John E Davies

While he is underneath, have him check the nuts for the four big jack bolts (use a 3/4” deep socket) that go down through the frame, the spec is 43 foot pounds. They do loosen, as do the suspension and ubolt bolts. He probably already was going to check those, but he is probably completely unfamiliar with Ollies and their peculiarities. If any of the lower jack bolts are loose, have him retorque the four inside that go sideways. The front jack hardware also loosens, that is easy to access. Good luck. Don’t worry about hijacking, we all do it and eventually that spawns a new thread, or the conversation drifts back to the original subject. 😬 John Davies Spokane WA

If you want to boondock, avoid the flush toilet, it absolute EATS your fresh water supply. ... https://www.doityourselfrv.com/how-much-water-does-an-rv-toilet-use-per-flush/ Buy the Natures Head, learn its quirks, and don't look back. Two people using it daily means a trip to a toilet or privy every two to three days to empty the pee tank, unless you buy a second one. The solids part of this equation has ben discussed at length, look here: ... https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/1978-nature039s-head-composting-toilet-installation-in-an-oliver-big-thread/ I keep a little stainless flip top trash bin beside the toilet, with a liner, ALL paper goes in there. Fresh water is hard to quantify, when my wife is along we go through a tank in three days, including one navy shower each. I conserve a lot more than she, and smell more, and can go 8 to 10 days easily when I am solo. I carry an empty 6 gallon water jerry can (blue plastic) and have actually used it one time in five seasons. So usually finding a water source isn't that hard, unless you are dry camping for long periods. There are devices that allow you to get water from unauthorized sources, like a Water Bandit. Get one of those and you should be fine. If you can't connect the hose, your boondocking/ winterization port is your next step, just suck the water out of a can or bucket. Figure 3 quarts day in hot weather just in drinking water, that adds up fast! 1.5 gallons per day for a couple, over ten days, is half your tank volume. A navy shower is maybe 3 gallons, I use less than she because I have a lot less hair. Grey water can be carefully emptied with a sewer adapter and a 3/4" garden hose in SOME places, like the open desert, you can run it off to under a sagebrush and let it trickle out overnight. I dump mine at home in the gravel driveway... 😉 It would certainly be educational to rent a stick and staple trailer for a week, it will let you experience the systems, especially dumping, and the poor build quality, and the latter will make you appreciate the Ollie all that more. I will repeat myself, your LC200 will be "adequate" for towing an LE2 in the Eastern states, with the Andersen and airbags; you may find yourself wishing for the smaller LE when you travel out West, That would be a stellar combination for many reasons. I think yours is a Heritage edition? If so, good, you don't have to remove that pesky third row or buy proper LT tires.... do you know your payload? John Davies Spokane WA

I have never sterilized my blue water container, but after use, I dump out the contents, flush it well with chlorinated city water, and store it with the cap off so it dries. It always stays nice inside. If your water comes straight out of the ground, add bleach or treatment tablets. I don’t need these for my Ollie can, but I keep them in my bug out backpack. http://www.expedition-research.com/shop/tac-h2o-refill-100-aquatab-water-purification-tablets John Davies Spokane WA

How do you empty it through the outside port? Or was that a typo? FYI if you overfill it, it will flood the bathroom, just like the main grey tank, ultimately coming out over the top of the door sill. Do you pump out of a bucket to keep track? John Davies Spokane WA

I do not want to remove it. I have to remove it to install the Fridge Defend temp sensor on the burner tube, inside the steel heat shield and insulation... I can just leave the fridge inside the cabin, and work on it there. I really wanted to be able to blow all the dust out of the nooks and crannies, maybe a vacuum will suffice. Thanks for the info about the door…😳 That is quite disturbing. John Davies Spokane WA

I got SeaDawg’s message and replied to it. No problem at my end. I have not seen yours. John Davies Spokane WA

The upper black tank hole is plugged when there is a NH installed, no worries there. ABS can be used for potable water, the main drawback is it is never to be installed in direct sunlight, not a problem in an Ollie. By RV CODE you should not use the black tank, in reality it would work fine, as long as you disconnect it from the main 3" waste pipe under the front dinette seat, and cap off the tank outlet tank. Install a PEX drain line with shutoff valve and also a BIG PEX overflow pipe from the top of the tank, exiting out the bottom hull. And be sure to go under the bath sink and disconnect and cap the 1 1/2" black tank sewer vent, otherwise the two systems are still physically connected. While you are under there, cap off the fresh water line going to the toilet, so you don't have to keep winterizing that unused section of pipe. I have been thinking about this for five years but never did it. Please go ahead and post pics, we like research and development pioneers here. 😉 Small projects tend to get big in a hurry when you figure out all the angles. https://westernrooter.com/abs-vs-pvc-pipe/ John Davies Spokane WA

