jd1923

The $1700 cited included new HD shackles and wet bolts, tax on parts and reasonable installation labor. The cost of 4 Alcan leaf springs alone is $600 (plus tax in CO or shipping out of state). Made-in-USA is priceless! Personally, I must buy Made-in-USA, never China if there is ANY possible alternative, even when double the cost. We were T-shirt shopping in SW CO recently. If the label stated made in China, nope not a possibility (any other country OK). Wondering do the PR4s have the same "sheer point" as the PR4Bs? You get for what you pay for. GJ, love ya buddy, but you are alone in your purchase decision vs reports say near 100 Oliver owners have gone with Alcan. It's good to be different though. It's usually me, but not this time! 🤣

I have one of these, an older aluminum version. I tested it on the Oliver when I first got our Oliver. It will work, but the Oliver has an issue with the shackles flipping and this occurred using this jack. I had to tow the Oliver over a service station curb to flip the chackle back, hearing a LOUD BANG and then I know the shackle flipped back to the correct position. Just us your onboard stabilizer jack to change a tire! And get one of the bottle jack/stand combo units shown if you want to work real service like changing a leaf spring. To change a leaf spring on the road, I would use the onboard stabilizer jack to lift the tire off the ground and remove the wheel. Then I would use the combo jack to hold the axle, lift and lower it as need to take the weight off the springs as need for removal and replacement.

Thank you for this reminder. I'm going to wait and as you said before, our "design as we go" principle. I have to get it, test it, and determine the best location for it in the truck bed. I want to secure it so that it does not move while towing and then see about cover or protection. Maybe the Dometic cover or something else, as mine will be out in the elements while yours sits in your van while towing. You move yours in and out of the van and I'm thinking of one position in the bed TBD.

I would need to mount it in the bed over a frame segment so it can be properly secured. Agreed, thinking of distance to the LP tanks, it would require good arm reach which this product has. Yes, truck mounted I can use this for other needs and the strap you suggested would help for some cargo. Got this on my later this summer list (I got D52 axles and Alcan springs coming soon which is a first priority)!

Bad bridge seams and potholes towing over 60+ MPH are harder on springs vs. washboard roads at 15 MPH. We run 45 PSI in the Oliver tires for highway and if we're just going local on dirt roads I reduce to 40 PSI. 2022 and newer means 3 years or less use, so it makes sense less known failures. Also, many owners are not on these forums. There are likely more. The other factor is that the D52 axle, proving a more substantial base may help to cushion the lighter springs. I'm riding our original 10-year-old 3500 LB rated springs, so ever since March of 2024 when this thread started, I purchased and carry a spare pair of leaf springs and 4 new U-bolts. I was not ready at the time to work an upgrade. It's one thing to have a roadside failure that any trailer shop can service for you, but they won't have the correct parts in stock! I just made the upgrade choice. Visited Alcan on our trip 2 weeks ago. I purchased new leaf springs, rated at 2750 LBS each, 5500 per axle. Also purchased and their HP parts, HD shackles and new wet bolts, under $1100 in parts (plus tax or ship costs). Our axles were the shorter 50" one some older hulls vs. the common 50.5" which they stock. They special ordered axles for me, cost about $2000. No idea on labor since I do all of our auto service work. I'll have a backup pair of the new 3500 LB axles for sale and given how expensive trailers are, the high demand here in Arizona, and that many people out here build home-made trailers, I figure I can sell the entire dual-axle setup for near $1000 locally. It's a great setup for a flatbed ATV trailer! My net cost should come out pretty good, doing the work myself and selling the used parts. Alcan has a whole pile, a dedicated boneyard, of Oliver axles on their property! 🤣 Once I have the HD Alcan set installed on brand new 5200 LB axles, I will not worry about maintenance given the Nev-R Lube bearings, lube the wet bolts every year or two. No need to carry spare leaf springs anymore, given how they are over-engineered. I am looking into a pair of spare hubs/drums with Nev-R Lube bearings installed which could be changed on the road as easy as changing a flat tire!

