Some vintage campers survive because nobody touched them. Shirley and Dave’s 1969 Avion vintage travel trailer stands out for the opposite reason: They updated it carefully and kept the parts that still felt right.
At a Serro Scotty rally, their Avion wasn’t technically part of the family, but it still fit the vibe. The tour in the video at the end of this post from Aunt Mimi’s Place shows the 25-foot trailer with polished aluminum style, handmade details, and practical fixes and upgrades that make old-school camping easier.
A moon-landing name with a sense of humor
Shirley calls the trailer “Tranquility Base,” a nod to the Apollo 11 landing because the Avion was built in 1969. After its recent 50th birthday, the name felt like the right tribute.
She also joked that, even though it isn’t a Scotty, it was “identifying as a Scotty” for the weekend. That light touch fits the camper. It’s likely a 25-foot Argonaut, and the inside carries colors that feel at home among classic Scotty trailers.
The big upgrades stayed practical
Most of the work was cosmetic, but the useful changes are what make the trailer work. The old brown, gold, and green look gave way to a cleaner interior, including a peel-and-stick tile backsplash in the kitchen. Shirley and Dave also pulled out the original copper water lines and replaced them with PEX.
The biggest swap was the toilet. They removed the original unit and installed an Incinolet® electric incineration toilet so they wouldn’t have to deal with emptying a black-water tank. It works well, but there is one catch: The air conditioner and toilet can’t run at the same time until that wiring is moved to a separate circuit.
They also removed the front propane setup and old furnace because they only camp where electricity is available, or where a generator could fill in. That freed-up storage, and removing older equipment, including the oven, opened a little more room. A few original pieces, including the thermostat, still remain.
Handmade details give the Avion its personality
The soft goods tell most of the story. Shirley made the curtains, quilts, and divider curtain herself, and she kept the hardware from the old plastic divider so the new one would be easier to build.
The bed needed extra creativity because the mattress size isn’t standard; it’s a bit narrower and longer than a twin. They bought an IKEA latex mattress, cut it with an electric bread knife, and remade the covers to fit. A retired furniture worker made the seat cushions with the original foam.
In back, cabinet catches help prevent head bumps, and the small side closets hold more than they look like they should. Even the blue-and-white and black-and-white mugs feel like part of the design.
Travel memories fill the walls
A small map board tracks places they have camped, even if every trip didn’t happen in this trailer.
The Avion also carries a sketchbook on its cabinets. Shirley and Dave draw scenes from their trips, and they often ask fellow campers to add their own drawings too. That tradition started back in their first pop-up.
Their big regular event is the Silver Avion Fellowship rally, and this tour came just before a planned trip to the national Avion rally in Sevierville, Tennessee.
Final thoughts
Shirley and Dave kept the Avion’s aluminum charm, fixed the parts that made camping harder, and filled the space with handmade touches that feel personal. It looks preserved, but, more importantly, it looks used and loved.
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RVDT2952
Very talented couple!
Thank you for the video and summary, Cheri. Seems quite attractive and usable between the well-made and attractive old stuff they retained and the upgrades they incorporated. Have a great day and safe travels!