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Thanks! Yep, the external propane connections are on the list. And, having played with various option combinations, it definitely adds up fast. Sue and Matt's trailer that wee looked at on Saturday had a lot of the options, yet their 2021 price was not much more than the base price today!! Here's where we're at right now: Elite II Twin Bed Upgraded Mattresses Fabric Upgrade - Undecided until we see the standard in person Hypervent Omnidirectional Antenna (local weather etc. if we don't have cell service) Street Side Awning Frosted Doors Convection Microwave - Undecided - More research needed 20 Gallon Propane (to keep tongue weight down) Front/Rear Propane Quick-Connects Toilet - Undecided Full Truma Package - AC, Furnace, Water Heater - Antifreeze kit undecided Lithium Backup Camera - Probably have Oliver install system of our cloosing Anderson Hitch - I see no reason to spend $350 more for the 2-5/16 version Aluminum Storage Basket - Undecided - I see using it the last miles for firewood or wet gear after a rainy night. Not for a generator or water storage Basement Door No Graphics Thanks for everyone's input!! We are heading out today for four days camping in our 5X8 squaredrop and it is in the high 80s with 80-90% humidity with some rain forecast each day. Right after we get home, we'll have one day to catch up, and then head south (motels) to go to Makers Mark and then Oliver on Friday. The recent memory of those conditions might have a lot to do with placing an order. 🙂

Nice job! I will have the factory install their standard backup camera option on the unit that they'll be finishing for us in December, as it seems like a decent option and we don't have an existing screen we'd want to feed the video into. Too bad the Garmin doesn't have IR illuminators for night video - I've found this to be really nice with the camera we had installed on our camper van's raised top, which feeds into the display of our relatively recent aftermarket stereo display. I pull into camp sites late, after taking photos through the "golden hour" and "blue hour" so the night vision has helped me a ton. We used a camera from Rear View Systems (not to be confused with Rear View Safety, which also seems to make a nice range of backup camera systems) that has performed well for about four years of fairly hard use now. FWIW it still looks new despite lots of use on a variety of dirt and gravel roads from WA to UT, often at speeds sufficient to coat the rear of the van in dust. It just has the metal "hood" that comes stock on the unit, which has sufficed to protect the unit well. They (and Rear View Systems) both have both wired and wireless options fwiw, but sadly I doubt there's a practical way to feed the signal into that Garmin navigation unit. As someone who spent a career in computer systems and software (including a lot of work with multimedia systems involving multiple video inputs/outputs) it's frustrating to see the tower of babel going strong in such systems.

Mark - In reverse order - I agree with Seadawg and David - TPMS is virtually a must. Obviously, there are several good systems on the market and Ford's just might be one of them. I certainly understand wanting to reduce the number of separate systems and/or screens in the tow vehicle (both for the TPMS and for the backup camera) and I don't know what Ford's system costs. However, I'm guessing that for what Ford will want for its system, you can get a very nice TPMS (note here that if you go this route you should think about getting 6 sensors which will take care of the four wheels on the Oliver plus the spares on both the tow vehicle and the Oliver). In ordering my Oliver I thought that the camera being sold by Oliver was expensive AND I wanted to reduce the number of screens inside my truck. Bottom line is that I had Oliver pre-wire for the camera during the build to include an on/off switch by the camper entrance. As with all other things that they have done for me the result was very professional and complete. Heck - at delivery, they even installed the camera for me. While hardwired into the electrical system of the Oliver, the camera does transmit it video signal to the tow vehicle via WiFi. This has never been a problem and I can view that transmission on my tablet or my phone (or both). Since I usually have one or both of these operating as I drive anyway, there is no additional screen. And, I can have it on or off any time I chose. My total cost including the camera, WiFi transmitter and Oliver install was right at $250 (note that this was a bit over four years ago). Again, I'm guessing that Ford's system will be somewhat more expensive than this and if you ever change tow vehicles you might have a problem. Bill