Come on, we all have 3 onboard jacks! (yes, use them). I'm with GJ, in the carry what I need category. 1 bottle jack, 1 jack stand is what I carry. Use the onboard jacks for a simple tire change. Use the bottle jack to lift and jack stand to hold an axle. Also have the required 1/2"-drive socket sizes for U-bolts, wet bolts, etc., 1/2" breaker bar and HD cheater for disassembly! If you have 1750 rated springs, don't be without a spare pair of leaf springs and a 4-pack of U-bolts. This what I carry, nothing more or less. Ken has all the tools, but soon he won't have to work on that Oliver suspension for a long, long time! 🤣

I concur with CRM. Lucky you and owners of newer hulls (OTT finally) and given you took this pic of your axles, you have the D52, 5200 LB-rated axles with 12” brakes. The 3500 rating is the spring weight rating. Many of these have failed, but for $1K in parts costs you can upgrade to Alcan 5500 LB (2750 each) 4 new leaf springs and all HD shackles and wet bolts required. Wish we were so lucky. Many older hull hulls have the 3500 axles AND the 2 x 1750 LB springs. I just spent $3K+ to upgrade all, yet there are other viable opinions to leave well enough alone. I’ve done that for 2 years but have a new pair of 3500 springs on board for possible roadside repair. Best wishes, JD

Good observation and thinking here! Your are correct. Use a few greased washers too, so not to deform the nut. Our Oliver makes all kinds of noises just leveling, Been meaning to ask about that. Regardless, READ the OTT Manual I quoted above and forget what the OTT Legal Department states in writing! All lawyers and politicians lie, that’s what they’re paid for. Also, an 8-lug 9/16” or 14mm lug may take 140 lb-ft, I prefer 120 is enough! Your 6-bolt rims, studs 1/2” or 13mm take 90, not 100 lb-ft, so not to break the stud! 🤣

If you do not have these tools, just buy the one our friend David has recommended, time and time again. Wish I had one, but I have countless old jacks and jack stands. Instead, I carry a bottle jack and jack stand in the TV and every truck I've ever owned. If it was me, somebody needing a jack, I'd buy one of these for safety purposes and go ahead and buy two if you ever plan to work maintenance on your Oliver! This combo tool was not available when we were younger. Enough said! 🤣

Very well said, my friend Ron. Me too, that's our style! It creates the best final outcomes when doing a personal one-off design. You have laid out so much great information in this thread to which many of us can learn. I had a Dodge Van 2500 Series back in the 90s. No way the Van-life thing, but we took it on great family trips to Florida and Colorado (from IL). We had so much fun and a 2500 series van drives well down the road! When we met at the Texas Rally, I looked at your hoist and I didn't see that I would not need one. Not anymore! I'm thinking of a truck mounted crane-hoist, mine got to be 12VDC vs. the piston hand crank. Mounted in the back of the truck bed, I would use it to lift the 30# LP tanks and also the HD fire ring I have constructed. First I added 10# of egg-shaped lava rocks that truly hold heat, not the cr@p that comes with these products. Then I added a fire-rated surround that focuses the heat and protects again the Winds of the West. Love this great campsite tool (see pic) and with the low grate pictured, and a taller stand for slow-cooking, using skillet or Lodge Dutch Oven, you can cook almost anything that does not splatter grease. Needless to say, this thing is heavy! On our recent 5-week trip, it was a bee-ach to lift out of the basket! Looking for your advice. Looking at products on Amazon which seem to be overkill, but maybe not. Perhaps this is right product as-is or with some modification in height and arm length. Let me know what you think. 😂 https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Truck-Mounted-Wireless-Electric-Painted/dp/B0899QCBP7/?th=1

