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Ok here is the least expensive backup camera system I have come across. For $140 you get a small round camera, seperate wireless transmitter, 20 foot cable extension(purchased seperately) and wireless monitor/reciever with mounts. The unit is intened to be used as a backup camera, but I have wired it so I can leave it on during towing and see what's going on behind the trailer. I will let you now in April how well the setup works and longer term road test will prove if this can be used as a perminent rearview camera. Here is were I purchased the unit. http://www.4ucam.com/index.html Mounted the weather resistant camera on the rear bumper, should say double stuck for now. Put the wireless transmitter on the front of the trailer in the propane compartment. Not sure of the weather resistance of this unit, so I will have to see how it goes. Took power from inside and have a switch so the camera and transmitter can be turned off when not in use. Ran the cable to the camer under the trailer, you can follow the proprane line or frame. Here is the monitor with the image being recieved. Not bad with the transmitter being inside a closed area. I'll post an update in April about the units performance.

Another thought.... two doors are convenient but the second door doubles the cost and it destroys the ability to use that wall for storage. If you have abundant storage elsewhere it is a non-issue, but I needed to be able to use the far end of the bay for shop/ power equipment and shelving. Plus two big doors will always be way more be drafty in windy conditions - even the best doors leak a little air around the seals. If you plan to heat it, one door is preferred. My bay is well insulated, and if I keep it closed up I can heat the inside to 50 degrees F with an outside average of 30 degrees using a 1500 watt electric space heater! .... However it does take two days to warm up;) A single tall high end door with opener would be better than two cheaper ones, IMHO. As long as your approach for backing is OK. With a backup camera on the trailer reversing is fairly painless. John Davies Spokane WA

So, how does that help you? Does the trailer assist tie into your backup camera on the trailer? I'm not in the passenger seat in those situations. I'm at the side of the road, giving hand signals, and watching the trailer tires, the side of the road, etc. And, of course, hoping we won't lose the rig, or die.... Sherry

Be sure to place the SPOT flat on its back, the antenna is under the logo and should face straight up for best performance, with no metal obstructions. In any location, test operation before closing things up. I have a bunch of pics of the area at the sign, from my backup camera install. They can be found on that thread or I can repost them here ... John Davies Spokane WA

Alex, I ordered my Elite II in October 2015 and picked it up at the factory in March 2016. The map below shows where I've traveled with the Ollie. I've towed it over 14,000 miles. As Mike mentioned above, many of the options I opted for in 2015 are now standard. Here are the options that remain options that I am very glad I ordered: 320-watt solar package with the 200-watt inverter. Add the 4 AGM 6 volt batteries and you have a very good boondocking camper. These are essential options for the type of camping I like to do. I also like having the wireless backup camera because I'm a solo camper until my wife retires. The 30 lb propane tank upgrade has been well worth the cost. I left Iowa in mid-January last year for a lengthy camping trip to Bib Bend NP, etc., and having the larger propane tanks gave me many extra days of heat during the winter camping months. I also like the storage basket on the front. You don't want to add much weight to the rear of the camper. I use the storage basket to transport my Weber Q1000 grill. I recently replaced the standard toilet with a composting toilet. If you like to boondock, this is an important option. You save the fresh water you would use to flush the toilet and you never have to empty a black tank. You can empty the black tank using a garden hose in many places in the west. I have options I could easily live without: the cell phone and wifi boosters. I absolutely wouldn't order the wifi booster again. The only time I've used it is in commercial campgrounds where the wifi is so bad that I use my cell phone hotspot again. The cell phone booster is marginally more useful, but if I was looking to cut costs, I'd eliminate it. I've never used my front and rear propane quick connects. I wouldn't order these again. I have an extra awning. It's nice to have, but I haven't used it very often. Of the options you've listed that I haven't addressed, here's what I think. Recognize that we all approach things a little differently and what may not be important to me very well could be to you. I agree with the fiber-granite option-I have it and I think it's worth the money. I wouldn't want the Easy-Start or the 30-amp Convenience Connection because I hate camping where I need the A/C and avoid that kind of weather. I've only had the A/C on a couple of times and it drove me to pack up and head for higher ground. I have the standard water heater and it works very well. I wouldn't spend the extra $$ for the tankless heater. I wouldn't put the shower rod in. The wet bath is small and adding anything to it is a mistake in my opinion. I use the shower in the camper infrequently. I use showers in campgrounds when available and the outdoor shower when boondocking and away from other people. I don't think I'd spend the money on the electric keypad entry unless it made the camper more secure. I don't know enough about this to make a judgment on its effect on security. There are many different opinions on the Andersen hitch. I didn't have a choice. I can't use a weight equalizing hitch with my tow vehicle. I've been very happy with the standard bulldog hitch and have had no issues with sway, etc. Welcome to the Oliver owners' family. I think you've made a good choice and I envy your location--camping in Alaska should be great in an Elite II! Don

