BoondockingAirstream

Thank you for the wonderful information that I have printed and will have it handy when the Mobile Service Van arrives. My out of pocket expense for this: Administration One Time Fee: $150 Minimum Fee for Service- 1st Hour: $175 Hopefully this will be completed within the One Hour Service call total of $325.00. We did call Oliver Inc. but they were concerned to give any advice as to the possible solution. Which I cannot blame them, but was disappointed. This information could have been given to the Service Tech... This Las Vegas, Nevada Mobile Service has a list of RV's and Travel Trailer logos, that they have experience working upon... includes most everyone... except Oliver. I said now they may be able to include Oliver. We may be the only Oliver in the State of Nevada. We have towed three Airstreams, without brake issues. I tow with a 2016 F350 Diesel 4x4 King Ranch. Engine braking is wonderful, as well. I just want to get this personal nightmare fixed. Our 2019 27FBQ Airstream the electric brakes work perfectly towing On the Ball with the F350. The 2019 Oliver Elite II will tows On the Ball..., as well.

I am curious. Is there a fuse to be checked in the 2019 Elite II models for power going to the electric brakes? And possibly where?

I have a Mobile RV service coming 8-7-2025. They use a 'Wire Trace Box' they plug into the RV Plug Wiring on the Oliver. Thanks Steph and Dud B for the color plug wiring diagram. I made a copy to put with our Oliver 'suitcase' of manuals. Nothing in the manuals cover trouble shooting, that I am aware of. I will ask the service worker if this issue left the Oliver Factory like this, or something that happened afterwards. I understand mechanical fixes rebuilding auto engines and replacing parts... but not electrical. Will know... I hope then. This should not happen to any owner.

I will soon discover what the 'real problem' is with my 2019 Oliver Elite II electrical brake system. A Mobile RV/TT service van is coming to the Oliver's current home on August 7th. They use a 'Test Box that Plugs into the RV Plug' and tracks what and where the problem may be located: Some say it is my vintage 2016 F350 Diesel 4x4 trailer beast that stretched the Oliver to an Elite III length. Some say it is the current owner. Some say I have my wires crossed and shorted within my skull. I say it is the Oliver since being built in 2019. Neanderthals are not tested for a pulse, but I can ask. Also: Rating my towing ability. Common sense approach to mechanical things, but less when electricity is involved. The previous owner would not return my call, after purchase, about his experiences with the Oliver's electric braking system. Several messages. Polite, but to the point. Still waiting after four years. I will ask if I can take photographs during the process. If so, I will post them and the results. Towed three, purchased new Airstreams, since 2006 and no electric brake issues. Towed my current 2019 Airstream since new, NO electric brake issues. Owned the 2019 Oliver Elite II used, since February 2022, WITH brake issues on the inaugural first day of ownership. I use the term Inaugural: "implying a more formal official ceremonial and transfer of my wealth to a stranger".

Snackchaser: I removed the panel under the sink yesterday, and nothing like you describe. What year is your Oliver? What are you towing with? My Oliver is a 2019. My tow vehicle is a 2016 F350 Diesel 4x4. Does anyone reading this in the Las Vegas, Nevada area? If I can plug my F350 into your Oliver and everything works... it is the Oliver. If nothing changes it is the Tow Vehicle.