Is it simply a matter of disconnecting the gas supply, the two sets of power wires, and the drain tube? The upper baffle plates, do they just pull out after cutting the tape? There is some more tape down low on the left that has to get cut. I bought a Fridge Defend and was HOPING that I could install the temp sensor onto the boiler tube in situ, but there is no way I can reach that part of the tube, because the bottom access panel is so darned restricted. Why is it so tiny??? Grrrrr.😤 FYI, the Dometic owners manual cautions that the fridge must be removed annually for inspection. I am sure this was inserted by the lawyers because of the fire risk, but I have never had mine out. Do any other owners remove these every year?😳 If there is a thread about this, please point me in the right direction. How long should this take to do? Thanks. John Davies Spokane WA

That is a fun story in retrospect, the rain especially, one you will remember vividly forever. If you carry a generator you can boost the system in an hour and be on your way. Or add a DC to DC charger in the truck or trailer. As delivered there is no charging available that way. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/5270-how-to-redarc-dc-to-dc-11-amp-output-trailer-charger-installation/ It is a fairly painless mod, but if your TV has a smart alternator you would have to run a small voltage sense wire up to it, which turns the charger on and off. Also consider a Mopeka propane detector - I have mixed feelings about mine, it tends to eat batteries but when working it is very handy. John Davies Spokane WA

No idea, I don’t have a Truma. It should be close to the unit, look for the copper gas line. It may be outside, Your Ollie options manual should show it. FYI it is prudent to know where all the gas valves are located! John Davies Spokane WA

I have no idea, but if you can’t get this corrected, be sure to shut off the heater gas valve! One Oliver owner had a catastrophic Truma failure with a nasty little fire. When in doubt, shut it down completely, including tripping the breaker and fuse(s). Good luck. John Davies Spokane WA

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-11069353/Amazing-spike-maps-change-way-Earth.html John Davies Spokane WA

Modern lithium batteries have internal protection, part of their BMS (Battery Management System), that turns them off before they get so low that damage can occur. Running them to the absolute zero point could damage them, but it should not happen. So unless one is faulty, they should be fine. SOME lithium batteries, like Victron, do not have a BMS - they are not a wise investment for an RV. I hope you figure out how they got turned off. I am sure it won’t happen again. Have you stepped into a puddle of water in the bathroom yet? Every Ollie owner does that, one time, after forgetting to open the gray tank vent valve (aka travel valve). If you are unlucky, you will do it while wearing socks, so you have to go change them. A new RV has a steep learning curve. Hang in there. John Davies Spokane WA

FYI, winds out west can be completely unpredictable, you can get a sudden violent downburst out of the clear blue sky. I don’t use my awning much at all, and if I do put t out, I won’t leave the trailer for more than a few minutes with it extended. This is interesting …. https://www.rotaryforum.com/threads/strange-weather-phenomenon-micro-micro-burst-on-a-clear-day.27314/. John Davies Spokane WA

John Davies Spokane WA

You can’t do that safely to an electric awning that automatically retracts if it gets too windy! You should read through the Oliver owner and other manuals to familiarize yourself with the systems. This is from the Girard awning manual. You could disconnect the wind sensor system, but that would not be prudent for a number of reasons. I think Oliver should continue to make a manual awning standard, with the power version as an option. It would be far better for you to get a free standing shelter like a Clam, a believe that a big sized one will fit over a picnic table. I don’t have one (I sometimes use a 10x10 free standing canopy, tied down) but there have been a number of threads here about shelters. John Davies Spokane WA

The Internet is full of images of wrecked trucks with this caption, here is just one: Hmmm, looks like the rear suspension might be damaged too. John Davies Spokane WA

