Half Fast Hugo

I've looked at everyone's designs and decided that I liked the ones that utilize the existing square tubing on each side of the rear deck. The engineer in me just couldn't handle mounting a rack in the existing receiver. Not that it won't work but, I really wanted to minimize the distance from the rear of the trailer as well as the height. I ended up using a router to bring down the 2" aluminum tubing about .040" on each side for the inserted section. Next time I will pay a shop to mill it since it was time consuming. I also cut out the bolt clearance slots with a circular saw after drilling holes at the end of the slots. I guess I should probably post pictures of that as well but, there are some others who have done a way better job than I. Each 1UP bike tray is secured with 3 SST carriage bolts in the T slot on each end along with washers and lock nuts. There are center carriage bolts that go through the 2" tubing and the channel and then 2 carriage bolts on each clamp. I just couldn't trust one bolt through the square tubing even though some of the roof racks run that way. The two main tubes will be trimmed once I determine where I want to mount the rear brace. Brace, license plate mount, and lights next. Finished up wiring the Starlink yesterday. Almost rally ready...

We also use Progressive but the coverage is "Agreed Value" which basically means we said we want it insured for a specific dollar value. We're the second owners and set the value at what we have into it so it wouldn't replace it with new but we would get our money out of it which works for us. Coverages can vary by state though and may not be identical based on your state of residence.

Concrete is poured and the relief cuts are in. They nailed the weather window perfectly as we're now back to rain for a few days. Poured Concrete.mp4

OUCH! Definitely a fear I'll have when I start using my new garage and an easy one to miss!

Concrete was poured and cut today. Long day at the college today but, it looks good in the dark. I'll see if I can get some more pictures with the drone tomorrow.

Right?!?! Exactly why I have one, along with my mountain biking, of course. Although, it was pretty cool to take a good look at the top of the Ollie without a ladder! We're not getting any younger you know...

LOL on the grease pit! Can't wait. They were pouring concrete this morning when I left the house! Walls next!

Almost ready to pour concrete! Of course I had to get a couple of pics/video while I was playing with the drone though! Ollie roof vid.mp4

For sure. I had some parameters that I had to work within so I went with 10' wide and 10' 6" tall. Adding that extra 6" was the max I could increase the height with a 12' ceiling and that extra 6" required bigger door openers as it was. That should fit the Ollie and my TV without any issues. Might regret it if I ever get anything bigger but I am having them put down class 5 out 12' all the way down the one side in case I ever want to put a lean-to on or if I have any visiting Ollies!

Those are trees back there. We live on 21.5 acres but it's pretty uneven. I'm actually doing wood 2x6 wall studs with a plywood/shingled roof on energy heel trusses and will use either fiberglass insulation or maybe rockwool after I get the electrical in. The slab will have in-floor heat with 2" foam underneath and around the perimeter powered by a 200 amp service coming into the garage. Still pondering the inside ceiling covering and considering metal sheeting but may end up with drywall or plywood.

That's a nice one! I can't do a drive through either. Sure would be awesome and we have the property for it. The biggest issue is the amount of fill I would have to bring in due to the rolling terrain. This spot was the best for what I wanted to do at a reasonable cost. I'm having contractors build the shell and I'll do the insulation, wiring, heating, and finishing the walls/ceiling. I have lots of ideas so we'll see how it takes shape.

Yeah, it's been a long time coming. I've put it off building another garage for quite awhile but now it makes sense since we got the Ollie last summer along with the additional space for other stuff.

Well, so it begins. I've read lots of others posts, put a lot of thought into it, put down some cash, and have started building the Ollie Shack. Living in northern Minnesota, I wanted to keep my LEII and TV out of the MN winters and in my building where I can tinker with all of my mountain bikes throughout the year and a place I can also do some different how-to videos for my YouTube channel. We have an attached garage now for our two daily drivers so this will be an add on. 30x40 with a 12' ceiling. I was going to build it myself but would rather be camping and biking in the summer and the wife doesn't want me up on a roof that high. Go figure! Should be done over the next month, weather permitting. So looking forward to the extra space!

