Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-10-2014, 07:46 PM   #1
1987 Avion 34W owner
 
PaulnGina's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol' , USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
New Member.... 1987 Avion 34W

Hello. I just joined the site after reading through a couple of threads detailing Avion refurbs. I am always amazed at the skills, effort, and time that people are able to put into their trailers. I am not the least interested in participating in the rivalry between the family of silver trailers (or tow vehicles, for that matter).... I like them all, for different reasons! Like people, the trailers have their good and bad points, but I like to focus on the good..... and tolerate the bad!

After getting to enjoy several travel trailers during my childhood, including an Airstream (mid-seventies vintage) and an Avion 34V (1981, if I remember correctly), my wife and I FINALLY bought a 1987 Avion 34W last October. It was in pretty good shape.... no major issues at all, just needed TLC and detailing. We purchased it for $4K, after negotiating down from $4,800 to cover a 2000-mile round trip to go get it. Understanding that Craigslist deals can be a disaster, once I had received LOTS of information and pictures, and several phone calls with the previous owner, I felt comfortable about the deal. We went from NW Arkansas to Hancock, MI to get it. Everything was just as the previous owner had described, no surprises whatsoever. It made the trip home without even a hiccup. I winterized it, cleaned up the inside, and have done some on the outside, although this winter hasn't cooperated to get a whole lot accomplished. My first exterior project is to clean the roof and apply eternabond's alumibond tape to the seams. The roof seams have some sort of brush-on sealer on them. It has dried to the point to where it comes off with a little effort, so that shouldn't be as major of a job as others I've seen. I want to replace all 6 electric brakes, inspect/pack the bearings, and clean/paint the frame members and wheel well areas. I also need to tidy up the batteries: a previous owner moved them from the front of the trailer to the storage area under the rear bed. They are in a battery box that is vented to the outside, but it's not quite the professional job I'd like it to be. All in all, it's in good shape and I know we'll enjoy the heck out of it. We might make our maiden voyage to a local lake in April (talk at church about getting a group together)..... will definitely do that in June (meeting friends there), but no set plans, yet, for a long-distance trip. (already had a 1000+ mile trip bringing it home, so I know it tows like a dream.) A trip to the north east is on our sights.

I spoke to the wife of the original owner (husband passed away three years ago) and found out that they took this Avion EVERYWHERE!!!!! From Alaska to Florida... from Maine to Mexico! It was wonderful talking to her.

I grew up in Tulsa, OK, home of the Spartan trailers. I have enjoyed learning the history of those.

Thank you, Air Forums, for letting owners of silver cousins join!!! (If I could get my hands on a Silver Streak, I'd probably be a 2-TT owner! I love the looks of those, too!) I look forward to learning a LOT here.
__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
PaulnGina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2014, 08:01 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
m.hony's Avatar
 
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
Great story.
Great trailer.
Pictures?
Welcome to the forums.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
m.hony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2014, 08:05 PM   #3
1987 Avion 34W owner
 
PaulnGina's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol' , USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
Yes, I have pictures to share, but not with me at the moment. I'll post them soon.
__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
PaulnGina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2014, 08:25 PM   #4
1987 Avion 34W owner
 
PaulnGina's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol' , USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
I forgot all about posting pictures. Here are a few.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4415.JPG
Views:	305
Size:	625.2 KB
ID:	211085   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4413.JPG
Views:	281
Size:	636.3 KB
ID:	211086  

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4412.JPG
Views:	312
Size:	632.1 KB
ID:	211087   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4293.JPG
Views:	332
Size:	116.2 KB
ID:	211088  

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4302.JPG
Views:	283
Size:	110.5 KB
ID:	211089  
__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
PaulnGina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2014, 08:36 PM   #5
Moderator
 
Kevin245's Avatar

 
Vintage Kin Owner
... , ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
Images: 9
Great looking rig and a great price. Congrats.
__________________

"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."

