I went to the Pomona RV Show this morning (Saturday), "toured" the Oliver Legacy, and spent over an hour talking to Jim and Evon Oliver. They've been touring in the 2nd one built. The newest ones off-the-line are apparently including some of the cosmetic and other minor changes that result from putting several thousand miles on the first ones produced (changes like improved chaulking around the bathroom cabinets, floor level threshold at the door, tighter-tolerence seams on the
propane tank cover, ...). They are really soliciting comments for additional improvements.
I was impressed. We have a 16'
Casita Spirit Deluxe. The Oliver has pretty much the same floor-plan as the 17'
Casita, incorporates most of the modifications that are made by
Casita owners, and improves on quality, features, and amenities. The significant improvements include a stronger & aluminum chassis, doubled walled construction with insulation, clean interior, intergrated cabinets with recessed
lighting, power jack & stabilizers, enclosed plumbing, large holding tanks, pull-out
battery tray,....
The cost, $17.5K for the Classic and $26.5K for the Legacy seemed more reasonable after I did a price comparison with a few of the trailers at the RV Show that interested me; the Thor TA@DA(??) @$22K,
Bigfoot (new "off-road" model) @$33K, and Airstream Bambi @$46K. I suffered some significant sticker-shock. Prices have gone up significantly since I was last shopping a few years ago. While all of them have improved in quality, features, and amenities, they are now further out of my reach. I felt better about the Oliver pricing and my ability to "move-up" from my 2001 16' SD in a year or two.
Some additional notes: I actually liked the clean/shiny interior. My wife would appreciate the reduction in allergens. The clean interior did seem to open up the interior over the Casita rug-walls/ceiling. I liked the larger and fully enclosed/insulated fresh and waste-water tanks and interior plumbing (no shower trap hanging low). Nice to have high quality fixtures and appliances (note: the 2-burner stove is recessed to counter level). I noticed the "inside" shower drain lever and no stove hood (have a down-draft exhaust in the counter).