Please visit our online store….our exclusive artist designs for Avion & All Aluminum RVs

AVION & other RV RESOURCE LINKS

Below is a Quick Link Summary of items we use and can be seen referenced in various blog posts and photos. Please note our disclaimer at bottom of this page. Many, but not all of the links below are from Amazon or have been provided by fellow Avion owners on various facebook and other forum sites.

Please remember to subscribe to this blog so you get immediate updates on new articles and support our efforts to share information to readers! We thank you!

LIST OF RESOURCES AND LINKS TO ITEMS WE HAVE FOUND:

• Window, Door, & Exterior Light Repair:

1. Interstate RV Metal and Supply: Rubber mouldings (glass bead) for Hehr Windows
2. Parkin-acc.com has Hehr windows and parts including screen clips, torque operators(window crank boxes) and rubber trims. http://parkin-acc.com/page53.html
3. Bone Tool: Great for scraping off goo, old adhesive, stickers, will not mar aluminum, plexi or glass.
4. Lense for Step Light small lamp to right of Avion Steps (we have a ’73 but owners with rigs in the 1980s say this works for them too!)
5. Vent Fan Roof Cover. We have not ordered these but since this large size is impossible to find this is a source to bookmark. Let us know if you get one of these and please offer a review!
6. Rear License Plate light: this may not be exact like original Bargman but it is similar. There are rebuilt originals that they sell, now with LED bulbs too!https://www.customvintagetrailerparts.com/original-bargman-tag-light-rebuild-kit.html
7. Vinyl Door Trim. This Ebay seller has an online store with many different profiles and colors for this moulding. Be sure to sit it on the sun to increase flexibility when installing.
8. Front and Rear Marker Lights: These are a perfect fit, look great to replace our 1987 marker lights. They can be retrofitted to use an LED bulb from M4 LED lights as well. https://www.easternmarine.com/rubber-body-mount-amber-marker-light-1506ad

Tires, Rims, etc.

1. Rims: We went with 16″ rims to raise up the trailer by an inch: https://recstuff.com/trailer-wheels/aluminum-trailer-wheels/16×6-6-bolt-on-5-5-aluminum-t02-trailer-wheel/
2. 4.25″ center cap, Stainless Steel for rims: https://recstuff.com/trailer-tires-wheels/wheel-accessories/4-25-stainless-steel-ez-lube-center-cap-ccs002/
3. High Pressure, Steel valve stems: https://recstuff.com/trailer-tires-wheels/wheel-accessories/valve-stems/high-pressure-bolt-in-metal-valve-stem-0-130-psi/
4. Centramatic Wheel Balancers: https://www.centramatic.com/wheel-balancer.rhtml?modelNumber=200-223

Awnings:

1. ZipDee Awnings (we have full curbside awning and also window awnings on rear and streetside) We also ordered and installed their awning “travel locks/latches” and have found them to be excellent!
2. Awning Clips– I use these to clip to valance of awning and then lay my fairy lights and other patio lights into the hook at bottom. These are WAY cheaper than any you will buy at a RV supply store and work perfectly. Quick to take down if bad weather strikes.

Exterior equipment and repair materials:

