Jump to content

Oliver EliteII vs Airstream


2008RN

Recommended Posts

On 8/26/2020 at 7:14 PM, Popcorn-Billy said:

where can I find Photos of the Vortex rock shield you referred to in your post? 

Airstreams are much easier to modify, because so much of the interior is built after the shell and screwed in place.

http://rvwanderlust.com/how-to-protect-the-front-of-your-rv

Airstream interiors are easy to modify, how nice..... and they also fall apart when taken off pavement, literally. Owners have found overhead cabinets completely pulled away from the walls. Do not expect any RV cabinet with a dozen tiny self tapping screws  to be even remotely sturdy. If you replaced them with machine screws going onto steel nutserts in the frame ribs,  then they would be greatly improved.

Ollies don’t drop cabinets onto the floor, though earlier hull numbers will spit a drawer’s contents or even an entire drawer across the length of the cabin. Disturbing (and a little funny) indeed, but not so much as a completely failed cabinet or vanity..... and the drawer problem is super easy to correct.

John Davies

Spokane WA

  • Like 1

SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, sakthorp said:

We drove there via the northern route and returned via the southern route.  May weather.  Watch for snow in either route in December?

Screen Shot 2020-08-29 at 9.31.25 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-29 at 9.31.14 PM.png

Thanks!  Did the northern route take you through Dodge City?  I ask, because my dad lived there as a young boy.  Have always wanted to visit and see if we can find his home.

Glad to hear there's another Oliver in Oregon 😄

Ray and Susan Huff

Elite II Twin "Pearl" - Hull#699; delivered December 7, 2020

2013 F350 6.7l diesel Super Duty 4x4 long bed crew cab

1UP-USA Heavy-duty bike rack

2017 Leisure Travel Van Unity Twin Bed (sold)

AZARCAIDNVNMOKORTNTXUTWAsm.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I personally chose not to do a winter delivery but our return route would have involved some significant “risky” areas. Plus I did not want to tow over deicer soaked highways and I am a firm believer in never towing over packed snow or especially ice... Your southern route through NV and up the I-5 corridor should be fine. Just make sure the roads are dry and ice free. There is nothing quite as gut clenching as exiting a dry, plowed Interstate, only to find you are on a sheet ice offramp ending at a stop sign.... Where do you plan to camp enroute? Do most dump facilities and campgrounds close for the season as they do further north? Try to keep the truck and Ollie rinsed off at least weekly. Preferably more often... And bring chains for TV and Ollie, in case you get caught by surprise.

John Davies

Spokane WA

Edited by John E Davies

SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.   
 

Steph and Steve Kimball

2019 Oliver Elite II ~ Twin

Hull No. 463

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've  done both routes - not one no better than the other - weather would be a consideration.  In fact, I've probably done almost every route west, or back that can be done, all have there good and not so -- points. 

The multitude of neat/cool places on a route - well that may make the trip.

 

Cindy,  Russell and  "Harley dog" . Home is our little farm near Winchester TN

2018 Oliver Legacy Elite II - 2018 GMC 2500 Duramax 

"Die young - As late as possible"
ALAZARCACOFLIDMTNVNMOKORTNTXUTWAWYd56201

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

@Susan Huff Since you have a little time, if you don't know the address of your dad's house, you might try contacting the local historical society. 

Dodge City is pretty small. I've found some great contacts and info in contacting historical societies in smaller towns and cities, doing genealogy research for my family. 

Sherry 

2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/23/2020 at 8:28 PM, Dean said:

The big problem with Airstream is they look really bad after theY get hit by hail.

True Dean, we were looking at the Airstream, but being a retired body shop mgr. for a large DFW auto dealer for 35 years and thinking about getting it hailed on, I couldn't sleep at night owing one. Plus we live in Texas and yes it does hail maybe more then other places. 

trainman

2019 RAM 1500, 5.7 Hemi, 4X4, Crew Cab, 5'7" bed, Towing Package, 3.92 Gears.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/30/2020 at 8:33 AM, John E Davies said:

Airstream interiors are easy to modify, how nice..... and they also fall apart when taken off pavement, literally. Owners have found overhead cabinets completely pulled away from the walls. Do not expect any RV cabinet with a dozen tiny self tapping screws  to be even remotely sturdy.

The YouTube channel, Long Long Honeymoon, had a series on how their AIrstream had to be rebuilt by a specialist in California. Now thank you! I want a rig that will hold up without frequent trips in for repairs. The Olivers travel in their rigs and know what works. I can’t imagine how much stress, say the Alaskan Highway, would put on all those rivets. Even airliners are moving toward composites and away from rivets. 
 

I’m thinking through the Twin v. King bed issues for my solo travels with an occasional additional widower on board. My TV will be either a Land Cruiser 200 Series, a Touareg TDI, or a Half Ton Pickup.

Edited by Popcorn-Billy

Best regards,

Bill

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/30/2020 at 4:19 PM, SeaDawg said:

@Susan Huff Since you have a little time, if you don't know the address of your dad's house, you might try contacting the local historical society. 

Dodge City is pretty small. I've found some great contacts and info in contacting historical societies in smaller towns and cities, doing genealogy research for my family. 

Sherry 

Thanks for the suggestion.  I actually did this and was put in contact with a kind lady at the historical society.  Initially, I had contacted the administrative office of the school he attended, hoping they could provide an address.  No such luck; even though Dad is no longer alive they would not release the info.  However, the historical society person told me she has an idea where the family farm might be, based on my description.  She is keeping a file on me for when we do make it out that direction.  Even if I can't locate the property (his family had a dairy and raised hogs) it will be interesting to visit the historical society and see pictures of Dodge City during the time Dad was there.  The family moved to CA during the dust bowl.  Dad was a young boy, maybe 7 or 8.  After several bouts of dust pneumonia, his doctor recommended they move West, or Dad might not survive another bout of pneumonia.

Susan

Ray and Susan Huff

Elite II Twin "Pearl" - Hull#699; delivered December 7, 2020

2013 F350 6.7l diesel Super Duty 4x4 long bed crew cab

1UP-USA Heavy-duty bike rack

2017 Leisure Travel Van Unity Twin Bed (sold)

AZARCAIDNVNMOKORTNTXUTWAsm.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

That's great news, Susan. I don't want to hijack the thread, but you may be able to research some old land maps, which were labeled with owners' names.  It can be a tedious exercise, but I found many of our family's ancestral farms that way. I'll send you a pm.

  • Thanks 1

2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...
  • Moderators

So, did you find anything, Susan??

2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/11/2021 at 4:20 PM, SeaDawg said:

So, did you find anything, Susan??

Thanks for asking . . . . . . . We haven't made it to Dodge yet . . . . still on my bucket list though . . . . . . maybe this year 😊

  • Like 1

Ray and Susan Huff

Elite II Twin "Pearl" - Hull#699; delivered December 7, 2020

2013 F350 6.7l diesel Super Duty 4x4 long bed crew cab

1UP-USA Heavy-duty bike rack

2017 Leisure Travel Van Unity Twin Bed (sold)

AZARCAIDNVNMOKORTNTXUTWAsm.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...