We picked up our Oliver in June and planned a service call for Monday, September 10th to address some small issues (always a pleasure to see Jason and Richie.) Six days before that, it was looking very questionable if we would be traveling at all. Glued to the weather channel, watching a category 5 hurricane marching right up to our front door. Growing up in Florida in the '60s we had both been through some of the worst – Hurricanes Betsy and Andrew come to mind of the same magnitude. Boarding the house up and bring in everything that was not nailed down took two days. Not having a safe place to park our Oliver (Roamy) we hooked up with a plan to drive 5 hours north and stay a night in a state park on the Florida/Georgia border. From there we would head north to Hohenwald for our service call, standing out of harm's way. God laughs when people plan. Gas was already like hens teeth in Florida on Thursday and I decided to take 3 five gallon gas cans that I was lucky to get filled, as a back up. Thursday night and into Friday morning was anything but a 5 hour drive. The Florida Turnpike rest stops turn the roads into stop and go traffic that stretch for miles, as people needing gas backed up in 10 mile lines, effectively closing a whole lane. Fourteen hours later, with an hour to go to get to the state park, they called and said the park was closing and that we would not be able to spend the night. Looking for other options proved futile and with our only option being our second plan stop, Point Mallard Decatur, AL, we drove on. Rest areas, gas station, restaurants, hotels and any small island of comfort, looked like besieged kingdoms ready to fall. We drove on. Sometime not moving for 10 minutes, other times doing the speed limit. The governor of Florida eliminated all tolls and opened the northbound emergency left lane for travel, this helped but is would soon come to a massive standstill at the Florida/Georgia board with the governor of Georgia not allowing the emergency left lane to be used. We had burned 40 gallons of gas to go 303 miles. The 15 gallons I loaded in cans made the difference from being on the side of the road and reaching Tifton, GA where we found gas with only a 30 minute wait. We drove on. 26 hours past and we felt the miles willing us to stop but as the signs for Decatur came into view, it was like a second wind blew in to help us along. We pulled into Point Mallard RV Park Friday night 11:30 pm. Like so many people we would meet in the coming days, the camp hosts came out to greet us. They make sure there was nothing we wanted or needed. We parked under a canopy of trees and rested for two days. As Monday’s sunrise came into view we pulled out like we had woken from some bad dream that only parts of it could be recalled. We headed to Hohenwald. Roamy was scheduled to get a reading light, backup camera, water tank upgrade and to fix our door which we rubbing the top jam. I cannot say enough about the team at Oliver. We left better then we arrived and more importantly, knowing this company and people care about us. Monday afternoon, with the hurricane marching up the west coast of Florida, we were getting calls from our friends and neighbors telling us we dodged a bullet and that our house was safe. They told us there was no power and no gas, it would be a week before either returned. With our service call at Oliver completed by Wednesday, we decided to spend the next two weeks enjoying our Oliver and would travel as far north as Pawhuska, OK. We stayed in some beautiful parks like Birch Cove State Park outside of Barnsdall, OK right on the lake and Roosevelt State Park in Mississippi’s Bienville National Forest. By the time we came home to Florida we have added 4,000 miles of memories. The storm left us with a week of yard cleanup and as my wife and I turn out the light last night, we both asked “When do you want to go again?”

If your hitch is up to the task, class 4 or better, then your TV is certainly stout enough to not need a WDH. But you need to assess the condition/age of your equipment. If in doubt, have everything inspected and qualified by a local shop specializing in hitches and the like. Backing is doable without all the modern cameras and gadgetry. Although I will say when I get my new truck, it will have a backup camera! As it is now, I can hitch up just fine by myself. Straight back ins are pretty easy. Angled back ins require a bit more patience and care. It takes about 4 or 5 creeps up to the hitch. Have to get out of the rig and look each time. Go slow, you will be able to visualize your approach angle with practice. With the wife helping as spotter, it's a lot easier for sure. Saw one of these for the first time last trip out, the owner liked it, but I have no personal experience with them. https://www.amazon.com/DuraSafe-Coupler-Connect-Trailer-Alignment/dp/B004VWETFU/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1506728306&sr=1-2&keywords=hitch+guide Dave