William C. Swinney

Kevin245 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2014, 08:57 PM   #6
1987 Avion 34W owner
 
PaulnGina's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol' , USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
I have the roof about 2/3 finished with the Eternabond sealer. I replaced all of the electric brake assemblies and shocks. Here are some pictures of those projects.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4379.jpg
Views:	247
Size:	234.8 KB
ID:	211093   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4385.jpg
Views:	308
Size:	186.3 KB
ID:	211094  

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4402.jpg
Views:	316
Size:	443.2 KB
ID:	211095   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4403.jpg
Views:	276
Size:	560.6 KB
ID:	211096  

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4409.jpg
Views:	277
Size:	545.3 KB
ID:	211097   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4410.jpg
Views:	230
Size:	387.5 KB
ID:	211098  

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4417.JPG
Views:	290
Size:	603.7 KB
ID:	211099  
__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
PaulnGina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2014, 05:49 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
Currently Looking...
Mantua , Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
Blog Entries: 2
Always nice to see another Avion on the forums. We are welcome here and I for one appreciate it. Good luck, great trailer. Jim
xrvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2014, 06:01 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
m.hony's Avatar
 
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
Looks like you're ready to go everywhere like the previous owners...
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
m.hony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2014, 06:29 PM   #9
2 Rivet Member
 
Vagabond Bob's Avatar
 
2001 30' Classic S/O
Crestone , Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 31
Interesting story, I used to have that same model years ago. Another point of interest is that I grew up in Hancock Mi. I haven't lived up there since the early 70's. Good luck with it. I am about to get back to travel trailering with a. Purchase this week. Bye for now. Vagabond
Vagabond Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2014, 06:55 PM   #10
2 Rivet Member
 
Smokeydog's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Gonzalez , Florida
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 50
Yes it is good to see another Avion owner. Welcome. Mine is a 1978 28.5 model M. I've been busy updating. New fridge, countertops, curtains, etc.
__________________
1978 28.5 Avion Model M
2010 Tundra XSP
Hensley arrow
Pensacola, Fla.
Go Noles!
Smokeydog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2014, 07:30 AM   #11
1987 Avion 34W owner
 
PaulnGina's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol' , USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vagabond Bob View Post
Interesting story, I used to have that same model years ago. Another point of interest is that I grew up in Hancock Mi. I haven't lived up there since the early 70's. Good luck with it. I am about to get back to travel trailering with a. Purchase this week. Bye for now. Vagabond
Thank you. I wish we had had more time to enjoy the Hancock area. It is a beautiful part of the country (in the non-winter months, anyway).
__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
PaulnGina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2014, 07:38 AM   #12
1987 Avion 34W owner
 
PaulnGina's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol' , USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smokeydog View Post
Yes it is good to see another Avion owner. Welcome. Mine is a 1978 28.5 model M. I've been busy updating. New fridge, countertops, curtains, etc.

You've been busy! I've been very fortunate with this trailer... with the exception of a bad ground on the water pump and a wiring issue I had to figure out, everything works! I washed all of the curtains and they turned out very nice. This coming week I'll continue detailing the outside of the trailer with ParBond, and I need to replace the seal under the A/C unit. Once I have all of that done, it'll be just about where I want it to be, just in time for our maiden voyage to an area lake in June.
__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
PaulnGina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2014, 07:37 PM   #13
Vintage Kin
 
Fort Worth , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
Images: 1
Great price, great TT. Less than half of what it's worth, and one-third after all said and done (assuming factory quality is the goal).

" . . I also need to tidy up the batteries: a previous owner moved them from the front of the trailer to the storage area under the rear bed. They are in a battery box that is vented to the outside, but it's not quite the professional job I'd like it to be."

The reason TT batteries are located on the tongue or in the very front of a coach is their weight. While most weight should be centered on the axles one would need to place the batteries on both port and starboard to equalize the load.

Placing any weight of significance behind the axles is a no-no. All trailers will sway given the right conditions, and those modifications which increase that tendency (reducing trailer yaw stability) works against you. These matters are not those of skill at the wheel, but of risk minimization.

Keeping the TT tongue weight at 12-15% of total TT weight (shoot for 13%) is also par for the course.

