jd1923

If you feel 460AH is enough for your camping lifestyle then yes. Glad we have the 600AH for less worry, though we would have been fine with 460 during our recent 3 1/2 week trip to Texas using more LP at times, less battery. When we upgrade our A/C to an efficient system and desire to run more hours A/C on inverter, I may add that good deal Epoch 460AH battery, installed under the pantry to get to 1060AH total!!! (Maybe 2026?)

Wow, the season is just starting! Are you really going to hang there for 2-3 months? (I do understand you are escaping the winter of the great north.) Highs in Prescott will be in the 60s this week, lows close to freezing. Quartzsite forecast is highs in the mid 70s, lows in the mid 40s. It's a bit colder than usual now after being abnormally high many times since summer. Hoping some 80s temps for you soon which should be coming. Best wishes!

Ran across this today. Too bad he did not compare the Epoch Essentails (vs. the high end model with Victron comms) which is more basic like the LiTime battery. He does a good objective comparison:

@Tideline77 btw congrats on your lightly-used 2022. June of 2023, we found a 2016 obviously a bit more used. Of course, you'll need a small Weber or other brand grill. We love our LP fire ring. I never want to start a real fire anymore and you rarely can in the SW. We add a cooking grate on our fire ring to cook bake potatoes or veggies, anything but animal fats. Why not keep yourself warm while cooking! We keep ours in the front generator basket: Heininger Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit 5995 - The Home Depot You must remove the regulators on LP devices to run off the Oliver tanks. I purchased an extra 12' LP line and a Y-connector to attach both grill and fire ring. Strongly suggest these Anderson products. I use two 8" rounds for the rear levelers but use the stackable 1" blocks for the front since to level sometimes I need 3" and sometimes up to 15". And the dual wheel ramps will nicely add 4" to the low side in a minute! Andersen Hitches Trailer Jack Block (3608) with Magnets, Red, 1 per Pack, Plastic - Walmart.com Andersen Hitches Camper Leveler (3604) | up to 30,000 lbs | Red | 1 per Pack - Walmart.com MUST HAVE ITEM! I get level most times without leaving the driver's seat. Chris places the Anderson levelers while I'm backing up, reading heights from the app: Amazon.com: LevelMatePRO LogicBlue Technology - Wireless RV Leveling System, Bluetooth Leveler for Campers, Must-have Accessory for Travel Trailers, Effortless Setup for Phones with App : Automotive There also is a similar product made by Beech Lane of North Carolina, though I prefer the LevelMate App.

Thanks Robert & Ying! I have seen that video before. Like that guy. You can learn a lot about engines and engine care by watching his videos. He is soooo good at tear down which I have done on some old cars, but much more slowly! Yes, we have the 2nd Gen Cummins 5.9, only 165K miles now which is only a baby for the Cummins (especially one that is 24 years old). We have extra available GVWR since ours is a 2WD which weighs less and a long bed which takes more weight. My numbers show a 1/2 ton truck is adequate if careful with your extras. It appears you are well versed in GVWR and trailer capacity. Re the comment above on extra pedestal mount EMS... When you find the previous thread, you'll see I'm against that, yet most Oliver Owners are in favor. The onboard PI EMS is all you need. Ours and the older hulls did not have one, so I installed the OEM model. I put the display in the Oliver trunk where I keep the shore power cord. If present, I can read an error code immediately and disconnect if needed. It will not get damaged but just do its job and send an error code (rare occasion). If you use a redundant EMS, you're just wasting money spent on the internal EMS. It's not just the few pounds of weight for me, it's the hassle of extra electric devices, water filters, antennas, and so much more that others carry. One of the fun parts of campsites (prefer boondocking) is watching all the rigmarole that RV'ers go through in their campsite setup! 🤣

Last summer after our first Oliver camp, when we returned I drove our rig to the Prescott “Solid Waste Division.” No Cat Scales anywhere near our mountain county, 50 miles from any Interstate. I go there often to recycle engine oil and antifreeze. Just told the attendant the same, took a pic of the weight readout each time. Full rig was 13,220 lbs. When we got home, I told Chris, we’ll unload tomorrow. Went back the next day, tow vehicle only. Chris and our dog Charley was not with me next day so adding their approx weight and water used in the Oliver, the TV loaded came to 7,220 lbs. Net weight was only 6,000 lbs for the Oliver, fresh tank full. I was so happy. We’ve added another 400+/- lbs to the Oliver yet still very good on GTWR. Our TV GVWR is 8,800 Lbs which gives us 1,580 available lbs. We’ve added some there too but still have 600 lbs available in the Oliver and 1200 in the TV. We also have 35-gal fresh tank full in the TV! Everything runs nicely, tows up steep mountain roads with OD off smoothly at 55-60 MPH, happy with that. It’s an older diesel. We had a Class-C and we were always fighting the 14,000 GVWR.

Less is more, IMO. Go on a couple short local trips. Make notes of things you wish you had. Things you have you and didn’t use remove when you get home. Bothers me to buy gadgets that don’t get used. Recent trip to Texas, realized we needed a fly-swatter (not necessary in AZ). Stopped by Walmart and spent $1.49 plus tax. All you need to get started are your basic bathroom and kitchen needs. Also with merely a half ton truck and rather small engine, weight really matters, unless you’re not ever traveling in the mountains! 🤣 I would keep your Oliver under 6400 lbs. We do so and we have a 3/4 ton TV. Understand your truck GVWR and stay well under. Again, less is more!

