I'm enjoying all of you guys at wotk, your pictures, and narrative... I feel like I'm in it with you. I can feel the dirt on my hands and occassionally duck to make sure that I don't bump my head.
You all have a wonderful thread going... I'm sure glad that you are sharing it with the rest of us.
chet
2003 Lance 1161,/slideout/AGM batteries/255W Solar/propane generator/Sat dish/2 Fantastic Fans/AC/winter pkg
AirFoil, Trimetric, LED lights, Platcat vent heat
2003GMC K3500 LT/Crewcab/duramax diesel/allison/dually/4x4/OnStar/front reciever mounted spare
I'm also retired Air Force who lived several years in Anchorage, Ketchikan and Juneau. I'm currently in Colorado, but hope to someday relocate back to Alaska. Just before I left Juneau, I looked at a 1970 Avion (last year made?) for $500. The work to restore it was more than I could handle at the time, but I've been hooked on the idea of owning one ever since. I plan to buy an Avion TC one of these days and restore it. I'd like to take it as my 5th trip up the Alaska highway and one day return "home". I thought I'd jump into this forum as a member to gain ideas, what to look for, and hopefully illustrate my own journey to bringing a piece of American history back on the road. I look forward to hearing from everyone.
Solitude
AKSolitude wrote:
Garry,
I'm also retired Air Force who lived several years in Anchorage, Ketchikan and Juneau. I'm currently in Colorado, but hope to someday relocate back to Alaska. Just before I left Juneau, I looked at a 1970 Avion (last year made?) for $500. The work to restore it was more than I could handle at the time, but I've been hooked on the idea of owning one ever since. I plan to buy an Avion TC one of these days and restore it. I'd like to take it as my 5th trip up the Alaska highway and one day return "home". I thought I'd jump into this forum as a member to gain ideas, what to look for, and hopefully illustrate my own journey to bringing a piece of American history back on the road. I look forward to hearing from everyone.
Solitude
Garry,
I'm also retired Air Force who lived several years in Anchorage, Ketchikan and Juneau. I'm currently in Colorado, but hope to someday relocate back to Alaska. Just before I left Juneau, I looked at a 1970 Avion (last year made?) for $500. The work to restore it was more than I could handle at the time, but I've been hooked on the idea of owning one ever since. I plan to buy an Avion TC one of these days and restore it. I'd like to take it as my 5th trip up the Alaska highway and one day return "home". I thought I'd jump into this forum as a member to gain ideas, what to look for, and hopefully illustrate my own journey to bringing a piece of American history back on the road. I look forward to hearing from everyone.
Solitude
Hi AKSolitude! And welcome to the Avion groupies;-)
I'm actually retired USN, Submarine Force. So working in tight spaces is old hat for a sub-mechanic. The part I love most with the Avions is the riveted/sandwiched aluminum upper half. As you can see from the other guys pics, the bottom half is the part that usually has issues. I was fortunate that my floors were already replaced. If hauling one on a Superduty, you will either need a spacer, or do like mine was, change the floor to a 2x4 framed with new plywood. While not a true "basement" I intend on utilizing the few inches underneath for the grey water tank or tanks, and for running plumbing and wiring, then insulate, and skin the bottom shut with plywood and then an outer covering of aluminum. The floors are definitely the weakest link due to moisture. Try to find one with good condition cabintes, then the rest will be fairly easy to modify and or upgrade. I am starting from scratc, but keeping fairly close to original floor-plan. Though I am cheating here and there by a few inches to make it more useful for our needs, and the fact that I am caryying a 10ft camper on a Short-bed Ford. So I am being very weight concious and even more concerned about keeping my COG forward...
Look forward to hearing more from you in the future, and again, WELCOME!!
Garry in Kodiak, 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
AKSolitude wrote:
I plan to buy an Avion TC one of these days and restore it. I'd like to take it as my 5th trip up the Alaska highway and one day return "home". I thought I'd jump into this forum as a member to gain ideas, what to look for, and hopefully illustrate my own journey to bringing a piece of American history back on the road. I look forward to hearing from everyone.
I plan to buy an Avion TC one of these days and restore it. I'd like to take it as my 5th trip up the Alaska highway and one day return "home". I thought I'd jump into this forum as a member to gain ideas, what to look for, and hopefully illustrate my own journey to bringing a piece of American history back on the road. I look forward to hearing from everyone.
Welcome aboard! We're now the gang of 5 Avionistas!
sleepy wrote:
Gary, sorry about your hand, but I like your can do, keep going attitude.
I'm enjoying all of you guys at wotk, your pictures, and narrative... I feel like I'm in it with you. I can feel the dirt on my hands and occassionally duck to make sure that I don't bump my head.
You all have a wonderful thread going... I'm sure glad that you are sharing it with the rest of us.
chet
Gary, sorry about your hand, but I like your can do, keep going attitude.
I'm enjoying all of you guys at wotk, your pictures, and narrative... I feel like I'm in it with you. I can feel the dirt on my hands and occassionally duck to make sure that I don't bump my head.
You all have a wonderful thread going... I'm sure glad that you are sharing it with the rest of us.
chet
Thanks Sleepy!
Hand is healing well, all stitches were out last friday, and today dressing came off finger down to just a band-aid. Thumb is still "mushy" as I really "hamburgered" it so it gets a little more time in the dressing. Started PT today, so getting limbered up, and moving the finger as much as possible, and most of the thumb.
