The manufacturer of this luxury-class, tandem-axle travel trailer takes a different approach.
By Robbin Gould, Editor
September 2019
How about a solidly constructed, lightweight travel trailer designed for four-season camping? Those criteria, and others, are reflected in the towable RVs manufactured by Oliver Travel Trailers. The company produces two models at its plant in Hohenwald, Tennessee: the single-axle Legacy Elite, and the larger, tandem-axle Legacy Elite II. This article examines the latter.
Each Oliver Legacy Elite II comes with a 15-foot patio awning.
The Legacy Elite II measures 23 feet 6 inches long, 7 feet wide, and has a dry weight of approximately 4,600 pounds. Its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is just 7,000 pounds. Contributing to the lower GVWR is the unit’s double-hulled fiberglass construction and custom-made aircraft-grade-aluminum chassis. Company literature maintains that both Legacy models can be towed behind a Ford F-150 truck or equivalent vehicle — a consideration for those who may not currently own a large tow vehicle. (Ford literature for the 2019 F-150 lists a conventional towing range of between 5,000 and 13,500 pounds, depending on configuration.)
The Legacy Elite II comes in two floor plans. The Standard floor plan contains a rear seating area that converts to a 75-inch-by-79-inch bed; the Twin Bed floor plan has rear seating that switches into 75-inch-by-30-inch twin beds. Farther forward in both units, a street-side dinette, which seats two, makes into a 76-inch-by-25-inch single bed.
The Oliver Legacy Elite II Twin Bed floor plan provides additional storage in the form of a nightstand.
Unlike large units that may accommodate an entire family, Oliver RVs sleep three. The company’s primary market is empty-nesters and retirees who don’t require extra berths. That doesn’t mean these RVs are stripped-down models, however. Both floor plans come with full bathrooms that include a toilet, a molded vanity and stainless-steel sink, and a shower, among a gaggle of standard features.
“We can do it better.” Oliver Technologies was established in 1995 by James and Evon Oliver to develop and build foundation products for the manufactured housing industry. Another division, Oliver Fiberglass Products, subsequently was created to supply high-grade custom fiberglass products, including walk-in tubs and showers, to a variety of markets.
Towable RVs were the next step. Oliver Technologies employees traveled throughout the United States to set housing foundations for mobile homes; they stayed on-site in travel trailers purchased by the company. But, invariably, the RVs needed to be replaced in just a couple years. The Olivers became convinced they could produce better, more solid units, so in 2007, they created their next company — Oliver Travel Trailers.
Construction, exterior. Oliver’s use of high-quality fiberglass is a major selling point. Both the Legacy Elite and Legacy Elite II feature full custom-molded interiors and insulated exterior shells. To prevent the holding tanks, plumbing, and drain pipes from freezing, they are heated and enclosed between the double fiberglass shells. The propane cover and spare tire cover are also made of custom-molded fiberglass. An “EZ” winterizing system comes standard.
Both Legacy Elite II floor plans include a dinette, which accommodates two, on the street side. When an additional sleeping berth is needed, it converts to a single bed measuring 76 inches by 25 inches.
Besides its strength, durability, and sound absorption qualities, fiberglass offers flexibility — including the ability to consolidate several pieces into a single part, and to form material into any shape required. Fiberglass also can withstand varied weather, tough usage, etc., so Oliver technicians use it in place of wood and metal in many areas.
The Legacy Elite II’s chassis incorporates a Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension and quad shocks on dual Dexter leaf-spring axles, along with 10-inch Nev-R-Adjust electric brakes. A three-point power stabilizing system is standard. The unit rides on Michelin or Cooper light truck tires mounted on 16-inch aluminum rims, and it comes with a 7,000-pound-rated cast-iron hitch.
The RV’s two Group 27 deep-cycle 12-volt batteries are enclosed inside a custom-designed slide-out tray. LED ground lighting, brake lights, marker lights, and high-mount LED porch lights provide ample illumination on the outside.
Other standard features include a 15-foot Dometic patio awning and a marine-grade 30-amp shore power connection with a 25-foot cord. A hide-away aluminum storage bumper houses a black-water and gray-water drain attachment. An exterior wash station is another handy feature.
The Legacy Elite II boasts a distinctive appearance: a mostly white exterior, with rounded corners, smooth sides, and minimal graphic embellishments. Transportation-grade gel-coat with UV protectants covers the surface. The sliding thermal-pane windows are tinted and come with screens.
