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Old 11-17-2015, 08:01 PM   #1
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Vintage Kin Owner
Loveland , Colorado
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First Timer with Avion 32S

I was very pleased to find this website and this special category of "Vintage Kin!" We had decided to begin looking for an Airstream as our first trailer and we saw an ad for a '96 25' Excella in San Antonio. We went to see it and when we arrived at the address there was an Avion sitting in the driveway. I thought we were at the wrong place but the owner said he had 2 trailers, the Avion and the advertised Airstream, and he would sell either one. He said the AS was in a storage lot but offered to show us the Avion before we went to see the AS. The Avion was a '78 9.1 meter that was in amazingly nice condition. We spent quite awhile looking over the Avion and in the course of conversation he said he preferred to sell the Airstream and keep the Avion as he had owned several Airstreams in the past and was really impressed with the Avion. We went to see the AS and even though it was 18 years newer we were struck with the apparent difference in quality. The wood cabinetry in the Avion was so much more appealing. Mind you, we are raw neophytes and these were the first trailers we had ever looked at but right away we decided we liked the Avion better.

My wife has never done any camping. My only other camper was a 1965 8' Alaskan pickup camper I bought used 40 years ago. I used that for years and sometimes still regret selling it. The Avion reminds very much of the Alaskan, it was a really well built and very well thought out little camper.

After seeing the Avion in San Antonio I went to work learning all I could about them and was amazed at the amount of information and positive comments there are about Avions. I learned that the San Antonio unit was probably overpriced for the age and condition so started looking for alternatives when I found this one owner 1978 32S at Lake of The Ozarks. I made an offer which was accepted and it is now pending a thorough systems inspection. I have not seen the trailer, only the pictures from the dealer where it is on consignment. We are very excited about this trailer, it had a layout we really like and the condition appears to be excellent. This is a new endeavor for us and I know the learning curve will be steep. I have the feeling that we are going to enjoy meeting like minded folks and sharing their passion for vintage trailers and all things Avion,

One question I have is about the wheels. I read in the factory brochure that this year and model had alloy wheels but these appear to be steel wheels with chrome trim rings and center covers. Is this correct?

Thanks for this resource!
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Old 11-17-2015, 08:18 PM   #2
1987 Avion 34W owner
 
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Nice trailer! You have made a wise choice!

The pictures you posted look like a 1987 model, not a 1978. The taller window (the one by the leather chair) were introduced in 1987.

Good luck on the deal!
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Old 11-17-2015, 08:25 PM   #3
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Welcome to the forum!

IMO, Avion 32S has one of the nicest floor plans out there. We own a 1978 7.9 meter and the build quality and craftsmanship in these trailers is second to none -- They are built like a tank. Yours looks like a 1987 to me (They did not have a 32S model in a 1978).

You can find a wealth of information in Dr Gradeless' website (Avion Travelcade Club Travel Former member Fifth Wheel Fleetwood Trailer Cayo RV Repairs Interesting Email Winona LakeIndiana Unit). He is the guru when it comes to Avion trailers. I have emailed him several times with various questions. He is very helpful and responds quickly and in detail.

Enjoy your trailer!
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Old 11-17-2015, 08:26 PM   #4
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Sorry, Coloflyer..... I forgot to say "WELCOME!!!" to a fellow Avion owner!
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Old 11-17-2015, 08:32 PM   #5
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Here is a 1987 Avion sales brochure if you don't already have one.
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File Type: pdf 1987 Sales Brochure1.pdf (819.2 KB, 123 views)
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Old 11-17-2015, 08:41 PM   #6
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The steel wheels were standard features on the 1987's.
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Old 11-18-2015, 03:53 AM   #7
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Welcome and enjoy your Avion. There are three Avion Facebook pages and one TinCan Tourist. Have fun
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Old 11-18-2015, 11:08 AM   #8
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That trailer is obviously very loved and well taken care of by its previous owner.
I have heard that the Avion is a better built/more superior trailer to the Airstream in terms of construction- specifically the way the floor and wall meet.
The obvious thing I see that is better in my opinion- more storage compartments in the banana wrap/belly pan area.
If they still made them...
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Old 11-18-2015, 11:22 AM   #9
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Avions were awesome pre-fleetwood...my family's second rig was a '99 Fleetwood Avion FW. It was nice, but I've been in pre-fw Avions and the build quality is night and day. Of course, I currently have a '00 Landyacht XC Diesel and I've heard the same argument thrown around on the forums regarding pre/post Thor lol...anyways, welcome to the family! Love your rig, hope you have one helluva truck to tow that!
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Old 11-18-2015, 12:13 PM   #10
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I can speak of our 1987 Avion 34W (Fleetwood-built). Awesome is not a good enough word to describe it. Solidly built, well- insulated, no rivet-popping going on, doors and drawers stay shut going down the road, no tin-canning....... Gimme a few minutes, I'll think of more!

I will also add that I would own a 1991-1995 Avion FW in a heartbeat. Same excellent build quality.
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Old 11-18-2015, 10:30 PM   #11
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AVION's are best

We have a 78, 28J that we bought about ten years ago, most comfortable unit, can't understand why Airstream owners complain about how they can't go camping when it's cold, we have been in areas where it gets down to 0 deg F with no problems.
Hera are a few pictures.
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Old 11-18-2015, 10:52 PM   #12
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Your right, it is a 1987. Made a typo in the description!

Thanks for the comments
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Old 11-19-2015, 10:13 AM   #13
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I can't believe those were FW built?! Wow. They were amazing once really great it seems but boy did they go downhill. Our '99 was all mdf and cheap materials. It looked great on the surface but dig any deeper and it was crap. They must have had different management back then cause I've been in an '80s Avion and it was a different product.
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Old 11-19-2015, 10:23 AM   #14
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Avion has always been a quality product. I guess the mid 80's was the peak in terms of quality. Starting in 1988, the quality started slipping (still was pretty good, but they started using cheaper axles, etc.) and by 1990 Fleetwood stopped the trailer production.
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Old 11-22-2015, 05:27 PM   #15
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Just sold an '85 Avion 9.1. I also have a 2006 Safari 25. The quality of the Avion is far superior to the AS.
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