jd1923
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Posts posted by jd1923
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I've been wondering... Some have reported that when upgrading to the Alcan spring it has increased ride height up to an inch and that there is more travel in the leaf spring. Should a replacement shock allow for the greater travel?
The Monroe 555001 is the OEM spring. Monroe also has the 555025 model, which is the same overall yet slightly longer with greater stroke. I copied these specs from the 4statetrucks website, as Bulldog has aftermarket replacements for both models:
Shock Specs 555001 555025 Compressed (in) 7.95 8.66 Extended (in) 11.97 13.35 Stroke (in) 4.02 4.69 Perhaps those who have installed Alcan springs can chime in?
@Mountainman198 @MAX Burner @ScubaRx and @rideadeuce
Did the shocks installed appear the correct length or would it allow for +3/4" in compressed length and +3/4"stroke be a better fit? Sure, the OEM length fit, but would +3/4" in stroke allow the slightly taller springs to perform without constraint? When I get the chance to make this upgrade, I would take before and after measurements on one side prior to ordering (let her sit on jacks stands a couple days to get the right part). I'm figuring 3/4" longer should be better. This has been a discussion on other TT forum websites. Stronger spring rate in the shock would also be preferred although Monroe does not list these specs.Either way I would choose Bulldog over the Monroe OEM brand. Bulldog describes their products as a "High Quality Aftermarket Replacement Part (Not OEM)." This is the ~+3/4" longer version: Bulldog HD RV Shock Absorber Replaces 555025 For Trailer Leaf Spring Retro Kit - 4 State Trucks
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11 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:
Now I'm back to @Rivernerd's suggestion. Get a multimeter, or…
Wish I could be there to help! Never witnessed a defect condition that would swap the hot and neutral readings. A faulty neutral makes some sense, but how does that happen when sitting at a campsite?
Certainly replace the main 30A breaker. I would bypass it as a quick test, but I would not suggest this to anybody but a trained electrician.
Too bad you do not have an inverter, as you could unplug from shore power and run on battery.
I’m reading here daily to see if I can help, yet it’s difficult to troubleshoot virtually. Godspeed and wishes!
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1 hour ago, Cameron said:
The only problem was trying to fish wires up to the cabinet above the micro for the controller. I did not succeed, so the controller is down behind the bottom fridge vent for now.
That's great! If you decide to run these wires, fish down vs. up. Not a big deal since it is just as easy to pull the fridge vent on the exterior. Once you get temp set, there is not much need to change it, with one exception. When 12VDC is turned off to the controller it must be reset when reconnected.
Yes, good observation. We refill ice trays only after dinner and the less you open the fridge door in the heat of the day, the better. During afternoons, I will grab a cold bottle of water quickly and shut the door!
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59 minutes ago, Gliddenwoods said:
I have given up. The monitors never give accurate data and I have accepted that as fact.
Agree 100%. These external sensors are some better than in other RVs. We just know how many days the gray and black will last and have extra fresh tank in the TV. We don’t use the readout.
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I bought a ten-pack of this 3 years ago and on my 5th tub. Was $7 a tub then, $8 now: https://a.co/d/1t6lys3
I go with brand names at times, but not at 4x cost! This company has good reviews and it’s as good or better than any grease I’ve used, in 45 years of doing brake jobs, where I always pack bearings. Use this in all our vehicles and Oliver bearings and stabilizer jacks.
Even better deal if you can get a friend or neighbor to split a case with you!
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Just an idea and suggestion, but could we add a column in the attendee list for forum name and maybe home location? You can look to our signature and see that "jd1923" is "Chris & John" from Prescott AZ but that is not true for most forum members. We're excited our (first) rally is now just 10 weeks away! Thank you for everything. 😂
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7 hours ago, routlaw said:
Truly an ugly vehicle, could hardly refer to it as...
... anything at all. Agreed Outlaw!
I like the open-mindedness of Tucker's neighbor in testing the truck. The thing pulls like an SOB, but not much else in positive attributes. Loved the video and it makes me want to pull our Oliver all the way to the great state of Maine. It would give me an opportunity to meet up with my friend @connor77 and perhaps other forum members. Let's hit the ball soon, Kevin!
Tucker is great and Elon is a genius, but I've not seen a Tesla that I think is a good-looking vehicle.
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2 hours ago, Boudicca908 said:
I don't see how to remove the zerk without removing the bolt.
The Zerk is threaded into the bolt. Likely a 8 or10mm wrench to remove it. Or you can take a center punch and just see if you can push the little ball valve.
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4 hours ago, Ronbrink said:
mounted on the front of the TV when traveling
Front of TV is always the better solution! You have them with you when detached and the extra front weight counter-balances the hitch weight.
