Recycler, I'm sure you can make your project as handsome and comfortable as you like. Its a matter of time, perserverance and a little cash.
69Cayo, Dennis I know that you have amazing skills after I saw the work you were doing. Looking forward to seeing some more photos.
rfuerst911sc, I recall when you first got your Avion how good it looked in the photos. We all learn that looks may be deceiving. But your history of restoration will win out and we'll see another beautiful, American made, work of art.
Keep it up everyone. Someday we'll have to meet in the first national Avion TC Rally.
I stopped by the Glacier TC rally that was a great event. There were a lot of nice rigs, all of them newer than the Avion, and built with modern manufacturing techniques. Even though the new rigs are shiney and bright, I don't think that any of them will provide a comfortable and safe environment for camping any better than an old Avion. If a person has the time and skill to recondition one of these old gems, the work will be worth it. Many of the new rigs have the north/south sleeping araingement, rather than the east/west, but they are also much larger and much heavier. Having a slide out is handy, but it is also heavier and just another place to leak and to maintain.
I have to say that the old Avion worked out as well as I could have hoped for and it provided a great camping experience. With a little care, and some luck, it should last to be 100 years old.
To all the folks on this thread, keep up the good work. A nice Avion Camper rally would be something fun to do next summer.
Ford F-350 4x4 Diesel
1988 Avion Triple Axle Trailer
1969 Avion C-11 Camper
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/couch2_zps58a587e7.jpg.html)
This is looking forward on the right hand side. you can see the LED lights that I mounted under the cabinets, the demountable table, and the glow from the radio.
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/sink-1_zps14b0dda3.jpg.html)
A view of the end of the kitchen area with the Corian countertop, SS sink, high nozzle faucet, small fan and LED lights under the cabinet.
All the best,
Steve.
'07 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab diesel + '91 Shadow Cruiser - Sky Cruiser 1
'98 Jeep TJ 4.0
'15 Ford Fiesta ST
'09 Fiat Panda 1.2
67avion wrote:
Well, one last note tonight. I was working in the Avion as evening came on and the light was just terrific. Begging everyone's indulgence, I am posting the last of the photos from today.
![[image]](http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx38/dgorton/couch2_zps58a587e7.jpg)
This is looking forward on the right hand side. you can see the LED lights that I mounted under the cabinets, the demountable table, and the glow from the radio.
![[image]](http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx38/dgorton/sink-1_zps14b0dda3.jpg)
Where did you get your LED lights? Name? Specs?
I wish I had your talents... I am just a wanna be carpenter...not a finish carpenter.... But I am making progress. Yours looks GREAT!
Garry
A view of the end of the kitchen area with the Corian countertop, SS sink, high nozzle faucet, small fan and LED lights under the cabinet.
Well, one last note tonight. I was working in the Avion as evening came on and the light was just terrific. Begging everyone's indulgence, I am posting the last of the photos from today.
This is looking forward on the right hand side. you can see the LED lights that I mounted under the cabinets, the demountable table, and the glow from the radio.
Where did you get your LED lights? Name? Specs?
I wish I had your talents... I am just a wanna be carpenter...not a finish carpenter.... But I am making progress. Yours looks GREAT!
Garry
A view of the end of the kitchen area with the Corian countertop, SS sink, high nozzle faucet, small fan and LED lights under the cabinet.
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
garryk6 wrote:
Where did you get your LED lights? Name? Specs?
Where did you get your LED lights? Name? Specs?
Garry, I picked up those lights way back when I first started working on the Avion....in terms of LEDs that was the stone age. I think you're better off shopping for more current LED lights. For instance, the lights under the right cabinets are referred to as "puck lights". They are used in marine applications as well as RVs. Here is one source of many: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=25130 Be sure to get the warmer lights.
As to the cabin lights, they are called "double dome" or "pancake lights". They are all over the place, especially eBay. Just be sure to note how many LEDs are contained in the light (you want a large number) and the Kelvin temperature (you want to stay near 4500 degrees or thereabout).
And, be sure that my carpentry skills are below average. I have a crew that works with me and they are the ones who do the really nice work. I am better at refinishing, but that's because its tedious and boring.
I do insist on high quality, so I am not adverse to tearing out something or re-doing it several times until its right. But the truth is that unless the RV you're working on has powerful underlying structure you're wasting your time...you'll never get it right. Even the Avion was subject to occasional poor workmanship as 69Avion has pointed out. But as he has also noted, its one of the very few truck campers that may last for a century.
We call these campers "classics" for good reasons: they're strong and aerodynamically well designed; they're relatively light and well laid out; and they're intrinsically beautiful objects.
They're one of the few half century old RVs that is worth the investment of time and money.
67avion wrote:
And, be sure that my carpentry skills are below average. I have a crew that works with me and they are the ones who do the really nice work. I am better at refinishing, but that's because its tedious and boring.
And, be sure that my carpentry skills are below average. I have a crew that works with me and they are the ones who do the really nice work. I am better at refinishing, but that's because its tedious and boring.
Do you happen to know what the original finish on the woodwork was , varnish , lacquer ,... ?
'68 Avion C-11
'02 GMC DRW D/A flatbed
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/Finish3_zps30f0f9ac.jpg.html)
This is a close up of a piano top that had been lacquered in the 1950s or 60s.Its much harder to restore.
In the case of the Avion furniture, I sanded it down with ever increasing gauge sandpaper - finishing around 220 grit. I finished with spar varnish which is oil based, gives good uv protection, and is easy to repair in the future.