Leaderboard

The only regret I have is about the interior space. We camp with our 5-year-old and two small dogs...a lot of beings for a small space, and I realize we're not the target market for the Ollie. During clement weather it isn't a problem as we're mostly outside anyway. But when it's really cold or really hot or raining, when people want to be inside, it feels pretty small. If you're just a couple (or a single) with or without some pets I'd say the Oliver is the perfect size. I am ashamed to admit I looked at larger options like Bigfoot recently. But they're expensive, poorly balanced (25 footer has 1200lb+ tongue weight) and still require a lot of costly upgrades to get to where Oliver is already. And that interior.... I know a larger Oliver would be pushing the weight and cost envelope and give up some of the excellent tow-ability, but I would seriously consider it. But other than that the quality is what we found attractive about Oliver and it hasn't disappointed so far. Although that may not be saying much since we're less than a year into ownership. The mechanic that we take our trailer to for maintenance has been "in the biz" for 20 years and says our Ollie is the best-made RV he's ever worked on. Once we decorated inside it isn't "sterile" anymore and simply looks modern and CLEAN! Love the solar and beefy battery bank that makes boondocking easy peasy; not some piddly 120w panel and "upgraded" single battery that other manufacturers try to pass off as a boondocking setup. Mounting the four heavy batteries over the axles is a great design which ensures a properly balanced trailer, unlike just about every other travel trailer on the market. That's just one example of the superior design that you get in an Oliver. Another is the sewer storage bumper setup. I dislike not having a dry bath (separate shower) but what I like a lot better is a big, extremely useful closet and pantry in a trailer this size. I don't need a big 9 cu ft refrigerator/freezer like other makes offer. A) those trailers can't be off grid for more than a day or two anyway and B) where do you think you're going that you'd need that quantity of refrigerated/frozen provisions? We've taken five-day off-grid trips and the Dometic in the Ollie has been the perfect size. The benefit of the smaller-ish size is that we can fit into the vast majority of state/national park and forest service campsites, which was a priority for us since that's where we like to go.

FYI: there is an online company AB Lifestyles that makes the twin fitted and flat sheet to fit the Elite II twin beds. The sheets are curved and fit wonderfully and are absolutely soft, soft, soft. The top sheet has elastic at the bottom as well so it doesn't pull out making the bed oh so much easier to make. I love them my husband's only negative comment was hit feet felt trapped...LOL Karen & George #441

My "lower limit" is 45 and I usually only do that to get from a dirt road in the desert to the nearest gas station with a compressor. I ran that pressure on the last leg of one trip on the highway just to check it out, and they definitely ran warmer than at 50 and again at 60 psi. Warmer means more stress on the tire and more rolling resistance. So, I'd say 45 is the lower limit for me and not a good choice. Plus it leaves no headroom if I pick up a nail and don't notice it until the next fuel stop. Also, the difference in ride smoothness between 45 and 60 may not make a real difference. A couple of my upper cabinets still open sometimes and my cushions will not stay in place unless jammed in sideways. On washboard roads, all bets are off and there is no tire pressure that will stop the chaos. Window coverings come off and my microwave refused to stay in place before I remodeled that cabinet. This while looking for the smoothest speed of about 10 mph and 30-35 PSI in the tires. My feeble compressor was used to raise them from 30-35 PSI up to 45 for some highway and a better place to top them off. Now, I have a new compressor and will be able to set them wherever I want. I also carry a tire plug kit and have used it. These can be had for cheap and they are a very good tool to have along. It's easier to plug and refill a leaking tire than to change it and it keeps your spare available in case you really need it. I got a 3/8" bolt through my truck tire in the middle of nowhere, while towing Ollie and we were out of there in 20 minutes with no further problems. I've also used it to fix other people's tires in Death Valley.

