We recently attended the 107th Winter Convention of the Tin Can Tourists international club. What an awesome time it was! Once again seeing old friends and meeting new ones was a highlight for us! As we now approaching our 4th year of full timing (25++ yrs of RVing) .…our Vintage Trailer and greater RV community has become literally that….our neighbors & friends around the block (and USA!)
While at the Convention, we hosted a simple get-together of Avion owners—since there were 11 AVIONS at this particular rally in Dunnellon, FL in February!
As part of the friendly gathering, Kevin and I shared some tips, tricks, gadgets and products that we have found super helpful in maintaining our RV and living in varying climates from very hot to very cold!
Here is our shared list! Let us know if we forgot something and we will add it here!
BOOKMARK THIS PAGE! This way this list will always be available to find online, to use and update!
Here are some of our FAV’s that we showed or spoke about at the TCT Winter Convention/Feb 2026!
For awnings:
Here is our YouTube playlist on our ZipDee Awnings DIY, maintenance, etc.
303 Fabric Protectant Very good product for preserving or refreshing the water repellency of your fabric awnings. Helps keep the stitching from rotting which is the main cause of awning failures over time.
303 UV Protectant- CLEAR (use on rub rail vinyl and on the vinyl glass bead and screw cover vinyl strips on windows)
ZIP DEE EASY HANDLES: These make lifting your ZipDee awning SO much easier! Very easy to install too…took us less than 10 minutes!
BOESHIELD T-9 LUBRICANT: This is what Kevin uses to clean the metal components of our ZipDee Awning hardware including the ends of main roller bar, arms, easy handles, spring loaded plunger knob.
SEAMS & ROOF MAINTENANCE:
ETERNABOND: Pre install prep solution and bonding spray for extra good adhesion We use this for: PREPPING AND INSTALLATION OF ETERNABOND TAPE ON ROOF SEAMS, ROOF RIVETS, AND AROUND VENTS, PIPES, ETC. We initially never used their pre- application spray but it and the adhesion spray really do make a significant difference when applying Eternabond tapes of any width.
SUMMER COOLING…..WINTER HEATING! ITEMS WE USE TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY!
Interior ceiling vent covers to keep hot air/sun out, AC cool air in AND….minimize heat loss through ceiling vents in the winter! Watch our video!
Reflectix Silver Bubble Wrap for interior windows as well as to line upper cabinets with to minimize heat loss in winter and also keep summer heat out! REMINDER- we recommend making your Reflectix for each window 1 inch bigger on all sides so you can push it into the recessed (sill) track on each window (80s Avions especially have this!) and it will hold a 90 degree angle and stay put. Label each window panel for easy use each year. Use painters tape to tape some of the larger windows (curved fronts) together.
FOR A LOT MORE DISCOUNTS ON TRIP PLANNING TOOLS, PET MONITORING, SNAP PADS AND MORE VISIT
Link to our DISCOUNT PAGE for our regularly used items where we have partnered with the company to provide our followers discounts.
A WORD ABOUT ….ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:
We use Coach-Net and have had very excellent results from having to have used them now in 3 different states, and in often remote/back road locations when our truck broke down. This company specializes in only Truck and RV roadside assistance. They do Class A, B, C and towables. They work with tow companies who know how to tow RVs and 4WD vehicles! Their customer service is excellent. With our example, they will send 2 tow trucks, one for our truck, one for the trailer and tow our trailer to a nearby campground- even if we just made the reservation on the fly after breaking down (yes, this has happened to us)! If two tow trucks are not available, they have taken our truck to dealership garage then turned around and come back to pickup Kevin in the travel trailer and take it to our campground.
They can find exactly where you are with your phone GPS and keep in constant contact with you even as you are being towed to ensure the tow company has come. Then they will followup with you the next day or two after to ensure all is ok. The tow companies have even towed our 32 ft travel trailer to our nearby (75 miles one time!) campground and backed our trailer right into our site exactly where we wanted it! Now that is service! PS: we DO believe in having our truck towed to the nearest GMC dealership rather than the default of the “closest certified mechanic shop” which is what all roadside assistance companies do. We would rather pay the overage of tow miles out of our pocket and be with a dealership that most likely has the parts we need or can get them quickly. Also, often a dealer will have loaners or can provide a ride back to your campground for you. We know many, many RVers (part timers and full timers who have sworn by Coach-Net for decades)
WHAT DID WE FORGET TO LIST THAT WE PROMISED TO??? LET US KNOW!
Warm regards to all!
ThePewterPalace Our Love Affair with Avions 