sakthorp
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Posts posted by sakthorp
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We purchased a RAM 1/2 ton with the "Limited' trim level three years ago. (2017 model) Very nice truck, nice interior and the newer ones look even nicer. That said, because we purchased the top of the line trim level, with all options, plus adding a bed cap/canopy, we don't have much payload capacity left and it's a real issue since you have to deduct the tongue weight from the payload capacity. Note that our payload capacity listed on the brochure is different that the sticker in the door because we have all the options like moonroof, running boards, 4x4, etc etc etc.
You're probably fine with the Oliver Elite I, since your tongue weight will be less. But figure on the weight you will add to the truck, including humans. Just check those numbers on the door jam to figure it out. We're looking at upgrading to a 3/4 ton, either RAM or Ford because we need a truck canopy to cover and secure the items we take with us (recumbent trikes and accessories, Honda generator, tools, ice chest, etc.).-
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We refused a winter delivery and postponed our order so that we could arrive in May to attend the Oliver Rally in Alabama. We were advised that we might have to absorb a price increase by delaying until the next production year (2019), but my husband was adamant about not traveling from Oregon until at least spring. He didn't want to risk snow, or anxiety over towing in a rain storm/winds, etc. He actually preferred a summer delivery but I didn't want to wait, so we compromised on May 😊 That said, we DID have to shelter in place when a tornado came through Arkansas. We stayed at a Harvest Host who offered their wine cellar to us if need be. We were fine at that location but the next morning, saw the devastation nearby.
I don't recall going through Dodge City, but we didn't do much sight seeing on the route there. On the route back we took our time and enjoyed the trip (except for that tornado). I'm a native West Coaster and had never seen that type of devastation first hand 😳 At any rate, given that you'll be traveling in December, make sure you have cell phone travel alert apps to warn you of any issues that will impact your travel and/or safety. Being flexible with your travel schedule will help.
PS. I think there are a handful of us here in Oregon. I know of a couple here in Southern Oregon that purchased and then had their Oliver towed back for them. There was one person in the Portland area that we heard of and there are the Lukens that are on the coast. We considered using a transportation service, but luckily we were able to make the trip ourselves. Taking delivery and then attending the Oliver Rally made the trip worthwhile, we learned a TON and had that week to work the kinks out of our trailer. We had Oliver service right there at the rally to promptly address the minor issues.
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We drove there via the northern route and returned via the southern route. May weather. Watch for snow in either route in December?
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On 8/24/2020 at 2:12 AM, 2008RN said:
Thanks everyone that have replied. I have learned a lot already. I live in Oregon, So I am a long way from the factory in TN. I have yet to see a Oliver around Oregon, but I am sure there are some.
I am starting to think Oliver may be the way to go for my Wife and me. I am 4 years from retirement. We started with a tent trailer and then graduated to a 1978 GMC 4108 35' Greyhound bus conversion. We loved the traveling and camping, it almost caused a divorce, I spent several years working on it and not paying attention to the family.
Both of us are looking forward to getting back out and traveling and the independance it brings.
We're in Southern Oregon. When we were interested in seeing a trailer Oliver set us up with some folks who are 4 hours from us. We met with them and they spent several hours with us, enough time that we knew we'd be placing a order shortly thereafter. No need to travel to the factory. Instead, take the tour when you pick up your trailer. We scheduled our pickup for the day before the annual rally in Alabama. Worked out great!
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We just returned from a stay at Fort Smith State Park in Warrenton. This was after our initial reservations were cancelled. The reservation system will now only accept reservations up to 30 days in advance. We enjoy stays at Cape Blanco on the coast, but they're closed for the season.
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We'll be heading out from Oregon and picking up our Oliver on the 14th and after spending the night at the plant, will head out the next day to the rally. Really looking forward to meeting other owners. For those who have been to a previous rally, do you know if there is internet/wi-fi available? I'm not sure how our Sprint plan will work and we'll want to figure out which route we'll want to take back to the West Coast after the rally is over.
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For those shopping, if you're interested, there's an article on passenger-side crash tests. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/some-pickup-trucks-perform-poorly-in-recent-crash-tests-2019-03-21
"Several pickup trucks sold in the U.S. performed poorly in a passenger-side crash test, with an influential safety group saying the vehicle style as a whole “has a lot of work to do.”
Nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the research arm of the insurance industry, said Thursday it recently put pickups through a passenger-side small overlap front test, and that most struggled to maintain their structure.
Two trucks, Ford Motor Co.’s F, -1.61% F-150, the No. 1 best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for decades, and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. 7201, +0.62% Titan earned a good rating. The two join Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s FCAU, -3.33% Dodge Ram 1500, which earned a good rating in the test late last year.
See also: Used cars are selling at fast clip as ‘overstretched’ buyers are priced out of new cars
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.’s 7267, -1.17% Ridgeline was the only pickup to qualify for the IIHS’s top safety pick award. That was thanks to its good-rated headlights, which the other models lack, and superior-rated front crash prevention, but it qualifies only when equipped with those features, the IIHS said."
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Specs can be found on this site
http://olivertraveltrailers.com/travel-trailers/legacy-elite/specifications/
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My husband and I will be leaving Southern Oregon to pick up our Ollie in early May. We are native West Coasters who have only flown east, never driven.
There are several routes to get to the Oliver Plant but I was warned that the northern route may pose difficult due to weather.