A reduction in TW accompanied by a further reduction in yaw stability due to weight at the rear of the TT is the wrong path.

Personally, I'd not ever have batteries under my bed any more than I would a gas/electric water heater . . the thought of failure, explosion and fire is more than I could bear.

Also, do the homework on setting up your WD hitch properly. A truck has a hard enough time staying upright and lane-centered, and a big TT only makes that worse. A PRO PRIDE hitch is highly recommended (your low TT price paid for this), as are BILSTEIN shocks plus polyurethane anti-roll bar bushings for the your pickemup. Get rid of the steering slop -- any at all -- and take care of brake drag and alignment on both vehicles.

Your trailer is a known good towing vehicle. I recently visited with man and his family at a Texas rest area with pretty much the same rig . . and it was easy to agree that the FORD mirrors of the period were not up to the task, but that the rest was tried and true (in his family for over 15-years).

I'd pretty much guarantee that you'll never again come across such a good bargain. Treat it as irreplaceable, in all ways.

Look forward to more.

.
slowmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2014, 08:27 PM   #14
4 Rivet Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Phoenix , Arizona
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 488
I have owned a 1988 model for many years and they are certainly well built. It looks as if you really got a good deal on yours. Enjoy it, because it will certainly last a few generations if it is cared for.
M2HB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2014, 07:00 AM   #15
3 Rivet Member
 
Jim & Mitzi's Avatar
 
1987 32' Excella
1990 29' Land Yacht
Vintage Kin Owner
Americus , Alsrural Bristol Tn.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 170
Just brought a 86 10.3. Triple axle home. VG + condition. So far. 1water leak at pump under roadside bed . Easy fix. Some rear frame : bumper rust to be repaired. 1? How is the front sleeper couch assembled. Mine seems to be missing a shelf ? Behind the couch backrest. There must be something missing that would bring the backrest forward for seating comfort ???? Info and pics appreciated. Many Thanx


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
Jim & Mitzi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2014, 06:15 AM   #16
1987 Avion 34W owner
 
PaulnGina's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol' , USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim & Mitzi View Post
Just brought a 86 10.3. Triple axle home. VG + condition. So far. 1water leak at pump under roadside bed . Easy fix. Some rear frame : bumper rust to be repaired. 1? How is the front sleeper couch assembled. Mine seems to be missing a shelf ? Behind the couch backrest. There must be something missing that would bring the backrest forward for seating comfort ???? Info and pics appreciated. Many Thanx


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
My trailer has the couch on the front, street side. It has a 4-5" shelf behind the backrest. I would imagine that a trailer with the couch along the front wall would have the same. I'll get some pictures today and add them here.
__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
PaulnGina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2014, 06:37 AM   #17
1987 Avion 34W owner
 
PaulnGina's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol' , USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
[QUOTE=slowmover;1463062]
Your trailer is a known good towing vehicle. I recently visited with man and his family at a Texas rest area with pretty much the same rig . . and it was easy to agree that the FORD mirrors of the period were not up to the task, but that the rest was tried and true (in his family for over 15-years)./QUOTE]

Speaking of mirrors..... I found some mirrors made to replace the original Ford heads, without having to replace the brackets on the doors. From Sure Plus. I really like them, and L-shaped the mounting bracket can be reversed to make the mirror stick out another couple of inches, which worked great in my case.

Here's a link.... it's item 184, down the page a bit, and you can see a complete assembly, item 144, on that page.

Sure Plus: Other


Here are some pictures of the mirrors on my truck:
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4440.JPG
Views:	137
Size:	625.7 KB
ID:	216450   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4441.JPG
Views:	133
Size:	610.1 KB
ID:	216451  

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4442.JPG
Views:	139
Size:	618.3 KB
ID:	216452   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF4443.JPG
Views:	162
Size:	624.7 KB
ID:	216453  

__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
PaulnGina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2014, 08:12 AM   #18
Rivet Master
 
JimGolden's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
1977 31' Excella 500
Berkeley Springs , West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,637
Images: 7
Welcome Aboard!