Interior. Inside the Legacy Elite II, one is struck by the clean lines created by the precision-crafted molded fiberglass, including the walls and ceiling. Low-maintenance vinyl flooring adds to the streamlined appearance. In place of wood, drawer fronts and upper cabinet doors are made from fiberglass. White fiberglass countertops come standard. Drawers feature solid-wood, dovetail construction, and marine-grade hardware. White day-night window treatments, plentiful 3-inch overhead lights, and LED courtesy floor lights further brighten the interior.
The wet bath in the Oliver Legacy Elite II includes a molded vanity with a stainless-steel sink.
A host of optional features enable RVers to customize their unit to their preferred comfort level, aesthetics, etc. Among the possibilities are standard and upgraded options for flooring (seven choices), upholstery (nine choices), and fiber-granite countertops (four choices). Three awning color options also are offered. Customers can choose between solid or pinstripe exterior graphics, available in a variety of vinyl colors.
Full-surround overhead compartments and a full-height wardrobe closet, which are lighted, provide considerable storage. Mirrored cabinet doors in back of the cabin and in the bathroom visually enlarge the interior. A MaxxFan deluxe remote-control RV ventilator system comes standard, as does a Dometic 13,500-Btu air-conditioning unit with a heat strip. The self-igniting propane furnace supplies central heating. A monitor system keeps watch over holding tanks and batteries.
In the galley, standard features include a 4.5-cubic-foot Norcold three-way refrigerator, with a stainless-steel microwave oven overhead (a stainless convection microwave oven is available as an upgrade). Adjacent to these appliances are a two-burner flush-mount propane stove with a smoked glass cover, and a sink equipped with a high-rise faucet.
Entertainment features include a 24-inch flat-screen LCD TV and a radio with dual-zone audio input (CD/DVD/MP/WMA/MP4). Four custom-mounted speakers enhance the audio experience.
“See An Ollie.” The company sells its towables through its factory outlet, just up the road from the factory in Tennessee. Customers are invited to schedule a tour of the Oliver factory for a firsthand look at the units and the manufacturing process. The company also coordinates a referral program called “See An Ollie.” Prospective customers are put in touch with current owners of Oliver travel trailers who have offered to show their personal RV. These “field visits” enable an honest exchange of information.
Those in search of the lowest–priced RV may not find an Oliver travel trailer to fit their needs. The starting price of the 2019 Legacy Elite II is $53,900. However, product literature emphasizes the company’s dedication to high standards, quality materials, and four-season use. The goal: long-lasting, livable travel trailers that can be enjoyed in all types of environments.
SPECS | 2019 OLIVER LEGACY ELITE II
MANUFACTURER
Oliver Travel Trailers, 737 Columbia Hwy., Hohenwald, TN 38462; (888) 526-3978; www.olivertraveltrailers.com
MODEL
Legacy Elite II
FLOOR PLANS
(2) — Standard, Twin Bed
TIRES
Michelin LTX M/S2 or Cooper light truck tires
WHEELS
16-inch aluminum rims (including full-size spare)
SUSPENSION
Dexter E-Z Flex
ELECTRICAL SERVICE
30 amps
BATTERIES
(2) Group 27 deep-cycle 12-volt
EXTERIOR LENGTH
23 feet 6 inches
EXTERIOR WIDTH
7 feet
EXTERIOR HEIGHT
9 feet 6 inches, including A/C
INTERIOR HEIGHT
6 feet 6 inches
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
7,000 pounds
UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT
4,600 pounds (approximate)
HITCH WEIGHT
460 pounds (approximate)
FRESH WATER CAPACITY
30 gallons (approximate)
HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 32 gallons (approximate);
black water — 18.5 gallons (approximate)
PROPANE CAPACITY
(2) 20-pound cylinders with access port
WATER HEATER
6-gallon gas/electric
WATER SYSTEM
demand
HEATING SYSTEM
20,000-Btu propane furnace; self-igniting
AIR-CONDITIONING
(1) 13,500-Btu
REFRIGERATOR
4.5 cubic feet, 3-way (12-volt, 120-volt, propane)
WARRANTY
parts — 2 years limited;
aluminum chassis undercarriage — 5 years limited;
fiberglass — lifetime limited
BASE MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$53,900