(Mike & Carol asked me to check this Thread out. I had already read this. I went back to my original post to add: " I lifted each side of the trailer, spun the wheels, pulled the 'brakeaway switch' out. The spinning wheels stopped immediately and I could not physically turn any. Plugged it back and they spun freely. Did both sides. Brakes probably have very little wear... Even the bearings were smooth and quiet. This is not something I would wish upon any Oliver owner. The Brake Wiring changes are so frequent with these electrical wiring... there seem to be changing the braking wiring all of the time. ???? ) Purchased the 2019 Oliver Elite II February 2022 from Original Owner. It was clean and had not been used very much. Much like on the Oliver lot when new. We got the plates, insurance paper work filed and paid and connected the Oliver to the 2016 F350 4x4 Diesel. We also have a 2019 27FBQ Airstream International. The Oliver was for a Boondocking alternative travel trailer. NO BRAKES. Plug into F350, pull away and 'Brakes Disconnected'. The Brake System of the F350 works perfectly with the 2019 Airstream. Not on the Oliver, apparently. I was told by Oliver it is possible the 2016 F350 may not be compatible. I am going to try one of our under the dash units, used on two other Airstreams we owned over the last 19 years. The heavy F350 handles the Oliver easily, but having Trailer Brakes... is necessary. Also to sell, as well. I removed the Truma Hot water system. It was not operational, as well. I was notified about a Recall in the US MAIL,,, but since I removed the totally mutilated Truma... "sorry no can help". It had the uncrimped propane heating unit that is on the recall.. Previous owner gave me Service Tickets trying to have it fixed. Did not work then either, Reading other posts about Trailer Brakes Not Working... our wiring looks nothing like any of those, with worn wires. No information in the Oliver Service Guide. Oliver is careful not to get into giving advice and then have things go wrong, which I understand. We were also told, possibly, our 2016 F350 trailer electronics, may be too OLD for the Oliver. It works perfectly with our 2019 Airstream. Hmmm. It appears that the wiring on Olivers change often. Ours is different under the table and beds than other photographs seen on the Forum. I photographed the possible areas. Did check all of the wiring into the Buss Bar. All snug and look good. Everything else works that is electrical. Any suggestions? First photo... front (towards rest room) dining table seat. Second photo... rear (towards street side bed) dining table seat.

Mike & Carol... thanks for the posts. I will look for the Brake Disconnect Thread and try to move my information over to the Brake Disconnect Thread. I tried to go back and add the following... but could not until it was reviewed. "I jacked each side up, spun the wheels and pulled the Break Away Switch and both sides LOCKED UP IMMEDIATELY and immovable. Plugged the BAS back in and they spun perfectly." I did try Oliver Inc. for some advice, but because of them having some issues if they gave me advice and something went wrong... they had to withhold any assistance. I understand. This seems to be a change as I believe Oliver Inc. has helped with some suggestions on the Forum. The first owner obviously had this issue before me. I have a mechanical brain and electricity is not my choice of repairs. I could not find my Ohms meter for working on antique Wurlitzer Jukeboxes years ago and could not find it... in the garage. With a F350 Diesel 4x4 braking is still important, but this heavy tow vehicle manages. I want it to operate properly. No schematics. Nothing in the service manual to help. It seems like everything electronic changes often... and if the problem is not found, while parking in the lot, when purchased... brakes are often missed from what I have read and once hundreds of miles away... might have noticed. But thought it was a simple issue...??

Purchased the 2019 Oliver Elite II February 2022 from Original Owner. It was clean and had not been used very much. Much like on the Oliver lot when new. We got the plates, insurance paper work filed and paid and connected the Oliver to the 2016 F350 4x4 Diesel. We also have a 2019 27FBQ Airstream International. The Oliver was for a Boondocking alternative travel trailer. NO BRAKES. Plug into F350, pull away and 'Brakes Disconnected'. The Brake System of the F350 works perfectly with the 2019 Airstream. Not on the Oliver, apparently. I was told by Oliver it is possible the 2016 F350 may not be compatible. I am going to try one of our under the dash units, used on two other Airstreams we owned over the last 19 years. The heavy F350 handles the Oliver easily, but having Trailer Brakes... is necessary. Also to sell, as well. I removed the Truma Hot water system. It was not operational, as well. I was notified about a Recall in the US MAIL,,, but since I removed the totally mutilated Truma... "sorry no can help". It had the uncrimped propane heating unit that is on the recall.. Previous owner gave me Service Tickets trying to have it fixed. Did not work then either, Reading other posts about Trailer Brakes Not Working... our wiring looks nothing like any of those. No information in the Oliver Service Guide. Oliver is careful not to get into giving advice and then have things go wrong, which I understand. We were also told our 2016 F350 trailer electronics, may be too OLD for the Oliver. It works perfectly with the 2019 Airstream. Hmmm. It appears that the wiring on Olivers change often, Ours is different under the table and beds than other photographs seen on the Forum. I photographed the possible areas. Did check all of the wiring into the Buss Bar. All snug and look good. Everything else works that is electrical. Any suggestions?

