This 1965 Avion 18’ came in as a trade on another project with a solid shell but a completely gutted interior. The potential was obvious from the start, yet other restorations kept taking priority, and the trailer waited patiently for its turn. After completing a milestone 100th restoration, it finally moved to the front of the line.
The vision was a vintage mountain cabin on wheels — rustic in character, but entirely new and fully functional beneath the surface. The trailer was stripped to its bones. Multiple layers of old paint were removed, worn flooring came up, and fortunately the subfloor proved solid. A new 9” VCT floor was installed, and the walls were laminated in cherry hardwood veneer cut into narrow strips to follow the Avion’s compound curves while enhancing the cabin aesthetic.
Custom cabinetry was crafted from blue-stain (beetle kill) pine, with repurposed aspen cabinet doors. Galvanized sheet metal forms the countertop and backsplash. The gaucho and dinette feature lodge pole arms, fresh foam, and brown Naugahyde upholstery. A custom sliding barn door replaced the original vinyl folding divider, and the rustic theme carries into the bathroom — where a vintage washtub serves as the shower, copper plumbing is intentionally exposed, an antique basin becomes the vessel sink, and even the toilet enclosure nods to an old-fashioned outhouse.
Underneath the cabin charm, everything is modern. New ABS holding tanks — including a gray tank not originally offered in this era — were installed. Plumbing is PEX, lighting is LED, and the electrical system was upgraded with a new 12V converter. New appliances include an Atwood water heater and furnace, a Dometic three-way refrigerator, a Coleman air conditioner, and a hidden microwave. The only vintage appliance retained is the antique stovetop, which fits perfectly with the theme. A flat-screen TV rises on an electric lift, and the entertainment system — DVD/CD, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi capability, and USB charging ports — remains neatly tucked out of sight when not in use.
The exterior presented its own challenge. Mid-1960s Avions were anodized, making refinishing difficult. Rather than attempt to strip it, the trailer was wrapped in a gold metallic vinyl that echoes the look of gold anodized aluminum. All removable components were taken off, dents were addressed, and the shell was carefully prepped before installation. The belly pan was finished in black pebbled truck bed liner, and updated hardware and lighting complete the transformation.
The result is a thoughtfully reimagined Avion — blending rustic cabin warmth with modern reliability, all within a classic aluminum silhouette.