1. Step Block (alternative to fold down original steps, also makes great step ladder, we love it! We have it in the green, makes a nice seat for grandkids or overflow adult seating or a great end table too)
2. Solar Powered Fairy Lights (the ones i purchased are no longer available, but these are very similar but by a different company. Reviews on Amazon seem very comparable)
3. Weber Grill This is actually our second one. We love these so much we now have one at home, one for the road.
4. Reproduction Avion Travelcade Stickers ( on Ebay)
5. Eternabond Tape (for covering roof seams, rivets)
6. Butyl Tape – goes behind window frames and rub rail tracks, under any a-fixed items on roof like vent flanges, etc. to prevent water penetration.
7. Inline Water Filters – there is no telling what water quality and purity you are going to get at campsites. Best to screen out all that you can!
8. Sidewinder Sewer Hose Cradle– keep your hose off gravel or sharp items. Have it angled for best downward flow.
9. EXtreme Sewer Hose– we have used many brands/models. This is terrific!
10. Rhino Sewer Hose Cleaning equipment
11. Fresh (for drinking only) hose. Best one we have tried, and we have had many different brands. Pays to get quality from the start.
12. Brass Inline Water Hose Fitting
13. Brass Inline Water Hose fitting with gauge– good to have if you suspect pressure issues from the campground.
14. Scissor Jack Socket Drill Bit – make your set up quick…put this on end of a portable drill and crank down and up your stabilizers in a jiffy. We bought several of these in case you lose one!
15. Anderson Levelers– in our opinion, the best and only way to go. We have used the flat blocks over the years and do keep a few handy for under our stabilizers or in case of lots of loose or muddy site. But these Anderson’s are our go to for leveling! We bought the delux set that also has the large one that can be used on its side underneath your power hitch lift.
16. Progressive Industries Surge Protector – really well regarded by many. We do not travel without it! We do suggest you put a bike cable lock around electric pedestal at campground to lock this baby in place, they are valuable and could be easily stolen! 2024-UPDATE- we now use a Hughes Auto Transformer and the Hughes Watch Dog surge protector.
17. Outland LP Fire Bowl – more and more where we roam fires are limited. We like being able to “turn this off” and go to bed and not worry about non-attended sparks. Pricey but highly recommended by many full time RVers for durability and overall use and quality.
18. Reproduction Avion Travelcade Stickers ( on Ebay)

19. Interstate RV Metal and Supply: Great Source for “Glaze Bead”(that black stuff that goes around the exterior of your windows to hold them in place and prevent leaks). Here is our video when we did this repair job.

NEW!!!! RUB RAIL INSERT VINYL SUPPLIERS:

To get the proper look AND fit tightly into the metal track order 1.5″ width! Any narrower may go in easier but will be prone to popping out over time!

TIP: We have ordered sample lengths from each of the companies below. They have tons of colors to choose from- we strongly suggest ordering samples first. They both carry the exact same product and even their color swatches have the same # codes. Shop by price as sometimes one company is less than the other for the exact same item, or may be offering better deals on shipping.

Suppliers:

www.sunnilandpatio.com/collections/replacement-vinyl-strapping-by-the-roll

www.patiofurnituresupplies.com/vinyl-strap-rivets.html

TRAVELCADE CLUB NUMBER REPRODUCTIONS!

NEW!!! Here is a reputable Ebay store who makes up the Travelcade Club member #s if you need to add or are missing your original ones. https://www.ebay.com/str/cannedhamdecals?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 In some cases, you will see a “ghost” of these numbers on one front side panel and rear of your Avion. These indicate your trailer owners at some point joined the Travelcade Club exclusively for Avion Owners. This club no longer exists, and actually current Avion owners are more than free to create their own #s if they wish if yours never had numbers. There are some Avion owners on the facebook pages who have the old member registries and they can help you research your rig if you have the numbers or “ghost” images of where the numbers used to be! Contact us directly using our contact page on our blog for more info!

 

GLASS BEAD RUBBER FOR AROUND YOUR WINDOWS:

For our 1973 Avion we used the following glaze bead from Interstate RV with excellent results. We ordered the black and like how it looks a lot. Interstate does not do online ordering so it is best to simply call them to place your order.

INTERSTATE RV METAL & SUPPLY 800-587-3463 OR 503-786-8860

• CATALOG # 009-344 1/8 INCH GLAZE BEAD [ April/2017 was $1.50 per foot + s/h] (comes in black or white) we suggest black as honestly it nearly fades into the window so it does not show at all. I do not have a per foot price handy but will post in the very near future. Their customer service is very good and they are “Avion friendly folks” and know vintage rigs. We highly recommend their product. Along with the glaze bead you will need Par Bond to apply at the seams where your rubber glaze bead meet each other end to end. This will prevent water seepage into that seam. Be sure to really butt the two ends up very tightly because there will be some shrinkage over time and a redo of par bond to fill those cracks may be needed so be vigilant on that! Applying the bead in warm weather and/or using a hair blow dryer will help keep it supple and easier to get in. Using a plastic putty knife may also be helpful.

