2026 YM Oliver awning style windows and other changes

[ScubaRx]

1 hour ago, Boilermaker Chemist said:

Considering the mixed reviews on the changes for 2026, I wonder if Oliver does any consumer research before deciding what to change. For example, has this forum ever been used by Oliver for customer feedback by way of polling the changes they are considering ?

This forum was started in 2008 and belongs to the Oliver Travel Trailer owners. Oliver Technologies Inc. provides the web platform for us but it’s not run by them. This forum is run by owner members that are volunteers. Some of the management at Oliver are members here but none post regularly. I personally have no idea how often, if ever, they actually sit down and study it. 
 

Decisions on model year changes are made in-house and not based on any official polls that I have ever seen. I’m sure that owners opinions and preferences play a part in the process but many times it boils down to product availability. For example, model year 2026’s window change was due to the old sliding windows falling out of style nationally and having been discontinued by most manufacturers. The same was true with the shift from LP/electric to all electric refrigerators. 
 

You can rest assured that Oliver will always strive to provide the best trailer on the market. 

Edited Friday at 06:53 PM by ScubaRx

[John and Debbie]

4 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

Looks great, but much more expensive to replace than the stainless version in the event of damage.  The stainless galley sink in our Hull #1291 (2022) is pitted, so replacing it is on my "to do" list, after our fall extended trip.

How did it get pitted?  We have hull#1290 and our sink looks fine.  I do wonder if water can get under the flange of the sink where it sits on the counter top. I am very careful with not letting water sit next to the sink flange.  At least that concern wouldn't be there with a sink and countertop that are one piece.

John

[John and Debbie]

On 9/4/2025 at 7:19 AM, topgun2 said:

Back (in the day) all propane cooktops were oriented with the "back-splash" opening towards the curb-side of the Ollie.  However, (as Mossemi states above in about 2017) because we owner's kept asking for the cooktop to be oriented with the back-splash oriented towards the rear of the trailer, the company listened and made the rear facing back-splash the "norm".  Some of us said that this not only allowed the back-splash to help deter "splashes" from reaching the bed area but it also increased counter space.  In reality, since the area that the cooktop covered didn't actually change, there wasn't any real additional counter space achieved and there was some concern that if a person reached across the cooktop with the front burner lit, there could be a risk of catching a sleeve on fire.

With the new convection cooktop there is much less risk of a sleeve catching on fire.  However, there will be the need to have pots and pans that are compatible with convection cooking.

Bill

Bill, our halogen cooktop in the house finally went kaputt a couple years ago and we put in a five burner induction cooktop which works great.  We did have to get new pans as we had copper clad Revereware from when we got married in 1976.  The old pans went into the trailer.  I do love the induction cooktop!  It's incredibly fast and can be adjusted down or up instantly.

John

[Ollie-Haus]

4 hours ago, Boilermaker Chemist said:

Considering the mixed reviews on the changes for 2026, I wonder if Oliver does any consumer research before deciding what to change. For example, has this forum ever been used by Oliver for customer feedback by way of polling the changes they are considering ?

Having had numerous conversations with Oliver personnel, I can assure you they are looking at every available source of consumer interest in the Oliver brand as well as the general RV customer trends. Nearly every change/upgrade that’s been made in the design package has been spurred by customer and owner suggestions and weighed against cost and benefit for customers and production costs. Streamlining overall brand quality is obviously part of the motivation as well. I’m very confident that cost cutting always comes lower on the list than quality and customer satisfaction. Some changes are unavoidable due to supplier issues, the new windows being the most recent example. 
 

One additional reason we can be so pleased with Oliver as a company as they make changes to the design is that they usually try to consider the ability to upgrade previous model years when possible, something other manufacturers couldn’t care less about. I doubt very many current owners will pursue very many of these possible upgrades but if we are in love with one or the other, at least it’s an option. 

[Ollie-Haus]

Regarding the induction cooktop, we installed a 36 inch five element cooktop in our house when we remodeled the kitchen a couple years ago. Holy cow that thing is absolutely awesome, even fun to use. Bonus was our wedding gift cookware set from 32 years earlier were already induction compatible. And as others have mentioned, since the ceramic top only sits about an eighth inch above the counter top,  it’s just additional counter space. And talk about safe to use, spilled grease will never ignite on the cook surface and you can lay a sheet of paper against the base of a boiling pot of water with no chance of it igniting. And again as mentioned earlier no gas hazard or combustion fumes. 

 

Regarding the induction cooktop now offered in the Oliver, just the fact you will no longer need to open a window and turn on the vent fan to run the stove is enough for me to want one. Perhaps necessary if you are deep frying but otherwise no risk or need at all. With that said, I would never remove the remainder of our propane system because I like redundancy, and prefer gas heating hands down. 

Edited Friday at 11:24 PM by Ollie-Haus

[Patriot]

On 9/5/2025 at 1:37 PM, Boilermaker Chemist said:

For example, has this forum ever been used by Oliver for customer feedback by way of polling the changes they are considering ?