FYI, all factory truck backup cameras, and many aftermarket cameras, only work when in reverse. Typically they get energized when the reverse lights come on. This is not so great when you are zooming down the freeway in heavy traffic, and you are trying to switch a few lanes..... It is possible to rewire one so that it is powered all the time, and there is already an On/ Off switch inside the Ollie cabin. I don’t know if Oliver will do this, maybe a recent camera owner can comment. A Garmin BU camera can be viewed at any time, you just exit out of the map view and touch the camera icon to bring the image to the Garmin nav screen. As Mainic said, a camera is a highly desirable accessory, more so when you are flying solo. When backing into a campsite, it shows you that big rock or tree before you hit it. Otherwise you whack it with the bumper and yell, “what the heck was that?” John Davies Spokane WA

Additional reasons we went with the Garmin 780 RV GPS. The 780 (6.95" screen) fit nicely in our center console, and we can add a wireless backup camera to Ollie that can be displayed on the GPS that transmits up to 45'. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/501486

In looking back at my search I didn't put it in quotes. I just typed backup camera in the search field. I think the quotes are important. I am new to the planet and have a lot to learn. Thanks for your patience. You're all very helpful.

Or, try this? https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/search/?q="Backup camera"&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=or

Composting toilet - just buy it, you will fall in love with it. Put all paper products into a small 3 gallon flip lid wastebasket. It fits neatly between toilet and vanity. Spritz the front bowl area two or three squirts after peeing. The vinegar kills the odor and rinses the bowl. Poo is not an issue, normally it drops straight down onto the compost. If you get the runs your toilet will not like that. For your height issue, there is a floor ledge that sticks out in front of the base. Climb up, set your feet there and no worries. Or you can get a small step and stash it behind the toilet when not in use. My wife is 5'6" and has no problems. For a boondocker the NH toilet is simply wonderful, just get used to the quirks. Not having to find an open dump station and wait for fifteen minutes is priceless. If you camp off season, this is a huge factor since many close down when freezing night time weather arrives. Around here that means late October. Plus it saves a bunch of your potable water. If you decide that you hate it, sell it on Craigslist for $400 and buy a flush toilet. All the plumbing and the tank is in place. Installation of a standard RV toilet would be very simple. Camera; you NEED a backup camera when solo, no question. It is not just for backing into a site. It is useful in heavy traffic too. You might want to invest in a different system. I already use and really like the Garmin RV660 gps and I mounted a Garmin backup camera. The gps will accept up to four wireless camera inputs. Resolution is low but entirely adequate. ... https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=w0sjNmRQFR3N58uLaMpMR8 http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/how-to-install-a-garmin-bc-30-backup-camera/ Hot water heater: get the standard unit, leave it turned off until you need some hot water. Turn it on for fifteen or twenty minutes and it heats up enough for one person. It is cheap to replace or service and is generally very reliable. We just run ours 24/7. It does not use that much propane and we have the big gas tanks.... if we do plug in, it switches over the shore power if the outside switch near the bottom is turned to "ON". John Davies Spokane WA

The basket can contact the truck when reversing at too tight an angle, for sure (jack knifing). During normal full-lock turns while driving forward it is fine. The open tailgate may hit it if the trailer is at a severe angle, you should try to park with it aligned. Many have noticed that the tailgate can hit the Bulldog coupler, this depends on the tow vehicle, and where the receiver is located in relation to the gate. There have been a number of threads discussing tailgate clearance. With your HD truck it is less likely to be a problem. My 2006 Ram 3500 had tons of room, my 2013 Land Cruiser would hit, until I installed a longer Andersen ball mount. I moved my basket from the tongue back to the rear bumper and I much prefer it there, for a number of reasons, including a greatly reduced tongue weight. It certainly is easier to climb over the tongue without it in the way. Until you get used to it, have a helper stand out there watching while you reverse, to make sure you don’t over do it. When backing sharply, go really slow once the angle gets past 45 degrees. Does your GMC have a backup camera? John Davies Spokane WA

Any opinions on backup cameras? I played with the cheap Walmart version and it worked for two trips before it proved useless, got lucky and got my money back. I learned one thing from using it, if the camera is aimed straight off the back of the trailer the sun and headlights at night make it impossible to use. Considering the unit at this link below. Well under $200 and the transmitter can be located away from the camera to get it closer to the tow vehicle. Only problem is no shielding from the sun or headlights. http://www.4ucam.com/Wireless-Backup-Round-Camera-Color-Monitor-RV-Cam-Truck-Trailer-Rear-View-IR-Night-Vision.html Any thoughts on the value of a backup camera would be most appreciated.

