Leaderboard

Thanks for the kind words regarding my craft. I consider an Oliver the best blank canvas to create a personal space of your dreams I make countertop upgrades for the Oliver along with other organization options. My countertops are relief cut so they sit down on the cabinet not on top of it, this is a classic look of fine cabinets. I offer Mahogany, Mahogany & Maple Strips, Poplar stained grey or dark brown to match the Oliver flooring option and Walnut with or without live edge. Below is a link to my PDF catalog and some sample pictures of my craft. It I can craft something for you please reachout to me. 48ocean@gmail.com or call my cell 516-635-5656. Foybles PDF Catalog Onward, Foy Sperring Hull # 227

A couple of thoughts here: 1. no real need to flush the toilet with antifreeze at the temps being discussed here - 30's & 40's during the day and mid 20's at night as Mike points out above. 2. Either your Oliver will be delivered in the winterized mode or you can request for it to be delivered that way. I would simply leave it winterized, carry some milk jugs with water for flushing the toilet and carry some water in the TV for drinking and possible "GI type cleanup" as per Maniac above. 3. Relax and enjoy the delivery and trip. Bill

It's easy, but not inexpensive. Unless you can do it yourself. Even then, zippers and fabric are not very inexpensive. I'm redoing my patio furniture this winter. At a bargain closeout site, my fabric was close to $200, ykk zippers more $, and good thread, more $. My labor, of course, is "free." Small 3 seater sofa, 2 seater love seat, 2 chairs. 14 cushions. That's just sunbrella type, not brand fabric. Ultra would be double, at least, on even my favorite closeout sites. I personally think a blue and/or green fabric in the mix would be a nice change.

Susan makes a great case for buying a different brand. Where do you live, where will you tow? I hope not in Wyoming or the Dakotas..... John Davies Spokane WA

You don't need to pump antifreeze in this one. Just cock or remove the filter screen washer briefly to allow any residual water to drain from the line up to the check valve. I drain all four of mine this way and then leave the plugs loose if not traveling.

I don't think this is a factor, when towing with a Benz, but feel I must mention it: We had a B+ class motor home based on a MB 3500 Sprinter chassis. With 6-cyl diesel it had plenty of power and handled well, aside from being susceptible to sway when driving in heavy wind. However, in four years time, we had two wheel speed sensor failures. The added height/weight/sway of the coach was probably a big factor leading to these failures, but it was spec'd by MB for RV use, so perhaps it was an engineering flaw in the 2016 model chassis. My bit of warning is: These breakdowns were a huge inconvenience, as they occurred during road trips. In theory, you are not totally disabled; without the speed sensors working properly you have no anti-lock brake function, but brakes do still work, and the electronic cruise control is disabled. However, Mercedes feels it must protect you from harm, so you only have a limited drive time before the engine computer puts the vehicle into limp mode and forces you to "visit a workshop now!" Here it gets interesting. Scenerio #1: May 16, 2019. We're driving a MB Sprinter motor home and breakdown in the middle of nowhere (I-80, somewhere east of Winnemucca, NV). The throttle begins acting erratically so we pull into a rest area just as the computer switches the engine to "safe mode" (think Windows Blue Screen of Death!). We call MB roadside assistance. Long story short - two days camped at the rest area (first tow truck couldn't find us, then couldn't haul us), they send another tow vehicle; a three hour drive to the nearest MB "workshop" in Reno (three of us in the cab of a 1 1/2 ton tow truck, me sitting on the console jump seat), three nights on the street in Reno (we arrived 15 min before service closed). 5 days of our momentous trip to Arizona stalled due to a right rear wheel speed sensor failure. Scenerio #2 was better, since we knew what to expect: It's May, 2020 - a year since the occurrence of Scenerio #1. We were only 75 miles into our trip, so we returned home and arranged for repair (again, nearest MB service is 2 1/2 hrs away). This time we took a chance and drove to the shop without limping in. Though we might never have another wheel sensor fail, interrupted trips aren't in our retirement plan. On the drive home we decided it was time to sell the motor home (thanks to Covid-19 it's a seller's market!). These are adventures we won't forget, but some good did come from our mishaps - they led us to purchasing an Oliver 😁 Bottom line is, with all else being good, and you can tow an Oliver Elite with the Metris, if breakdowns require warranty service (some components are warrantied for 5 and even 10 years), MB certified shops are not as windspread as Dodge, GM, Ford, or Toyota, et al. If not under warranty, service may be easier to obtain, as Dodge shops that work on Promaster vans can make Sprinter repairs, though they might not be warranty certified. The MB Metris might have more options than the larger Sprinter chassis. Just be aware that towing with a MB, whether it be the Metris, a larger Sprinter van, or an SUV, you will need to tolerate few-and-far-between MB service locations. Not so, towing with most non-European vehicles. For sure, when on the road, identify the locations of MB service along your route.

My previous trailer 30’ Airstream Serenity had the ultra leather Oyster 5 months traveling across the country with two dogs it was one of the only things that held up well.

Thanks John. Clearly the Kimberley and Oliver are two different animals. . .the focus of my post was the off road ability of the LEII. I appreciate the info and links you provided. It seems (unfortunately) the LEII isn't a great choice off-pavement.

For trips where towing temps are above freezing and nighttime temperatures are mid to high 20s I would not worry about winterizing. We’ve camped in the teens at night with and without hookups and had no issues. If you are going to have sustained temps in the 20s or below, day and night, then you might winterize or head to warmer temperatures. Mike

At wakeup I usually just hook up the water and run until clear at all faucets. I also use that time to sanitize the tank and water lines. Flushing the lines seems to eliminate any after taste the antifreeze might leave. That being said, if I happen to pull out near the end of winter, I might leave the antifreeze in until below the Mason-Dixon Line. That is also when we wake up the water heater. And we have a couple of gallons on RV antifreeze to flush with, and we carry a case of drinking water that we keep in a heat source (either truck or camper).

That live edge walnut top might be my first upgrade when I get my trailer next year. That looks amazing !

Beautiful stuff, Foy. BTW, an excellent alternative for marine vinyl is Morbern Prodigy. Under $20/yd.

Foy, your work is that of a true craftsman. I love seeing your photos! Sherry

That interior is called salsa that is an option on the airstream Serenity

Does Oliver not offer the Dakota Black counters any more? That would be strange, since it seems like one of the most popular colors. They just sent me a bath vanity top in that color. Oliver used to do wood for the microwave door if you had that option, and wood for the small countertops at the fridge and panty used to be an option. I've also seen photos of one Ollie with a wooden dinette table. I've never seen one with the kitchen countertop in wood, but there may be one out there - certainly it's possible. At least one of the earliest Ollies had wooden doors on the cabinets and even the bath and closet!