Certainly not for the new retro 50’s style roll up privacy shades now in the 26 YM. Those shades are absolutely uglier than a mud duck!! 🤣 My bride nailed it when she said they are “ugly”.  Just calling it as we see it. Just no beauty or seamless function with these new shades. Oliver just might want to go back to the drawing board on these shades. I sat in the 26 YM and studied the lower bars on the shade when rolled up as pictured. Both privacy shade bars actually loosely hit the interior window frame when the shade is rolled up. It will rattle and beat the black interior frame senseless when headed down the highway. 🤔 The valance gives a very retro dated look and removes the sano clean interior look we are accustomed to.

On our current trip my bride and I have really enjoyed the cool air cross breeze we have experienced with our current sliding windows. Unfortunately this open window cross breeze goes away with these new awning windows. You may still get air flow with the Max Air fan on, but you totally loose the natural cross breeze for sure. Just my observations.

Edit - take good care of your sliding windows! As mentioned earlier, Lippert no longer produces them! 

Edited Monday at 11:08 AM by Patriot

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Patriot said:

Those shades are absolutely uglier than a mud duck!! 🤣 My bride nailed it when she said they are “ugly”.  Just calling it as we see it. Just no beauty or seamless function with these new shades.

What the heck is that wood-looking thing?
A valence, and for what? I installed shelves up there!

Please don't take everything I write to heart. 😎
We love OTT and 2x that sentiment in owning Hull #113!

But do take me seriously when working M&R on a trailer, our tow vehicles, or anything I tear apart! This mod was pretty cool, however I later mounted the cupholder (on my side only) to be rear of trailer. It was in my line-of sight when propped in bed looking out the window. Chris loves hers as-is.

I just love waking up in the Oliver, crack the window shade open a few inches. Looking to see, what kind of day will it be? 😂

Give me a replacement window?
My user-story is one about it functioning fully while lying in bed as it does today. 
Otherwise who cares? Sure is pretty! 🤣 

 

[mossemi]

14 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

After our last broken egg incident when opening the door I added a rail to the top rack, problem solved. Easy install and can be lifted from either side to swing away for access, as necessary.

Can you provide purchasing information for your rail addition?

Mossey

[Ronbrink]

8 hours ago, mossemi said:

Can you provide purchasing information for your rail addition?

Mossey

The exact one I bought is ‘Currently unavailable’ on AMZ, but this is one of several currently offered and appears to be much the same. 

Edited Saturday at 11:49 AM by Ronbrink

[Ronbrink]

8 hours ago, jd1923 said:

I just love waking up in the Oliver, crack the window shade open a few inches. Looking to see, what kind of day will it be? 😂

 

Me too, dawn is my favorite time with coffee in hand! 

[topgun2]

10 hours ago, jd1923 said:

I just love waking up in the Oliver, crack the window shade open a few inches. Looking to see, what kind of day will it be? 😂

Heck - at my age, I just enjoy waking up! 😇

[Rivernerd]

19 hours ago, John and Debbie said:

How did it get pitted?

We left a bottle of Dawn dish soap, stuffed in a plastic shopping bag, in the sink while on the road.  The soap bottle leaked, and we didn't catch it before winter storage.  We didn't know that Dawn can be corrosive, if allowed to sit fully concentrated on steel for too long.  Lesson learned!  The pitting is just unsightly enough to land sink replacement on my "some day" to-do list, maybe in the winter.

Does anyone know where to source a replacement galley sink?  My preliminary research suggests it is not  a stock size available from etrailer or Lippert.  I submitted a "low priority" ticket to Oliver, but they have not yet gotten back to me.

Edited Saturday at 03:20 PM by Rivernerd

[Rivernerd]

17 hours ago, Ollie-Haus said:

Some changes are unavoidable due to supplier issues, the new windows being the most recent example. 

Are the sliding windows Oliver has used for years no longer available?

[topgun2]

23 minutes ago, Rivernerd said:

Does anyone know where to source a replacement galley sink?

Oliver just might have one left over - but - hurry to find one in that I understand that these sinks are difficult to come by.

16 minutes ago, Rivernerd said:

Are the sliding windows Oliver has used for years no longer available?

The main reason that Oliver changed windows is that the manufacturer has stopped making them.  Therefore, they are no longer available.

Bill 

[rideandfly]

We love camping with our Ollie. Always wanted to improve Ollie's windows, too.

On our previous camper we had Euro Style windows that could be opened up to about 70 or 80 degrees and had nice looking shade/screen assemblies. We really liked those windows because we could leave them open during a rain that is straight down. On the down side they were single pane plexiglass. Another issue that could happen with the Oliver is deflecting water above the window when open due to the hull angle, I don't know but have wondered about this issue if using different windows.

