John E Davies

Love the flatbed !.... Your truck will be 110% perfect for pulling the LE2, you will hardly know it is there. Make sure the trailer charge wire terminal on the truck is clean and functional, that will help keep your batteries topped up when cruising on the highway, if it is dark or overcast. If it is sunny the roof panels will do everything. John Davies Spokane WA

Can you post some pics of your flatbed and custom kennels? That sounds very nifty. What about the dogs overheating when the truck is parked in the open? Do you rig a canopy? John Davies Spokane WA

Steven, if you have a properly sized generator (ideally at least 2200 watts) hooked up for running the AC, it will also bring your batteries to full charge by the time you shut it down. If your generator is just barely adequate you may want to start it thirty minutes before you switch on the AC, so the converter (onboard battery charger) will have enough time to mostly charge them before the other load kicks in. Depleted batteries will make the converter draw more power. For your type of camping, in no shade, rooftop solar should be your very first choice!!! A portable panel is most useful for those times the roof isn’t exposed, like under a tree. If you don’t want the full solar package, with quad batteries and inverter, arrange for Service to install just the panels and a controller at delivery. That will work perfectly (and unobtrusively) to maintain your two wet batteries. You may not be aware that when the panels are in sunshine they will also supply all your normal daytime 12 volt needs like fans, device chargers, jacks, water pump, etc, so the batteries are not being used at all during that time. It allows them to be fully charged at sundown for running stuff in the dark. For marginal sun exposure (overcast, high latitudes, short winter days) there are much better controllers available. For your conditions the standard one is 100% fine. You will NOT regret the roof panels! You can always upgrade the batteries, or even the controller, at a later date. And be sure to get the side port for a portable solar panel, it is a minimal cost, and being able to supplement the roof panels is always a good feature, like for when you are in NY under some trees. That panel is also great attached to your truck, to run a DC fridge or 12 volt fans for the dogs... John Davies Spokane WA

Some of those manufacturers really need to reassess their supply models for the USA. I considered retrofitting an Alde heating system in my Ollie, but you cannot buy individual parts, it is for OEM RV builders only. How insanely stupid is that? I guess they are protecting their reputation and warranty. Too bad. John Davies Spokane WA

LOL, I knew that the hook size can vary, these in fact are not the low hooks. I did intentionally put the hook part facing up, any dust will come off with a shop vac ,or a blast of air. I think it is usually harder to clean the loop section, so that faces down. Usually I decide based on what would feel best to my hands if I had to remove the part..... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006HWYJM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Too much time in isolation, too much heavy (and not so heavy) thinking. I wish I could actually camp. John Davies Spokane WA

I would like to add that a lot of folks may expect “Lexus quality” from an Ollie. That will never be the case. A modern car that is in large part fabricated and assembled by robots will inevitably be a much more precise and reliable machine for years to come. An Ollie is assembled over two months by a large number of individuals, who by their very human nature have strengths and weaknesses, good days and bad. They may get distracted, they may make mistakes. A good quality control program should, and usually does catch those, so they can be corrected. There may be a bad batch of sealant, or something similar that is beyond their control.... And most of the appliances and components like wheel bearings and seals are standard RV stuff, meaning they are cheaply built (“adequate”) and only vaguely efficient or reliable. To get a Lexus RV you have to spend a whole lot more money. But OTH the general Ollie build quality seems to be greatly improved over four years ago, when they were experiencing their first growth spurt, and having to adapt to a much more intense production schedule. A new owner expecting completely trouble free , low maintenance ownership is probably going to be very disappointed. The stellar follow up service and the feeling of being in a close family is very important. It’s a VERY nice RV, and I feel you cannot buy a better one for the money, but in the end it is still an RV. If you were buying a $500,000 Earthcruiser, you should expect close to perfection. But an Ollie’s bones, the hull and frame, are stellar. That is the bottom line. It is always fun to watch the look of stunned disbelief of somebody who really understands metal fabrication when he first squats down and looks at that wonderful frame. His eyes widen, then “Whoa!” John Davies Spokane WA

Hi Bill, I’m not quite how to take your post. This is 3M Heavy Duty (10 pound rated) stuff from a roll, neither standard nor extreme. Is that what you are referring to? It is a little taller than the standard material, but it is much grippier. Thus the tall posts for getting the fan up.... and the battery tray does clear them 😉 John Davies Spokane QA

