service?

[Dennis and Melissa]

 

We celebrate our 1 year anniversary next month!  As planned from the very beginning, we will be making the trip from Tampa to Hohenwald for a checkup.  (We are also taking the factory tour FINALLY 🙂 ) 

It's no small effort to get up there, but we've folded this event into our spring itinerary, so... not too bad.

Then, this morning,  I just noticed this on Oliver's "Find a dealer" page:

 

Apparently Oliver partnered with LazyDays, which is about 15 miles from my house.

Anyone have any experience/advice to share regarding using these new partners for annual maintenance???

 

[CRM]

I suggest reading through the Yelp reviews on LazyDays. 

[topgun2]

I know nothing about LazyDays.  However, a tour of the factory in Hohenwald will help you understand more exactly what you have in a camping trailer.  If this visit to Hohenwald does fit into your schedule, I would strongly encourage you to do it.  Besides the tour you will get a chance to meet Oliver personnel and get to know them.  This might help you down the road when you have a question and/or need help - you will personally know who to call.

Bill

[John Dorrer]

2 minutes ago, topgun2 said:

I know nothing about LazyDays.  However, a tour of the factory in Hohenwald will help you understand more exactly what you have in a camping trailer.  If this visit to Hohenwald does fit into your schedule, I would strongly encourage you to do it.  Besides the tour you will get a chance to meet Oliver personnel and get to know them.  This might help you down the road when you have a question and/or need help - you will personally know who to call.

Bill

+2

[Steph and Dud B]

I don't think the dealers are as well versed in Oliver maintenance as the factory. Given the option, I'd always choose factory service.

[ScubaRx]

6 hours ago, Dennis and Melissa said:

 

We celebrate our 1 year anniversary next month!  As planned from the very beginning, we will be making the trip from Tampa to Hohenwald for a checkup.  (We are also taking the factory tour FINALLY 🙂 ) 

It's no small effort to get up there, but we've folded this event into our spring itinerary, so... not too bad.

Then, this morning,  I just noticed this on Oliver's "Find a dealer" page:

 

Apparently Oliver partnered with LazyDays, which is about 15 miles from my house.

Anyone have any experience/advice to share regarding using these new partners for annual maintenance???

 

This would be your perfect opportunity to attend the Oliver Owner’s Rally in Guntersville. Will we see you there?

[Dennis and Melissa]

41 minutes ago, ScubaRx said:

This would be your perfect opportunity to attend the Oliver Owner’s Rally in Guntersville. Will we see you there?

We were there last year.  Really enjoyed it.  Alas, we have a conflict this year.

Everything in the replies above is what I suspected.  Just wondered if I was behind the times.  Apparently not 😀

Thanks to all y'all.

[ADKCamper]

6 hours ago, Steph and Dud B said:

I don't think the dealers are as well versed in Oliver maintenance as the factory. Given the option, I'd always choose factory service.

I have not been to a dealer yet, but I suspect this is likely more or less true *for now*, as the dealer network is relatively new to the Oliver product line. Over time this will improve with dealer experience and whatever training the factory is providing for their dealers.

Some service activities are just like they'd be in any other brand trailer; some of the Oliver-specific service activities will be easy to train-up on; others will take more time to develop the necessary expertise. Search for online reviews, both good and bad. The success stories will rise to the top!

[FloraFauna]

There are dealer (and nondealer) service centers that do just fine repairing specific problems on an Oliver.  They get on the phone with OTT service and the component manufacturer to make the necessary repair. But for general maintenance and a good look-over specific to an Oliver I would go back to OTT as they know what the issues are for their product.  I think this is an important reason why we all wanted OTT to keep their service center - they know the trailer the best. Any issue and they have probably seen it a dozen or more times already.

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, ADKCamper said:

Over time this will improve with dealer experience and whatever training the factory is providing for their dealers.

All that matters is whether or not the Dealer invests in their business and pays well to keep good mechanics. This is uncommon however, as I to date have yet to find a RV dealer I would trust to do work for me or to pay their high rates for average work. And Hohenwald is too far!

Two years ago I had not heard of Oliver and since then I’ve maintained or torn apart every system, better than new. I’m an engineer and auto restoration hobbiest for 50 years, no OTT training here for sure! 

It’s like when you go to your favorite restaurant and get a bad meal. Then you find out the regular cook had the day off. Everything depends on the mechanic working your repair or service.

Oliver is just a travel trailer, no matter how much you and I love them. Service and repairs are not rocket science! I strongly suggest y’all find a good local mobile mechanic. Have your Oliver serviced in your driveway or garage! 🤣

[topgun2]

12 hours ago, jd1923 said:

I strongly suggest y’all find a good local mobile mechanic.

Easier said than done.

If you do happen to find a good one - hang on to them with all your might.

Good luck!

Bill

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, topgun2 said:

Easier said than done.

If you do happen to find a good one - hang on to them with all your might.

Good luck!

Bill

Anything in life worth having is worth working for.

— Andrew Carnegie