John E Davies

I do not want or feel the need for a propane conversion. I always carry 10 gallons of gas on the back of the Ollie on the relocated factory Ollie rack - BTW this reduces my tongue weight to under 500 pounds, when those jerry cans are full. So I never worry about having gas for the generator, and I can refuel the 200 using a fast flow syphon pump if I want to top up at the campsite before I head into the boonies. Or I can easily refill the gennie tank the same way. It was easier when the tray was up front, but it isn't a big deal now. I removed the third row seats and stored them away the day I got the 200 home, and I recently put down a nice Toyota rubber mat for a Heritage Edition since the OEM mat has those cutouts for the seat mounts. I added a stainless loop at the right rear seat back bolt, to allow me to run a Python cable through that hole and through the Yamaha, so it can't wander off. Unfortunately, all the other stuff inside the truck could wander off, so it is not advisable to run the gennie this way unless you are entirely alone, or you can watch the proceedings through the window for bad guys. Here it is, running - you do NOT want to completely trap a running generator inside the truck.: The Yamaha is a brute, I normally see close to 20 amps without issues and it runs my Air Command AC without a soft start kit, using a super heavy duty 10AWG 15 amp cord: When running it on the ground, I lock it to the tongue: Ands when switched off I hide it behind the Stone Stomper mesh, after it has cooled:. This shows the tray before I moved it around back: Was that too much information at once? John Davies Spokane WA

What is your truck? I always carry the Yamaha 2400 in the back of the 200, no problems, no petroleum smells, no oil leaks. I keep all gas cans outside, always. To run it I lay it on the ground near the coupler, or if I only need it for a little while, I will pull it out 8 “ onto the tailgate and run it in place. I reposition it this way so the upper hatch cannot possible close all the way on it while it is operating. Carrying a generator inside a passenger compartment is not the best idea, but it can be done with care. John Davies Spokane WA

Google is your friend. https://www.shopchevyparts.com/electronics/2020-silverado-2500-transparent-trailer-camera-auxiliary-trailer-camera-models-with-cwm-pdm-uvn/84946379-p-92305265.html User/ install manual: https://www.shopchevyparts.com/images/pdf/Chevy-Trans-Trailer-Setup-Guide-Oct2019.pdf This is the sticky part, I think you would have to mount the camera in the middle of the spare tire cover, and you could’t have a rear cargo or bikes in the way. Where is your tailgate camera located? That will determine where you will have to mount the trailer one. My personal opinion is that a high mounted camera will work better on an Ollie, tho it will not provide that spooky cool invisible trailer feature. Plus you should consider a rear camera that will operate when driving forward, this GM system does not. John Davies Spokane WA

That is fine, no worries. Just be aware that if we don’t have a clue how you plan to camp, It doesn’t make a lot of sense to discuss in detail all possible options. I normally stay disconnected and I rough camp whenever possible, so the NH toilet and solar is a prime feature. Downloaded videos, the cell booster and an unlimited cellular data plan replace the TV, Wifi Ranger and other electronics. The front cargo tray is useful but detrimental to a lighter tow vehicle, so I moved mine to the back for better balance. The microwave aka Battery Killer is crucial to my wife, but I would toss it in a heartbeat in favor of more storage space and less stress on the batteries. This is discussed very often, a search will bring up past threads. Have you ever camped, what is your background? John Davies Spokane WA

Unless you tell us how you plan to camp, these opinions are not meaningful. If you stay hooked up all the time in the East you don’t need the NH or the solar, or the big batteries or an inverter. But you might love all those electronics on the roof for watching football. Different strokes, etc. Tell us where you will be going and what you want to do when you get there. John Davies Spokane WA

“Needs a good scrub. Previous owner painted it with latex”..... Good grief. OTH maybe cutting 8 inch holes in the hull and adding 600 pounds of cast iron and an open flame may not be the best solution. Not to mention all the soot inside the walls and cabinets. And the bugs from bringing in firewood. And the overhead clearance problem when towing...... Oh, never mind. This boggles the mind. John Davies Spokane WA