What a horrible experience, it must have been devastating for you. I have a some questions that I hope you will answer. How did the workers unplug your trailer? And are they insured/ bonded and thus liable for your property damage and emotional stress? Do you have solar and was the trailer parked outside? With 12 volt heaters running your batteries were at risk. Are they too wrecked? What kind are they? If they are lead acid and they froze, there will definitely be acid damage to the steel tray, and possibly to the battery compartment floor structure, which has an aluminum plate inside it, or to the trailer frame itself. Was there actual water damage or did it all trickle out the belly drains? I hope this all works out for you in the end. Stay well and please post a follow up report. John Davies Spokane WA

Getting close, I have all the vent holes cut, and I mounted the fan in the bottom of the battery box. I have some wiring left to finish before I can test it and see how much actual airflow I get . There will be several install threads in a while.... Before anyone asks, the four posts sticking up are grab handles for pulling the fan plate free from the velcro for cleaning or servicing. John Davies Spokane WA

In 2017 I was told by Anita in Sales that they use a local sign company to print all the outside stickers. I won’t be sorry to see the swooshes go away. I deleted them anyway. It’s like removing those pesky badges from a sports car, a pure white Ollie is way faster😬 John Davies Spokane WA

The one really main feature is you can use up your battery reserves 50% faster, which is a huge issue if you do not have access to shore power or a sizable generator to recharge. I am a fan of “less is better” when it comes to power hungry accessories..... I would toss our microwave but my spouse forbids it. John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks, that was informative. I personally do NOT believe that blind pop rivets going into only fiberglass is a good design, in any way! With aluminum plates behind, they are fine. I would replace the rivets with self tapping screws and a full layer of 3M VHB tape. Even then I would worry about somebody walking into the deployed arm and ripping it off the hull. Crunch! “Oh, sorry!” But I guess I should ask, is there a backing plate for each of the Oliver factory installed awning lower support brackets? John Davies Spokane WA

The Little House ones are nice, does anyone know, can they be deployed part way? Here is a screen cap of that page Overland posted. I’m interested in reading the installation instructions. I would be quite concerned about the lack of reinforcing plates under the fiberglass. Link? EDIT, I emailed Little House asking for the instructions and any comments about installing on an Ollie. John Davies Spokane WA

That is an interesting idea, I personally have no love for the awning and rarely deploy it due to wind concerns. I have thought of replacing it with a 270 degree Foxwing canopy, on the right side only, to allow some shade for the back of the trailer. The radius is just over 8 feet. John Davies Spokane WA

I didn’t try that one, but if you are not traveling solo and only one of you likes firearms, the other can wash clothes and surf, while you wander down the street to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum. Not to be missed! There are some interesting stores along the main drag, I bought a nice knife in one, but Cody can be extremely busy with visitors going to and from Yellowstone.... John Davies Spokane WA

When traveling I forgo my usual all cotton underwear, sweatshirts and khakis (mostly) and bring full synthetic fast drying travel clothes. They are easy to hand wash individually in the sink as long as there is an endless water supply and sewer dump. Or just the undies if the water is limited. Then this.... https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/2758-how-to-wire-cable-clothes-line-full-cabin-length/ The towels are all cotton and go there to dry, obviously that takes a while. And none of this is very photogenic, so a pay laundry is in order every ten days or so. I do tend to not shower as often, I can live with a wet wash rag wipe down, and I hope that anybody I meet will be accepting... that is one reason I tend to social distance outside. 🙄 John Davies Spikane WA

Following this thread closely. There are a couple of areas beside the floor laminate, and several square feet of gelcoat along the outer wall below the dinette table, where a sloppy tech got floor adhesive and just ..... left it there. The latter is only visible with the table removed or I would have seen it at delivery. Idiot tech, and idiot me for not checking. It will not come off with any solvent or careful scraping, so I guess sandpaper is the only choice? That and the crookedly mounted rear window (visible on the outside) make my blood boil. But I admit that I am anal. Does this stuff bother other owners? There is a house nearby with one crooked window out of four in a line, every time I drive by I laugh, it is so obvious to me and such a silly thing for a worker to do, this is why God made bubble levels... 😬 John Davies Spokane WA

A great big NO, do not transport one in any position but dead upright. You could maybe get away with a steep angle (not sideways) when it is completely stationary, but not in motion. Even if you drain the gas - and you should run the carb dry every time - the oil will maybe run out the breaher vent, and the engine mounting system is not designed to support weight in the “wrong” direction. If you don’t drain the gas, it will run out the carb, either into the cylinder head or through the paper air filter and onto the floor. At the very least a mess, at worst a fire hazard and it might maybe possibly screw up the generator. So, just forget this idea. John Davies Spokane WA

Mike, how are all those TX state parks in Summer? Booked up, or do they keep some sites available for “walk-ins”? The western WA State parks are hopeless unless you are off-season or have reservations. Eastern WA is bad, but not quite as bad. And they are really expensive. John Davies Spokane WA

