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**Bulldog Hitch**: One thing I want to point out on the positive-side of all this is the brilliance of the Bull Dog Hitch. I love that design, it's functionality and it's strength. The BD Hitch remained in place, holding onto my hitch of the Nissan Titan XD...i didn't have any trailer sway just "trailer lean" :) and trailer sparks (my great regret is I didn't see those sparks in the pitch black night, that would have been oddly cool). I attribute the lack of sway to good trailer design, my truck's anti-sway tech and that hitch...because it didn't come off and then rely on the safety cables. I'd camped with a fellow OTT man Don Thompson at th e Amber Falls winery, and that morning, we both put a good splotch of lithium grease on each of our hitch balls and hitch receiver (inside, around the spring, etc.) to prevent corrosion, extend longevity, improve functionality. I recommend everyone to do that..take those disposable gloves as that grease is sticky and will stain. So, whomever made the call for the BD Hitch, Bravo. I do think that, among other items, is a product difference-maker, comparative advantage for Oliver.over their competition.

I don't pick up my Ollie until November but my tow vehicle will be 2016 Nissan Titan XD Crew Cab /w Cummins 5.0L V-8 Diesel Engine. This truck has been marketed as a "5/8", something between a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton truck. I get between 18-20 mpg in this truck just driving around. I'm sure that will go down with an Ollie in tow but impressive none the less. The sticker price is real nice too.

Hi, we are from Beach City,Texas. We are planning our retirement which should kick off in about five years. Our plan is to travel the country and find where we want to put down roots. Our Ollie went into production August 17th and our delivery date is November 8th! For now, our Oliver will be pulled with a 2016 Nissan Titan XD Crew Cab with a Cummins turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8 Diesel engine. We want to thank everyone on the forums and at OTT for sharing so many details which helped inform our decision. We also want to extend a special thank you to Cobra 1169 for generously giving us a tour of his Ollie.

I purchased for my work four 2018 sprinter vans. Love them. But loaded with the turbo diesel they are certainly not "Over Powered". Be aware that starting with model year 2019, MB has shifted production from Germany to Argentina. My gut says that with any model year change, especially one involving a change of factory, and ESPECIALLY with a change of country..... delay a year or two to allow the bugs to be worked out. The sage advice of going with what is proven is also a key consideration.... especially at $150K. My three recommendations in no particular order would be: Used Toyota Land Cruiser (Big wink to John D.) Used Ford/Ram 250/2500 with diesel Used Nissan Titan with Cummings Diesel For those that would like a less expensive option, the Toyota Sequoia Gen II with the 5.7L would be my choice. You can get into a very nice used one for about $15K. Geronimo John

I have a Reese hitch ball, and I occasionally put some multi-purpose lithium all over the ball, and slather the bulldog coupler nice..not only is it good for smooth operation, it might just help with that spring mechanism in the compression arm of the bulldog from oxidizing and rusting/corroding a bit. I personally think it is good maintenance, but I was raised by a helicopter mechanic and, later, corrosion technician...so good ole Dad would prefer that I slap some MP Lithium on there...so I do. My Nissan Titan XD Diesel has that sway control element, so says the brochure. All I know is that I've got it up to 78 on the interstate (must have been some good Dwight Yoakum on the radio) and the Oliver pulled smooth and true. I did slow down when he broke into a ballad. Vector

Hey Fellow Ollie Cousins: I now have a new truck...TV...and it's...drum roll please. Nissan Titan xd....drove it home tonight...you can feel the torque, it's quite comfortable. it sits higher that Ole Rustie (94 c2500), but is also essentially a heavy half ton, which i simply love its engineering. By mostly coincidence, it matches up to the Ollie's color scheme (gray, white, a touch of black)...although that was kind of an accident too (i didn't call Anita quickly enough to get my custom..i delayed my decision.. my bad. but, although i had to sell he wife's good femur...it's worth it ;) Diesel baby. OF course, the price will now drop 5K, but i paid a little south of list...so not horrible. It will make the Ollie adventures more enjoyable though, and it has A/C for the chairs...which is horrible selfishness...but i'm looking forward to more roadtrips with it :)

