John E Davies

If you use a water softener at home, and always fill the trailer tank from that source, especially for long term storage, those white hard water deposits will clear out on their own throughout the entire system, in a few months, and never return. When you are on the road, you must use whatever sources are available, just drain and refill the tank with the good stuff when you get back home, and flush out the pipes and water heater. Otherwise you need to do vinegar flushes every two years. This is a great reason to invest in a softener at home, it cleans out your home pipes and gets rid of spots in your shower, plus you can tee into that supply and wash the Ollie and your cars with it. It’s a win win win …. win situation. 😉 https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/factsheet/softening.html#:~:text=Advantages of home water softening,%2C bathtubs%2C and washing machines. John Davies Spokane WA

Is the water pump running all the time when turned on? If so it is airlocked. You need to get water into its inlet hose. The easy fast way is to close the faucet valve and open the tank fill valve. This is from Hull 218, your arrangement may look different. This creates an open loop path for the water - tank to pump to tank. It allows the system to bleed out any air by releasing the bubbles into the tank. If that doesn’t do the trick, remove the inlet hose at the tee fitting and manually pour in some water and reconnect it. If that doesn’t do it, your pump has failed. Because the Ollie tank is so long, and the water is literally sucked out close the rear, it often gets air in that hose when traveling with a partially full tank (as the water sloshes around). This may not be related to your problem, but you need to know how to fix the airlock if it doesn’t correct itself by opening the sink faucets. Changing the pump is simple but does require making two crimped wire connections. John Davies Spokane WA

FYI you don’t need to completely remove the bed, just rotate it up 90 degrees and push it against the outside wall. It is a lot easier if you don’t use a bunch of regular linens. And they are ball valves, not switches. FYI also, living in red rock country you should understand the combined effect of water and red dust, the iron oxide is very conductive, it can cause pretty bad corrosion in any exposed electrical connections like your 7 pin connector. Or any exposed circuit boards like your propane fridge (under the black plastic cover). Keep them clean or unpleasant things can happen. I suggest that you carry a gas leaf blower to de-dust everything when you reach your destination. But that won’t help when the roads are soaked…. We don’t see too many pics of dirty Ollies, keep them coming. 😉 That is oil not dust, do *NOT* drive on 50 km of freshly oiled chip sealed highway in heavy rain, it takes forever to get off the undercarriage. John Davies Spokane WA

That sounds like a spectacular trip with an Ollie AFTER going in to locate a practical site (one far enough off to the side of the main road to provide clean air when camping). That valley is waypointed on my GAIA map program. Just haven’t got there…. Gravel roads are GOOD, bring a gas leaf blower to de-dust the trailer and it doesn’t hurt anything. Beautiful picture! But that poor trailer, its owner has no mud flaps on the truck! I wonder how many dings are in the front. John Davies Spokane WA

Going, the reflector is stuck onto a flat surface, see this thread. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/6892-how-to-connect-a-standard-sae-4-pin-harness-or-4-pin-with-backup-lights-to-your-oliver-factory-7-pin-wires/ John Davies Spokane WA

The regulated voltage is too low, I have a Scan Gauge and rarely see over 13.9 volts, it usually stays at 13.5. I don’t know if this also applies to 5.7 Sequoias and Tundras, my guess is yes. But that voltage works perfectly through a smart DC to DC charger like the Redarc. John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks for the info. Does that sensor use an oring? If so it needs to be inspected and replaced if necessary. I always add a dab of silicone dielectric grease to the oring and threads to to keep out moisture and prevent thread seizing. I am glad you figured out how to get it open, non-destructively. John Davies Spokane WA

Mine is listed on Craigslist and I got a relatively local hit within 8 hours, but no further ones yet. John Davies Spikane WA

Vertical is a little better, if you do not winterize with antifreeze, there will always be a some water trapped in the cylinder. If it is mounted with the valve up, then gravity will assist in draining that out when you empty the system, or blow it with regulated compressed air. Also FYI, follow the directions for pressurizing, I haven’t used one of these before, but accumulators “usually” are charged with air when the system is completely inert (zero line pressure). What does the accumulator instructions say about this? Also FYI, keep a Schrader valve cap on it always, it keeps dust and grit out of the opening, which might cause air leaks. So which of these is better? John Davies Spokane WA

Where and when did you hear that? Are they going to offer an intelligent digital control panel? Another member got a quote for over $5000 to do the basic swap, it is very complicated and labor intensive. I did it myself and it is not something I would never care to repeat. Even tho the end result is really great. It beat me up too much, mentally and physically. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/9168-how-to-install-an-isotherm-cruise-130-2-way-refrigerator-in-an-le2/ John Davies Spokane WA

