Leaderboard

To Oliver Owners and Valued Customers, As committed to several weeks ago, the Oliver Travel Trailers business owners and leadership team have discussed at length internally, with our dealer partners, as well as with Oliver owners and potential customers, the subject of continuing to offer service here in Hohenwald, TN. Oliver Travel Trailers has decided to leave our service facility fully operational for the foreseeable future. Oliver Travel Trailers remains committed to supporting and training our dealer network to provide exceptional opportunities to purchase and get an Oliver serviced as close to home as possible. The Oliver sales and service team remains available to assist with any needs or questions that you may have. Once again, Oliver Travel Trailers truly values the relationships we have with our owners, potential customers, and business partners. Thank you for the feedback and continued support. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Oliver Owner’s Rally in May. Best, Rodney Lomax Director of Operations Oliver Travel Trailers Sales & Service

I spent all day yesterday installing Alcon leaf springs, Alcon U-bolts and new Monroe shocks on our trailer. I did the work myself and have to say that I recommend tackling it yourself if you have even average mechanical abilities and a torque wrench. I haven't had time to give it a test tow yet but am optimistic that the tow to the rally will be trouble free.

Jim Oliver told me personally that the frame was designed to handle up to 3X the GVWR. He quoted the number at 21K pounds. I do know that the number of rear cross members is now twice those of the three 22 footers that were built in 2010 (that was what the Elite II’s were called back then.)

Using a u-nut can re-establish structural integrity. I found that repeated cover removal/installs by folks with power tools stripped the cover holes to the point the screws would fall out. The u-nut worked my my situation....they come in various sizes and materials. I no longer have a Dometic AC (Truma now) but if I did I would install u-nuts as a preventative measure. Steve

No, but originally there were only four. Like mine, the belly behind the axles started to sag and more were added. Yours was likely repaired prior to your acquisition. You are correct that the frame's were shorter and the bumpers were almost flush with the back of the hull when the first two 22 footers were built in 2008-2009. They were likely done this way because that's the way the 17 foot Elite rear storage area had been designed. In 2014, after the hiatus, the decision was made to lengthen the frame on both the models. This was done for looks and since there was no other fiberglass travel trailer this big it made for good marketing. The length of a travel trailer is defined by the distance from the tip of the hitch to the back of the bumper, so the 17 foot Elite became 18.5 feet long and the 22 footer became 23.5 feet long and was finally given an official name, becoming the Elite II. Even though the rear of the frame was lengthened by 1.5 feet the number of cross members remained the same as before. This 22 foot trailer were built during late 2008 and early 2009 although it was not sold right away. Another unit was built for Jim Oliver and it was completed. He named it "The beast". A third unit was planned but the company decided to shutter the trailer line and it was never started. Here are a few construction pictures taken during that time period. Some were taken by myself and some by Robert Partee, the sales manager at the time. Here you can plainly see the frame rails extending far beyond the rear of the body and the cross members welded below the belly.

We’re on our way to Hohenwald for our second Oliver service visit in 8 years. Staying tonight at Clear Spring COE campground on Wright Patman Lake outside of Texarkana. We usually stop here on our way east. There are 4 Loops, A, C, and D are FHU. Loop B on the lake is W/E, which is where we normally stay. Unfortunately, I’m just using E because when I hooked up my W nothing worked. I must have a stuck check valve in the back. Oh well, the water pump works fine and Monday I’ll ask Jason to replace it since I don’t have a spare. Mike

We like Homolvi SP AZ, too. Nice area! Sunset at Homolivi without photoshop: We visited during a car show:

We certainly are Patriot and @rideandfly and thanks for writing well wishes. Today was GREAT! Finally made it to Cedar Breaks NM and what a view. Literally breathless at 10,440 FT! The park is still closed for winter, but you can park at the North View Overlook. Since I've been reporting weather, it was 63 degrees in Parowan and only 43 another 4000 FT higher at the lookout. Chris too 100 pictures and I took some too. She got this one of me sitting on the overlook wall. Have proof we was there! Simply amazing! Didn't want to leave, but had to eventually, only had a couple layers and a spring jacket.