Boondocking Off the Grid require good maps, physical activity and curiosity, Utah and Wyoming.

Cort and I discussed several options at his remote campsite. He is going to be an Excellent Mechanic after working on these two leaf springs. #1 Removing the nuts from the bolts on the center connections... Even with two of us attempting... removing a nut was not cooperating. The nut on the bracket on the frame, Cort had already removed, using a 24"+ breaker bar. One of us holding the head of the bolt from rotating and breaker bar... no luck at all. Someone may have a technique to offer, as the nut was not going to cooperate. That got our attention immediately. Cort is a master navigator getting into tough areas. With the forward Axle firmly attached... Getting OUT is opposite everything. Easy IN, can be a Difficult OUT. #2. We discussed "Backing Out", but needed prep time to get everything ready would take some reversing the Forward 'getting into this space' to Backward 'reversing to get out without some extra eyes or in and out of the tow vehicle'. The broken leaf spring could be tied up for clearance, shocks removed. Sounds easy... but not a linear departure and possble shoveling to make additional space 'more attractive'. Angles going IN are not the same as getting OUT. (2) Replacing the Leaf Springs need these 'four stubborn nuts from the bolts', removed. Replaced with Six new greased replacement nuts and bolts. (3) Have a mechanic with equipment to Remove and Replace with the Replacement Leaf Springs and nuts. Also guide the Master Boondocker Cort backing out. Cort is very patient. Methodical is the word and he likes to consider all options. (4) When getting to our campsite leaving the next day, I thought about contacting the Forest 'Service'. They have resources and people to help citizens. This could be #1, there were hundreds of campers in this large area and certainly had USFS patrolling the area. (5) Cort's tow vehicle was detached and could drive into Flagstaff for supplies and leaf spring pickup. The City was swarming with a massive number of tourists, including lots of campers in the forested areas, as we drove out. Narrow hard pack dirt roads and lots of wide RV's... But, lots of possible access for help and getting his Leaf Springs ordered and picked up. Our third day in the Gila National Forest... the weather bureau predicted heavy showers... we broke camp. Once out of the Gila National Forest, heading north to Highway 40... heavy rain for an hour and a FREE washing. We arrived back home around midnight. Exhausted but out of the back country. Cort will have a more interesting story to tell. I also would like to know how the nuts were removed. They are also Metric... Learn something every day.

Previous owner took the 2019 Oliver Elite II into a 'Truma Service Provider'. The Truma was not operationally. The previous owner showed me the last service ticket that the Truma was Fixed, before I purchased the Oliver. It did not work. I took it apart... obviously... the Service Provider was tired of hearing from the Precious Owner, after THREE Service calls. The Fourthm maybe third was the copy given to me. When I called the Truma Service that did the 'service under warranty', they became tired of me, as well. I have wondered if Truma Inc. was charged for these Service Calls. I was notified in the U S Mail recently, that Truma would replace the... PART... that was faulty. A RECALL. Of what kind? I sent photographs of MY Truma to Oliver...My Repairs... when I discovered the Truma leaked water into the Oliver... see photograph. I was disappointed that Oliver Inc. would not do anything to make it right. The original owner obviously had no fix and did not intentionally damage the copper tank heater. Obviously the local Service Provider... DID FIX IT... permanently. When I received the Recall Notice... I was not approved by Oliver Inc.... as I tried to FIX IT, myself. Once removing parts... no wonder it was not going to work. I will find a much simpler system to install, like a 6 gallon simple Dometic Hot Water system, like the one that has operated perfectly in my 2019 Airstream, since new. Am I happy? Guess. My Truma was within the numbers of the so called recall. My Truma never worked for me, nor the original owner. I have owned the Oliver Elite II since February 2022. My Problem... says Truma and Oliver. Otherwise our perfect Off the Grid Boondocking travel trailer. I have had three Airstreams, new since 2006. Kept the 2019 27 foot Airstream and the 2019 Oliver Elite II. I like a Travel Trailer that is simple to operate, works, and some appliances that can be worked on if in remote locations. The 6 gallon Dometics worked perfectly since 2006. When I began to FIX the Truma myself... This is WHAT I FOUND. Photographs are October 2022. Purchased Oliver February 2022 from original owner. The Truma was an UPGRADE for an Oliver. ...for what? For... Selling spare parts... I guess. I also noted Truma is pushing their hot water tanks. Customer satisfaction is interesting. I know, I was an owner operated business for decades. Happy customers and friends return... I had to retire. I understand that a customer and referrals, keeps one busy. (I edited this after reading.)

