Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

Print | Close

Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: garryk6 on 07/03/13 04:51pm

I can partially answer the Clutch Head debacle. In the 40's through 60's there were many "new" types of fasteners coming out. My old 1948 Chevy PU had a 6 cyl that was lovingly called the "Stove Bolt Six" because most of the fasteners were the slot-head screw otherwise known as a "Stove Bolt". The interior fasteners for much of the trim were Clutch head screws of two sizes. I still had those screw drivers and tips from the early 80's when I restored my PU, so I was able to use them on my Avion. Many other types of fasteners have come along. Allen head were "new" in the 70's, Torx were "new" in the 80's and 90's, I'm sure there are others out there I havn't seen yet. I replaced all mine with either #2 square tip stainless, or Phillips stainless. But like I mentioned earlier, I did not have much original to start with, so I could use what-ever I wanted. I did find the one of the square tip's works fairly well with the clutch heads for removing them.

Good Luck!
Garry in AK

Garry K
Wife + 4 kids
Retired Military Family.... Alway's on the move....
2002 F350 CCSB 5.4 6spd 4x4 in AK
1966 Avion C-10 Truck Camper

Posted By: 67avion on 07/03/13 04:58pm

Thanks Garry. I should have asked you for the info. But, I figured you'd be fishing.

Posted By: 69 Avion on 07/03/13 05:06pm

I think the clutch heads screws were popular in the automotive industry for many years and the RV industry decided to use them. They were very popular in the old Avions. I need to check my 1988 Avion Fleetwood and see if there are any on it. I can't remember.
One thing about them, they do hold the screws well. They just aren't popular anymore.

Ford F-350 4x4 Diesel
1988 Avion Triple Axle Trailer
1969 Avion C-11 Camper

Posted By: ticki2 on 07/03/13 07:58pm

As has been mentioned , clutch head screws made their appearance in the 40S in the auto industry with the increased use of power drivers . Then they migrated over to the mobile home and RV industries for the same reason into the mid 70's .

All of the large ones in my Avion for the cabinets and fixtures are 5/32" . The small ones for the bath trim and around the kitchen counter trim are 1/8" . That being said , as 69Avion mentioned , a small slot head screw driver worked best on the 1/8" size . I replaced all the 1/8" clutch heads with phillips head aluminum screws , I think they are #4 .

'68 Avion C-11
'02 GMC DRW D/A flatbed

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 07/04/13 05:39am

I'm going to have a ton of questions over the next year or so......next topic refrigeration. I will make up my mind regarding conventional compressor vs. ammonia type but my question is geared towards size. My camper had the original fridge removed at some point in time and a larger Norcold installed. When I say installed they slid it in place and never fastened it in. It currently does not work. But anyway it measures 33 " tall x 21.5 " wide x 20.5 " deep. I think that means it is aprox. a 3.5 - 3.8 cu. ft. does that sound right ? What size are you guys installing ? Whoever did the fridge conversion was a butcher so I have repairs to make to the cabinet, so at this point I can make the opening any size within reason. I'm pretty sure I want to stay in the same size range and possibly go to a 4 cu. ft. if it will fit. Thoughts ?

Posted By: 69 Avion on 07/04/13 09:34am

I installed a new Dometic RM 2510 which is about 10" taller than the original refrigerator. It sticks out more because the coil is near the top and it obstructs against the curve of the wall. If it was a straight side camper, or the coils were located lower, the refrigerator would be set in the cabinet more. As it is, I even bent over the fins to get an extra 1/2" or so of clearance. The door won't open up all the way because it sets out of the cabinet more, but for a much larger refrigerator, it is worth the effort.

See page 56, and before, of this thread.

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 07/04/13 10:48am

Another question what is holding the wall cabinets to the ceiling ? I see screws at the bottom cleat on the wall but I see nothing at the ceiling. Are some of the screws on the door hinges long and go into the ceiling ?

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 07/04/13 02:06pm

I figured out the wall cabinet hanging, the screws holding the cabinets to the ceiling are under the piano hinge for the door. Remove the hinge and there they are. So today in the pouring rain I removed the mattress, all the interior cushions, the front cab over interior window trim and the drivers side wall cabinets. Not bad for the first day. And I found two sizes of clutch head screwdriver bits at Ace hardware. They were 5/32 + 3/16 and made removal of screws so simple. Tomorrow I tackle the passenger side wall cabinets and whatever else I get to. This is exciting, even the wife is online checking out RV " stuff ".

Posted By: garryk6 on 07/04/13 02:46pm

Just found the old info for LED clearance lights I used on my C-10 for any one else interested.

Amber 3" clearance lights

Red 3" clearance lights

Round red 7" stop-turn-tail LED.

They are similar to original, and are really bright!

[image]

Hope this helps someone else with their camper!
Garry in Kodiak, AK

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 07/05/13 02:23pm

Today I removed the passenger side wall cabinets, range hood, range/oven, kitchen sink/faucet and the countertop. At some time in the past there was a pretty good leak on the passenger side, the flake board that made up the counter top looked like it housed every ant known to man in the past. It was quite gross and it snapped in half as I removed it but it's still good to make a template from for the Corian I will install. Tomorrow I hope to remove the water heater and the metal LP bottle compartment. So far so good everything going as expected.

Print | Close