With so many good ideas posted here, I'm sure from time to time Oliver looks at certain modifications/improvements. Before retirement one of my jobs was to answer warranty claims for industrial machine components we rebuilt or had built by other manufacturers for a fleet of 2200 machines. Sometimes it's difficult to see criticism of work your teams produced, but to be honest it was very helpful for us to improve and produce the best product we could.

Here's a Euro style window similar to the window we had in a previous camper:

https://aussietraveller.com.au/products/eurovision-window

 

 

Edited Saturday at 05:29 PM by rideandfly

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

Does anyone know where to source a replacement galley sink?

I would check out @rideadeuce Mike's post. He was able to fit a deeper sink, square bottomed, and improved faucet. Our OEM faucet leaks on and off at the junction of the extension hose, until I get under there again to seal it and someday replace it. Mike discusses the issues with the OEM faucet and sink design.

It looks great, modern design, likely better quality stainless, a very good-looking upgrade! The down side is loosing the backside of your kitchen "junk drawer."  It would be great if somebody found a better sink, slightly deeper and square bottomed, not requiring such under-counter surgery! 😎

 

Edited Saturday at 05:38 PM by jd1923

[Patriot]

8 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Heck - at my age, I just enjoy waking up! 😇

In other words, you don’t buy green bananas Bill? 🤣

Edited Saturday at 09:43 PM by Patriot

[topgun2]

1 hour ago, Patriot said:

In other words, you don’t buy green bananas Bill? 🤣

Yep - 

Lifetime warranties are also questionable.🤪

[Patriot]

8 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

We left a bottle of Dawn dish soap, stuffed in a plastic shopping bag, in the sink while on the road.  The soap bottle leaked, and we didn't catch it before winter storage.  We didn't know that Dawn can be corrosive, if allowed to sit fully concentrated on steel for too long.  Lesson learned!  The pitting is just unsightly enough to land sink replacement on my "some day" to-do list, maybe in the winter.

Does anyone know where to source a replacement galley sink?  My preliminary research suggests it is not  a stock size available from etrailer or Lippert.  I submitted a "low priority" ticket to Oliver, but they have not yet gotten back to me.

Have you tried barkeepers friend on the rust spot? And thanks for the heads up on Dawn dish soap. We use it for just about everything. 

Edited Sunday at 12:08 AM by Patriot

[Geronimo John]

On 9/5/2025 at 8:32 AM, Patriot said:

All this said, I still like our LP.🔥

Ditto.

I also like having multiple energy sources vs. all electric.  As stated if you are tied to the shore power for all energy needs that is fine.  Unless you have a problem and then one would be SOL.

At least with Propane, Battery and Shore power there are work arounds that can employed.  Options make for a better experience.  All eggs in one basket not so much from my experience anyway.

GJ

[Mountainman198]

10 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

We left a bottle of Dawn dish soap, stuffed in a plastic shopping bag, in the sink while on the road.  The soap bottle leaked, and we didn't catch it before winter storage.  We didn't know that Dawn can be corrosive, if allowed to sit fully concentrated on steel for too long.  Lesson learned!  The pitting is just unsightly enough to land sink replacement on my "some day" to-do list, maybe in the winter.

Does anyone know where to source a replacement galley sink?  My preliminary research suggests it is not  a stock size available from etrailer or Lippert.  I submitted a "low priority" ticket to Oliver, but they have not yet gotten back to me.

You may find success by re-graining the stainless finish on your existing sink using red and/or gray scotch brite hand pads. I did this with great success on a stainless oven door which had been heavily scuffed during transport. Looked like new after application of some elbow grease. 
 

https://specialtystainless.com/tips-stainless-steel-countertops/articles-about-stainless-steel-countertops/graining-blending/

[Rivernerd]

15 hours ago, Patriot said:

Have you tried barkeepers friend on the rust spot?

No.  They are not rust bumps.  They are small black, concave pits.  I know of no way to address them other than replacing the sink.  Do you think barkeeper's friend would help?

[Patriot]

9 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

No.  They are not rust bumps.  They are small black, concave pits.  I know of no way to address them other than replacing the sink.  Do you think barkeeper's friend would help?

If they are black concave pits, I don’t think barkeepers friend would work. I believe it only works for light surface rust.

[Patriot]

On 9/5/2025 at 11:12 PM, jd1923 said:

What the heck is that wood-looking thing?
A valence, and for what? I installed shelves up there!

That is the valence which holds the privacy shade and night time shade. When you pull either shade down it has tiny magnets which attach the bottom of the shade to the interior window frame so the shade does not naturally hang straight down away from the window frame. I think and really do hope there will better future designs of this shade configuration. As it stands now, 💯 just not a fan of  the look or the function. It needs to be completely redesigned IMHO. 

Edited Monday at 11:20 AM by Patriot

[Boudicca908]

On 9/5/2025 at 9:12 PM, jd1923 said:

I just love waking up in the Oliver, crack the window shade open a few inches.

I enjoy waking in the middle of the night and sliding the window open to gaze at the stars!