Thanks! I remember him selling it but wasn't sure if he was still visiting. Much appreciated!

Right! I was measuring some with my calipers a few days ago as I thought that was the case since the aluminum is extruded. I want the ability to take the rack on and off so milling some material off is probably my best option for how I want to build it.

John, are you able to remove yours easily? Now that I have the trailer out of winter storage, I'm debating doing something like you did or whether or not to use the existing receivers in case I'm not bringing our bikes and want to slide it off. It also looks like the receivers would be really tight fit for the 2" square tubing if I didn't haven some milled off each side. Looking at the dimensions of mine, it doesn't look like just rounding the corners will do it. Thanks!

Well, pulled my 2021 LEII out of storage on Friday and was able to crawl around underneath it. Looks like I do have 3,500lb axles (D35) on mine and the four leaf springs. All the springs look in good shape with nice bends but, the trailer only has about 2,000 miles on it so far. So as others have mentioned, now the dilemma is putting two 2,000lb springs on a 3,500lb axle. I found a few custom spring makers in Minnesota so, looks like I may try to source some 1,750lb springs somewhere in the state. Details to follow...

I guess I have mixed emotions on this. I love the quality of the trailer. However, I live in Northern Minnesota and there are no dealers close to me. I bought a barely traveled 2021 LE2 last summer in Texas. I did visit the factory before making my decision on purchasing an Oliver and was going to go the new route until the one I purchased became available. Phil mentioned the biggest downside was no warranty. I have no regrets and still won't no matter what happens. I look at it this way. Many of the systems are not proprietary to Oliver. A Truma water heater can get serviced at a Truma dealer and they'll be familiar with it. I had a mixing tank crack on my Truma water heater and a local dealer installed a new one, I would have done it myself but, the warranty through Truma didn't apply if I did not have a dealer install it ($500 labor above the water heater cost). Dealers may not understand the entire Oliver but they'll likely understand a problem I may encounter. I would also think that some dealers are familiar with servicing solar systems, inverters, and charge controllers. It seems like Oliver may be trying to get away from that kind of work and stick to Oliver specific items only, or at least until a full transition to the dealer network happens. For the benefits of all owners, I hope they decide to keep doing all service work! With the recent discussion on springs, I will be checking mine when I get it out of storage next week and will replace them myself if necessary. I typically work on and fix most things myself as it helps me understand things not to mention the fact that I like to do that kind of stuff. Not everyone can and I understand that. Hopefully their internal discussion will bring some kind of positive compromise for all. Either way, I'm not selling mine any time soon.

Looks like a fun job! I had some concerns with my 2013 Duramax as it had the CP4 pump in it. After reading a lot of CP4 horror stories, I installed a FASS lift pump under the driver's side bed. Not sure how much it really helps but, it supposedly filters out a lot more particulates than the stock filter, has a water separator, along with the positive pressure to feed the system. Knowing my luck, I also went ahead and purchased a Fleece CP3 pump/installation kit. Got that installed a couple of months ago to prepare for this camping season since we have some longer trips planned starting with the Rally in Alabama. The lift pump was far easier to install than the CP3 for sure although the CP3 wasn't the worst job I've done. It's mainly a lot of tear down to get to the pump and put the new one in. Fired right up afterwards so I was happy with that! It doesn't always rule out issues down the road but it sure gives you some additional peace of mind!

Interesting thread! Unfortunately, being an avid mountain biker, I was immediately distracted by the Magic Mary in the background of the pic!

Ditto!

I was wondering about that! We're scheduled to get ours coated there on our way down to the rally!

Sorry to hear about the rally but, Bentonville sounds like a plan!

Thanks for sub! Absolutely! Always good to ride with someone. I did the road climb a few times due to the weather and did about an 8.5 mile mtb loop around the hill but, there are a few other trails that look like fun as well. Some climbing, but should be fun.

2013 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, 4x4, crew cab, 6.6 Duramax with Banks cold air intake and Banks tuner. 2021 LE2, hull #922.