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Hull 218 "Mouse" safe at home


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Hi guys, I have been offline for a long time and wanted to tell you a little about my trailer "Mouse". Soon I will start new threads on certain topics, with pictures, but for now I have copied my email to Jason and Anita.

 

Hi Jason;

 

We had a great trip back to Spokane but it was physically exhausting. We put 3025 miles on the trailer after delivery. It tows beautifully behind my full sized Ram 5.9 diesel and I got 14.5 mpg combined, with a best of 16.4. Several times I was really glad of its compact size. Its width matches the width of my truck’s fender flares. if my mirrors clear, so will the Oliver.,… We took it from Durango to Ouray over a TWISTY 11,000 ft pass and it did great, except for the drawers all dumping stuff everywhere….

 

Hey Anita, we made it home without getting ticketed for the missing travel permit, but I sweated bullets every time we passed a cop, which admittedly was not very often. (Note: Anita was unable to give me a temporary tag since the lady who does it was on vacation. The trailer  travelled "naked" the entire trip.)

 

 

 

There are several items that need to be addressed, and some that I just want you to be aware of, and to pass on, to avoid future issues. I hope you will send the needed parts directly to me so I can avoid having to go to an RV dealer. As an ex-aircraft mechanic I have the tools and skills to do the work myself, correctly and professionally.

 

Problems and defects to be corrected by Oliver:

 

1 - 4G Cell booster flashes red/ green all the time and does not do anything. The antenna has a small metal ground plane, but is it actually big enough? Also the plate appears to be plain steel and is already rusting! Can you supply me with a bigger stainless plate to fix this? I would prefer a flex antenna if it is available, to prevent breaking it off on a branch.

 

2 - Drawer slides are still screwed up. The bedside table drawer immediately broke one stop free from the wood. I duct taped it closed for the rest of the trip. The other drawers all open in transit on twisty roads and dump stuff onto the floor. I believe that they are not yet damaged. I would like to install stainless latches in all drawers (except the tip-out sponge tray) to match the ones already used in the pantry and closet. I would be happy to pay your wholesale cost for the latches. Please send me:

Qty 1: set drawer stops (L and R)

Qty 3: non-locking latches

Qty 3: locking latches and keys

Qty 6: striker plates

 

(Note: I want to replace the two non-locking latches in my propane access hatches with locking, and will use those inside for in the cabin drawers. The third locking latch will be for the bedside table drawer for extra security.) The drawer problem is a serious one and you definitely need to fix this on the production line! The screws are too short and they MUST have additional secure locking latches. Simply slamming on the brakes is enough to cause the rear drawer to fly open!

 

3 - Dining lights switch at main entry is defective. The one in back is fine. Please send me:

Qty 1 - dining light switch.

 

4 - External solar port: wires are unprotected by split loom, completely unsecured in both bays, and NO FUSE is installed! Should have a 10 amp. Please send m:

Qty 1: Yellow inline fuse holder and 10 amp fuse.

 

5 - Hot water heater failed on propane. AC element works fine. The board is bad. There is power to the solenoid and the indicator light, but there is no ignition. The unit cycles three times, then locks out.I checked the board and verified that it has power and ground. The breakers are not tripped. Please send me:

Qty 1: Hot water heater control board (module).

______________________________________________________________

For your information only. Please pass this on to your crew.

 

A - Wheels: were not balanced. I had the work done en route for $50. I think they should be balanced there, before delivery. Or at least make it an option.

 

B - Natures Head: fan was inoperative for first three days. I traced the problem to a blown fuse in the main panel. It was a 1 amp, and was supposed to be 2 to 5 amps. The fuse location was NOT labeled! I labeled it and installed a 3 amp fuse. I think that you should install a small green LED in the circuit near the toilet so it is easy to see that the fan is powered.

 

C - Natures Head: agitator handle very loose and fell off. I tightened the jam bolt and nut.

 

D - Hot water was tepid, never reaching full temperature. I found the valves at the outside shower wide open (bypassing) and closed them.

 

E - Refrigerator quit after three days, display panel was completely dead. I found the fuse loose in the socket. The fuse was visibly cocked down and the prongs were spread so that they did not make tight contact. I squeezed the prongs together to fix it. Please ask your electricians to be careful not to tweak the fuses in their holders.

 

F - Solar panel knobs: loose after 100 miles. One was a full half turn loose. I modified them by drilling holes in the knobs and securing them with white nylon wire ties. It is very easy to VISUALLY check from the ground if they have moved. I think it is MOST IMPORTANT that you do something to secure these fasteners! Most owners would not think of checking them routinely. This should be a Service Bulletin.

 

 

 

G - Atwood Air Command display was set to Centigrade. I switched it to Fahrenheit (press and hold Down and Fan buttons).

