Ron and Phyllis Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 I’m still new to our Elite “Li’l Ollie” #1209. Thanks to all of you for sharing. With all the wise and technical information posted, I feel a little intimidated about posting much of anything. I’m sure I’m not alone. Here’s a few things I’ve done to make things a little easier on our travels so far. Rear Storage Carrier Since storage on the Elite is so limited and since my tow vehicle is a Subaru Ascent, not a truck, I’ve adapted some ideas I’ve seen on the forum that seem to be working well. I mounted a Rubbermaid ActionPacker 48 Gal using aluminum plates in the bottom and bolted it to a MaxxHaul 70422 48”x 21” Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier. Together they weigh a total of 43 lbs allowing me to carry a little over 100 lbs and be under the 150 maximum for the hitch. I also measured how far I could slide out the carrier and get the spare tire out without removing the carrier. I drilled a couple of extra holes in the hitch that allows me to slide in a retention bolt on each side to prevent the slid out assembly from falling in case I have to slide it out on the road. I did have to remount the license plate and a light that required extending the wiring. I also made some water/UV resistant canvas covers to protect the rear cabinet, jack, and front box where I carry my portable tank, mainly to protect the plastic from the UV. Interior Clothes Cabinet: Since I’m a caregiver, I need to make it as easy as possible for me to easily access my wife’s clothes. We have found that the single bed across the back works best for us in our situation, that I can leave up all the time. I set up and take down my side bed. We don’t need the large dinette, so I made a smaller version to support her bed and it frees up floor space. We were storing clothes in bins below the bed having to slide them in and out. I decided to build a small cabinet that would allow us to easily access her clothes. It also serves as an extra countertop. I can pick up the cabinet for travel and set it on the floor. I learned from other posts on this forum, that by setting things on shelf liners on the floor that nothing moves during travel. I’ve found that in the evening I can set up the fiberglass extention Oliver provided and use it like an ottoman. With all the pillows it’s pretty cozy watching TV. This wouldn’t work for tall people, but my wife is tiny and I'm fine sleeping on the side bed. I think most of you tall folks have the Elite II anyway. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator+ ScubaRx Posted May 14, 2023 Moderator+ Share Posted May 14, 2023 We had a 2008 Elite with one the very few twin bed setups. We pulled it all over the US, up to Maine and twice to California. You've got a good setup. 2 Steve, Tali and our dog Rocky plus our beloved Storm, Lucy, Maggie and Reacher (all waiting at the Rainbow Bridge) 2008 Legacy Elite I - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #026 | 2014 Legacy Elite II - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #050 | 2022 Silverado High Country 3500HD SRW Diesel 4x4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank C Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 Very nice customization! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX Burner Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 Very cool mods @Ron and Phyllis! Especially like your rear cargo arrangement. Can you give a link to the rear platform for the storage box, pls? Thanks, brother! Art, Diane, Magnus & Oscar (double-Aaarrf!) 2022 TUNDRA 2017 LE II; Hull #226 "Casablanca" HAM call-sign: W0ABX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators SeaDawg Posted May 14, 2023 Moderators Share Posted May 14, 2023 Very nice mods, and craftsmanship @Ron and Phyllis. It's great that you and your wife can get out and enjoy camping, with your thoughtful changes. 2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4 2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12 Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes.... 400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries . Life is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron and Phyllis Posted May 14, 2023 Author Share Posted May 14, 2023 6 hours ago, MAX Burner said: Very cool mods @Ron and Phyllis! Especially like your rear cargo arrangement. Can you give a link to the rear platform for the storage box, pls? Thanks, brother! Gladly, If you use the Maxxhaul 70422 Aluminum Cargo Carrier, it looks like the support connector fits a 2" hitch. That's what I see on most of the carriers, so you'll need an adapter for the 1.25 on the Ollie. I happened to have another carrier ( Apex ACC2-4820 Metallic Aluminum Cargo Carrier) that came with two supports for either 2" or 1.25". I used the Apex 1.25" support on the Maxxhaul carrier as it fit perfectly. In a short search I don't see the Apex currently available. The box fits in either. I think it's important to use some very large washers or plates in the floor of box when mounting to prevent cracking. Now that I've used this for several trips, I think I'm going to add a small support chain inside connected to the lid to prevent it from going so far back when it's opened. All the other premade carriers I saw online were too heavy for the Oliver rear hitch or just didn't allow practically any cargo because of their weight. I uploaded screenshots of the box and MaxxHaul and hope you can open as I'm not sure how effectively I navigate around this forum. Hope it's all ok. Ron 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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