Spent the day in Apache Junction with friends. The friends included the man who hired me at Motorola in 1989! Got back to camp and noticed another Oliver! Spent the evening with Gary (Hull #1200) from Colorado. A great ending of our weekend trip. Back home to Prescott tomorrow. Thinking of a short stop in Scottsdale for pickleball and lunch.

Full Moon over the Supertitions…

Mike, I knew you would recognize the picture without introduction (rustic campsite 131).

Lost Dutchman campground at the Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction AZ, far east Phoenix Valley! https://www.visitphoenix.com/sonoran-desert/parks/superstition-mountains/ https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman/

Many of you know this spot! Just down for the weekend!

Battleborn was a leader, prospective customers thinking Made in USA, yet all LiFePO4 cells are made in China. Base your decision on cost and if 200AH is enough save $$$ on a LiTime 230 AH for $480! In your position, I would spend $1300 less 10% off an Epoch 420 and never worry about your SOC! $480 to $1170. Battleborn will catch up on the times. It’s not 2019 anymore. The temp sensor is only required for lead acid. I learned that when configuring our Victron MP2 inverter. Delete it. Battery disconnect, if you desire one for storage purposes, I went without, can be before or after the shunt since it does not draw current. Whatever is mechanically easier in your installation. It’s late tonight and after work today I towed our Oliver from home to Lost Dutchman for the weekend. Heavy Phoenix traffic and a stop at AJ’s for steaks, burgers and dessert, we pulled in after dark. I’m tired so let me know if you want feedback on your drawing. I LOVE an ol’ school schematic. I’ve drawn many too, though tonight did not review yours. Best to you Dave! JD

Not on tow vehicles! Anybody with an F250/350 have this Bosch system? How about a new model Dodge Ram or those here with the GMC Duramax and 10-speed Allison. If any Oliver Owners reply with a Yes, then I will do “a little homework.” I would say, if the Audi Q7 has such ignition system it is NOT a proper tow vehicle. Not one I would use to tow in the mountains where we live! Bad enough a small car turns engine off at a stoplight (green deal cr@p). My truck, and any truck I will own, does not and will not cut fuel and ignition when I’m descending an 8% grade, no way! Smoke, reburn of fuel forced by engine turning in gear downhill, due to no ignition current, wow bad situation. Towing with a car designed for suburban driving! I could tow better with our GX470 but prefer an old-school diesel for power, control and safety! 🤣

Hard to troubleshoot with no hull info in the signature. Took time to click on the user, and it’s a brand NEW hull! Gray valve closed or shower floor drain closed? Was it working last week, last month? How many days camping so far? Hard to advise with info provided.

The cotter pin just keeps the connecting rod in place. This model should work fine. Also wondering on these. Most are rated at 2500#. This one at 11,000# wondering how? Stronger steel. Others are stainless steel which is certainly a weaker steel. https://a.co/d/aeiJN3k

Nice work @Steve Morris! Anybody ever change the countertop and sink bowl? I would like the counter to be 3-4” deeper and have a sink bowl, also just deeper front to back, that a man could splash water in his face without it dripping down the front of the vanity! A deeper sink must just barely fit into the OEM base to be feasible. The toilet and shower space is well designed, not so the sink. Thank you!

Please do and let us know when you get the chance. Thanks

It's good there is an option to turn off. I've rented cars that do that and cannot stand that at lights and other intersections. I would tap the gas to get the engine ready.

In addition to @Geronimo John’s comments/questions… There is no such thing as the above quoted statement. Any and all combustion engines need fuel and ignition even at idle let alone when “the engine at 4 to 5k rpm downhill for an extended time.” This is not what a trained Audi tech would say. Something was lost in the translation. Forcing your gas engine in gear to brake 12+ LBS is causing your engine oil leaks and you need to get your TV and TT brakes dialed in so not to further harm your Audi engine and drive train, worse if your Q7 is a Quattro (AWD) which can cause harm to CV axles, seals and more. Only diesel engines with engine brakes should be used for braking. Gas engines with manual transmissions can assist some, automatic transmissions not, unless you want to damage them too! Lastly, smoke from the brakes in the front wheels is quite different from residue oil burning, coming out of the tailpipe behind the vehicle. One you would see from the windshield, the other would be noticed in the rear view mirror. Not trying to be an a$$ here. This is the stuff that adds to frequent highway fatalities! Worry about your setup before your AZ trip. Read the post I linked above and dial in your brake controller, check your brake system down to the brake fluid.

Bill, you are an old school sort of techy! 🤣 @Steve Morris excellent post, well documented. Thank you. 😂

@Patriot questions… Link for hitch, weight rating? Also, what are the safety chain connectors we see in your last picture? Link! I need these. it’s difficult getting under there on our TV. Thank you, JD

This company does not show the 10% discount on Epoch (code USA10). They did on their 4th of July sale. The also have free shipping and no sales tax outside of CO. Epoch has 10% OFF, free shipping but they do charge sales tax in all states. If you call Renewable and get them to honor the 10% by price match, you may get the best price. epoch - Renewable Outdoors