So, I bit the bullet on a Dometic unit. Thinking through our needs of quality, size and efficiencies and other factors, I decided on a 45L single-zone unit, since most quality built dual-zone units are too big for us at 75L. I didn't want wheels and pull handles and light plastics, as it will be mounted in one position and I will create a 24x7 12VDC connection for it (an installation post will be coming). I figured it would normally be set to fridge temps. The bottom of the entire deep section could be for drinking water and we'll get a half-height basket for produce or bulky fridge items to sit on top. But say we ran into a farm deal on the road and purchase a bulk of frozen meats. We could lower it to freezing temps and go back to just having less cold water in the Oliver fridge. It will be a learning curve. We got the Dometic CFX2 45L model. The 28x18" footprint will nicely fit rear of our 8' truck bed next to our Napoleon dual-burner grill, for a tailgate party! 🤣 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF7Z3MBQ?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1 Another deciding factor was saving $160 on Amazon Used - Like New condition, defined as "Looks and functions as if it were new. Minor packaging damage observed during inspection." I've purchased 40+ Amazon Used items and have only had to return 3-4 items (<10%) when instead of used, they came prior-purchaser abused! $719 a good price vs. the $880 list! Thanks to @Tideline77 and @Tom and Doreen for your feedback!

Yep, the 4.10 rear is not exactly environmentally friendly... It will plow up a hill though!🤣

That’s awesome! I like the integrated stairs. Looks too big to fit under a standard garage door though, but would be great for those with a BIG Ollie Barn! Me too! @Ronbrink also mention keeping the MetalTech together as a rolling unit. I keep one 6-ft-tall section always assembled as shown in my picture above. The way I setup this one it fits tightly around the Oliver doghouse and I could reach everything in front of the solar panels. In my garage, I can park the nose of a smaller vehicle inside of it, so it takes up little extra room. I purchased a second setup which can add to make a 12 ft height. At that height, mount guard rails squared at the top and add outriggers for the security of a wider stance. I will do this when I finally take the plunge to replace our A/C! I also purchased the $40 shelf Ron showed. Haven't needed a fan up there but it holds tools nicely too! We now have 3 viable options for a variety of needs!

Yeah, go figure! Yours is a beast!

Thank you @Patriot, a very helpful post and now two great options!

If only there was more time in the day and my old bones and muscles could work the 10-hour days I was long used to! I’ll save my time and strength for when in August I install D52 axles and Alcan springs. Some of us contract repair work and mods, and I job out body and detail work. I don’t have the attention span for it, I’d likely make it worse! 🤣

Fits perfectly in your hanger! Jus to bring attention to another option for those reading... I purchased two sets of this scaffolding, thanks to @Ronbrink when last year The Depot had them online at a "Special Buy" price! 🤣 It would not fit in David's "Hanger" but I like how I can roll it out of our garage and use it where needed. Each side is height adjustable, so I can also use it around the house for exterior work and painting too! It will take less room (as pictured) where the ladders will stick out further, left and right. But let me get one thing straight! I've used this as pictured to remove the Winegard dish, replace the bathroom exhaust fan and repair all the top-front fiberglass. Soon, I will use it to replace the A/C on top of our hull. But, no way in the world am I getting up there to wash and wax, to make our hull pretty! 🤣

The Owner's Manual for our 2001 Dodge Ram says the same (also 500 LBS tongue weight) and it's supposed to be a 2500!

Caulk only if/when the original caulk has failed. If so, remove the majority of the old caulk before applying a new bead. Caulk on old caulk, you’re not helping yourself.

Day 36 on our trip, lunch at Mary’s Cafe Flagstaff, a must stop off I-40! We’ll be home in 2 hours. Raise the flag, first thing! Holiday dinner includes a tri-tip of Colorado beef! Sorry, if I’m not talking Mods it’s about the food! Today signals the first day of the 250th year of our great Nation! Celebrate the year. Best wishes to all and your families!