Airstream trailers use a much thicker 'plastic' on the door interior. Probably the ONLY 'plastic kind' of material being used. I do not know the composition, but it is not Aluminum or metal. OK? It is a 2019 as is my 2019 Oliver Elite II. They purchase the plastic from... someone, somewhere. Possibly the same company that makes this 'plastic', or whatever it is... for Oliver. Plastic: PET, POM, PBT, PA... and the list goes on. This door 'material' is thin on the Oliver. After a time span... it has become brittle. Some may say it is used to save WEIGHT to the Trailer. Yeah... right. My wife saw this thread earlier today, which got my attention. Anyone who has worked with Fiber Glass... like some of us did with 1960's Corvettes when they were... cheap... whoa... the smell is something I never forgot. Once 'cured'... no smell. Older automobiles can have parts or components that shrink. Acetate Dice and earlier Nitrate Casino Dice... also have a problem. Nitrates shrink, distort and decompose exposed to air over decades. Acetate Casino Dice... will keep their sharp edges and probably last a hundred or more years. This issue with the very thin interior door 'material' is a problem. I find cracks in my Oliver door. I suspect everyone will have hair line cracks. Some will get those that shrink, but fold and curl up on vertical shrinkage. If you have the horizontal hair line cracks... you are one LUCKY owner. The curling I saw next the door window, may be the same material, but cut to size differently. The material is inexpensive, compared to the LABOR to remove and replace. Makes my nasal hairs... tickle. 😞 Sorry for taking your time... I did OSHA inspections in my youth... and... heard lots of excuses and finger pointing, as well.

This, to me, appears to be 'Plastic Degassing and Shrinking'. Not due to your misuse of the Oliver or Heat or something you Did or Did Not Do to prevent it. You are lucky if the cracks are... Horizontal. Left to right... fractures reduce the tension from the longer length of the thin door panel. The gap in between the cracks reduces the tension by cracking. You will probably get lots of them, but there is nothing that can be done. Another original sheet... will also do the same if it is Degassing. Nobody has explained this to me... as it is very common in plastics... and some, even thick items, can become brittle and crumble. It is a definite defect in the plastic being used and not of your making. Buckling... you would have to look at the entire door to understand that one I see photographs. The more small fractures, the tension is reduced. Although the plastic will still be brittle and if you hit it... it will crack into pieces. Again... this a manufacturing issue of the plastic being used. Not from your use of the trailer, weather, road vibrations... etc.. The Buck Passing AFTER Warranty is rather slick. It may take several years or longer... beyond Warranty... and now it is Your Fault and Responsibility. I recall plastic toys... that Degassed over time and became brittle and fall apart. I thought by now these poor products were extinct. Guess not. Try finding some site about Plastic Degassing. Finding one that makes sense... you are a lucky person. I see no good results by replacing the interior plastic with the same plastic. Just my opinion.