Interior Equipment and every day things: green text is linked to product order info 😀

1. Unique (brand) Digester – Black Tank Digester is by far the best on the market. They have instructions even for disjarring long standing sludge from your tank if your Avion has been sitting for a long time.
2. Awesome Storage Ottomans– these can easily also function as an extra seat because they can handle the weight. We have them on board and at home. Very good construction.
3. Farberware 8-cup Stove Top Perculator– use it daily, very good quality.
4. Progressive Coffee Storage love that it has a clip to keep scoop inside lid.
5. Oxo Storage containers – square design saves space, stackable, pop top ensures airtight seal. Recommended by fellow RVers who full time. Keep mice and bugs from sniffing yummy food in your cabinets!
6. Museum Putty– for keeping knicknacks and other things in place on shelves. I also put dots of it behind all hanging picture frames etc. to keep them from swinging while traveling.
7. Best Toaster Ever! Love this to bits. Have two now in case of guests as does only toast two pieces over one stove burner at a time. No electricity or counter space needed!
8. Collapsible food storage nesting containers. These are terrific, take up no space and hold up very well. Square shape means they fit in either refrig or cupboards better.
9. LED LIGHT BULBS: there are lots of knock off, cheap LED’s out there so beware. We used replacement bulbs from M4 under the recommendation of TheRvGeeks and other long standing, full time RVers.
10. Mattress Saver https://www.mattressinsider.com/mattress-condensation-prevention.html. Mattress vent fiber layer. Prevents mold and condensation in mattresses. We bot enough to do b our bunks. Cuts easy with kitchen shears.
11. FRESH CAB rodent repellent sachets. Organic, smell mild and nice not obnoxious. You can order this from Amazon or direct from Earthkind company.
12. ROUND VANITY MIRROR LIGHTS (circa 80s Avions)
13. Kohree 12 Volt RV Led Light bulb. Got on Amazon, 2021.
14. 12v ROUND BATHROOM CEILING VENT FAN: https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/12v-air-powered-roof-vent-vts-152/

MORE LINKS AND REFERENCE SOURCES FOR AVION OWNERS:

HISTORY OF AVION LUXURY TRAVEL TRAILERS

OTHER ONLINE WEBSITES FOR GREAT INFO!

SilverAvion.com

MyVintageTravelTrailer.com (info to research Avion specs on models/years)

RESOURCES FOR DO IT YOUR-SELFER’S OR FOR GETTING YOUR AVION REPAIRED

OPERATIONS MANUALS FOR A 1973 & 1982 AVIONS: please note, we have reviewed many various years of 70s and 80s manuals and many contain a lot of generic info that was used for many years of manufacture with only slight variations to some areas of the manual for location of certain wiring, plumbing and heating components.

1973: PART ONE (PAGES 1-13), PART 2 (PAGES 14-END) Many thanks to fellow Avion owner Karen Metcalf McCraw for her upload!

1987: FULL MANUAL– THIS CAME WITH OUR 1987 32S model.

———————————————————————

Here is the info on the person dubbed “The Avion Guru” of the USA!

CAYO REPAIR, Watervliet, Michigan. Chuck is son to one of the original owners and considered among some circles to be an Avion Guru (or Wizard) for repairs, especially restoration projects like skin replacements due to accidents, etc. He does not have a website but can be reached by phone is best at 269-463-5068. Leave a message (or two) and they will get back to you. Warning, this company is high in demand, don’t expect to bring your rig in on Tuesday so you can get it repaired and use it to go camping on Friday. They are not too “online present” but here is their FB page for Cayo Repair Service

AVION FORUMS (ONLINE)

avioncampingandrestoration-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

http://www.aviontrailers.net/

VINTAGE CAMPER LINKS & RESOURCES:

VintageCampers.com

VintageCamperTrailers.com

Vintage Campers on Pintrest…..great ideas and inspirations!

Vintage Trailer Shop (especially windows, parts, etc.)

Tin Can Tourists ( membership group of trailer lovers)

Reproduction Avion Travelcade Stickers ( on Ebay)

—————————————————————————————

DISCLAIMER: We do not have any investment, representation or connection to any of these sites. Vendors and links to resources are listed purely for informational purposes. We do not take any responsibility for their products, service , online or printed information nor do we assume any liability.