LOL, I wonder how many folks even know what a lahar is, it is fearful event. We always picked a house location up off those low lying, threatened river valleys, even tho we never lived in South Sound. .... https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/mt-rainier-lahar-hazard-map John Davies Spokane WA

LOL, I love your final comment, how true it is. Thanks for the compliment, and I hope your factory installed system pleases you, as will your Ollie. BTW, I like Woodinville, though I remember it most as it was pre-2004, when we moved out of the Wet Side of WA after 31 years there (Ballard, Greenlake, Mukilteo, then Monroe - we kept moving further away).... My son lives in Redmond (game software/ tool engineer) and we visit him routinely. I admire the Puget Sound scenery, love the salt water boating, tolerate the climate, dislike the grey skies and moss, feel threatened by earthquakes and tsunamis, and absolutely despise the @#$&* crowds. John Davies Spokane WA

I hope you have picked a HD Crew Cab pickup. No 1500 or big SUV will work with a LE2, all those passengers, their gear, plus the rack and RTT. You need a substantially reinforced (Leer for example) “rack ready” canopy, or a metal external ladder rack, and those are heavy. Unless you happen to luck out and find a cherry old Suburban or Excursion 2500. Or one of these, my choice.... https://gofastcampers.com/ .... except their order delivery times are around six months to a year now. John Davies Spokane WA

In my experience, visiting a dealership in a rural location and asking right away to talk to a fleet salesman or manager gets better results, 90% of the time. These guys deal with businesses and farmers and understand the actual capabilities and limitations of the trucks WAY better than your average “Brochure Reader” (completely untrained) sales droid, who could have been selling furniture a month ago. A big city truck dealership, not so much. That dealer might be more useful at buying an SUV. Buyer beware, indeed! John Davies Spokane WA

https://www.ifebp.org/news/regulatoryupdates/Pages/2020-irs-mileage-rates.aspx I think we are talking about a serious amount of cash here.... John Davies Spokane WA

I am sorry to hear of this misfortune, but you were very, very smart to get it in writing from the salesman, even if it was just a text or email. Phone calls are a recipe for disaster. I have had a couple of nasty experiences with buying things where the verbal promises made were a fantasy. Always ALWAYS get it in writing. Bravo! I financed a home purchase in person (in the Olde Days) and the rep gave me a great deal (zero points, low rate), but it sounded a little off to me, enough to raise suspicions. I demanded and received a written/ signed rate description on their Wells Fargo letterhead. Months later I received a letter from the bank saying that the guy had been making promises they could not keep, and he had been fired, and the points and rate was going up. I sent them a copy of the letter and a comment that they should probably let it slide in my case, which they did. Sorry for the thread hijack. It is too bad you drove so far and spent so much time with this, it should never have happened with a brand new vehicle. Ford owes you some financial compensation for your miles driven and lodging (12 hrs and two nights!) and lost wages. Seriously, I would initiate a ticket with their corporate office. This is a very big deal and IMHO you should pursue it. If you have trouble with Ford, consider contacting a local tv news station, they usually have somebody who helps in consumer cases like this. It makes great stories on the local broadcast, and the threat of bad publicity usually forces a good outcome. Are you still going to get a F150? I personally would be a little wary at this point. Maybe you should swing by the Toyota dealer to look at a Tundra....;) ... Thanks for keeping us updated, and good luck. John Davies Spokane WA

LOl, I figured a good camera, but not a $2400 one. Give him my complements, I would like to see some of his other work. The newest iPhone 11 Pro with triple lens camera system takes phenomenally great pictures (jaw dropping pictures) in low light, I thought this might be the case here. My wife got one for her last NZ trip and the results are amazing. I digress. I am glad you are enjoying Ollie and Tundra. John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks for the pics, that night shot is beautiful, what camera? I am glad your Tundra is doing well, do you mind telling me, what are your rpms at a steady 60 mph in fourth gear? And what tire size? I am trying to figure out how my LC would tow with Tundra gears.... Much better I am sure. John Davies Spokane WA