Tent camped since I was 16 with a 1956 VW to collect fossil vertebrates in the Badlands of Nebraska in 1966. Sometimes three of us using an Army pup tent or sleeping under the stars for days or a week. Sun sets and the Sun rises. No clock... if you can see... time to get moving. Walk and discover fossils washing out after the Rain washes them out. Ahhh... the Hunting Days are great memories... Gone. Married we tent camped and bought a 23 foot Airstream in 2006 off the Dealer's Lot. They attached the trailer and waved... The adventure began. A 25 foot and then a 27 foot and then... kept the 2019 27 foot Airstream and the 2019 Oliver Elite II... was a chance sighting at a Boondocking site in Colorado. A go anywhere travel trailer, four season, double axle and built well. Found one in Las Vegas, Nevada in February 2022. Both travel trailers had ALL of the Propane, Solar, Batteries and plug in options. Most buyers are RV Park travelers and do not need what the 2019's offered. Generators and then Plug In. Times change and so do the Buyer's who want different travel trailers. We have been everywhere. This spring we went to our favorite New Mexico 'Off the Grid Boondocking National Forests and BLM'...and we have been going since 2006 trailer camping and before in a tent. Then came home and... been there, done it all, now what? We saw all of the western National Parks tent camping. Before the... crowds. You drive up, pay a fee and go anywhere. Not any longer... times change. ...and we changed. Not because of our current choices in 2019 Airstream and 2019 Oliver Elite II... but we been there, once, twice, twenty... times. We are western Rocky Mountain rock, fossil, mineral and hiking campers. In our 70's and sat down, sell which, keep one, sell both... discussions. Pristine, clean and shopped out with hardware (Airstreams three of them... you know where to begin)... and decided it is time to... reconsider why we need one or both travel trailers. Been there. Done it. Saw it. Seen everything and even now some areas are closed to camping, Ranches have gone to Corporate Ranches and NO Visitors Allowed on the Properties. The Ranchers we knew died or the kids sold out as it is hard work. We would even volunteer time to 'pay our way' to collect fossils in the Badlands of Nebraska. All gone today... and gone commercial leasing. Not the trailers fault... there is a time when change is coming. Done it All. Been there Often. I pull out a DeLorme Atlas... and on some pages the GPS locations and comments fill the blank borders. Some with 20 campsites with comments. Even the guides for Wagon Trains leaving Independence, Missouri in the 19th Century... once the Union Pacific laid track... it was over. The double Axle Oliver Elite II can go anywhere. Same clearance as our 27 foot Airstream, 3 inch lift and upgraded to 16 inch Michelin tires. All standard on the Oliver Elite II and had the Airstream add two Solar Panels and both are perfect for OTG camping... and built to go anywhere. The Oliver is the Go Anywhere Travel Trailer. The Airstreams took us time to discover the weak points... and when purchasing a new Airstream... tweaked it to be Solid... as the Oliver Elites are...from the Factory. Time to move on an there are lots of Airstreams for sale... most we would not want at any price... but Olivers are scarce and few are familiar with them. Some travel to travel. We travel to walk, hike, hunt and enjoy the solitude outside the City. Stepping out of our Oliver is ahhhhhh fully nice. We wil always remember fondly. The Oliver hunt. Owning an Oliver. ...and time to sit back and recall we did it ALL.. and content.

When you break a ZERK trying to grease the leaf spring bolts... they are METRIC. Cost about 25 cents each. Do not have the receipt handy, but bought two, one for a spare. When the top of the ZERK breaks, you can easily remove the threaded part... take it into the Hardware store than has everything... they will look at it and find them. Buy two or more. Save yourself some looking around. I found it 'easier' to remove the each wheel to get a straight shot at the zerk by jacking up each side for access and removing each wheel. The pressure to get any grease into the bolt causes grease to accumulate on the Zerk. Some you may have to remove the bolt as it must be rusted from wear and then clogs it up. Buy eight Leaf Spring bolts and nuts and start from scratch. That will be my next 'adventure'. These bolts that the Leaf Springs are attached are more likely to break than take any grease or attempt to remove them and salvage the bolts and nuts. The grease gun broke and they are guaranteed for life trying to get the grease into the bushings. Got a free replacement and did what I could. A good grease gun is not cheap. The tolerance between the bolt and leaf spring must be tight. More grease came out of the Zerk and Grease Gun fitting... than entered the shaft of the bolt. Next attempt... Buy replacement bolts and nuts and clean up the leaf spring hole, that the bolt goes into. Need to watch a video of someone doing it. The best method so far, for me... remove the wheel. Take a nap and go for the other side. A Big.... PIA.

