John E Davies

I’m not sure there is a thread. Just look at the valve under the street side bed, most likely the inner cable slid out of the “guillotine” fitting. Or possibly the outer housing clamp slipped. This valve is used everywhere, there should be lots of videos…. You can open and close it with your fingers if you have to. John Davies Spokane WA

Just remember this - even if the batteries are turned off, the panels can supply close to 20 amps of DC current to the battery positive cable. So this could be a safety hazard if you are disconnecting/ removing the batteries while the panels are in the sun. For example, if you shorted out that "hot" terminal to the ground terminal with a tool or metal jewelry... So turn OFF the solar when working on the batteries! And wear no rings or bracelets please! At all other times, I agree, just leave the system alone. John Davies Spokane WA

It really depends on where you camp. If you never lose the cell signal, use the phone. If you camp in the West, that method will be highly unsatisfactory! Take a look at your cellular plan coverage map. For all the different plans, there are a lot of empty spots in the coverage maps in the western states! https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/7206-how-do-you-get-local-weather-while-boondocking-and-no-am-or-fm-reception/ John Davies Spokane WA

If you camp in humid areas where morning dews are common, wait until the trailer and your truck are wet - the bugs have soaked overnight (“hydrated”) and come off a lot more easily in the morning. John Davies Spokane WA

No phone required……. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2082-how-to-install-a-big-bubble-level-no-drilling/ John Davies Spokane WA

FYI … https://carbuzz.com/news/ford-accused-of-using-cheap-steel-on-super-duty-trucks John Davies Spokane WA

My hull 218 has TWO inline yellow fuse holders for the tongue jack. One is at the back with that “gang of three” and the other is at the jack itself, which is a big gotcha, because either fuse could blow and if you did not know there are two, it would make you swear! The front one should be replaced with a simple single pole wire connector like an Anderson Power Pole. That is on my To Do list John Davies Spokane WA

Treat your truck before you leave home. At delivery, it will be problematic in November, maybe you can talk Oliver into letting you bring and leave the trailer inside for 12 hours after you finish applying it. Also it should not applied in direct sunlight. You should also use a clay bar or paint cleaner to make sure the surface is absolutely spotless. That takes a good bit of time. So just the front makes sense rather than the entire hull and roof.. Have you considered asking Service if they will do the entire trailer BEFORE delivery if you send them a 16 ounce bottle of Rejex? That would certainly be simpler. John Davies Spokane WA

Cameron, predictable events like a hurricane give plenty of warning, just clear out promptly and head a couple of hundred miles inland. You definitely do not want to be near sea level. Tornados OTH are completely unpredictable. If a truly nasty storm system was approaching, I would hitch up, disconnect any hoses or cords, retract the awning, and pack everything for a really quick departure. I would also retract the stabilizers! With them down, the trailer can’t move around on the suspension, and any severe wind might rock it and drop it back down, which would break things. I do this routinely in wildfire areas, they can flare back up without warning, and I always try to have an emergency exit route different from the way I came to the site. I try hard to never camp at a short spot that won’t allow me to stay hitched. Super volcanoes (Yellowstone Caldera), wayward asteroids, widespread nuke attack …… let’s not go there. You would just be SOL. I hope you Florida members stay safe and secure. Good luck. John Davies Spokane WA

The payload is OK, I think it is over well over 800 pounds. I haven’t found that darned payload sticker yet. And the salesman assured me it had the Tow Package, but I can’t find the receiver! I admit that I did have a really hard time understanding him… but Google Translate was really helpful! .😬 I really hope this truck will work, if not can I modify it? Maybe 2000 pound airbags? (Those will increase my payload to 2800, correct?) I already placed an order for a new Ollie LE2 with all the options! BTW, I will be primarily boondocking in the Colorado High country, and I also hope to drive to the Arctic Circle... so I am also looking for an in-bed fuel tank, not too big, maybe 100 gallons. So far I haven’t found one. Please help. Thanks in advance! https://www.hotcars.com/chinas-svh-tundar-blatantly-ripping-off-the-tundra-pickup-may-not-sit-well-with-toyota/ John Davies Spokane WA

Ford HD trucks stacked up in a KY race track (one of many lots): https://www.thedrive.com/news/unfinished-ford-trucks-keep-piling-up-in-massive-lots-visible-from-space Anybody who orders a new truck should be prepared to wait a long time. I would also be very wary of any non-refundable deposits! Does anyone know how the other manufacturers are doing in terms of unsold truck inventory that is waiting for parts? John Davies Spokane WA

Well, that is easy enough to test, just spit on the drum and if it sizzles and steams, it is too hot. I have intentionally overworked the brakes going half a mile down a 8% grade with the trailer brakes fully operating (manual mode) without letting up. I saw temps up near 200 on one drum only, and I could smell the brake linings. NOTE if you smell "hot brakes" never ever stick a finger on the drum or rotor. Ouch. FYI: Some folks may not know, when going down long grades, use your lower GEARS and brake hard to slow down then let up and coast a while to allow them to cool. Do not ride them all the way down.... So what is your next step with your brakes? You sound pretty unhappy to me. ;( John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks, I wonder when Oliver started putting it under the drawer? It is definitely a dryer spot, or at least, less likely to get soaked if a pipe fails. John Davies Spokane WA