In Homolvi Ruins SP near Winslow AZ. Heading toward Disneyland. This park has water & electric and baths with showers. An RV dump is available by the exit. Pix of trailer from site 9. ‘

I had a screw fall out of my Dometic AC cover. Couldn’t find a replacement locally. Called Dometic and they sent me 5 screws. No charge. Mike

Thank you Scott and team! Oliver service has an outstanding reputation and keeps owners in touch with the company through personal contact. I think this is a great decision. Mike

Chris has been playing around with a drone. Hope this movie loads... Oliver Drone Movie.mp4

I'm positive that the Service guys will do everything in their power to get that used cover to you. Nice job on the temp repair. Bill

Yes, that is ours. I have the original receipt and it was sold in August 2009. It had blue/grey graphics when we bought it but I removed them since they were deteriorating so badly. Replaced the Front and side "Oliver" decals with original colors, though.

@CRM, the original demo Oliver had red and black graphics, shown at Q in early 2009. Yours may be the one sold in August of 2009 to a couple in California and Arizona, as it has blue and grey graphics? Not sure. The last one made before the hiatus in December, 2009, went to Jim Oliver, if i remember correctly. . However, I can't really trust 15 yeat old memories. I only remember three, and maybe jims was the demo, so two???. But, maybe Scubarx knows of others. He spent a lot more time at the factory than I did on those days (and still does.) You definitely own a piece of Oliver history. Lucky find!

I had a similar issue with 1 of 3 lithionics batteries on my 2021 LE2. I went through the checklist...installing new app, etc...nothing worked until I simply turned off the battery (all three actually), waited a few minutes and turned them back on.....issue immediately solved with no reoccurrence. Steve

Looks like long rubber in the back, perpendicular to the trailer (see pic). The short piece parallel in front (mine looks like duct tape there).

Boy! These units were even pretty Way back then. Good design never goes out of style! Bill

I think I see where the difference in cross members count may be. I have the original brochure for the E2's that came out before the shutdown and they show the rear bumper almost flush with the back of the hull. Maybe 2 or 3 extra cross members added when they extended the bumper and storage area out further? The first one or two E2's that that Oliver's kept must have been built as shown in the brochure and then the design was changed for the one I currently own since my dimensions match the current dimensions.

I received the parts box from the Oliver Service guys/gal about 7pm last night. Below are some pics of what was in the box. Note that the U-bolts and appropriate washers and nuts are nice stainless steel. Here are the measurements: two - stainless steel U-bolts with associated hardware measuring - 8"x3 3/4" x 3/8" two painted steel plates measuring - 6 1/8" x 2" x 1/8" one dense rubber pad measuring - 10" x 2" x 3/8" one dense rubber pad measuring - 43" x 2" x 1/4" Bill

Gotta be able to pull it with my truck....

Thank you Rodney, and the entire Service Team for your outstanding dedication and excellent customer care.

👍

Thank you Rodney and OTT.

Beautiful scenery today!!!!!!!!!!!! Good tips! Thanks for posting this great trip!

Rodney, thank you.🙏

BTW, it's not advised to tow your Oliver up SR-143. It's a 4K FT climb in 12 miles, and REALLY STEEP the last 2 miles prior to the town of Brian Head. Road signs showed 13% grade and there was a sign going up and another coming down stating "Trailer Towing Not recommended." We did see a new-model HD Ram-Cummins pulling a ~7K trailer up as we were heading back down. Our older 4-speed automatic was working hard on this route, even without trailer attached. I had OD off the entire climb and trans temp was 221F when we parked at the top, where 172F is highway normal. The hottest I've seen pulling the Oliver, when hot outside on an Interstate climb was 201F. If you ever get in a situation where your trans slips, or if you have a temp reading, it gets too hot, stop and put your trans in neutral (NOT Park) which allows the trans fluid to cycle through the cooler. When in Park, the fluid is sitting still, staying hot much longer. I did this for 5 minutes and the temp dropped over 30 degrees. A transmission performance upgrade is very likely in our future.