We are selling our 2019 Oliver Elite II. Where can we post this so Oliver Forums members can find it? Posted on Oliver Facebook, but these individuals already have an Oliver. I see that the Forum no longer will list an Oliver for sale.

Messed that up when 'proof reading'. The Agilis (Michelins). I edit while typing and prior to posting... missed that. I have five Agilis Cross Climate Michelins on the Airstream. 2019 Airstream 27/28 foot: Agilis Cross Climate LT225/75/R16 Michelins. 2019 Oliver Elite II: Defender LTX M/S 225/75/R16 Michelins. 2016 F 350 4x4 Diesel Tow Vehicle: LTX AT2 - LT275/70/R18 Michelins. "Agilis...sell them"... When editing it was intended for another... brand to sell... now gone from memory. Probably ST tire's which I do not use or want on any travel trailer I own. Thanks for catching that.

****** If I could have found the Knob and Lock Washer, I would not have needed to fabricate something that will stay secure. Time will tell. Some unlucky vehicle may find the Knob stuck into their tire, remove it, and build an Oliver Elite II. ??? "For the want of a knob, the Oliver was lost."

We have Tent Camped, Airstream OTG Camped and Oliver Elite II OTG Camped. As we aged... so has the camping comforts. Tent camping required that the Tow Vehicle is loaded with 'Travel Trailer' optional appliances. Ice chest, propane cook top, top tent cover for insulation and temperature control. Open and close flap door, vents with screens, pad for 'comfort' on lumpy ground. Ahhhhfully... awful when raining. Travel Trailers. No furniture needed to become a Home on Wheels with a new view anytime, anywhere and sometimes any season. Better than a Mobile Home as it has a home decor screwed to the floor, walls and ceiling. If used for Camping you would need... to secure the home decor to the floor, walls and ceiling. Move... repeat. Move again, sell and step up to a Travel Trailer. For any travel, anywhere, all weather conditions and even Seasons... an Oliver is #1. Airstream is up there, but size of being smaller has big benefits. Both have suspensions. Oliver's are superior with Leaf Springs. Airstreams are a bit more complicated to describe. Do not ride in an Airstream while moving. My wife did... she compared it to pulling a Tent across a field. I did not ask to find out myself. I am a Neanderthal. Neither of us have opted to ride a mile or so in a moving Oliver. Some say there are Laws against such foolish attempts of thrill seekers. I have been tempted, but use to get motion sickness as a youth. To the displeasure of parents and siblings... Pass the bag, please. I never evolved from a Neanderthal to a modern Human Bean, yet. A University education did not help, either. But... my wife is 100% Human Bean and a positive influence over my flint knapped tools. Oliver Elite II is better than Tent Camping, a bit better than an Airstream, when not moving, and insulated to adapt to Sea Level Florida to 12,000 feet in Cedar Breaks, Utah. Both the Airstream and Olivers beat tent camping. Although it takes just as much time to pack up the tent and 'stuff needed' into the back of a pickup with cab. Those who are having a hard time deciding to move from Tent Camping to a Travel Trailer... should stay home. Even better if it is a Cave with live bats. I evolved. Bats hang from the cave ceiling and drop guano upon you. The tent is a bit better, but insects move in, when you are outside on your folding chairs before the wind blows them into the woods. An Oliver Elite... with a view without Human Beans... is wonderful. Folding chairs for outside... not a bad idea either. OK. I had my two cups of coffee, at home, and day dreaming about getting back into the Oliver to live in comfort with no distractions. I add some photographs of what HAPPY OTG CAMPERS look like. Ahhhhh. See you soon? I hope. Tossed in a photograph of a motorcycle camper that spend a day with us. Now... this guy can camp. Two Human Beans that find the outdoors... refreshing. Try it some day. Get that Oliver while you are still moving, few aches and pains... and optimistic. After a week... you may never go back home. Nobody will miss you. They are too busy mowing the lawn and pulling weeds.