We have the backup camera for the Ollie and when towing it becomes my rearview mirror. Like you I am always checking around. Good luck with your decision. We use a tonneau cover as that was the set up long before we had the Ollie. If I were starting new I would consider the cap with racks and side opening windows.

I think the Zamp charge controller started at the first of 2017, as well as the larger sink with sponge drawer. Mid year, they changed the blinds to white and fixed the fresh water pickup tube. The EZ flex suspension was an option that year. The AC will definitely be the larger one. Apart from what Bill mentioned: The cooktop will have a different grate and it’s orientation was an option. The bath sink may have the old style faucet with the trickle valve. The convection microwave came later, and it was as option to delete the microwave back then for an additional storage cabinet. Exterior propane connections were options. There were more and different choices for interior finishes and the upper cabinet door material. Also many more choices for graphics colors. The interior latches for the uppers were different (better). The drawers didn’t have the stay closed hardware. Early 2017’s will have Fiamma awnings and the later ones will have Carefree, both manual. There were two furnaces to chose from, Atwood and Suburban; and the Truma and composting toilet were new options. Pretty much all the electronics - antennas, cell booster, etc. - were options, and they’ll surely be older models than what you’d get today. The backup camera, reading lights, and EZ start for the AC were all options. Battery choices were wet cell and AGM only. I seem to remember an option for a black tank macerator back then, and also one for an induction cooktop, but I don’t recall anyone with either. The mattress choices would have been different. The optional bike rack at the time was the big square one. That was before they started standardizing things as well, so you might find some factory customizations, including deleted items.

Greetings -- I'm weighing decisions with my Oliver order. I toured the e2 over a year ago, and I'm hoping to tour the e1 very soon, because I want to be SURE that I really need the extra weight, space, and expense of the e2. I'm a single person who hopes to have friends join me on long sojourns now and then. I love to cook and plan to make all of my food from scratch (it's a thing). Therefore, part of the 'extra space' in the e2 that I consider important is actually the ability to carry more food and water. As a self-supported adventure bicyclist, clothes don't weigh more than about 20 pounds. When I talked options with the sales team, I was very surprised that they couldn't cite the weight of any of the options. How can that be? Many options are tempting, but maybe superfluous and if they limit my food and water capacity, I'll tend to rule them out. Right now I am considering many options including 2022 Power Package for e2 - Lithium Pro package: lithium batteries, solar panels with charge controller, micro-air easy start for a/c, 3000 watt pro inverter [$9,500]; 2022 Outdoor Pro - 30# propane tanks, quick connects, storage basket, rear bumper receiver, 30 amp convenience connection [$2,000]; convection microwave composting toilet tankless water heater (good? bad?) Cell phone booster & WiFi booster backup camera (though now I'm beginning to believe that the new trucks will ALL come with one?) Anderson no-sway hitch Can anyone let me know what their final build-out actually weighed with same or similar options? Better yet, has anyone discovered the weights of any of these features? Thanks!

Tom, have you considered installing a front receiver? That would make positioning your Ollie in your storage space really simple. If you have a backup camera in the trailer, it would be even better… John Davies Spokane WA

Hi jo79RI, keep asking those questions that's one way to learn, I will be curious on witch tow vehicle you decide to go with. Just get one with the Towing Package from the factory, you will be ready to go and you should have what you need. We do not have a backup camera for the trailer, just never thought I need one and have been towing for 50+ years, but being new to towing it can't hurt to have one. I would personally rather have the wife, or someone at the back of the trailer when backing, just can't backup and watch the camera, RV mirrors, where the front of the truck is going, and the wife giving me instructions. trainman

type "garmin" in the search box for a start. I use a dedicated GPS unit because of its larger screen - yes, I could use my tablet but that device is already being used for my backup camera. I also have navigation in my TV but I tend to like the features of the dedicated GPS better and it is nice to have the backup. Bill

I haven't looked any further into it than noticing this in their  marketing copy "Pair RV 890 with our BC™ 35 wireless backup cameras (sold separately) or compatible third-party wired cameras to help you can see what’s behind you." So what I wonder is, and haven't found in a fairly quick hunt, is what constitutes a "compatible third party wired camera" and for instance could you use a Rear View Systems camera (excellent IME and used by a lot of fleet vehicles fwiw)?