Any suggestions? We don't care about site-seeing on the way there, hoping to get there in 5...... 6 days max. We're older but we share driving, stop every 2 hours and only drive a max of 6-9 hours per day not counting stops.
We'll be attending the rally and then take our time getting home.
Would appreciate hearing from those who have travelled to pick up their Ollie from the West Coast during the time of year when snow is still hanging around the mountains and passes.
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I didn't mean to highjack cptdondo's thread but I also didn't want to begin a new one. I appreciate the feedback received regarding our Ram 1500. Good thoughts and suggestions, thanks everyone!?
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I'm reading this thread and I'm actually a bit nervous about picking up our 2019 Ollie in May. We have 2017 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi engine. 4x4 crew cab with the 6'.4" bed. Towing is 9830, tongue weight maxes out at 1100 lbs. Payload max is 1450 and we have a fiberglass shell thing (I'm female, don't know what it's called, LOL). 3.92 rear end/axle ratio. Gross cargo weight rating is 15,950. This info is from the spec sheet for the truck.
Is this light duty truck possibly not up to the task of pulling an Elite II with most options including the box in front with a small Honda generator. I don't know that my husband will have much sense of humor about buying a new tow vehicle, he was under the impression that the truck would be more than adequate. Our priorities are safety first, and I'm now concerned.
I would appreciate some input on our tow vehicle. Thanks!
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Thanks! We'll be picking up our trailer in May, I'll contact you soon to place an order.
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Nice work. Is it difficult to remove the cutting board from the sink? It appears to sit flush with the sink.......
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We're picking up our new Oliver from the factory on May 14th and will then head to the rally. Our first time in this part of the country! We were assigned a space in the 'E' section, near the water. I spied some Oliver trailers scattered there on the G&J Roaming & Rolling You Tube Video. Skip ahead to the 9+ minute mark to see the flyover of the area taken at last years rally.
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We'll be driving through Florence next weekend on our way to Yachats, then to Astoria for 3 nights. Hotels this trip, next year we'll take the Oliver! We like Fort Steven's State Park, have you stayed there in your Ollie?
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We've been lurking for a year and finally pulled the trigger on an Elite II. We decided to delay pickup until May 14th so we can travel in better weather and then continue on to the rally at Lake Guntersville in May. We've made our reservations for the rally and are really looking forward to meeting everyone. What a perfect shake down trip! If we get confused about something, we'll be surrounded by Ollie Veterans ? We're really looking forward to boondocking and doing a different type of trailering that we've done in years past. LOTS to learn, but hey..... you're never too old to learn new tricks right? ~ Steph and Steve Kimball from Jacksonville, OREGON
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Thanks Sherry, Hope you're right :-)
Steph
Sakthorp, most all of the RV fridges have the option for different colors of face panels. I suspect norcold still does this, and I doubt Oliver is changing up the panels from the black to a wood look….Sherry
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We are considering the purchase of a 2019 Elite II. I'm not thrilled with the fact that they'll be using a vinyl awning (not Sunbrella/Weaved Fabric) and don't know if the housing will be vinyl or metal. I'm hoping to learn more soon. Wouldn't mind the convection/microwave upgrade. When I search the fridges on Norcold's site, I can only find models with a light wood facia. Lot's of questions for Oliver, LOL
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I have these same questions, hoping that Oliver will provide details soon.
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Thanks guys for the input!
Bill: The dimmer switch is a great idea, I'm thinking "ambience"!
John: Wow, LOVE this option of a storage shelf behind the propane bottles with side access doors!!
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Hi everyone,
My DH and I have been reading through the posts on this forum and I think we have a good idea how we'd like to outfit Elite II should we decide to move forward and place an order.
With regard to the flooring, countertop and fabric options, we've received the samples. I was not happy with the fabric options and so I contacted Heather about info on supplying my own fabric. Heather said that they no longer offer this option per the request of the guy that makes the cushions. I'm disappointed but can deal with this on my own. I am however curious about the quality of the fabric (not the pleather).
I viewed a 'map' of the electrical/usb outlets and it appears there are plenty with the exception being a lack of an outlet in the wet-bath (for obvious reasons).
Comments and suggestions regarding Elite II builds are welcome. Is there anything (from Oliver) that you wished for after you took delivery of your camper?
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Hello,
My husband and I have been lurking on the forum for a bit. This seems to be a friendly group!
It's been about 15 years since we've owned a travel trailer, a 34' Holiday Rambler w/slide out. We were considering a new Airstream until some disappointing research changed our minds. I then stumbled onto the Oliver Elite II and it was the first trailer option that looked halfway decent, both in construction AND aesthetics.
After contacting Heather at Oliver and arranging a viewing of a Elite II, we drove 4 hours to meet with Dan and Sherry who own a 2017 model. They were kind enough to spend a good amount of time showing off their Ollie.
We have plenty of questions but wanted to give a shout out to say hello from Steph and Steve in Jacksonville, OREGON.
Post your Payload + Cargo Weights
in Towing an Oliver
Posted · Edited by sakthorp
We have a RAM 4x4, 1500 'Limited' trim with the 3.92 rear end. The payload is an issue for us. All those 'options' add up and our payload is MUCH less than advertised in the brochure. The accurate number is on the door panel and then you have to deduct your tongue weight. Deduct the truck 'cap'/cover and two recumbent trikes, cooler, and all the little things and it's not looking good. While we are well under for towing specs, the payload is an issue. We'll be upgrading to a 3/4 ton next year.