A Bowlus did fine on roads in the 1930's and any roads today. Nancy and I looked them over in Henderson, Nevada with the company's CEO. A Bowlus was a bit too narrow for our needs... but built to perfection. We need more space, but for a couple... probably works out well. Do not confuse the construction of a Bowlus with a modern Airstream. They are spelled differently, and the Bowlus is capable of traveling where our 27 foot Airstream travels, any time. The exterior Buck Rivets... on a Bowlus... made to perfection. The aluminum is polished like a mirror. Not an Airstream with the dimpled buck rivets. Both travel trailers are good looking. Prefer our Airstream for how we use it. The Bowlus is the most beautiful travel trailer built and then the Oliver's. I may not be handsome, but sure know my travel trailers. Window shades in our 2019 Oliver Elite II: Wonderful. Ingenious two shades in one frame. Just travel with them Opened to avoid trouble. When we are ready to tow, we open the shades and Nancy checks that all six snaps are secure. We have had NO shades fall off while on the Interstate or Off the Grid. We do not drive over the speed limit on the Interstate Highways nor exceed reasonable speeds. If off the grid and go from 1 mph and up never an issue. A Yahoo who thinks OTG Boondocking owners burn rubber on a dirt road and in a hurry in the National Forest, has never left a RV Park with hookups. Oliver's have leaf springs, as our F350. We have never had a drawer come out. Closing the shades and checking them as secure before moving and open them once camp is set. If you have the shades, down for shade, keeping the interior cool while traveling... you do not realize how well the Oliver is insulated. If the shades are down and falls off the window frame... you can easily damage the shade. Open the shades. Check that all six snaps are secure and take a deep breath. I would have preferred Oliver Elite II Shades in our Airstream. The comparison is like having pillow covers taped over the window to the Oliver Elite's two choices of shades at will. Oliver's shades beat anything we have seen. Airstream is way behind in shades, but they also have never fallen off the windows.

I carry bailing wire as a temporary fix for anyrhing needing some emergency 'repair'. I have zip ties, of so many colors and lengths, they will decompose from age and also not good with sharp edges. My Mom, forty years ago, bought me a massive amount of Sears' bolts, nuts, washers, screws package and wing nuts for Xmas. I was the fix it guy in the family. Still using them. Carry a little of each in the Oliver, as well. I needed a fine threaded screw, two washers and a wing nut for the Knob that fell off the Solar Panel mounting bracket last week. I had it and did not need the Bailing Wire. A ladder helped, as well. We travel with tools, hardware and his & her shovels... for Off the Grid traveling. You do not need them... until you DO. If you have the tools and hardware, chance are you will never need them. But... when you do... it is too late to reconsider. Carry some odds and ends, some tools, and even a battery operated Tire Pressure unit. We Off the Grid and have no Cell Service and no FM radio stations in the Oliver. You do not need anything... until you do. When you do... you are in doo doo land.

Michelin Tires.... period. Goodyears... on Airstreams and the owners go to Michelin tires. I bought a new 2019 27 foot Airstream with 15 inch Goodyears, removed them and replaced with 16 inch wheels and Michelin's. A guy bought the Goodyears to put on a flat bed to haul junk. New tires and wheels for him and I paid about 50% more to get 16 inch wheels and Michelins. You will not be disappointed with the Michelin tire that will fit your rims. They will 'age out' before wearing out. Agilis... sell them. I have Michelins on all our vehicles, a 2019 27 foot Airstream and our 2019 Oliver Elite II. The tires will Rot Out before they Wear Out. I have owned three Airstreams. Michelin tires. The Goodyears on the 2006 23 foot Airstream were 14 inch wheels with Goodyears. I called the the C Rated Blow Out tires. Never a complaint with Michelins and on an Oliver... will go on and on and... so on.

