John E Davies

Keep in mind ventilation requirements, look at the installation manual for those specs, for example vertical or horizontal, and distance between objects. The Victron units prefer to be vertical with a few inches of top and bottom clearance, the Redarc ones are more forgiving, some can even be mounted under the trailer frame. John Davies Spokane WA

No worries, put it inside if you like, but you then lose the ability to use your portable panel with other trailers or to charge your truck battery, for example, if it goes flat when you are exploring elsewhere.. What brand and type controller do you have? You might want to consider installing a high quality MPPT unit under the bed, and keep the older one as your emergency spare or for other applications as I mentioned above. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCSTM43/?coliid=I15VG6R4AT33N3&colid=1X5H11EH41351&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it As long as you use good quick disconnects, you can easily switch from one setup to the other. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/5478-how-to-remote-mount-the-controller-of-a-suitcase-solar-panel-not-inside-the-trailer/ John Davies Spokane WA

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article262460447.html John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks, I wonder why it has no placard, maybe Oliver forgot it? Every factory installed switch I have seen has a label near it. That would save silly questions like mine. My floor lights have a switch near the galley water pump switch. I never use them either😬 John Davies Spokane WA

Forgot, it isn’t uncommon for the gas jet to get a build up of crud around the hole, that thread shows how you can clean it. But if it is running too rich at 7500 feet that may not fix it. John Davies Spokane WA

Great report, I am glad the Ollie worked so well. What solar port is on your trailer? If it is the round Furrion one, that connector is only rated for 10 amps, which is why the 10 amp fuse is there. The wires are plenty large. So if you have that round connector you are grossly overloading it with 18 amps. If you have a different brand, it may be rated higher. I haven't ever had any issues with water heater or furnace at 7500 feet. You should check and adjust your gas supply pressure to be sure there isn't a problem there, before swapping jets around. For the gas check you need a special tool or have an RV tech do it. If the gas supply is in spec, then you can proceed with the following. FYI it is about a two minute job to swap out the gas jet in the Suburban water heater for a smaller one. It simply clips in place. Since it obviously was having issues, try a smaller jet, ask your local RV shop what they recommender for the size. A larger number stamped on the brass jet is a SMALLER hole. You don't need to pay somebody to do this! Put the original back in when you get back to say 5000 feet. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/3243-how-to-service-and-inspect-your-suburban-hot-water-heater-gas-system/ John Davies Spokane WA

What is the unlabeled switch for? Ejection seat? No, that would be red. Thanks. That extension cord is kinda in the way there, you can replace it with a short right angle one, rotate the 120 VAC outlet 180 degrees and the cord will then go straight up so it is less at risk for being kicked. Something like this, I haven;'t used this particular brand. Tripplite make some too that are probably better built. John Davies Spokane WA

I have had to panic stop a number of times when towing, for clueless pedestrians and once for five elk standing on the center stripe of the highway. I topped the steep rise and there they were. In every case I stood on the brake pedal, not once did I try to evade. Of course a turtle is a completely different threat level. I wouldn’t hesitate to run over one, and I have nailed a tom turkey dead center with the truck and trailer tires. But I think most people towing a three ton trailer would be too busy stopping, not evading. John Davies Spokane WA

😳 That has to be very hard for the service techs, how can they efficiently fix brakes, swap axles or remove the subframe? Perform frame repairs? I would have expected a four point lift to be the next thing to be installed after the roof and walls…,, Maybe they just tow the Ollie over to the Production area for major work? John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks for posting. Do you have any inside-the-building pics that you can share? Do they let you come inside the service area to, for example, look underneath your frame while it is up on a lift? What is the hourly rate and what does a typical annual service cost, do you know? Do they provide detailing services? John Davies Spokane WA

So this happens with the gearbox installed? It seems like a very major design flaw. I had to modify my handle so it would function with the gearbox removed, but the tool does work fine with it in place. Maybe you could figure out an alternative setup, the part that fits over the jack gearbox needs a 1/2” square female drive. It could be made by buying a pair of cheap Harbor Freight extensions and welding the female ends together. Use a regular 1/2 drive ratchet handle to operate it. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/6811-how-to-lengthen-your-emergency-jack-handle-so-it-will-fit-the-rear-jacks-with-the-gearbox-removed/ John Davies Spokane WA

They sell there own brand corded one, I don’t know who makes it for them. The kits are a good value rather than buying pads or other items separately. https://www.griotsgarage.com/buffers-pads/polisher-kits/ John Davies Spokane WA

137.3 inches. Almost 18 inches longer than the Land Cruiser 200 (120 inches). It should be fairly stable with the Andersen. OTH the LE would be a better match in terms of tongue weight and off road ability, but that last part was not part of the question. There are some important frontal area and TW limitations, the LE2 would need to be kept tongue light. For example, keep the generator in the front of the bed, not on the tongue. https://offroading.com/the-2022-jeep-gladiator-towing-capacity-an-in-depth-comparison/ John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks for posting! That will definitely save fussing around, recording trip lengths and missing some! But you still have to keep a basic mileage log for the maintenance items. I quite like the new style spoked wheels, they would really show off a set of disk brakes with stainless calipers and rotors! Unmmmm good! John Davies Spokane WA

If you are just doing short trips and not racking up a lot of miles, the Ecodiesel doesn’t make very much sense. Short trips with inadequate cruising time for regens is very hard on any modern diesel. The high up front cost and long term expenses for emissions stuff and DEF will buy a lot of gas, but that wonderful torque is addictive. I personally would not own another diesel vehicle of any kind. But the Ford 7.3 Godzilla gas engine has diesel like power, but with super simplicity and it appeals to me for those reasons. I have to admit that I love the look of the Gladiator but the price seems a little out of line for what you get. Have the dealers quit price gouging? John Davies Spokane WA