Really like this conversation, thanks to both of you. Any thoughts on the Nissan Titan XD? 5.0 Cummins TD and heavy frame? ..thanks. Vector Hi Manny, Sounds like you may be considering the purchase of a new or new-to-you tow vehicle? You expressed a preference for a mid-size SUV versus a pickup truck. Like yourself, I had a strong preference for an SUV but ended up purchasing a pickup truck to tow my future Elite II. I began in the customary manner with an understanding of the tow capacity as well as the pay load limits for the tow vehicles I preferred. I suspect my Ollie fully loaded will weigh around 6,000 pounds with a tongue weight of maybe 525 pounds. Since I hope to add into the tow vehicle people, sloppy dog, kayaks, outdoor gear, etc., I wanted a pay load capacity of at least 1200 pounds. The sloppy dog is not too heavy, but the sloppy people is where I pick up the added weight. Although there are many great tow vehicles on the market, you might seek a few added features which could make your life easier. The features I thought would be helpful for me are: 1. Tow Mirrors. 2. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller. 3. Extended Range Fuel Tank. 4. Navigation. 5. Rear View Camera. 6. Pro Trailer Backup Assist. 7. Hill Descent Control. 8. Hill Start Assist 9. Smart Trailer Tow Connector. Clearly, most of the features listed above are not required, but they can be helpful in functioning as a second set of eyes if you plan to travel solo. Just remember, as you add in options it can take away from the overall payload capacity for the tow vehicle. Three weeks ago, my tow vehicle (Ford F150) arrived and I was apprehensive about driving a full size pickup truck. My prior driving experience had been limited to compact cars and mid-size SUVs. I thought it might not be as maneuverable as I preferred and perhaps the ride would be too harsh. So far, I love the truck. All concerns have faded away. It is quiet, wicked fast (3.5L EB), great ride quality, very maneuverable, can tow over 11,000 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1777 pounds. I know it is overkill for towing an Elite II, but I should have no problems going up and over the White Mountains here in New Hampshire or the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. I guess as long as it gets me out and about in a safe manner, it is a good tow vehicle for me. Buzzy

Kayle Speaking of the Colorado, I just saw one of these new ones at a local dealer the other day. Sort of futuristic looking with some fairly radical visual design. To answer your question though my '13 F150 is the 3.5L EB. The 2.7 was not introduced until this years model. Regarding diesel here is my take on it and man I hope I don't offend anyone by this but effectively when you do the math diesel just doesn't work to your advantage. Understand I am not the only one who has come up with this either. Locally diesel fuel is more than 70¢ per gallon more (a 37% increase), and as I understand it Ram's 3.0L diesel will cost you an additional $4 grand out the door. You can buy a whole lot of regular fuel for $4 grand. And if you live in a cold climate like we do one really has to stay on top of the fuel you put in your tank otherwise it will gel on you in heartbeat then will need to be towed to a warm garage to liquify the fuel again. I know this from owning a diesel Rabbit many years ago. To my way of thinking where diesel is important is towing very large rigs, i.e. large 5th wheels or if you need heavy towing capacity for 50-100,000 miles per year. For us at this level it seems difficult to realize the advantage of diesel. IOW's I would encourage you to stick with normal fueled TV's for now. The longer wheel base will provide a bit more stability and at least in theory all else being equal also provides a smoother ride. Just the laws of physics. I love your last sentence, because I am just that person. My first truck was a Mazda small cab, small box pick up, then came the Ford Range extended cab, then an 01 Taco DC, then an 04 Tundra DC and now my F150 EB with 6.5" long bed. And the F150 is by far the best of them all, the newer one better still. Understand too we have a 2011 Subaru OB Limited, really nice auto. Never gets used for anything but going to Costco and the supermarket. We thought it would be our lower budget travel car, but the reality is we will pick the big truck every time for a road trip even if not towing. Even my wife who loves the thing thinks we should sell it given its limited use. Recalling my reaction upon getting back into this OB after test driving the first F150, honestly it felt as though I was in a small jalopy by comparison. Hope this helps. Diesel Trucks: The Cult of the Truck strikes again. *Sigh* I promise to go and check some out, because clearly I need to open my mind to that. I care a lot about economy and comfort and the electronics, and would like to avoid a massive vehicle for daily driving, so that leaves with a very short list: there is going to be a new Chevy Colorado. not positive there are any to see quite yet, may not be until later this year. The Ford 150 EcoBoost 2.7L can tow 7600 lbs. Routlaw, is yours the 2.7 or the 3.5? If I am willing to go full size, there is the RAM 1500 eco diesel and the Nissan Titan turbo diesel. Diesel SUVs: I could look at the Mercedes GL (7500) and M class (7200) vehicles, as well as the Lexas LX (8500), the Invitiy QX56 (8500), the Audio Q7 (6600), and the BMW X5 (6000), the Porshe Cayenne V8 (7716). I have to look up tongue ratings on these if I want to consider them, because sometimes SUVs have lower percentages for that. But first I'll have to consult my wallet and visit some trucks, because these are all VERY expensive. Wheelbase: Longer wheelbase equals better towing. I'm not sure how long is preferable. You are all great teachers, trying to be good student, but right now I'm feeling disappointed at the cars that will work for me. I do understand that other small trailers are much lighter than an Oliver and that there are many good things that come with that weight, but I had REALLY hoped to be able to trade the CRV for something I could get excited about. Maybe someday I'll be the person on this forum telling someone else in my present predicament how I got dragged kicking and screaming to a truck and now I LOVE it. I hope so. kayle Oliver Elite buyer, late 2015