Guys, welcome aboard!

I have to tell you...you STOLE that trailer! I wouldn't even consider selling mine for less than $15K. So if that means I'm keeping it forever, so be it. I have an '87 34X. Very similar. Our layouts are switched side to side (my dinette is on street side and sink/stove on curb side) and I have the full width walk through bathroom. But other than that, they're about the same.

I just got back from a 2400 mile trip with mine, and I took it on about the same last year.

The Adjust-a-Ride six wheel fully independent suspension is absolutely excellent. I run 60psi in my Load Range D tires and the thing floats like a butterfly. I've left an inkpen lying on the kitchen table and 500 miles later it was still there. And no rubber suspension to replace.

I will do the Eternabond myself at some point. I've been using aluminum Kool Seal, as per Dr. Gradeless to keep my roof seam water tight. It works great, but you have to go over it every couple years.

On mine, I've done a new fridge, water heater (switched to dual fuel), Carrier 15,000btu a/c, new Maxxair rainproof roof vents, kitchen faucet, toilet, new shower curtain (just on this trip...the big plastic accordion thing finally bought the farm), new shocks, repacked the bearings, new tires (I use Maxxis UE168's and they seem to be fine), switched out all the running, tail, and reverse lights to LED, made new tail light housings out of .040 alumiinum with aircraft rivets, sanded and repainted the frame, redid the drain/waste plumbing, replaced the front gaucho with a custom made bunkbed for the kids where the lower one works like a couch during the day, and...the list goes on. Oh yeah, I converted it to 50amp last year so now I can run the electric water heater, the a/c, the microwave, a toaster, and my wife's hairdryer at the same time. Before, you could have any two. Nice going from 3600watts to 12,000 (on a 50amp panel, you get two buses so you get a lot more power).

Proprides are great hitches. I've used an Equali-I-Zer for probably 10,000 miles and it's been great. I'd step up to a projection type hitch if I had the extra money lying around, but the EQ has worked well for me. Actually, I towed this trailer 700 miles home on just the ball when I bought it, and it tracked well then. The triple axles naturally track well (conversely, they don't like to turn sharply on blacktop but it's not a big deal). But it did much better with the EQ than just on the ball, and would probably be even better with a PP or a Hensley Arrow. You'll want to make sure you have a good hitch if you don't already. A lot of folks like the Reese Dual Cam also.

There is a Silver Avion forum that has lots of good info. And Dr. Donald Gradeless is authority on these trailers. Cayo still makes parts for them. And if you manage to break an axle (I don't know how you would short of running over a cinder block or something) they will make you a new one. It's a Dexter axle cut in half and a swing arm fitting welded to the end.

I wish you guys the best with it!

Here's picture of Avion from a few weeks ago at a rest stop in GA....

Jim
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_3144.jpg
Views:	238
Size:	431.9 KB
ID:	216455  
__________________
- Jim
JimGolden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2014, 06:21 AM   #19
2 Rivet Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
BARKSDALE AFB , Louisiana
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 21
Thanks for sharing your experience s with the 34. We love ours. Could you tell us about switching the shocks and brake assy? Where you got parts etc?
catsmith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2014, 01:31 PM   #20
1987 Avion 34W owner
 
PaulnGina's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol' , USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
I ordered my shocks from Stengel Brothers:
Welcome to Stengel Bros. Inc. - Steering, Suspension, and Air Ride Specialists
Enter coupon code TJOOS and see if it still gets you a percentage or two off of the price.
Stengel Bros. had by far the lowest price on the shocks.

and the brake assemblies here:
http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/...ssemblies.aspx



I am also a member of the Yahoo Avion Camping and Restoration group (I hope you are, too!).... I know I made a post or two and added some pictures there. I'll look and see if I have any of the same here..... I don't remember off the top of my head.
__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
PaulnGina is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1987 Airstream Sovereign 29 - California itturk Airstream Classifieds 2 03-03-2014 02:05 PM
Trusted Member donschweika Forum Admin, News and Member Account Info 6 02-17-2011 03:40 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:54 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.