We have a 2019 27 foot Airstream and a 2019 Oliver Elite II. One has to go. Which? It all depends... The 2019 Airstream has ALL of the Off the Grid Appliances. Bought off the Airstream Dealer's Lot, new. The 2019 Oliver Elite II has ALL of the Off the Grid Appliances. Bought from original owner three years ago who had cancer and wife did not like the Travel Trailer Experience. A common problem as we become older and health may become a factor. Worked out for us as it was listed for sale on the Oliver Forum and we bought the trailer in less than 24 hours at full asking price. It is a wonderful trailer. You have good advice on this Forum. Each has their limitations: The Airstream need Upgrade Expenses TO: Six inch lifted Axles and Upgraded wheels to 16 inch and 16 inch Michelins. It is longer and wider than an Oliver. It has lots of open space in the Aisles. It has a lower Center of Gravity for stability. The Oliver Elite II has the SAME Clearance as the Lift Kit Airstream. The Oliver Elite II has as standard the 16 inch wheels and 16 inch Michelin Tires. The Oliver has a higher center of gravity. The Airstream and Oliver Elite II are similar in... WEIGHT. Tow perfectly 'on the ball' behind our 2016 F350 4x4 Diesel. Our Airstream and Oliver Elite II have ALL of the upgrades... Solar is important. Appliances are Propane and/or Electric plug in. The Storage in the Oliver Elite II and the longer Airstream are... about the SAME. The Oliver storage is FANTASTIC. The Airstream storage is about the same with 8 feet 6 inches wide and the Oliver is 7 feet even, if I check. Nothing wrong with being a Compact Oliver as it is a Go Anywhere Travel Trailer. Airstreams are limited, not from an experienced OTG Travel Owner... but length creates a dragging rear bumper, even with the 6 inch lift and 16 inch tires. Oliver Elite II is a Do All travel trailer. If you are a RV Park traveler, it does not matter. Oliver's and Airstream Trailers are great for Hookups and RV Parks. Oliver owners are eager to assist and give advice. The more options... Solar should be #1... and get everything that catches your attention. We have everything in our Airstream and Oliver Elite II. They cost about the same off the lot.

This last Boondocking Trip to New Mexico started with taking my Telesteps Ladder and cleaning off the Solar Panels, as usual. I snug up ALL the knob screws securing the panels as I clean. I do this every time we leave home in Boulder City, Nevada. The fourth day of camping in the Gila National Forest New Mexico for agates, Nancy was walking along the road, watching for low hanging pine branches. Our usual routine, when on a narrow Forest Service Road. As we soon found an nice campsite, she noticed the Solar Panel on the Driver's side front... was flopping? I stopped and the Knob to secure the Panel... was missing. I snug them up every trip before we leave, and anytime I suspect I need to clean off dust while camped. 😞 How could that happen? This should never happen. I read about someone else on the Oliver Forum who lost a Knob. Well, we did as well thinking that was rather odd. How it backed out... it is a mystery. I always carry a good selection of bolts, nuts, washers, locking washers and nuts. I found TWO bolts in my carton, that had the fine threads, and managed to make a FIX on the spot. I will keep MY replacement. It worked. This post is to alert anyone with Solar Panels to snug these Knobs up, while wiping down the Solar Panel clean. I am detail orientated and so is Nancy. This surprised Nancy and myself. If it happened ONCE to ME... it could happen to anyone. Of course, I have my camera with me all the time. I add them for your entertainment. The best part of this story, there was NO Solar Panel damage, but without the Telestep Ladder, I would have had to stack milk crates onto the tail gate of my F350 to secure the Panel. Be prepared for anything... and sometimes... anything occurs. If you see any Knob Missing... the panel drops several inches downward. The nut with fine threads was still welded and not damaged. Strange things can happen, but this was so odd... I took some photographs to show it did happen and can happen to you. The End.