We thought it would not happen, but since our plans are really congealing to go full time in 2023 (and it seems like not such a far off time anymore)…we started really looking at our needs for full timing.  A slightly bigger rig with more defined “living space” areas and above all…a rear twin bedroom with panoramic window views to enjoy sunrises and awesome views as we camp at beautiful places like this below…once we start our “new chapter”.

Here is a shot of the Badlands of South Dakota- a dispersed camping area that we will definitely be visiting in 2023.  The second photo is by Mark of “AvionAwesome” who owns a vintage Avion and this shot he took is on the Utah/AZ border.  His photograpy is fabulous so check him out on YouTube or Instagram.

And…..Drum Roll Please!!!!

Here she is!  Being delivered to our RV carriage barn in NY last week!  Click here for VIDEO

So why change from our 1973  ’28 foot LaGrande?  We love our ’28 foot LaGrande model but after some hard consideration, we had recently decided IF a 32S Avion floor plan trailer came up for sale in really good condition we would pounce on it. It was the only change we would accept over our beloved ’73.   AND we DID find one!  In early March( before all the pandemic restrictions-whew!) , a fellow member of the Avion facebook pages posted his 1987 32S Avion for sale.  He had bought a pristine ’34 foot Avion. We contacted him within 2 hours of the posting.  Kevin and I hopped into our car at 4 AM the next day and drove to eastern PA to take a look.  It was perfect for us.  Many of the upgrades we knew we were going to want to make before we began our full time journey had already been done-saving us a lot of sweat and time.  Plus it reaffirmed our decision that the 32 S with its front kitchen, separate rear twin bedroom, and its huge picture window in mid coach living room was just what we needed to complete our full time reality.  So we jumped and bought it!

YES, we will need to sell our lovingly maintained 1973, 28 ‘ LaGrande model travel trailer-so if you are interested watch for our posting soon!! You can see plenty of videos and photos of it here on this blog or on our YouTube channel, search for The Pewter Palace

Here is a shot of the rear twin bedroom.  Plenty of storage, windows on all three sides and …a TV!

Then the front kitchen makes it feel more “homey” versus a galley kitchen, plus we love having the stationary dinette and the storage underneath it is awesome.  Once we retire we hope to do way more camping with the grand kids and now each of them have have their own bed (the sofa folds down to a double bed and dinette a single).  The dinette seats are on springs so they are super comfortable for sitting on and make a super comfy single bed versus on a normal dinette plywood base.

On our project list so far….

Interior Punch List so far:

• Apply Restor-A-Finish “Maple Pine” to all wood cabinetry, doors and closets as it is really dry.

• Change out all original cabinet hardware with more contemporary look (my daughter was the final judge on which we would go with so watch for a dedicated post on the cabinet refurb soon!)
• Clean all drapery and original pull down fabric blinds (yes, still with the “Mauve” original motif trim!) and assess what we will keep and what windows will have a different window treatment to ensure we have light and panoramic views.  Since our full timing will include “chasing 70’s (degrees) there is no super need for heavy lined drapery, etc. but the drapery in the rig is very good and nearly new.
• Do a once over clean and then the interior will be done!  Very little needed as it was very well maintained.  We are the fourth owner.
• Install Lithium Ion Battleborn battery system.
• Convert remaining copper plumbing to PEX
• Find new convention/microwave oven.  Currently the original 1987 model is just a microwave.

Exterior Punch list (so far):

• ALL windows need to be redone with new glass bead and trim.  Time consuming and tough on the fingers but we had to do the glass bead on our ’73 front window so we know how to do it.  Now we just have the whole rig to do!

• Install the EasyStart system in the AC unit (Kevin had just installed that last October in our ’73 and it works great when running on a generator.
• Remove blue midline sticker, and replace with a 3M Chrome insert (see below)

• Apply Eternabond to the seams where zipdee awnings meet the roofline.  Apply Parbond first, then Eternabond tape.
• Repaint hitch and front frame area
• Give her a super good bath

• Possibly replace some of the nose and rear orange running lights or seal better
• Replace Travelcade Stickers, front and rear with reproduction ones as they are very worn out. You can buy them on Ebay, that is where our ’73’s are from.. Source for those is on our Resource/links page
• Begin planning for solar panel installation (probably not till 2022)

With all the goings on with the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, it is questionable how many of our RV trips we planned for this summer to rallies, etc. will actually happen. This is sad for sure and we will really miss seeing everyone and going camping.  But the silver lining is that it does give us dedicated time to work on the projects above so for the 2021 season our NEW Pewter Palace will be all ready to roll and we look forward to showing her off…she is a beauty!  Watch for more interior photo shots soon!

Until we meet on the road again…

Be well, stay safe and healthy!