I'm interested in replacing my original backup camera with a new Furrion Vision S. I'm hoping the better day and night vision it's supposed to provide will want me to use it. The original was nearly worthless at night, and now it has a cut cable and damaged antenna due to vandals. Anyone here retrofit their Ollie with a Vision S system or is using one that came with a newer Ollie? I'm interested in what it takes to retrofit and if it actually works as well as Furrion claims. Thank you, Duane

Look at the Garmin BC 40 Backup Camera, from what I have seen and read this is a good camera and mounts on the license plate frame as well as other places. Due note that if you are using a bike rack or some other rack this location on the license plate could obstruct your view. I just purchased a new Garmin with a 7" screen with backup camera option, personally I don't like the in dash unit from the factory as it can't be adjusted wile driving and I need something to keep the wife busy. trainman

Darrell & Kathy, Obviously you enjoyed your plant tour. Certainly you know why most of here are very pleased with our Olivers. I'm guessing that you are fine pulling your Oliver without a WDH. However, keep in mind that there are two separate parts to that equation - 1 - what the tow vehicle (TV) can handle and - 2 - what the hitch can handle. With my F150 I can tow up to a little over 12,000 pounds. However, a hitch weight of over 500 pounds requires a WDH. Just to make sure - check your Ford Owner's manual. With my 2017 F150 I have an integrated backup camera with a seven inch on-board screen which allows me to back up to the Oliver's hitch solo - it works great. There are numerous after market cameras of this sort and even some that will transmit the camera signal to your cell phone or tablet via WiFi - I have one of these that I placed on the back of my Oliver instead of purchasing the system offered by Oliver as an option. These systems are fairly simple - pick a location on the rear of the truck (such as the license plate holder/frame, bumper, tailgate, etc.) place the camera there, complete the wiring (into the backup lights of the truck if you only want the camera to work while backing up), "pair" the camera's WiFi signal to the device you are using to view its output and start backing up. For the camera I placed on the back of my Oliver, I had the appropriate wiring and an on/off switch run by the guys at the plant during construction. Hope this helps you. Bill

Like Mike, same here with the backup camera assist in our truck its piece of cake really. I've also done many solo trips several hundred miles away with no issues so far and I am not alone in these type of endeavors. There are many RV'ers doing the same.

My husband has gotten so skilled with the truck backup camera that I almost never participate in the hitching up process anymore...

Hello I'm in the same boat. I've got my deposit down and my build starts in April. I've got a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 with the trailer package. Rather than the wireless backup camera offered by Oliver, I'd rather use the GM camera so that it integrates into the existing software and screen. I'll see if Oliver would be willing to install it for me during the build. Otherwise I guess I'd have to run the wiring on the exterior of the Ollie which wouldn't look so hot.

I have the RV660LMT and really like it. It is a slightly older model, and a larger screen would be welcome. The RV mode is needed to warn you of low bridges, steep grades, etc and it is SUPER ANNOYING. I turned it off the second day of our first trip. It kept popping up constant alerts that I already knew about “curves ahead!!!”, duh, I have been driving on curves for an hour. “Steep grade ahead!!!” True, but many miles away. The RV database is clunky, the icons are big and block details. In general I think it is simply poor programming. For low clearance, use the eyeballs you were born with, anything posted 12 feet or under, stop and double check before proceeding. I have a height placard hanging down to remind me as I drive. You can add additional map layers to this series Garmin. I have 24K topo maps which I can add to the existing road map when out in the boonies. Instead of a single line against a totally blank background, I get elevation contours and other features. The big plus is that the Topo maps are routable. You can add up to four low res camera inputs to the main display, I use one for my trailer backup camera. The Garmin Connect phone app is pretty lame, I never use it. I am a big Garmin fan, for the most part. I won’t buy another brand. The only thing I dislike about mine, other than RV Mode, is the external flash card sticks out the bottom, no recess or guard, and it is easy to accidentally press and eject it. John Davies Spokane WA

Just remember, if the guide can't see the mirror, the driver can't see the signals. Then again, most of you probably have newer trucks, with backup camera on the trailer. We don't.