Thank you, thank you! I have much to learn on how to manipulate this computer.
68 Suburban
If you go to the bottom of that page, you can get to Don's home page. That will list his e-mail. Like I said, he was very helpful to us and also I noticed that he had a Avion manual at the time. Leigh
Anodized alluminum is suppose to have a matte finish. Airstreams have a polished finish. With the matte finish the was you get it to shine is wash and light polish or spray with a clear coat, but it will never be like a mirror. More like an aluminum refrigerator?
hey, can I participate too? I see you let anyone join even Avion owners........that is how I came to this site when googleing "1968 Avion" I saw this forum discussing the very same 1968 Avion (24')that I just took ownership and will be living in it with my 10yo daughter while my house and studio are being built. I am having a blast fixing all the things that need to be fixed on this gem. My father had airstreams ( 29 or 30' and a Bambi) that I had fond memories and when I went on ebay to make my bid there were lots of a/s and only a few avions like they were a lesser version but then I have taken up with the underdog or the road less traveled types.
anyway.....I have a few questions........
the awning that is on this thing seems to be orginal equiptment but doesn't to be attached to anything at the bottom.....there were three lag screw stuck in holes to nowhere......seems like the wood has rotten away. question.........are there any other solutions rather than taking all the skin of and replace what has dissapeared?
how would one go about getting a owner manuel for a 24' 1968 avion?
would it be a good idea to replace or repair the compressor for the fresh water.....the damm thing leaked at the pressure sensor and ruined the carpet (not orginal) and maybe why the wood has rotten away. I thought the frame would be all steel. How much wood on a/s?
does someone sell replacement aluminnum panels for a/s avion?
are the storm windows still available for these guys?......I received two upon delivery and would like to get a complete set......they work great to keep out the noise.
Airstream is recognized as the archetype and various brands of vintage alumunium are commonly refered to as Airstreams by those not in the know.
Avion was originally a smaller family operated company later bought by Fleetwood.
The debate will go on which Aluminum trailer is "best". Here's some miscellany that comes to mind. Avion had it's points such as thicker walls. I don't believe Avions were as much true monococque construction as Airstreams. Fleetwood Avions are considerably heavier than Airstreams. Early Avion aluminum was not anodized and can be polished. Check out the Avion Travelcade website.
Most important, even though it's an Avion, you are welcome here. But remember if you rearrange the letters A-I-R-S-T-R-E-A-M you get I ARE SMART.
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Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain- WoZ
how would one go about getting a owner manuel for a 24' 1968 avion?
would it be a good idea to replace or repair the compressor for the fresh water.....the damm thing leaked at the pressure sensor and ruined the carpet (not orginal) and maybe why the wood has rotten away. I thought the frame would be all steel. How much wood on a/s?
are the storm windows still available for these guys?......I received two upon delivery and would like to get a complete set......they work great to keep out the noise.
I just noticed the original post was in 2002!
This might help with BobRobert's Queeries. I had a 60 Avion.
For a manual check out the Avion Travelcade site. But the manual for my 60 was about 10 pages long.
My 60 had an air pressure fresh water system. The consensus is swtich to a new on demand pump.
Yes, steel ladder frame. Do a search on the forums for floor repair.
Don't know what you mean by "storm window" Window hardware is still available, but you will probably have a hard time with windows. It may be on yours the windows were made by another company like Hehr and may be also found on other brands. Post a photo.
__________________
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain- WoZ
Don't know much about the history, but we've actually owned and towed both Airstreams, of course, and one Avion. There are significant differences between the two, and to compare them you must compare the Avion to a simular year Airstream, in my opinion. Anyway, the Avion at the time was much heavier due to much better quality interior cabinetry, a much more robust frame, and they were also not as round, or aerodynamic which can be seen just looking at them, as well as the anodized exterior. And as has been mentioned, they had thicker walls. Also, the Avions used conventional leaf springs with at least some of them having swing type axles that were attached to the frame in the center.
All of which lead to them being significantly harder to pull than an Airstream of a simular size. However, one got the "feeling" of being in a more substantially built trailer when in an Avion. If I were looking for a trailer for full-time use, I would certainly consider an Avion.
The cabinetry of the current premium Airstreams is on a par with the cabinetry of the Avions. The Avions cabinetry was Birch as I remember.
Also, the Avions used conventional leaf springs with at least some of them having swing type axles that were attached to the frame in the center.
All of which lead to them being significantly harder to pull than an Airstream of a simular size.
Avion used a spring suspension until the mid 60's. Avion and Mor Ryde developed the rubber spring or as Avion called it Smooth Glide suspension system. This was standard on the Avion until 1978 when Fleetwood changed the suspension. The split axle set-up was used until the 1989-90 year when Fleetwood installed AL-KO Kober axles. These are torsion axles similiar in type to the Henschen axles that are on almost all Airstream trailers today.
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