Future Owner

[vandango]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let the Oliver folks know that they can count on a future sale when I retire. I bought a 26' tt 8 years ago that I'm still paying on. It looked nice enough new but was a cheaply built trailer that has had issues. Everything I've read about molded fiberglass trailers and the Oliver makes me certain that the extra cost is money well spent.

My intent is to take it to Panama to live as cheaply as possible. The fiberglass and the excellent insulation should do well in that climate. As a bachelor I also appreciate the gelcoat interior. Looks easy to wipe down and keep clean.

I want the 22'. And my idea to maximize room is to put a full size mattress across that folded down dinette width ways. That should leave a gap between the side of the mattress and wall. I'll cut a piece of plywood to fit over the cushions in that gap. On the end of that plywood I'll build a box that'll house a satellite receiver and mount a fairly large screen tv on top. I like their 15" tv but for fulltiming I'd prefer at least a 32". The rest of that board will be a handy place for a clock, books, etc.

Beyond that there's nothing I can see adding that's not already there. I've considered the Casita 17' but there are a number of things I wished they do differently. The Oliver is even better than I had wished for. I've cranked down enough jacks for example to appreciate those power jacks!

I'm 47 now. Will be cashing out a lump-sum pension sometime between 55 and 60, just as soon as there's enough to pay taxes, buy the Oliver, and a decent tow vehicle. I'm hoping that Oliver can get thru this economy in good shape. The RV industry needs more mftrs who build rigs that last and look more like a yacht on wheels.

[vandango]

Nothing like a wacky first post to put everyone off! It was late, I was tired, and a little loopy. Still, I'll never afford a $100k+ rig, wouldn't spend that much if I could. The Oliver seems to be the right intersection of quality and price. And getting housing out of the way will make retirement affordable. Knowing that molded fiberglass will still be going strong in my 80's makes it a cost effective investment. One question: Is the Oliver completely fiberglass underneath like the Casita? Or is the floor exposed like the Scamp?

[allenpamela]

Your dream of being a future Oliver owner and living in it has made us want to take off on a long trip. Your thoughts on turning the bed around to give you move space makes sense and the 22' should be very comfortable for living in. We purchased a 17 foot Oliver last August, our first experience in RVing. We love it, although, we don't get to travel as often or as far as we would like we have no regrets being Oliver owners. They are all fiberglass on an alumimum frame. They are built to last forever. Enjoy the forum, we learn alot from it and enjoy hearing about other owner's adventures.

 

Pam and Allen

[technomadia]

Welcome future Oliver owner!

 

We've been full timing in our 17' Oliver for just over a year now.. and it's absolutely wonderful! We've taken Orion all over the US, and it does excellent in a variety of weather conditions, altitudes, etc. With our solar panels, we can live off grid for weeks at a time without worry.

 

To answer your question.. the Oliver is fully enclosed in fiberglass - top/bottom/side... double hulled at that! The holding tanks are seated inbetween the two shells on the bottom inside the custom aluminum frame, making them non-exposed to the elements and the center of weight being evenly distributed. It's really well designed that way (unlike the Casita, in which all the weight of the water sits on one side of the trailer and takes up under seat storage space.).

 

And indeed, the gel coat is a breeze to keep clean! Even us mid 30's technogeek working couples appreciate that

 

- Cherie

[vandango]

Your dream of being a future Oliver owner and living in it has made us want to take off on a long trip. Your thoughts on turning the bed around to give you move space makes sense and the 22' should be very comfortable for living in. We purchased a 17 foot Oliver last August, our first experience in RVing. We love it, although, we don't get to travel as often or as far as we would like we have no regrets being Oliver owners. They are all fiberglass on an alumimum frame. They are built to last forever. Enjoy the forum, we learn alot from it and enjoy hearing about other owner's adventures.

 

Pam and Allen

 

Thanks Pam and Allen! I'm glad to hear you made such a good choice on your first try. Some of us have to figure it out the hard way! Here's to many future long trips!

 

Wade

[vandango]

Welcome future Oliver owner!

 

We've been full timing in our 17' Oliver for just over a year now.. and it's absolutely wonderful! We've taken Orion all over the US, and it does excellent in a variety of weather conditions, altitudes, etc. With our solar panels, we can live off grid for weeks at a time without worry.

 

To answer your question.. the Oliver is fully enclosed in fiberglass - top/bottom/side... double hulled at that! The holding tanks are seated inbetween the two shells on the bottom inside the custom aluminum frame, making them non-exposed to the elements and the center of weight being evenly distributed. It's really well designed that way (unlike the Casita, in which all the weight of the water sits on one side of the trailer and takes up under seat storage space.).

 

And indeed, the gel coat is a breeze to keep clean! Even us mid 30's technogeek working couples appreciate that

 

- Cherie

 

Thanks Cherie! It was the picture on your blog that sold me on the Oliver! Didn't even know about the 22' yet and if Oliver discontinued the 22' I'd still buy the 17footer. You guys are very inspiring creating the life you want. Many happy trails, Wade

 

P.S. Didn't know about the better weight distribution. Oliver really sat down and figured what was needed and got it right.