As always, post your hull number and model in a signature in every post…. preferably your tow vehicle info too. Do not assume that we all know what you own. Otherwise we have to look at your profile page to see if it is there… These trailers change constantly from year to year, and you are very correct, the technology is not at all intuitive if something does not work correctly. Once we know what systems you have, somebody can assist. Off the top of my bald head, I suspect there is a problem with the transfer switch, which is supposed to seamlessly bring your batteries online as soon as you unplug from shore power. EDIT - The latest Xantrex inverter has a built in transfer switch. (My five year old one is a separate relay.) So either that inverter function failed (a defective unit):, or the batteries are not in fact charged (check the voltage with a hand volt meter.) That is far as I can go with this problem because I don’t have this system…. Good luck. John Davies Spokane WA

Me too 😬 I was just researching a little mini-split for my master bedroom. Here is one with a jaw dropping SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) rating of over 33. I don’t recall what my home Carrier AC unit is, maybe 14… these newest models have inverter controlled variable speed compressors that do not cycle on and off, they run at varying loads to keep the room temperature very close to the set temp. https://hvacdirect.com/mitsubishi-mz-fh06na-6-000-btu-33-1-seer-ductless-mini-split-heat-pump8958.html I think a 6000 btu model would work fine for an Ollie, since it could run constantly and efficiently without having to deal with the traditional on off cycling. These are all 240 volts, I am sure an RV model could be made for 120. Maybe the 2025 Ollies will use one. Sorry for the thread highjack. John Davies Spokane WA

That is unfortunate. I am not convinced that a nylon cable tie, even a big one, makes for a proper HVAC clamp, it really needs a worm screw steel one, IMHO. Once positioned and tightened correctly, it should not “blow off”. Cable ties are used in residential duct installations, but they usually just support the weight from a rafter, the actual connections are first screwed and then either taped or puttied. Thanks for posting the pictures. John Davies Spokane WA

Corvus, this is just a FYI, it is not a big deal: Your silver shower hose loops around the dump cable. If you want to gain another foot or two of extension, reroute it so that all of the hose is on the same side, that way the cable won’t stop it prematurely. You will need to unscrew the hose at one end. That is kind of a weird setup, the hose just flops around among all the other parts. I have been trying to think of a way to retain it, a net bag for example…. for water drainage; any ideas? John Davies Spokane WA

Early review showing all the defects in his year old Nest. This video was delayed because AS asked him not not publish it. Eventually he gave up and did upload it anyway. AS pawned everything off onto the local dealer, in the end everything was corrected to his satisfaction, and AS gave the owner a new 3 year warranty. But new failures piled up, so he got rid of it. 2019 Airstream Nest Defects: A REAL REVIEW https://www.airforums.com/forums/f368/new-nest-owner-anyone-else-having-issues-195445.html Yay Ollies! Some of the “bad” methods used by all Airstreams also apply to Olivers, such as using residential solid core 120VAC wire instead of premium marine grade multi-strand, and using cr@ppy “box store quality” outlets. At least we don’t have to deal with cabinets literally falling off the wall and rotted floors and frames…. the small amount of wood in an Ollie is non-structural and very well done, for the most part (I especially like the dovetailed drawers). From a different thread there, about Nest being discontinued. 465 units were built, and one member commented “You can win in the market place with a better mouse trap, or with a cheaper mouse trap, but you can’t win with a poor mouse trap sold at a premium price.” John Davies Spokane WA

That bin is roughly 38”x22”, could you get two into your Ollie, with bikes inside? Will they fit end to end in the center aisle? It seems as if it might be possible but not easy… or practical as a long term solution. I don’t know the weight rating for their top and sides, could two loaded ones stack on top of each other in a truck bed? John Davies Spokane WA

Check the Lectric forum at https://electricbikereview.com/forums/forum/lectric-ebikes/ Somebody there will have the answer to your storage bin question. You have to register to post, it takes moderator approval and may take a day or two. John Davies Spokane WA

Stripped carriage bolts ….. darn it! Drill or grind the heads off, completely. Drive the shanks down and out the bottom with a brass drift. Replace them with hex head bolts and thick washers. Perhaps an hour’s labor IF you have good access up top. Oliver should definitely cover the repair! They are stainless, not that hard to drill, as you discovered when the square heads rounded off. (I have snapped a seized 1/2” bumper bolt into pieces with a regular breaker bar, to wasn’t TOO difficult.) Hand cut square holes? That seems overly primitive for a factory, but these are special jacks I think, so that bracket defect probably is the jack manufacturer’s fault. Good luck, stuff like this makes you want to scream, doesn’t it? John Davies Spokane WA