Buzzy, the _remote_ camping season in the Western Interior is dictated primarily by altitude, but secondarily by sun exposure. Keep in mind that snow depth can often be many tens of feet, and even deeper in drifts on the lee side of windy ridges. A southern facing slope with few trees will dry out completely early in the season, but north facing slopes, or ones in very heavy tree cover, can remain impassible to vehicles well into summer. Around Spokane I have to deal with snow berms blocking small secondary forest roads as late as early June, on the northern faces; this is with maximum elevation of about 6000 feet in the Idaho Panhandle. OTH, on the Colorado Plateau the areas way up high (10K and above) open much later. The Alpine Loop 4wd route near Durango is a good example - it gets plowed in June to allow the Jeeps to get through the 12,000+ ft passes. Often the walls of snow in the cuts are two or three times your height. So, early in the season to get into the real back country you must stay low or stay south. Or camp at low altitude and drive a snowmobile into the mountains ;) ... If you want beautiful camping in April (or even earlier), go to the Moab area. At around 4000 feet it is warm and dry, and there are no snow worries. The Grand Canyon is a little bit further south. The North Rim at near 9000 feet is completely impassible that time of year, until the road gets plowed in mid or late May. On one hand it is a little frustrating, having to wait for the snow to clear. On the other, you can pick your altitude for comfortable camping conditions. Low down in the early and late season, up high in mid summer when the deserts are blisteringly hot. Here's a typical scene at altitude on a south facing slope in northwest NV, at around 7000 feet in mid May: (Open in new tab - I cannot get the formatting right). And a quarter mile around the bend in the shady north side: This illustrates why you need caution when towing a larger trailer. You must plan for sudden blockages or dead ends. The LAST thing you want is to have to back your trailer down a mile of narrow twisty forest roads looking for a turn-around! (Here is a great scenario where a front receiver and a backup camera on the trailer would be helpful!! ... Assuming you had room to uncouple and turn the truck around.) When in doubt, scout ahead on foot or better yet, on a mountain bike. Don't even contemplate driving through the berm. It will swallow your full sized rig no matter how capable. A dirt bike can get over it, sometimes. Maybe. Finally, in the northern latitudes many NFS and other campgrounds _may_ not open until about Memorial Day and they close in early fall when the snow starts. It is a short season indeed if you have to rely on official campgrounds and especially dump stations. This is why primitive boondocking is so appealing to me. No crowds, few worries. Sorry, no Oliver in the pictures. Maybe next summer. Primitive camping in the west is fun and can be extremely rewarding, but you need to understand the terrain and weather and be extra prepared for unexpected situations and breakdowns. John Davies Spokane WA

Agree with Stan about how good the Ollie stability is. Checked the VIN load capacity (from Oliver) and it’s 2140 pounds. Ollie GVW 7000lbs – 2140lbs = empty Ollie weighed in at 4860 pounds (assumed) at the factory. Scale results at local landfill, no CAT results yet: Ollie axles weighed while connected to previous TV scale results: 4520 pounds 4940 pounds Ollie weight, gear in camper with empty tanks, our Elite II has optional fiber granite counter tops, exterior LP gas connection, reading lights, thicker than standard memory foam mattresses, and Winegard ROADSTAR Omni-Directional Antenna (RS-3000) . Ollie weight 4940lbs – 4520lbs axles weight = 420 pounds Tongue weight We started towing during August 2016 with a 2016 4x4 5.7L Toyota SR5 Tundra with factory tow package not using WDH. Our Tundra weighs in at the local landfill scales at 6120 pounds with full 38 gallon fuel tank, two people on board, and 50 pounds of stuff, without travel trailer tongue weight added to Tundra. Been getting around 13MPG with the rig so far in the NC foothills. The Dexter EZ flex was installed on the Ollie before we purchased the Tundra, so can't give a handling comparison before and after EZ flex upgrade with the Tundra. This is the first time we have had a backup camera, and we really like it. It's easy to connect the ball to the Ollie hitch with only TV driver