Our trip has been one of weather extremes, from the high 90s 10 days ago in S NV to a high of 63 in Cedar City Utah yesterday. We spent the night at a BLM site (free dispersed camping), the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs: Utah Petroglyphs | Parowan Gap | Visit Utah. The low overnight was 28 and now that it's 10:30 AM it's 50 and feels very warm in the sun (altitude 5600 FT). What a difference a day makes, not only in temperatures, but the contrast between a busy state park and the open BLM. Here our closest neighbors, 4 of them are a minimum of 300 yards away. We met two great couples at Snow Canyon, and then we heard complaining from some not-happy campers. A Class-A with Florida plates, parked in a narrow site like ours a couple spaces down. Slides open on both sides, one was nearly touching the shade structure and the other was hanging over the shared hookups. Common S FL dress, where the couple came out in wool hats and winter coats, since it was only 70 out! The Oregon couple next to them in the Sprinter Class-B had much to say about the space they were taking and running their basement HVAC all day and night, so they cranked up their stereo! Chris and I looked at each other thinking yep, it's time to leave! We’re wearing shorts of course. Gave Charley a bath on our way out that morning, by backing the truck bed right to the Oliver outdoor shower. Better washing the dog at a good height. We hitched up, filled fresh, dumped the tanks, and I used the campground shower myself after everything else was done. And we headed north, SR-18 north, to SR-56 east to SR-130 north, a very nice route avoiding I-15. This location will be great for the next few days since it's warming up again. We're also 45 minutes to Cedar Breaks National Monument which is the one great SW-Utah park that we have not yet visited. The mountain we can see from our campsite is Brian Head Peak (11,307 FT).

When @mossemi mentioned bolts, I first thought bolting to the frame. But then looking at my first picture above, you could just bolt to the same kind of plate below. You do not really need the U- part that goes in the tray. It could be just 2 bolts with washers. If you already purchased the U-bolt kit, I would just use them. I would think the bolts should be 5/16", 1/4" is too light and 3/8" overkill. The length should be the height of the frame plus an inch or so. Mine look long, like I should cut off the extra thread!

You have a very good memory! Here it is on the original brochure. This one is definitely a 22' since the bumper is close to the hull.

Answering my own question. Found this on the www. Lithionics-Bluetooth-App-FAQ-RevA.pdf

Mike & Carol - Shame that the ceramic coating shine isn't holding up on your Ollie - it looks great! I'm sure that Jason and the Service team will get you back in business with the water. See you two soon - have a safe trip. Bill

Great snaps, brother - keep 'em com'n! Enjoy your Ollie Adventure in the Rockies... Cheers!

Hey, John - awesome vid, brother! However, as a rule, D, the Knuckleheads, and I prefer the way-more less populated boondocking options - you and Chris should try it sometime. We just loath being "elbow-to-elbow" with other campers on public land. HA! (JK, of course!) Cheers!

Rodney, We appreciate Oliver’s consideration and decision to keep service available in Tennessee. Best Regards, Bill

I love this announcement. It bolsters my faith in the company. First, let me say that because I live in California it's unlikely that I would be able to use the service center unless I happened to be nearby and happened to need some service. My distance from OTT has caused me to learn how to do things myself (thanks forum!) or get help from someone out this way. Nevertheless, I've been concerned by some of the recent developments with the company. My first contact with the company was way back in 2016 when I called to get information and spoke to Heather Oliver. Very cool. Then I met Anita in the old office and got a factory tour. Wow. It was clear that this family owned and operated company made the best quality trailer in America, and I wanted one. Yes, change can be hard, and yes, a business that doesn't grow is bound to die. But this announcement softens some of my concerns and shows that the company is listening and places customer satisfaction as a top value. Rodney's message is a good vibe. (you'll have to excuse me, I'm from California! lol.)

x2 Brother! Such a hard pass! See you and your bride at the rally!

The right call by the right company. Thank you.

Oliver moved north to Parowan Gap. Picture taken returning from our day outing when we could first see the campsite from Gap Rd. If you can see Ollie in the first pic, you have good eyes! Zoomed in on the second picture.

The fuse should be under the street side access panel. It’s an inline 2A fuse I believe.

Yikes! I’m sorry that happened!

The service department will coordinate with parts for you, or at least they did in the past. Call Service, or better yet, use their chat it seems to work better by opening a ticket.

@Badger I recently sold my used cargo box and purchased the Sea biscuit custom locking cargo container and am very happy with it. If I were looking to add a cargo box I would seriously consider this option. It’s more money but you do get a lot more dry lockable storage and it’s very well made. David Hess the owner of Sea biscuit and his team craft fine products built to custom fit to Olivers right in Tenn and they ship. There are other much less expensive cargo box options as well. If you opt to order from Sea biscuit you will need the Ubolts and plates from Oliver to secure the box. Mike Sharpe at Oliver Service can sell and ship you what you need. We store ALL of our immediate go to set up gear in this box with room to spare. It leaves plenty of extra room in our TV bed. David & Kristine Hess will be at the rally if you plan on attending. We are very happy with our cargo box! Cheers Happy Camping! https://seabiscuitmetaldesigns.com/product/oliver-box/

Exactly right, John. Our's front cross beam has the same gap with what looks like a rubber gasket between the aluminum and the fiberglass hull...FYI

Finishing up our visit at Snow Canyon. It doesn't snow much here, so this Utah state park gets its name from two Latter-Day Saint pioneers, Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, who assisted in settling the area during the 1860s. This is a mountain bikers paradise it appears, so many trails. They have a race starting here in a few days and the enthusiasts are showing up each day! They also have an amazing asphalt paved two-lane bike trail from here all the way down to St George. Is this the race route? We followed it for miles, going into town today for supplies. Our final picture here is of the "Petrified Sand Dunes."