FYI boondocking (and hunting, backpacking and other outdoor activities) is always a whole lot easier when you are located near Federal lands - BLM, Forest Service, BOR, COE, etc etc.. and to a much lesser degree, State lands. Unfortunately that does not include Texas; when it became a state in 1845 the government began selling off almost all of the 200,000,000 acres of public lands to pay for expenses, like a new Capital building. So most of those blank areas on the map, with the exception of designated parks, are privately owned. https://www.adventure-journal.com/2016/04/texas-as-model-for-public-lands-think-again/ For true boondocking meccas, you need to shift further west and north. I am not putting Texas down as a destination, but you will have fairly limited camping choices compared to the very red states. BTW, do you have a Federal Senior (aka Geezer) Pass? I will not ask your age, but if you are 62+, that will save you a TON of money, with free admission to National Parks, and half off camping rates at almost all Federal campgrounds, like the most excellent COE ones. Around here those are typically $18 per night, no hookups, and the rate drops to $9 off season, and you only pay half of that. A great bargain! https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm John Davies Spokane WA

I have no personal knowledge of either, they appear to be very similar, I think the Ramp Cleat version I am looking at has wider ridges and narrow slots. The Fine Rib you are looking at has evenly spaced narrow ridges and slots. I suspect that the latter would be softer and more flexible, great for lining drawers for light objects, but maybe not so good as the other for supporting really heavy equipment like a generator (or my batteries). I suspect that the Ramp Cleat is pretty sturdy. Mainly I want to protect the paint of the battery tray, yet allow a small amount of air circulation to prevent moisture from being trapped there. Order both, send back the one you like they least. Post your review here.... 😬😬😬 John Davies Spokane WA

Or is this just me....? John Davies Spokane WA

I have that mat in my Wish List for use under the batteries and also for my tool box drawers. It is the same price with Prime free delivery and free returns. If you want a little less hassle than HD order it and you can return it from any UPS Store if you don’t like it. You can post a review here so I will know if it will work for me😬 Rubber-Cal 03_167_W_RC_04 Ramp Cleat Non-Slip Outdoor Rubber Floor Mats, 1/8" Thick x 3' x 4', Black That box looks nice, do you know the metal gauge (thickness)? It is heavy so I expect it is pretty thick; I bought a Better Bilt 30” long ATV box and it only weighed 17 pounds. The metal was so soft and thin you could bend it with your hands, a drop to the floor would have destroyed it. It was dead soft ornamental aluminum, not structural (tempered, like 6061 T6). I had it mounted inside an SUV for recovery gear storage so weight mattered more than strength. They should change the name to “Not Even Close To Better Bilt”. How do you plan to get your generator in and out of the box? It seems like a recipe for a ruined back or a hernia. You definitely can’t run it inside there as you could on a bed slide. Here is the box manufacturer’s web page for the box, there are many mixed reviews, you might want to read them. Even there they do not mention the specs on the metal. One thing that bothers me about any bolted down bed box is how do you clean debris from around and in front of it? A tonneau reduces that concern... a little. https://www.weatherguard.com/products/truck-tool-boxes-equipment/boxes/AllPurposeChest/684-0-01 John Davies Spokane WA

There is the WiFi antenna and booster/ router, for picking up wifi at a commercial campground. Plus a cellular antenna and cell booster, for phone and data. Two separate systems. Many people do not care for the wifi system, many campgrounds that offer free wifi are very slow or bogged down by too many users, it is frustrating. If you like to park near a McDonalds or Starbucks and steal their wifi, it might make you happy. I chose to not buy the wifi equipment because we very rarely overnight at a commercial RV park. John Davies Spokane WA

Please, I need some education and suggestions. I already have a pole and mount, .... https://polesandholders.com/PNH-22-Deluxe-**NEW**-and-MOST-Popular-Flag-Pole-p206298627 .... and am hoping to find a lightweight OMNIdirectional antenna that I can plug directly into the Jetpack via a bulkhead through-fitting in the back of the hull and then through a short extension, to the rear center table. Something like this... Wilson Electronics 4G Omni Plus Building Antenna 700-2700 MHz, 75 Ohm (304423) I need to know if that would be suitable, if I can extend the cable, and how far, and what kind of through hull fitting to use. I am next to clueless about this. “Mouse” has the factory installed WeBoost amplifier, it works but pretty marginally.... Here is my pole and mount. ... https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/3371-flag-pole-and-mount/ I could mount the antenna at the top and still fly wind art below it. Would the pole’s flexing be a problem for the cellular signal stability? I could keep it only half way extended if needed when it is really breezy. Thanks for any suggestions and guidance. John Davies Spokane WA