Still trying to get the camper ready now for October, so heater and stove will be mandatory ;-). So trying to keep the project moving...
Keep up the encouragement!! We need it to keep our spirits up when these projects get us down at times;-)
Thanks again,
Garry
I'm actually retired USN, Submarine Force. So working in tight spaces is old hat for a sub-mechanic. The part I love most with the Avions is the riveted/sandwiched aluminum upper half. As you can see from the other guys pics, the bottom half is the part that usually has issues. I was fortunate that my floors were already replaced. If hauling one on a Superduty, you will either need a spacer, or do like mine was, change the floor to a 2x4 framed with new plywood. While not a true "basement" I intend on utilizing the few inches underneath for the grey water tank or tanks, and for running plumbing and wiring, then insulate, and skin the bottom shut with plywood and then an outer covering of aluminum. The floors are definitely the weakest link due to moisture. Try to find one with good condition cabintes, then the rest will be fairly easy to modify and or upgrade. I am starting from scratc, but keeping fairly close to original floor-plan. Though I am cheating here and there by a few inches to make it more useful for our needs, and the fact that I am caryying a 10ft camper on a Short-bed Ford. So I am being very weight concious and even more concerned about keeping my COG forward...
Look forward to hearing more from you in the future, and again, WELCOME!!
Garry in Kodiak, AK
Thanks Garry! And thank you for your service!
I will try not to clog the forum until I actually start my own project. But you can guarantee I'll be here. And I'll continue to check in on your progress and gain tips on your restorations. I am looking at a '69 C11 for $1000, and seems in good shape, but it will be a few weeks before I can make the trip. I won't know what I've really got until I look at it up close.
Cheers!
67avion wrote:
Welcome aboard! We're now the gang of 5 Avionistas!
AKSolitude wrote:
I plan to buy an Avion TC one of these days and restore it. I'd like to take it as my 5th trip up the Alaska highway and one day return "home". I thought I'd jump into this forum as a member to gain ideas, what to look for, and hopefully illustrate my own journey to bringing a piece of American history back on the road. I look forward to hearing from everyone.
I plan to buy an Avion TC one of these days and restore it. I'd like to take it as my 5th trip up the Alaska highway and one day return "home". I thought I'd jump into this forum as a member to gain ideas, what to look for, and hopefully illustrate my own journey to bringing a piece of American history back on the road. I look forward to hearing from everyone.
Welcome aboard! We're now the gang of 5 Avionistas!
Thanks 67Avion! I'm glad to be here. BTW, I used to live in O'Fallon Illinois, so I know generally where you're at. Nice TC! Garry mentioned his didn't get the expected sway in high wind, but his was also gutted at the time. How well does your ride on highways?
For anyone that wants to answer this: Do these campers need to be raised for all modern trucks, or just some of them? What are my best options to raise it? I'm sure I'll have to travel to purchase my camper and want to be ready to take it home with little trouble.
AKSolitude wrote:
For anyone that wants to answer this: Do these campers need to be raised for all modern trucks, or just some of them? What are my best options to raise it? I'm sure I'll have to travel to purchase my camper and want to be ready to take it home with little trouble.
For anyone that wants to answer this: Do these campers need to be raised for all modern trucks, or just some of them? What are my best options to raise it? I'm sure I'll have to travel to purchase my camper and want to be ready to take it home with little trouble.
I will try to get a semi-factory measurement for you from mine, but Dennis or the others may be able to get you a more accurate measurment. But to be positively sure, I would just build a quick 2x4 and plywood base with the 2x4's on edge, and the plywood on the top for the pick-up, then you will be sure to have the room, that amount of wood is reletively reasonable, and is quick to cut and screw together, and then when you get home you can make what-ever changes you want or need to.
Good Luck! The C-11's have a bit more room, and would be easier to retrofit with Double pane windows if desired, but would require an 8 foot box for sure;-)
Garry in Alaska
The camper rides very well on the highway. I use Fastguns for tie downs, something you may want to consider.Fastguns
As to whether the camper has to be "raised", it depends on the truck sides of course. The wings on the Avion that I have clear the sides on my F350, but I think you need to take careful measurements as to the height of the truck you have. I also place a "tight"foam cushion under the coach to avoid moisture,give it a little jiggle room and avoid sliding. There have been many discussions on this forum about the various techniques used under campers. I encourage you to use the tools afforded in this forum to look up aspects of the issues that you are concerned about.
You lived about two hours from where I am, I think. Just across from St. Louis. We pass there all the time. I mentioned in another post that the I 57 Mississippi River bridge at Cairo was closed for repairs while the back up bridge at 60/62 was completely out of service for the coming months. Things are getting a bit raqged around here since you left.
I certainly agree with Garry about the sophistication and strength of the Avion camper. As we rebuild these TCs I think we get even more admiration for the "Greatest Generation": They're made like those amazing B-17s or P-38s. Quite a legacy to build on.
GarryK wrote:
The C-11's have a bit more room, and would be easier to retrofit with Double pane windows if desired
The C-11's have a bit more room, and would be easier to retrofit with Double pane windows if desired
Garry,
Have you found windows that will retrofit in the C-10? I'm thinking I'd like to get something other than the jalousie windows that leak like crazy. On the other hand there was a long discussion on here about insulated windows that, it seemed to me, had as many downsides as benefits.
I'd like to explore windows that cut down on sunlight, insulated (high e) and swing wide open from a top hinge. Seen anything like that?