I am a recent Ollie convert and am planning to order one this year. As it happens, I already have the perfect rig to tow it, a 2006 low-mileage Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel with the Allison 6-speed. Problem is, it was the longest one they made at the time, extended cab with the full 8-foot bed. It rocks on the highway but isn't exactly a maneuvering machine in tight spaces. I was considering the Elite II since I am considering living in the thing for extended periods, say three months or maybe more. But I am just one person and the Silverado will provide for plenty of storage (it has a topper and a bed slider). My question is, will the Silverado and the 23' Ollie make some back roads or campsites inaccessible to me because the whole rig is just too long? I will be camping almost entirely in the West where there tends to be a lot of room. But if I get too hot and work my way up into the mountains, I might want something I could thread into the trees a little better. Backup camera or not, I will be mostly traveling alone, and 23' plus feet and the Silverado might just be over the top. Any opinions on my first major Ollie decision would be appreciated. The little egg or the big egg? Jaque Idaho-based Ollie of the Future (probably a 2017) Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel with Allison 6 Speed

I have a reciever on the front of my Avalanche for a bike rack, but can't see using it to push a white wall around. That's what you would see...just a white wall, no rear view mirrors. I have put my Ollie in some pretty tight spaces without even a backup camera (I just added the Tadi Brothers digital). I saw a Teardrop camper maneuver into a space using an electric winch wheel with remote. That was pretty cool, but it weighed less than 1000 pounds.

There appears to be no way to edit a post (?), so I will add a new one. An offset hole on a front receiver, as far as possible to the right, will help you to see around one side of the trailer while maneuvering. The Ollie is narrow enough at 7 feet to not be a huge blind spot. I would still use a backup camera on the trailer! Bodiak will not add an extra receiver bracket - I asked - but I think a local experienced welding shop could do this for less than $75 for almost any stock unit. It will however void the receiver warranty and ruin the factory powder coating. Please note that I haven't yet ordered an Elite II but have decades of trailer towing experience. Don't sell that low miles diesel, but if it does turn out to be too long and awkward, keep the longer trailer and trade the truck for a short bed model like a Ram Eco Diesel Crew Cab (not the Mega Cab). Don't get a gas truck or you will hate yourself every time you go up a long high altitude grade. Fuel prices will not stay cheap much longer. John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks. That makes me feel better. It will be a pretty long rig, and maybe some places I will have to give a pass. But that would still leave about a million places I can get into. And that truck is a dream on the highway. If I am pulling a trailer I have to be careful not to forget it is there. I will get at least one backup camera and maybe find a big parking lot to do some practice maneuvers so I will know what the rig will and will not do. Jaque

Hi Tom, The factory-installed backup camera that I have is the Voyager, http://www.asaelectronics.com (1-800-688-3135). It wasn't cheap but to me was well worth me having the Oliver crew install it. There are so many things talked about on the forum that I get the general idea about whether an idea is good or not for me and the backup camera was a good idea. I am very technically challenged so I have to rely on others to help. I had it on as I left during the day and all night as I traveled home. I always knew when something was behind Revilo and I tried to be even more cautious while driving. Hope this helped. Jam49

Hello to all, Now being a 3 day owner I can speak from first hand experience on the cameras. Because of all the excellent suggestions and thoughts before purchasing, I chose having the factory guys install the camera. (Instead of me figuring out what I needed to ask for and what I wanted and installed a a later date). I had it on all the way home. I arrived home at 8:00 CST this morning (Wednesday) (Pick up was Monday but details of that special experience will have to addressed later where I would like to share the what??? I was first to have installed. Not trying to make you guys jealous or anything!! Anyway, just being able to see what was behind Revilo as I was driving home was comforting. I felt it was an extra safety feature. I hadn't thought about it particulary but when I showed Revilo to the grandkids this morning they put on their own show for the camera. Another reason it is worth every penny. Safety of anybody who might accidentally walk behind it that the driver wasn't aware of. I highly recommend the backup camera system. It doesn't provide blue ray disc picture perfection but the driver is aware of what is going on behind Oliver as you are driving down the road or stationary getting ready to move Oliver. jam49 P.S.Because I have had very little sleep the last 3 days, I feel a need to retire for the night. But just in case you can't wait to find out my special installation (sorry for getting off topic) you might ask Steve and Tali. Regards, Jam49

Here is my follow-up on this product. Reception to the reciever was great, but this unit does seem to only be intned as a backup camera. After being left on for several hours condensation developed on the inside of the glass covering the camera. I dried the camer out with some improvement. I going to try and dry it out over a dehumidifer then really make sure it is sealed good. You get what you pay for and I have something that almost works. Not going to give up on it yet. Works great if I can get rid of the condensation.