Traveling our longest trip ever, 5 weeks now, some 4600 miles Arizona to Minnesota and back. Chris and I have learned a lot. And for me, I've spent hundreds of hours in M&R and Mods on our wonderful Oliver and finally we're enjoying the fruits of my labor. 😂 Shopping and dinning in Telluride a couple of days ago, we stopped at a shop that carries, "Life is Good" products, a sentiment to which we truly believe! I'm not much for souvenirs or T-shirts that advertise where I've been, though I had to buy this shirt. It states nicely in two lines surrounding the image of a compass, perfect for all of us who wander, and It goes like this: "We do not see things as they are... We see things as we are." So I turned 70, far more careful today than I use to be 10 years. Left our AZ home one morning at 4:45 AM to return to Texas, sitting on the pass looking down on Van Horn TX, I thought WTF, let's go! After 1100 miles, by 1-2 AM I was home in Lakeway TX. This recent trip, my longest drive was 5 hours, average 3 hours. I know y'all understand! @STEVEnBETTY, I have no idea your ages, your life experiences, where you live, you training, where you've traveled in the last 8 years with your Oliver. I'd love to know, and I'm not picking on you alone. I believe and I'm sure you agree, all of this matters. You wrote, "I’m disappointed in hearing members on this forum, disparage people’s attempts to do something different." I agree, and very often are suspect to your criticism! I've been told that if I do not regularly re-apply caulk to my Oliver, that it will damage it and destroy its value. Sorry, I will never add caulk on this hull, uglied by OTT in its original manufacture and again gunk-on-gunk after two return trips to Hohenwald. But caulk is more important in humid and rainy locations. Point in life, current needs, home and travel locations, part or full-time OLiver use, makes all the differences. You know how many times I've heard that annual bearing and jack maintenance is mandatory? Sorry to those who believe such, but when I pack bearings or grease the jacks correctly (not an Oliver University video) it will certainly last 3-4 years. I can tell by ear when the jacks need maintenance! Those who do not work their own maintenance cannot know, must trust Manufacturer's Recommendations and be at the mercy of hired mechanics. Normal to ask questions, but then it's one suggestion after another. This creates more worry which creates more, I just purchased new D52 axles and Alcan springs, parts only, will do the work myself this summer. I did not need to, as our leaf springs are clean, rust-free, nicely arced, no issues. My primary want was in having 12" brakes for safe mountain towing. and make everything new, restored. I can afford the parts and do the work now, replacing a 10-year-old suspension with hopes of carefree use for another 10. Not for fear of a spring breaking, as for that I have a spare pair under the toolbox and all the tools I'd need to make the roadside repair. there are 26 pages of leaf springs recommendations listed on one post alone! Most Oliver owners cannot do this work at home, let alone if stuck on the road, so such concern is understandable. We all have different comfort levels. Love technology and my Oliver has more mods than most, yet not of the @ScubaRx fame! 🤣 Tesla has made EVs mainstream and EVs are amazing technology. We have a wonderful forum where we all voice opinion. So in my opinion, if I had to tow with an EV just on this recent trip, I would need to stop 2x more often and 10 times longer to recharge vs. refueling and would not have been able to boondock in many of the remote spots we visited or the same trip would have taken 1-2 weeks longer. OMG, boondocking means no electrical hookup and charging! 🤣 I'm going to stop now, but Steve, or is it Betty? I've gotten a kick out of this post! We can all read here and learn something, or at times we think to ourselves as we read and say to ourselves, "what, no way, that's nuts! I'm not doing that."

No, not the same thing The compressor slows down as the fan slows down, doesn't turn on and off. Coils not frozen with frost, air blowing strong over it! However, we have no empirical evidence, since only 1 Oliver install of the Pioneer model, not much data presented. We need to learn more, but not Like Dometic, Houghton, Truma, Atmos, nor any other standard non-inverter tech model.

Yes, pic of Chris & Charley and #113 and the mountain view. Arrive on a weekday after the 4th and Tom, formerly of Prescott is a great host. $28 or $14 on a National Pass.

For a change, I’m loss for words! Given your post, I have far less Oliver towing experience than you. User manual of our old Dodge, given a 2500 Cummins, states to use a WDH when towing over 5000 LBS (?), even though GVWR is 8800 lbs. It does level the rig, less porpoising from the light Oliver tongue weight, stays nicely level. I install the latest technology and use it to the max, yet down the highway I’m just an ol’ fart conservative! 🤣 Good to hear from you @STEVEnBETTY!9

Not gonna touch this one! 🤣