Welcome to the forum, ask away! If you have not already, watch some RV factory tour videos FIRST, to get a feel for how regular "stick and staple" trailers are made. Airstream is no different in construction, other than their VERY high maintenance aluminum shell. Everything else in an AS is standard RV issue.... Google "RV Factory Tour" Here is a good one (good in a bad way) ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWokMmlKmT8 AFTER having watched those, watch this factory Ollie tour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2rnZgn7-Xg A light bulb will illuminate inside your brain and you will understand why they are very special. That will answer a whole bunch of your questions, and you will understand why it takes literally months from the beginning of the build to the half-day delivery walk through, John Davies Spokane WA

I drive steep grades all the time, it is hard to escape them in this part of the country. When you see a percent listed on a sign it is the average “top to bottom” value. On Interstates and major highways that may be fairly accurate. On back roads, it is a fantasy. There is a popular bicycle road going from the bottom of the Columbia Gorge near Lake Chelan, to the high rolling wheat fields up top. I have driven it several times in both directions. It is posted as 7.5%. In reality it has 15% stretches. It is a first gear, pedal to the floor experience going up with my Land Cruiser, and a first gear, sphincter tightening descent with way too many brake applications. My GPS is set to show elevation and grade all the time. When it gets over 16% I start to get pretty darned concerned. Diesel trucks with engine brakes rule in this area. For your entertainment, Harry Chapin 30,000 Pounds of Bananas .... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OGldNpngDws John Davies Spokane WA

You can spend a ton of money chasing rainbows, trying to make an inadequate TV into a barely acceptable one. Forums are full of threads about this. A simple ECU flash and airbags is not going to do it. You are spending money that will not give you good results, and you should plan on trading in your truck once you reach the frustration saturation point. Hopefully that will not happen in the middle of an important trip out West. It is best to learn the capabilities of your truck when you are not rushed for time and in a strange locale. You could intentionally seek out especially steep and challenging routes in the Appalachians as a test, if your TV struggles there, you will have an exponentially harder time in high altitude mountains. It’s too bad they won’t let trailers on the Mount Washington Auto Road, that would be a fine towing stress test. It also is representative of very popular western routes like the Million Dollar Highway near Ouray, the Eisenhower grade west of Denver, and the Chief Joseph and Beartooth Highways northeast of Yellowstone, though those are twice as high in elevation. Some are unavoidable, there are not practical detours. Some of the less travelled highways and county roads have MUCH steeper, heart stopping grades. Good luck, and please keep us posted. John Davies Spokane WA

What a wonderful chart! Add info for my 2013 Land Cruiser 5.7 gas with plus 2” tires (raises overall gear ratio) Ollie LE2 6000 lbs estimated. 42 psi in tires and gravel guards add some rolling and aero drag. 10-11 mpg towing 62 mph lots of terrain Pacific NW 12-13 at 62 mph flat and steady (Rare) 9-10 mpg slow hilly backroads 14.5 mpg over-all empty when purchased at 96k (previous owners apparently did not tow) 13.6 mpg over all at 139k (includes 14k towing) Best ever SHORT term empty (70 miles dead flat at 60 mph) was 17.8 mpg. Land Cruisers have always been known as gas hogs, except in Oz where they are 95% diesel and in stock form are a little less inefficient. Thanks for such a great thread. John Davies Spokane WA

You are at the ragged edge - for your safety and the safety of others get a bigger truck. You have to plan for the worst case scenarios when towing, like high/ hot/ steep mountains with 30 mph headwinds. Your truck has zero reserve capacity and it just won’t function well, much of the time. Welcome to the forum. John Davies