Tom, You're correct on why I don't use the Swift Hitch going down the highway. Wouldn't want to lose it due since it's a magnetic mount. Also, it runs on an internal battery, so I'm not sure how long it would last in a constant video mode. You're right, if you had one for use, Karen's ticket sales for the show would go WAY down . . . remember I was on the Natches Trace when you sowed up for you're maiden voyage How about this? Buy the backup camera but have Karen back up the Ollie as you sell the tickets! Who knows, you may triple the receipts. I have found that instead of placing the camera on the rear bumper washer for tight spots I'd rather step out of the truck and get a personal look at the obstacles in all areas (rear, right, left, and above). If I need to ensure I don't hit that tree behind the Wonder Egg I pace off the distance and then repeat that pace from out my driver's door toward the rear and place down a marker. I then simply back up until I'm abeam the marker. Simple, yet effective.

Doug, There is very little room on either side of the installed Jensen radio. I guess being able to mount a radio there would depend on the size. As you can see, mine was a surface mount. I'm not clear on exactly what antenna you had in mind that Robert said could not be mounted. But, no, I don't see any reasons why it can't be done. You may end up having to do it yourself but this is not an insurmountable task. Ya just gotta have the nerve to drill the first hole. As far as the backup camera: Yes, I would still do it again. I've owned trailers (utility) for years and I've never been worth a flip at backing one up. I'm not sure the camera will improve my backing skills but at least it will let me see what I'm about to run into. It does, however, make for a wonderful rear view mirror. Steve

OK, Jam49, We're jealous... but we're happy for you, as well. So smart to ask ahead. I'm sure everyone joins me in wishing you many happy travels. Hope to meet you one day soon. Sherry PS I loved your comment in another thread about the grandkids hamming for the backup camera.... I could just think about my daughter at that age... doing the same thing! So sweet. These are the memories of our lives. Thanks for sharing.

I've also seen Pete's backup camera in action.. seems to work excellent

Saw Bugeyedrivers backup camera tonite and it's really nice ! $$ but is really cool !!

Doug, I know you will be very happy with your new Oliver. My wife, Tali, and I just took delivery on our last week. We could not be happier with it. We made no omissions to the package that comes with the Legacy Elite as the options included met all our needs. We did add the convection microwave so as to have some additional cooking options. We also added the Aluminum wheels and 8-ply tires, the lift kit, a gen-set hookup, double pane windows and the backup camera. I also had the factory modify my frame to give me a longer tongue as our current TV is a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It has a back gate that opens like a door and we needed room for it to swing over the tongue without hitting the basket for the generator. In addition, I had them add two receivers on the rear of the frame so I can attach a rear carrier if I want to. Anything you want done, the Oliver crew will make every attempt to do as they are truly outstanding. I overheard Jim Oliver tell one of his crew "We never tell a customer 'That can't be done'." Everyone else has already been over several other very useful options and I echo their statements on them. We opted for the twin bed model. We decided that, with the additional floor space and storage room, it was worth giving up sleeping in the same bed. We also have a large dog that will be traveling with us and he needs room also. I will be happy to send you some pictures of our interior if you think it would help in your decision making process. PM me with your e-mail with any questions and I will be glad to provide any info I can...

CarolAnn, Having met you at the Bluebonnet rally, I can tell that you are both physically and mentally capable of handling the things you would encounter out on the road with your Oliver. Having towed a sailboat already, you are "over the hump" of learning how to maneuver a trailer accurately. As far as the physical standpoint, there was a lady parked two slots away from me at the Bluebonnet who is frailer than you and I understand she has been a solo fulltimer for a while. If she can do it you can! Ah, the hookup thing . . . I think you live about 2 hours from me. If you'd like to, you can come on over and I'll show you my Swift Hitch backup camera and demonstrate how simple and failsafe it is to operate. Send m a pm of when you could come on over and I'll send you the directions. Say hello to your brother for me.

Thanks a lot, Mountain. Would a backup camera be useful? Does Oliver offer one? This is real coincidence for me as I was looking at the Ouachita National Forest area as a good place to fulltime, what with the Forests and the State Parks nearby. How bad are the winters over your way? How far would you have to travel from you place in the winter to find mild weather? And finally, would a 4cyl pickup like a Tacoma 4x4 with a towing payload of 3500# be strong enough to tow the Oliver? I'm thinking about MPG and price. Thanks...Dusty No RV No Vehicle Just retired and back from 4 months in Cambodia Lake County, Illinois