Sometimes
you don't realize how important something is to
you until you suddenly don't have it. One evening
we went from camping in our AVION to not having
it or a second vehicle. My wife was sure she was
done with trailering forever. I was depressed but
already thinking about buying another AVION. That
is when I found Dr. G's web site and began looking
at Avion's for sale. The body
damage on our 1987 model 32S is beyond most owners
capabilities. This is an excellent example of the
work done at Cayo Repair.
September
20, 2002. We were on our way for a short weekend
camping trip. We had just left home and were merging
onto I271. Suddenly we realized that the trailer
was on its own controlling us. Our theory is that
a defective weld on the platform caused the trailer
to break loose from the truck.
I
want to make owners of GMC trucks aware
of a potential problem with hitch platforms
supplied on tow packages of GM trucks built
from 2000 - 2004. This would include pickup
trucks, Suburban, Yukon's etc.
click here.
The
mud and the ditch saved us and the trailer. The
truck turned perpendicular to the road and flipped
twice. This allowed the passenger compartment good
protection as it was over the ditch. All three of
us walked away. Both the truck and trailer had to
be pulled out using a wrecker and cables. (to
see accident site click here.)
The
wrecker guys took us and the trailer to a parking
lot. As we waited for our ride we took some more
pictures. We hoped things would look better in the
daylight.
In
the morning we realized how lucky we were. It is
hard to believe that this was an accident that the
three of us walked away from. Notice how the ditch
really protected the passenger compartment. The
double roll on its side caused cargo to go out the
side window not forward. Most of the damage was
on the hood and rear. No one fixed this truck. It
was declared a total lose. Enough about the truck.
I loved it but I can buy new one.
Our
First Look.
Our
Heartache.
Things
were pretty messed up on the inside. The dinette
was pushed up in the air by the gash outside. Most
of the dovetail drawers held up. During the restoration
all of the kitchen area seen here was removed.
The
insurance company totaled the truck and the Avion.
New trucks you can get but Silver Avions just get
more scarce through attrition. We bought this trailer
new and my wife and our five children spent many
summers traveling, often while on business trips
.There was a big empty spot inside of me that was
not getting better. My wife and I decided to purchase
the trailer as salvage. The insurance company issued
me a check for the settlement less $500, the agreed
upon salvage value. Continue click here.