Community. We tend to think of this word in its geographic meaning. But community means so much more. I believe those who own or who wish to own an Oliver have a deep sense of community--of commonality, fellowship, and individuality. Since discovering Olivers and this forum, I have often read contributors referring to the "Oliver Community" in their posts. It isn't just the travel trailers that Oliver creates that is amazing. It's the owners who are so willing to help with advice, encouragement, and ideas. In the best meaning of the word "community", the builders and owners of Oliver Travel Trailers exemplify a community. The word isn't cute or catchy, but it truly illustrates fully what builders and owners are...a COMMUNITY. And I pray that one day I can be a small part of this wonderful community.

There are a number of different types of tire plugging systems on the market. Most are the "string" type - these use what looks like a string of black material that is inserted into the hole in the tire. However, there are also some that are a bit more substantial and resemble the "mushroom" plugs that many tire repair shops use. Which ever type you wind up with I'd suggest that you find an old tire and practice with it a couple of times prior to actually needing to perform a real plugging on the side of a dark wet road in the middle of nowhere. Also, after plugging a tire make sure that you check the air pressure in that tire often for the first couple of days just to make sure that the plug has done its job. Bill

I am now running 45 psi instead of 60. I am sure it rides less roughly, which is more important to me than cooler temps or less rolling resistance. I did blow out two shocks a year after delivery. I don’t know if my higher running pressure then had anything to do with that. But it could have contibuted. Less sidewall movement increases the load on shocks and springs. I won’t hesitate to drop the trailer tires to 30 if I have to tow a long way on potholes or washboard. I sometimes air down my Land Cruiser to 25 psi cold, which is about 30 warm. The extra flex really softens the ride for the occupants. But speeds must be kept low or the tires will quickly overheat. You can’t just hop on the highway and drive half an hour to an air pump, it won’t be safe. BTW my avitar picture is of me squatting down beside my old Series 80 lowering air pressure by installing Staun tire deflators-a very cool tool, worthwhile if you want to do this routinely with minimal time and fuss. https://www.amazon.com/Staun-Automatic-Tire-Deflators-Standard/dp/B00QBPBLWY John Davies Spokane WA

Call it what you want but I saw a bunch of Ollie’s this morning

Snow in the desert! West of Tucson in Saguaro National Park this past February.

Somewhere along I-40 west, coming back from TN on the maiden voyage..... This is one reason we decided to call our new Elite II “Mouse”. No license plate! We towed it bome without even a temporary and did not get noticed.... the gal at Oliver Trailers who was supposed to get the tag forgot. I don’t really recommend this. John Davies Spokane WA

I have come close to that same error several times. I have now adopted a preventative solution. I put my hose wraps on the pressure regulator. When I coil the hose and grab the hose wraps and remember “Oh yeah, the pressure regulator.” The consensus from this post is that it is okay, even desirable in hot weather, to drive with the Max Air vent open.

Nan, Many pull Oliver EII's with a 1/2 ton truck. What you must pay attention to is the tow ratings of the individual truck/vehicle you intend to purchase. Payloads and hitch weights are important, along with the total weight the TV can safely handle. Each vehicle has its ratings posted on a label - usually- on the inner door or body door pillar. Use that and not what a salesman tells you. I would suggest you learn all you can about tow ratings - what the numbers mean. There are plenty of web sites that can help you with this. If you have a friend that is knowledgeable, hit them up. I personally never trust the salespeople. Their interests usually don't match yours. All of the large US manufacturers make decent trucks. I wouldn't limit my self to any one dealer. I haven't looked, but I would bet there are some 2018 3/4 ton GMC's on a lot near you. If your dealer wants a sale they can find exactly what you want - or you can do the same - the GM web site can do it also. I just did a quick search - found two within 30 miles of me in mid TN. I am certain there are some in GA. RB

Here is a new thread with a Tire Pressure Placard I made. You can print it out and/ or laminate it. The data came from the link above, which has way more info than we need, and it is a little flaky on some computers. http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/how-to-tire-pressure-placard/ John Davies Spokane WA