Thanks so much everyone. Here are my takeways thus far: Weight Distribution Hitch: Oliver now offers this as an add-on. There is a distinct dislike for them on the forum, but that appears to be related to the fact that they couldn't be added to the older Olivers without cutting into fiberglass. I'm not completely sure whether there are other "cons" to adding this to my Oliver, but if it doubles towing weight, and Oliver themselves are offering to add them, it seems like no brainer. Towing Ratings: 5,000 is too low. I need to look for something over 6000, or do you think 7000 should be my minimum? Tongue Weight: Having read comments on the forum it sounds like this needs to be around 550 min. Diesel Trucks: The Cult of the Truck strikes again. *Sigh* I promise to go and check some out, because clearly I need to open my mind to that. I care a lot about economy and comfort and the electronics, and would like to avoid a massive vehicle for daily driving, so that leaves with a very short list: there is going to be a new Chevy Colorado. not positive there are any to see quite yet, may not be until later this year. The Ford 150 EcoBoost 2.7L can tow 7600 lbs. Routlaw, is yours the 2.7 or the 3.5? If I am willing to go full size, there is the RAM 1500 eco diesel and the Nissan Titan turbo diesel. Diesel SUVs: I could look at the Mercedes GL (7500) and M class (7200) vehicles, as well as the Lexas LX (8500), the Invitiy QX56 (8500), the Audio Q7 (6600), and the BMW X5 (6000), the Porshe Cayenne V8 (7716). I have to look up tongue ratings on these if I want to consider them, because sometimes SUVs have lower percentages for that. But first I'll have to consult my wallet and visit some trucks, because these are all VERY expensive. Wheelbase: Longer wheelbase equals better towing. I'm not sure how long is preferable. You are all great teachers, trying to be good student, but right now I'm feeling disappointed at the cars that will work for me. I do understand that other small trailers are much lighter than an Oliver and that there are many good things that come with that weight, but I had REALLY hoped to be able to trade the CRV for something I could get excited about. Maybe someday I'll be the person on this forum telling someone else in my present predicament how I got dragged kicking and screaming to a truck and now I LOVE it. I hope so. kayle Oliver Elite buyer, late 2015

We were sorry that the Oliver's did not make the Rally. A lot of folks were disappointed they did not get a chance to meet them and see the new 22 foot Oliver. One gentleman stopped buy and asked if they were there. He had seen the trailer in Quartsite and wanted to take another look before he made a final buy/no buy decision. He was unhappy with his 20 foot Airstream, and was keenly interested in the 22 foot Oliver for full timing. He was alone and driving a Nissan Titan pickup. I don't remember his name. Doug