Anybody with a 1.5” hitch want to buy an OTT built 2” hitch? PM me and I could bring it to the Texas Rally.
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Just ran across this video tonight. Another side of Tucker Carlson on TCN. Love his neighbor and the relaxed rural setting. This thing can haul! (for 100 miles) Where's the truck bed? 🤣
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2 hours ago, Cameron said:
I'm reading every word of every comment on this topic. I got my Beech Lane delivered today, and I'm hoping to put it in tomorrow. I was recently towing the Ollie in 113 degree heat and the poor Norcold wasn't so cold. I'm hoping the install goes as smoothly as some of you have described. I'll also take pics and provide a follow up.
Not much can help while towing in that heat! It will help more when the air it pulls is some degrees lower than in the cavity behind the fridge.
Read this post too -
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59 minutes ago, Gliddenwoods said:
The question is...why does, or what can cause, this fuse to snap?
It truly takes a fatal error to blow a 300A fuse (like connecting the battery lead to ground)! You would notice it for sure and generally the inverter would error and shut down first.
These are cheap China made breakers, regardless of brand name. I’m surprise OTT uses these for the inverter charger. They used to use ANL or better Class T fuses.
The breaker itself is most likely your issue. You can replace it with same brand for $76 on Amazon, or other brands for $20+. I just purchased 2 Class T fuses and holder for $120 plus tax.
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Seems like OTT has a different manufacturing or finishing process for the doghouse. Interested in their response. Ours looks no worse since our front end gelcoat is quite oxidized, more flat not glossy.
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When we had a Class-C always fighting GVWR, we kept the water low and it had a 60-gal tank. I would empty for a steep mountain climb too.
We are so far below GVWR on both TT and TV it’s never been a concern.
We’ve got one of the old hulls with the Fresh Tank plumbing issue where we only get about 18-gal out of it. Must have the 35-gal tank in the TV. Keep them both full wherever reliable water is available, which is not everywhere in the SW! If bad weather comes in or a breakdown, I want to be able to camp/park anywhere comfortably for days.
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1 hour ago, CRM said:
That's the route I think I'll be going, too. We travel light and I don't see the need for springs with any higher capacity than that.
Go back to page 1-2 and look at the picture of the failed steel, poorly hardened.
Buying heavier but same level of quality IMHO is asking for the same failure.
i was first of the belief these would be too heavy. When I can, I’ll go with the new product @Mountainman198 brought to our attention and @MAX Burner, @ScubaRx and several others have proven to improve ride and dependability!
it’s similar to replacing a Dometic A/C with another. 🤣
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2 hours ago, Geronimo John said:
but it is not the right choice for a growing number of owners
A “growing number” or just you John? We’ve heard you a good 3-4 times.
I’m against the Tesla Cybertruck, so after a comment or two, I stopped and haven’t kept up on that thread in months. It’s just not for me and this is not for you, no value-add in repeated comments. Buy the leaf springs you want and start a new thread!
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5 hours ago, Ronbrink said:
Which model did you get? I see two at $997, models ending in 110 and 120.
Correct, I had the same question. A member of the Victron Community Forum posted, 110 is manufactured in Malaysia, the 120 from India, otherwise the same model. I purchased the 120 and it does state made in India.
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2 hours ago, SeaDawg said:
Your Ford f350 probably weighs in excess of 6k, unloaded.
My old Silverado does, as well.
Though it appears the F150 EV weighs as much as a F250. I’d rather have the extra weight in HD suspension components.
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Welcome to the New Green **** (scam). Weight is only one of many factors. The manufacturing pollution created in China is X times the life of the carbon emissions of average ownership duration.
I’ve kept MANY combustion-engine vehicles over 10-20 years. There is considerable savings in that, to the environment and pocketbook!
Always love when I see a used hybrid at a dealer or on Craig’s! Excellent condition, but 6-8 years old. Get ready for the cost of new batteries! Very soon the marketplace will have thousands of EVs, not worth 20% of new.
Cars, trucks, yard and power tools… I’ll keep my 20+ combustion engines on our property. And I can rebuild them with my own two hands! I say this as I install 600AH LiFePO4 in our Oliver. This is where it belongs; RV, boat and home.
BTW, our electric bill is up at least 30% this summer. Natural gas in AZ, still reasonable (likely not in NE for either). Sorry for the diatribe! Hoping for new policies in the new year… Pray, hope.
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Thanks Mike! Not using the OEM fuse holder, given it’s ANL and mounted in a ridiculous location!