Does the original foam seal fail from wind turbulence from leaving the fan cover raised while towing? I tried that one time. Then I saw all the bug carcasses accumulating inside the front and decided to always close it when on the move. I don’t see why the foam would get displaced normally, but perhaps it freezes in winter and then tears. I see the “how” but I want to also understand the “why”. Perhaps a pretty aluminum Bugs Be Gone Fan Guard (Patent Pending) wind dam in front of the fan, tall enough to deflect the wind and bugs with the cover raised, could be a good mod....? 😬 A simple piece of aluminum 1x2” angle taped down would work as a prototype... hmmmm. I think I have a piece in my scrap pile. A deflector would also stop rain and water flowing off your TV from driving under the seal if you tow in heavy downpours. Checking under the cover is now one more thing to do when wandering up top looking at stuff.... John Davies Spokane WA

This is an interesting conversation, I am learning a whole lot of new stuff. Would adding a second belt-driven “conventional” 200+ amp alternator be a solution? With a second power source you could keep it completely separated from the OEM electronics and computers. The truck would literally not even “know” what was happening through those new circuits. https://www.americanpowerinc.com/custom-alternator-brackets-and-dual-alternator-bracket-kits/#product-tab-description A huge bonus to this method is it most likely would not negatively affect your truck’s warranty. Running a huge charging load off your truck’s main alternator is risky. Many HD trucks have a factory dual alternator option (for use with snow plows or winches). I don’t know anything about these .... can somebody comment on how practical it would be to hack the wiring of the second alternator for dedicated trailer charging? John Davies Spokane WA

Got pictures to share? It is always interesting to see why stuff fails. Thanks, John Davies Spokane WA

Ford to take on Ram TRX with 750 hp F-150 Raptor, with a supercharged 5.2 l V8 and coil spring suspension. https://www.foxnews.com/auto/ford-ram-f-150-raptor-pickup I have to ask, how many of these 700 bhp trucks will get rolled in the ORV Park by intoxicated, under trained, over eager owners - “Hold my beer and watch this!” - and will their insurance pay for it? Most likely not. I love watching a slow motion video of a lifted truck hooning sideways in dirt, but if the tires contact an immovable object or a hard rut, over it goes, totaled in the blink of an eye. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NwO8nBn0FPs Off road racer rolls truck, killing eight spectators For the kind of stunts shown in the TRX and Raptor videos, one of ...... THESE ........ would make so much more sense. People who actually pay for their own vehicles would never drive a $100,000 truck like that. I think that the marketing for these overpowered offroad trucks is totally irresponsible. John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks for the kind words, they are appreciated. The BC-30 is “adequate”, that is about it. The new model, which I just now heard of - thank you - should offer a slightly better picture quality, though it still suffers from a slow frame rate of 15 fps. If you do this mod, please post some pictures of your display so we can get an idea of the difference in video quality. I would not swap mine for the new model unless it failed, but it is nice to know they have finally updated this. John Davies Spokane WA

This is mostly excellent advice, but for those who may not know, it isn’t a new situation ..... I built a system just like this, except I used a Blu Sea marine rotary select switch instead of a big control relay, and I went with fat 00 welding cable from the truck’s alternator positive and battery negative posts, to self resetting relay, to a double Andersen 175 amp winch disconnect at the bumper. For two regular 100 amp hr lead acid batteries in my “stick and staple” Nash, it charged much faster than traditional smaller gauge wiring would have. I would start the truck, let the truck battery charge for five minutes, then switch all the output to the rear for half an hour of flatland highway towing, then I would hop out and switch to Both for the rest of the trip. Crude, yes. I never flattened the Suburban’s battery. This was In 1988. For stationary charging a raised idle speed is useful but not 100% required. Alternators are not very effective at 800 rpm. For those towing every few days, I would recommend this, especially if you can do the work yourself, which just requires common sense and two sets of special crimpers. An automotive electric shop could do it, but I wouldn’t trust your average general garage to do a safe and adequate job. The big wires have to be routed out of the way of all hazards and also covered with a protective split loom. I personally would be reluctant to idle long periods of time with a gas engine in the campground, unless you were completely alone. With any diesel engine, long term idling is NOT recommended. “manufactures usually will classify applications with high idle times as severe duty and recommend a more aggressive maintenance schedule.“ .... https://learndiesels.com/8-idle-facts/ John Davies Spokane WA