I installed a Rheem Preferred Platinum 42,000 Grain Water Softener with Wi-Fi Technology last spring, and after a few months the spots and scale in the house plumbing are gone. The shower and inside of the dishwasher looks terrific. I had not thought about filling the Ollie tank, but decided to give it a try. Obviously I can’t do this on extended road trips, but for short ones and during the off season this makes great sense. I drained the hot water heater (ran about 6 gallons into a bucket using the outside shower) and flushed all the inside lines with soft water. I hope that keeping them treated for months at a time will be enough to clean out the existing scale so I don’t have to do a regular vinegar flush. https://rayneofsantamaria.com/blog/how-do-water-softeners-affect-mineral-deposits/ BTW I also teed it into my garden hose bibb that I use to wash cars, I can flip a couple of ball valves and finish the wash with soft water. It greatly reduces water spots and the cars look better too. Comments? How common are water softeners in small trailers? John Davies Spokane WA

Fly up, drive home….. screw those rapacious markup dealers! John Davies Spokane WA

One reason I admire the Power Wagon, despite its remarkably low payload, is that the weight of factory installed 12K winch, skid plates, locking front sway bar, rocker guards, and extra “off roady” gear is already factored in. On a standard truck, all those added factory or aftermarket parts take away from the original base (highest) figure, that “up to xxxx pounds” that manufacturers love so much. My last Series 80 Lexus had around 500 pounds of that extra “expedition” stuff. I have been trying very hard not to do it to my 200, that is a bottomless hole that is easy to get lost in…. John Davies Spokane WA

Do you have a picture of this new location? So it is NOT directly below the water lines? If so that is very good news. I am sorry the plug slipped out, what tire pressure are you running? Too high makes all sorts of odd things happen from shaking the hull violently. John Davies Spokane WA

bbrault, be very careful when comparing “similar” SUVs, the Ascent has a turbo engine -it has a fairly flat torque curve at a low rpm and it does better at high altitude. Your Toyota naturally aspirated V6 is bigger, but the power is “peakier” and a lot higher in the revs. Here is the Subaru dyno chart, I could not find one for the Highlander. And one comparing the three Ford truck engines. The last one shows why the Ecoboost is such a killer engine for towing compared to the V8 engines. You mentioned in your first thread the new 2023 Sequoia, I think that too would be a killer TV, if you can afford one. John Davies Spokane WA

Read this thread through to the end, then make your own decision. https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f12/i-am-really-new-to-the-rv-and-have-a-question-about-towing-e-pro-19fbs-with-highlander-229888.html John Davies Spokane WA

Dry trailer weight includes no factory options at all. Those can easily add up to maybe 300 pounds…. Unfortunately, you mentioned boondocking, and that requires at least the solar option. And primitive camping normally means you tend to bring more stuff, not less, which you can get away with when you are in a developed campground. John Davies Spokane WA

The problem with the plastic cans is that you cannot secure the openings and they inevitably leak or smell. I have two 5 gallon NATO cans, I carried them for years up front on the cargo tray, then I moved the tray to the back and carried them there. Now I carry one inside the Land Cruiser, no worries, completely out of sight, no leaks, no odors. These cans can be dropped or run over and they don’t leak. Period. https://www.amazon.com/Wavian-USA-JC0020RVS-Authentic-System/dp/B011AJF0PE I don’t think your Highlander has NEARLY enough reserve capability for a 5000 pound LE1, but if you carefully watch your loading, travel with empty tanks, and don’t ever travel at high elevations it may be adequate. Until you get tired of its many limitations. “For every 1,000 feet of elevation, a gasoline engine loses 4% of its power. Because of this, you should reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity by 2% for every 1,000 feet of elevation. So, for a non-hybrid Toyota Highlander at 10,000 feet, the actual towing capacity should be 4,000 pounds instead of the rated 5,000 pounds.” https://camper101.com/toyota-highlander-towing-capacity/ If you don’t want to change vehicles, a 3500 lb trailer would be an ideal match. John Davies Spokane WA

I am fairly sure that is a piece of a cabin drawer slide. It is the same gauge and color.... . I don't know if Oliver trims any material off one end. I wouldn't worry about it, unless you just want to be reassured, in that case you can open a service ticket and ask. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/6734-how-to-drawers-remove-and-reinstall-your-galley-and-end-table-drawers-fix-loose-or-stripped-screws-and-glue-the-bottoms-for-extra-strength/ I hope you did not step on it with bare feet.... John Davies Spokane WA

The Oliver Trailer Company is not an ultimate authority, they often make mistakes during the build and they make very odd engineering decisions for no decernable reason, like the infamous 11/4" bike receiver.... The great thing about the Internet is you can go to a bunch of trailer forums, read reviews and comments from actual owners, and decide for yourself if the benefits outweigh all the negatives and increased labor. I would leave "Mouse" out in the open all winter before than I would a cloth cover on it. I am just very glad I don't have to... John Davies Spokane WA

"Recommended" and "Required" are two entirely different things. It's similar to an engine should use 91 octane for best performance but it is fine with 87 octane. It is up to you to decide, but personally I think it would be crazy to use an Andersen hitch with your heavy duty truck. Any decent defense lawyer would immediately show that your Ollie is perfectly fine with a dead weight hitch. I do recommend that you make sure your tires and brakes are always in good shape. That will have more effect on any possible accidents than the kind of hitch you are using. Your English is fine.... John Davies Spokane WA

You never told us where you store the Ollie, beside your house? At a facility? If snow load is your concern and you only have one awning you can tilt the panel so snowfall will never accumulate, but you still will need to get it off the roof, so you don’t have to worry about freeze thaw cycles making destructive ice dams. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2791-how-to-solar-panel-extension-arms/ I have never done this where high winds might occur. I am not sure if it is any riskier than lying flat. A fixed outside shelter is by FAR a better long term solution, if you have a place for one and codes allow it. A fabric cover is the worst solution for many reasons, including how do you clean it properly, to remove destructive grit. It is a truly huge piece of material. Any dirt on the gel coat or inside the cover will cause scratches! I had one long ago and it gave me ulcers. 😬 Never again! John Davies Spokane WA