Just checked the MP2 manual and it states using a 400A fuse. Just purchase this fuse: https://a.co/d/4D4H2ok and this holder: https://a.co/d/0015iEi
I went with the “ignition protected” unit, not that an Oliver has an ignition but for $20 more you get a snap-closing case and heavy weight terminals.
@rideadeuce given my research, you should get a 400A Class T fuse as a backup if your 300A ever blows. The 500s in the Epoch batteries will never blow given a lower rated fuse closer to the load. Thx
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50 minutes ago, Dennis and Melissa said:
We have been talking about this! It's really encouraging to hear you say you've done it. (Gives me some assurance that I'm not completely insane
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We moved from Austin to S FL, packed Nov 2014, all household belongings in a large cargo trailer. Stored the trailer and Chris’ car in Sherman TX where Adam went to college. Then drove our truck to our Prescott home for Thanksgiving ’til after New Years. Headed back to Sherman to drop Adam at school. Hooked up and I towed while Chris tagged behind all the way to WPB. It made everything easier!
Find a secure gated storage and next thing you know you’ll be back there.
We’re thinking after I get all my Oliver mods done and enough SW travel, we may head up to Idaho and find a good NW home base for new travels.
Love the camp and seeing new things, not fond of long highway travel!
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Another suggestion for your trip...
Some like Las Vegas, not me nor Chris. I work there 1-3 times a year teaching my class and spend 4 nights at the conference hotel, not interested the casino and tourist chaos.When heading to Utah from Arizona, after the south entrance of the Grand Canyon, you'll likely go that route. Unless you go east towards Page AZ and Monument Valley (only two routes around the GC). A great way to detour the busy interstates of Vegas is to exit and visit Hoover Dam, then stay on the backroads through Boulder City NV, enter Lake Meade Rec Area (free with your Senior Pass) and exit out Northshore Rd towards St. George. Bypass 100 miles of Interstates on scenic 45-65 MPH roads all the way without city traffic!
It's a great route and Valley of Fire SP Nevada is a worthwhile visit and campsite, on your left as soon as you exit Lake Meade. 😂
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4 hours ago, Dennis and Melissa said:
... We are hoping to make it to Montana in the fall of 25. I'll create another thread for that and you can tell me everything I don't know 😛
Maybe you should store your Oliver somewhere west in between your two grand trips, like say SLC and fly home (I would and have done that before with other rigs). This would save you 4800 miles and $$$$ in fuel costs, time and maintenance concerns.
This makes it one roundtrip from Florida instead of two in 6 months. And your Ollie could sit in cool covered storage vs. a hot Florida summer. 😂
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5 hours ago, rideadeuce said:
Thus far the only gripes I have about the fuse are that it appears difficult to source a replacement
I wanted a breaker at the batteries so I could have the dual-purpose of an ON/OFF switch but believe I will source a Class T fuse instead. It is the safest for our new expensive HW. I'll go back to disconnecting ground when I need the batteries disconnected, like I have all my life! (only when servicing) We don't store ours and I'm working to minimize connections/buses on my design.
I found a Blue Seas holder. Not seeing a waterproof model though, which is hard to understand from Blue Seas, and I want mine right on top of the batteries. They all have a plastic snap-fit case with open ends for the cables.
They sell Class-T fuses made in Mexico. I found this company South Bend Components. You should be able to buy any Class T fuse though before your pic, I have not seen a 500A fuse. Amazon.com: South Bend Components 300A Class T Fast Blow Fuse (2-pack) : Automotive
OTT installed a 250A Blue Seas ANL fuse in our hull for the 2KW Xantrex inverter. You would need a 500A fuse for the rate 5500W peak power of the MP2 but who would ever hit that number inn normal use. Good to have a backup for sure. I'll buy a 2-pack. The 300A handles 3000W with 20% margin and for the same money they have 350A and a 400A for $5 less. Maybe I should get the 400A since it can hold up to 4800W. Not positive on all the logic here.
You should have a backup for the OTT installed 300A Class T fuse as this will blow first and likely the built-in 500A fuses would never, unless the 300A fuse fails closed which it should not at the 20,000 amp AIC rating.
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Nova Kool installed
in Ollie Modifications
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Mike @rideadeuce so you’ve been an Oliver owner for 7 years? (If bought new). OMG, what you have done re mods in just the last year. My humble respect.
Great project and professional installation. This model has a similar attribute to the Isotherm, in that it has a very small freezer. Are there any modern RV compressor fridges with a large freezer? For us we would give up 2 CF of fridge space for 1 CF of freezer. We have this old, inefficient absorption fridge that has a freezer the width of the fridge and we use every square inch. Hope it keeps working.
Great work! Can’t wait to read re your next project!