Yep, plastic scraper with a brand new blade, change frequently. I just did my floor a month ago, it gets nasty where the dirt sticks to that rough surface. This is GREAT: FOSHIO Plastic Razor Blade Scraper Include 2PCS Scraper Tool and 100PCS Blades John Davies Spokane WA

You could get creative like these truck camper owners. Where do you camp? It is not legally allowed anywhere, but many desert boondockiers will irrigate the sage bushes with grey water and a 3/4”” garden hose. Not that I would ever do that, but I might have maybe once or twice accidentally…. https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-mods/projects/grey-auxiliary-tanks-for-campers/ I think it makes a lot more sense to install a composting toilet if you don’t already have one, and use the black tank for grey storage, but you risk having the system backing up and flooding the bathroom. You would need pumps and isolation valves. John Davies Spokane WA

Is the current eastern wildfire smoke problem making you rethink this poll? The air is nice here, but as soon as the winds shift, the Canadian smoke will come here, without a doubt. Sad times… https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/06/26/americas/canada-wildfire-season-worst-2023/index.html John Davies Spokane WA

FYI, John Davies Spokane WA

Yes, it makes sense. You need to remove the coating mechanically where the seal will attach.You probably should contact the company that applied it to see if they have any information that would help. Unless you arme super talented at detailing, I suggest that you hire a pro. https://avalonking.com/blogs/tips-advice/a-guide-to-removing-ceramic-coating-from-your-car John Davies Spokane WA

I find this a very interesting thread, with lots of neat ideas. OTH, I am sorry you guys have to deal with this “rain” stuff. 😉 John Davies Spokane WA

This only applies to those who might be tent camping: You might want to pick a spot upwind to reduce dust exposure from people walking or kids running, and also in case a sudden squall comes up and a tent breaks loose from its pegs... John Davies Spokane WA

Update with some Street View pics from Google Earth. I am a little distressed, the campground "map" only vaguely reflects the real world. Take a look at these images. John Davies Spokane WA

Welcome, have you seen an Ollie in person yet? That is really step 1. That will tell you immediately if you like the interior and are comfortable with the snug dimensions. John Davies Spokane WA

Most likely there were 1/4” plastic pins inserted when the two inner halves were glued together, to make sure that the alignment was perfect, or perhaps “as designed” might be a better term. Then they were cut off flush. This is an educated guess, I never worked with fiberglass molds, but they have to use jigs to hold stuff in position until the adhesive cures. John Davies Spokane WA

I tossed my kit after two years - it was very unreliable, and the transmitters ate batteries. I really love the Mopeka rubber halos, they are fantastic. They should come as standard equipment on new Ollies… They provide a tight fit into the circular rim of the tray, and they completely prevent paint damage and rust on both the tanks and the trays. John Davies Spokane WA.

Progressive went $450 to $500. I suspect the high increases are in the south and south east (hurricanes). John Davies Spokane WA

You do need to get up on the roof, ideally, on a foam kneeling or camp pad. You should center punch BOTH sides at a location maybe 1/2” above the bottom of the angle, then use a battery powered drill to make a 1/8” pilot hole, it doesn’t matter if it is at a slight angle. Drill from both sides, then go larger, to 3/8” or bigger. By coming in from both sides you intersect in the center of the bracket. You won’t drill into the fiberglass. Maybe somebody who has done this can post a pic. My brackets are simple ells, with no reinforcing at all. Removing the seal lets rain water pour down, that could be an issue in the South, where you actually have precipitation… ;). But is WAY easier to keep that area clean and tidy, and it looks better too. Especially if you have a black seal. John Davies Spokane WA .

There is a basic flaw in your reasoning, would a casual thief know that? 😉 A cable lock around a fixed object would make me sleep a little easier. FYI your awning mounts should have holes drilled as indicated by the arrow, later versions have a great big opening there. Otherwise it will trap water and debris and corrode them. Especially if you have not removed that pesky rubber seal… John Davies Spokane WA

https://www.amazon.com/Theft-Resistant-Universal-Lockable-Strap/dp/B0915Z1MTF “Expedition grade”, I have no personal comments, you should research any reviews. It probably would not slide through the battery slots. If they were tight and locked that should not matter. FYI: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/5356-how-to-fabricate-battery-hold-down-straps-and-anchors/ BtW there are different grades of nylon webbing, and additional ones should be zero stretch Mil-Spec, the regular cheaper type stretches up to 4%. My three Raingler straps are really tight, they twang when you flip them with your finger. They do not loosen, but I check them every week when traveling for peace of mind. John Davies Spokane WA