on the beach. John Davies Spokane Wa

We are staying at a hoity toity resort RV park in Bend OR, $210 for 2 nights. For the low rent spots. I think the best spots require your first born child. I seldom dump into a raised sewer pipe, so I never bought a sewer snake, I thought it would just gather dust. So I improvised with the ramp for the 1-Up bike tray. I dislike hookups that require you to lay your fresh water hose on ground that has been irrigated regularly with sewage spills, so I bypassed that area. Off to the ocean tomorrow - Tillicum Beach CG USFS, we will have to rough it once again. Then I can fret about rogue waves and tsunamis instead of germs. We lost one of our Australian Labradoodles the day before we departed home, we had to euthanize Zadie. Zack, her son for ten years, is quite lost and forlorn, as are my wife and I. John Davies Spokane WA

Please vote. I will probably stop camping in the near future, since I have respiratory issues with smoke. I use multiple filters inside the Ollie but sometimes I just feel trapped. It is crazy to get August pollution levels in May. I am in NE Oregon, headed for the coast for some fresh sea air, but the darn smoke is following me there. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/3291-honeywell-hpa-compact-air-filters-for-pollen-dust-and-smoke-particles/ https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/5790-how-to-window-dust-pollen-smoke-filter/ Thanks for participating. John Davies Spokane WA

John Davies Spokane WA

The front basket isn’t nearly strong enough to support even one bike. You would need a rack that bolts directly to the tongue. What is your tow vehicle? A HD pickup can use a dual receiver adapter, so you may be able to use a regular rack. Do a search, this is discussed constantly. John Davies Spokane WA

I am sure that I am not the only one here who would like to see a few pictures. Thanks. John Davies Spokane WA

You need to understand that the tow ratings are for ideal situations, low, flat and no wind, and that as you go up in altitude the rating decreases, typically a 20% decrease by the time you reach 10,000 feet.. This is why you need to buy more truck than you think you need. https://thebossmagazine.com/impact-of-weather-terrain-towing-performance/amp/ My Land Cruiser has a big V8 and it is just barely OK for the big trailer in the mountainous West. It would be perfect for an LE1! John Davies Spokane WA

I agree with ScubaRx, quality bearings can last indefinitely. What kills bearings quickly is water contamination, cheap seals leak, then corrosion causes pitting and grease breakdown. Even if you don’t want to upgrade the bearings, I strongly recommend the Timken seals they are FAR superior to the $2.00 cheap ones. Change the seals for new Timkens at every service. One thing I like about eliminating the chrome hubcaps is that you can install marine style caps with rubber inspection plugs, you can pop off the plugs and easily see if the grease is still in good condition. This lets you extend your service intervals. You must seal the perimeter where they go into the hub with silicone sealer, or they will seep grease and sling it out onto your pretty wheels. I also strongly recommend Redline CV2 full synthetic grease over any other brand. Another tip that may not be practical, depending on your climate, never tow on rain soaked highways…. that spray acts like a high pressure hose, driving water and grit past the seals. That problem is easy to avoid: John Davies Spokane WA

Be aware that an inexpensive box is made of VERY thin aluminum, that is good for keeping down tongue weight, but it is super easy to damage or break into. A plastic version might prove to be more durable, and lighter. This box is less than 20 pounds shipping weight, it is one of those fragile ones. John Davies Spokane WA

Here is the switch thread. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/5330-how-to-propane-co-detector-on-off-power-switch/ Or an easier fix is to remove your rear CO/ Smoke detector entirely, and tape over the openings on the propane detector under the dinette. If it can’t “breathe” it won’t start squawking. BTW the only way to completely power down the trailer is to disconnect the battery cables or install a battery master cutoff switch. John Davies Spokane WA

Welcome to the forum! The Rosborough is a new one to me. It obviously is intended for a really damp climate with that full length hardtop. It doesn’t really meet the goal of an economical pocket cruiser with twin 200 outboards, but you could use smaller ones and nobody is going to force you to run them flat out. The interior looks easy to clean like an Ollie, but it is a little stark for me (for a boat). It also is really heavy so it would be a chore to pull on a trailer and launch. https://boattest.com/boats/eastern-boats/rosborough-246-yarmouth-2022 Here is the Ranger equivalent. It too is harder to pull around vs a smaller model, but boy do they look luscious inside. Plus they figured out how an old feeble owner could carry and launch the dinghy without effort, with their patented hoist/ davits. https://www.rangertugs.com/models/model-category/r-27/ If I had a spare $350k I could buy a fully optioned one and a big duellie and triple axle trailer to pull it. FYI this new generation of outboard equipped trawlers have way more usable space inside because they don’t need an engine room. So a shorter model could be equivalent to an inboard one, in terms of livability. John Davies Spokane WA

If this is a test scenario, why not just install one cheaper 12 volt sealed lead acid DEEP CYCLE battery from Walmart? You can always sell it later on Craigslist, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mighty-Max-12V-100AH-Battery-for-Solar-Wind-Deep-Cycle-VRLA-12V-24V-48V/179446910?athbdg=L1600&from=/c/[...seo] T105s are way way more labor intensive to maintain and they vent corrosive and explosive gases. You are taking a huge step backwards going from AGMs. I don’t recommend it. John Davies Spokane WA

The new board is lithium “capable”, there is a small slide switch on the board to select Lithium or Lead Acid (same as AGM). That changes the charging profiles (voltages).. John Davies Spokane WA

Tap the wrench with a small hammer to see if it will clear/ break away any paint. FYI you can always strap it down tight in an emergency to get you to service or back home, using heavy bungees or web cargo straps. John Davies Spokane WA

https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2094-my-tow-camp-checklist/ https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2208-overnight-visitor-checklist/ https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2363-how-to-tire-pressure-placard/ After six seasons I no longer refer to any of these, it becomes habit. John Davies Spokane WA

Do you use the trailer while it is parked long term? How do you stow all the small stuff when on the road so it doesn’t rattle to pieces? Are the graphics easily removable? Do you travel with all those huge pillows? It’s indeed very pretty but IMHO it is neither practical nor easy to keep clean when actually camping… Can you please post a link to the pantry bins? And pics of your interior when full of food and clothes? BTW you forgot to tuck the red pull tabs underneath the cushions. They clash, color wise. It might make somebody think that there is an emergency exit hatch underneath. 😉 Thanks. John Davies Spokane WA