I just bought a Dewalt polisher, mainly because I used to have a nice Porter Cable one with cord, and I just hated dealing with that; tripping over it, pulling the plug out of the socket, and dragging it across my freshly polished paint (!) And I have about six other Dewalt tools and lots of batteries. I haven’t used it yet, but I need to do my truck since the sides are all brush striped from fire roads. I got a killer deal on an open box one on eBay for $375, free shipping. It was in perfect condition. Griots Garage sells great care products, I bought a bunch of pads, polishes and tools from them for the Dewalt. It doesn’t come with any. https://www.griotsgarage.com/buffers-pads/ John Davies Spokane WA

Be sure to drill the pilot hole for threaded screws the correct size, it should be a little larger than the minor diameter of the sheet metal screw (the diameter of the part that is not cut for threads). If the screw does not drive in easily, the hole is too small and you need to go up one or two drill sizes and then retry. If the hole is too small you can snap off the smaller sized screws, and that will make you swear, or else it can strip the heads of any sized ones. And you should always make a decent sized countersink around the fresh screw hole to prevent the gelcoat from cracking and chipping. See that pic I posted above your last comment. John Davies Spokane WA

I am seeing a lot of confusion here about the various Cooper models. HT3 is a commercial street tire, with a very high load capacity, over 3000 pounds: The AT3 series are all terrain tires There are a bunch of Discoverer variants including AT3 LT, AT3 4S (for winter), AT3 XLT which is a hybrid mud/ all terrain tread with beefier sidewall lugs, 12 different models in all! https://coopertire.com/en-us/find-tires/all-tires Some will not be available in the stock size or load range for an Ollie - for example the XLT variant is NOT, they don’t offer one that small. The LT works. The LT 4S is tlhe right size but the wrong load rating. You have to look at specifications charts to see what is available. For example the 4s is not a Load E 10 ply tire: And the LT obviously is Load E: If you are going to post pics, make user comments, and provide links, please make very sure you are talking about the correct tire variant. Otherwise it is just static and super confusing for everyone. You do NOT have to put 10 ply tires on your Ollie, but that is a whole different conversation….. Thank you. John Davies Spokane WA

What is hard, the idea of punching holes in your Ollie or finding the right tool? If the latter, the Harbor Freight large step drill (up to 1 3/8”) works brilliantly with fiberglass, and adequately with aluminum, though it tends to clog in that material, and you should use a smaller one to get the hole started. https://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drills-96275.html Love those Cable Clams! John Davies Spokane WA

They are a great start, but also add a set of extended ones on your truck like Mike’s. Think layers of protection. In fact you might want to consider a temporary stone protector aerosol film for the trip back, so you won’t worry so much. Peel it off when you get home. Or tape closed cell foam on the front of the Ollie with gaffers tape, not cheap duct tape. Some folks headed to AK do this and it seems to work pretty well. Stopping the chips is most important, but NO way is your trailer going to stay clean over a 2500+ mile trip in November. In fact, you will probably have to take the longer route across the SW deserts then up on I-5. you will hit snow in the passes otherwise. Bring chains or cables for the truck AND the Ollie. What is your delivery date, and can you have it bumped a little earlier? You still need a few days in TN for the shakedown testing. In your shoes I would be thinking about having the Ollie delivered to Oregon. John Davies Spokane WA

On my Hull 218 the AC condensation drain line comes out at the left rear (street side) corner near the cable TV connector, stick a flexible rod of some kind up inside, most likely a bug or mud dawber has taken up residence. Mine is a 1/2” PEX plastic pipe, you won’t hurt it unless you get carried away with something hard and sharp. That line runs up the back side of the cargo area (toward the roof) you can also access it from there. Consider adding some coarse bronze wool to allow the water to come out, but keep the bigger bugs out. I think you can get it way cheaper at Walmart. https://www.amazon.com/Rogue-River-Tools-Bronze-Wool/dp/B079Y1QTY1/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1DFLZT60X80V1&keywords=bronze+wool+coarse&qid=1654821202&sprefix=bronze+wool+coarse%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-4 John Davies Spokane Wa

The bird at the top was totally unplanned. There is a row of wind turbines on the ridge on the far right horizon. OK, maybe not Easter Eggs, but unexpected when I was going through the pics, since my wife took them. John Davies Spokane WA

😅😂🤣 Was that a joke do you suppose? Maybe this explains why the wire color codes do not match industry standards…. A company that builds RVs has no critical diagrams anywhere in the premises? If it is actually true, my opinion of OTC just dropped a great big notch. How are they supposed to provide customer support? Thanks for the update. John Davies Spokane WA

Mike, thanks for posting, I was confused because Cooper and Discount Tire both do not list that size. I actually think that your Ollie tires are the AT3 LT, not the more aggressive “off roady” XLT that are on your truck! These are the only 16” sizes listed for the XLT: I have the XLTs on my LC200 and love them, I am a huge Cooper fan. Buyer Beware, the rolling resistance is a lot higher than with a pure “street” tire, it will affect your mileage, but you won’t have to worry about sidewall cuts. My original Ollie Michelins are now six years old, they will come off next Spring for a set of these LTs. https://www.amazon.com/Cooper-Discoverer-All-Terrain-Radial-Tire-LT225/dp/B07CZZSTYD John Davies Spokane WA

Please post a pic, I have used them in the past on my LC200 and found them to be lacking for that truck. I now have the AT3 XLTs on it and they are most excellent, mainly because they sling practically no gravel, unlike the finer tread and they have sexy cool sidewall protectors. But I think the AT3s would be great for “Mouse”, especially since they don”t make a small enough XLT😬 Thanks John Davies Spokane WS