It’s mid October 2017 and while we are celebrating owning our Avion for one year I have decided to reflect back on things learned over the past 12 months.
Mind you, our past twelve months might be considered a bit out of the norm for most recreational RV owners. We bought our Avion in October, slept on her one night (in our driveway) before tucking her into winter storage for four months. In spring we decided to sell our big 2650 Sq. ft farmhouse and downsize to a 1400 Sq ft townhouse apartment in town. Our house sold in nine days with a contract happening two days after we got back from our first big RV trip of 1800 miles to Ontario, MI, Indiana, OH and back thru NY. We decided at that point we loved living on board so much we would continue to do that so we could keep the house clean and more efficiently sort, purge and pack necessary things to keep for moving. We held four big tag/barn sales selling tons of stuff. Enough in fact to pay for our move!
Now let’s get to our top 10 things we learned: (in no special order)
1. The aerodynamic design of the Avions is second to none. Kevin has to look in the rear view to remind himself she is still there. Our 28 foot length is the perfect size for us.
2. We are thankful to have black and grey waste tanks. Older Avion models only had one. However, without full hook ups the grey water tank fills in about 4 days. Smaller tank than our more modern Class A had. We used the house toilet so cannot really measure that. We used plastic step stools in tub to keep our stored stuff out of grey water back flow. Yes, u will know its time to dump your grey water when u see dish water coming up in tub drain. No biggie, it is essentially just soapy water.
3. Command hooks are priceless to put inside closet doors. Lift up style Cabinet hinges loosen up with regular use so keep a screw driver handy to tighten every week or so.
4. Our 24 pocket fabric shoe organizer mounted just inside our door on wall of refrigerator has been one of the best tips yet! Thank you Courtney & Steve of A Streamin Life!! It makes a great handy place for dog leashes, flashlight, recycle bags, work gloves, outgoing mail and bug spray.
5. An old fashioned but new Farberware percultor makes the best coffee and does not need electricity nor takes up counter space. Ditto for my box toasters which I have done a separate post on.
6. As a safety precaution it is good practice to shut off the water intake valve in the outside compartment when leaving for work for the day. Not that anything has happened, but if something had gone awry then water would not have been flowing into our trailer all day. I had to put a reminder note on inside our screen door to remember each morning!
7. We need so much less than we think we do. We have done so well with two fry pans, two small sauce pans and a service for four of dishes, cups, and silverware. It’s all we need. Also, wash, dry and put away after every meal. Everything has a place and everything in its place keeps order in small places. Now that we live ten feet from our beds, we each make our bed everyday too!
8. People give you some odd looks when in a vintage trailer. Avion owners and vintage trailer rallies are a blast and super fun.
9. I am still learning how to line up the car to the hitch ball. But the LevelMatePRO is awesome for leveling!
10. We have Learned that living in 200 Sq. Ft is not as tough as we thought. It actually is very relaxing and evokes a sense of freedom from other encbrances that is hard to explain.
This is a good place to end our first year with our Pewter Palace Avion.
Good night all!
ThePewterPalace-Our Love Affair with Avions 
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