Mosquito Lake State Park in northeast Ohio for the Casitas of Ohio Spring Kick-Off Egg Rally. Three Oliver’s, four Escapes, a couple Scamps, two Cortez, a Trillium, and 20 Casitas. Deb was fiddling with “night mode” on her phone. Next up is a weekend with Tearjerkers and then head to Alabama!

First campfire breakfast of 2024, on a beautiful western NC Sunday morning.

The 'business' selling Hitches to Vehicle Owners to Tow a Travel Trailer is very profitable. If you need it, or not. With a heavier Tow Vehicle, a Weight Distribution Hitch may be of no value and just not needed. It is NECESSARY for undersized tow vehicles, connected to a heavy travel trailer... of any brand. It may be UNNECESSARY for an oversized tow vehicle to use Weight Distribution to Control Sway of the Travel Trailer. I found, a bit too late, that I did not need the Weight Distribution to prevent Sway Control or leveling Trailer to Tow Vehicle. I tow our 27/28 foot Airstream, 7800# unloaded, 'On the Ball' with our F350. No sagging rear end, No sway. I tow our Oliver Elite II, 7000#, with the F350 On the Ball. We then know how to load our tow vehicle and trailer, as well. You want to add a lot of weight to the rear end of your travel trailer... reconsider there may be consequences. Sway is one. The Airstream Forums have worked with this... compromise... of Tow Vehicle versus Airstream length versus Sway Control that requires Weight Distribution. You probably should know why, as this is suppose to be a short observation learned by experience. The Oliver Elite II travels very well behind our F350 Diesel 4x4... always and On the Ball. I am speaking for our Double Axle Elite II. I do not tow a single axle Oliver. Are there other Oliver Elite II owners towing... On the Ball? What is your experienced response. Are there any Oliver Elite I or II owners with Positive or Negative experiences. Most owners want to use their daily driver to tow, I understand. I am a western cow paddy kicker and use to trying something, by testing step by step, so I do not 'step into it' and make a mess of things. (I am not an engineer, physics professor or sell travel trailers or hitches. Safety is important to you and others. Experiment in areas where you can test your Ball to Trailer Coupler height and weight onto the Ball.) Do not experiment with my explaining my experiences, until you are comfortable with alternatives and comfortable with the initial risk of towing on the ball. Our experiences towing was with a 2006 Toyota 4.7L engine Tundra 4x4, and was borderline towing the 2006 23 foot Foot Airstream, as the rear end was down no matter how much weight distribution I applied... and never tried towing on the ball... because of that. The Tundra was a 1/2 ton in comparison to 3/4 and 1 ton options. I add a photograph from an Off the Grid towing on the ball. I have been towing ON the Ball since 2016, any conditions of wind, rain, highway speeds, road grade down a mountin or up a mountain, passing 18 wheelers... not one issue. Towing on the Interstates, paved, unpaved or Off the Grid roads... Six Years of seasonal towing without one negative to report. What might your experiences been?

We used an equalizer hitch with our Tacoma and airstream. Basecamp 16 x. It was a great hitch and we had a lot of squat in the Tacoma wo the equalizer. We now have a F250 Tremor, factory 3” lift and reportedly the 250 and 350 both have 350 rear springs. We tow our LE2 on the ball and generally have had a great experience. The only issue was on a trip to Fruita, CO with a particularly strong gusty crosswind and had to slow down some. Otherwise the setup is stable as can be. One of the primary reasons for the upgrade to a F250 was the ability to tow wo a weight distribution hitch. In the greater scheme of things hitching a WDH is a minor issue but certainly something to avoid if possible. The other primary reason was payload.

We used the Andersen WDH with three different trucks. When we went with the Ram 2500 diesel 3.5 years ago I sold the Andersen and have been towing on the ball since. Never a single sway issue. Never had an issue with the other trucks either, but it sure is easier to hook up and go without a WDH hitch. Mike