 

H - Zamp ZS-30A Solar Charge Control: missing literature. I will download and print it out. It is recommended that owners check and re-torque the terminal screws after 30 days. Make this a Service Bulletin.

 

I - Dexter axle and brakes literature missing. I will download.

 

J - Bulldog couple literature missing. I will download. They recommend to LUBE THE BALL and other moving parts. This coupler can be a real bitch to latch if things are even slightly mis-aligned. Do you have any suggestions? I plan to grind a 45 degree bevel on the bottom of the coupler opening to help it slide down onto the ball, past the ball flat. I would install a round top ball, if I could locate one.

 

K - Furnace: smells “hot" on initial start, each time, used three nights. Is this normal?

 

L - Loose and unsecured wiring: pretty much everywhere. I secured the rats nests with wire ties. This may meet RV standards but it is very disappointing to find in a premium trailer. And do you really need a 12 foot video cable for a three foot run to a bluray player????!

 

 

 

M - Seat cushion foam: really poor quality, can I order some denser stuff? The supplied foam has zero support. Disappointing! Or did I get a bad batch?

 

N - TV installation: it really is in the way! Especially with the ten inch mattress. I removed it and the bracket completely. There was no way to get into the under bed storage area. It needs a swing out setup that stows under the rear cabinet.

 

O - Checklists: I will write a Travel and Camp checklist and post it at the entry door. Maybe you could do this at the factory.

 

P - Twin beds: are not really twins, they are 30 inches wide (not 39”). You should list this in the sales literature. My linens are way too large and will need to be cut down.

 

Q - Pantry: needs a light!

 

R - Under bed and under dinette storage: Would be MUCH more useful with removable rimmed trays that would provide a flat floor while protecting nearby wires and plumbing.

 

S - Overhead cabinets: need ventilation in storage, perhaps short lanyards to hold them open six inches (risk of mildew). Use diamond stone to make a bevel on the SHARP EDGES of the mirrored doors!. They are real head knockers when hanging down!

 

T - Fantastic Fan: green light is way too bright at night, needs a shield or cover with tape.

 

U - Mud flaps: needed to prevent road junk from collecting on water connections, underside of hull and rear jacks. Should be a factory option..

 

Thanks for your prompt attention to the main numbered issues listed at the top of the page.

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

  • Thanks 2

SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

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1)We took it from Durango to Ouray over a TWISTY 11,000 ft pass and it did great, except for the drawers all dumping stuff everywhere….

 

2) Bulldog couple literature missing. I will download. They recommend to LUBE THE BALL and other moving parts. This coupler can be a real bitch to latch if things are even slightly mis-aligned. Do you have any suggestions?

 

3) K – Furnace: smells “hot” on initial start, each time, used three nights. Is this normal?

 

4) Q – Pantry: needs a light!

 

5) T – Fantastic Fan: green light is way too bright at night, needs a shield or cover with tape.

 

Thanks for your prompt attention to the main numbered issues listed at the top of the page. John Davies Spokane WA

 

Sounds like one heck of a first trip John :)

 

1) We put the cushions from the dinette in front of the drawers with a couple of pillows to block them from opening if we are going to be on curvy roads.

 

2) The Bulldog Hitch is great as is, but... You sometimes need to push it over from the drivers side so it will click onto the ball before trying to crank the jack off of the ground and close the lever. Just set the tongue on the ball, take it down a touch on the switch, and then push it over into place. That hitch is great, the best that I've ever had. I wouldn't grind it down. Look at it from underneath and have someone lower it while you watch it hit the ball.

 

3) The furnace needs a few days to burn out, that's normal and it took a few days for us also.

 

4) We thought about a pantry light but but the ceiling light is right above it and with the pantry full, like ours always is, a light wouldn't work for us anyway.

 

5) When you take the fantastic fan off of auto, the light goes out. We never run it in auto, we just set it on low mostly.

 

Welcome to the club of 2017 owners :)

 

Does the water heater work OK now? Is it the Suburban?

 

Make sure that the Zamp controller is set to your type of batteries, basically AGM or Wet Cell.

 

Looking Great :)

 

 

  • Thanks 1

Happy Camping,


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Reed & Karen Lukens with Riffles our Miniature Poodle


2017 Oliver Legacy Elite II  Standard, Hull #200 / 2017 Silverado High Country 1500 Short Bed 4x4


Past TV - 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 4Matic BlueTEC Diesel


Click on our avatar pic above to find the videos on our Oliver Legacy Elite II


 

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Sorry about your troubles but thanks for posting them here so that those of us who haven't picked up ours know what to look for.  I'm keeping a running list of things to check.

 

Your trailer looks great - please keep us up to date on your adventures and modifications.

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