Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: sleepy on 09/03/11 02:30am

I don't think you have to worry about boring us with drain pipes and rot.... most of us in the TC forum seem to be capible and do most of our own work... I learn a little here... and a little more there... then when I have a problem or want to help someone else I have an idea where to start... and a bunch of skilled friends to ask questions as needed....

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

Sleepy

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

Posted By: SoCalDesertRider on 09/03/11 08:13am

garryk6 wrote:

... And I still need to buy/find/make the aluminum pipe nipples for the inlet and the outlet...

Check Grainger or McMaster-Carr for the aluminum tank bungs (threaded pipe fittings weldable to aluminum tanks). These worked well on the aluminum pontoons I built for a house boat a while back.

01 International 4800 4x4 CrewCab DT466E Allison MD3060
69Bronco 86Samurai 85ATC250R 89CR500
98Ranger 96Tacoma
20' BigTex flatbed
8' truck camper, 14' Aristocrat TT
73 Kona 17' ski boat & Mercury 1150TB
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6 285 BFG AT 4.56 & LockRite rear

Posted By: garryk6 on 09/03/11 11:22am

SoCalDesertRider wrote:

garryk6 wrote:

... And I still need to buy/find/make the aluminum pipe nipples for the inlet and the outlet...

Check Grainger or McMaster-Carr for the aluminum tank bungs (threaded pipe fittings weldable to aluminum tanks). These worked well on the aluminum pontoons I built for a house boat a while back.

Thanks, I will. My work does alot with both those companies, so I'll see what I can find!

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: ticki2 on 09/03/11 11:32am

garry , I know that aluminum can be an appealing metal but I'm not sure it is the best for waste water , even grey water can be quite caustic . Of course there are many alloy's of aluminum . I saw some plastic tanks at Pelland Enterprises that were 4" deep that might work for you . In any event having that much grey water capacity will be a big plus . Good luck.

Just got back from a week of boondocking in the Adirondacks , all systems worked great . I might get ambitous and refinish some of the woodwork this winter.

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

Posted By: 67avion on 09/03/11 12:17pm

Garry,

We're going with a system suggested by Ticki whereby we are using 4" pipe, fitted in and around the back of the coach...for a total of around 7 gallons of graywater storage. I'll use a portable tank for any overflow. The blackwater outlet and the greywater outlet have been separated. Here is a view of the original system with the blackwater tank in the foreground and the outlet on the left side of the coach. The greywater had been plumbed into this system:

[image]

And here is a view of the partial mock-up fitting of several days ago. We have taken out the old blackwater valve and shortened the dump tube. The graywater pipe on the right will continue up and around the blackwater tank. It ties into the shower drain that you see sticking down in the foreground. The graywater is then diverted into the new system and dumped on the left side.

[image]

We have taken out and replaced all of the wood under the back of the coach, sealed and placed metal fasteners for more support. The system is a bit higher for clearance than the former plumbing, and will be covered by the fiberglass boot.

Posted By: GoinThisAway on 09/04/11 09:07am

I took a look at this topic early on but didn't check back for a while. Now that I have, I can say you guys have really been busy. I've never seen an Avion camper but they do look like something worth preserving. Keep on posting and I'll ckeck back later to see how things are coming along. Looking good so far!

2008 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4
2008 Bigfoot 25C10.4
Torklift/Fastguns/Hellwig/StableLoads

Posted By: 67avion on 09/06/11 11:47am

Today dawned a gorgeous blue sky and cool temps, a relief from the searing heat. I started the rebuilding and sanding of the interior cabinets under a magnolia tree in my side yard.

[image]

Sanding is one of those things that leads to ruminating, at least to me. Especially on such a pleasant day.

My truck camper is a hybrid, sharing qualities of a small yacht and WWll era aluminum aircraft. It is boatlike in that it is self contained. And yachtlike in the attention to detail in the wood cabinetry. The light aircraft-like aluminum structure makes it easier to carry on a truck. While it also is a cousin to the travel trailer and the motor home, it differs in that its not just a portable living room. It goes to tough places, stays in bad weather and is independent. It doesn't coddle the campers, it allows them to face challenges, if they wish. Or it allows for the quiet beauty of the country and relaxation.

I wonder what the designers, and buyers, were thinking when the Avion Truck Campers were designed and built? A beautiful and "modern" way to enjoy the camping experience? A structure that could be taken up country roads and mountains?

I think so and I enjoy staying in tune with a world in danger of passing out of history: an America that built beautiful, unheard of things - always pushing the boundaries of the possible.

Posted By: Mello Mike on 09/07/11 06:45am

As the owner of a couple vintage Airstreams, I really want to get an old Avion camper. I could have bought one last year but at the time I didn't own a truck capable of carrying it. [emoticon]

2016 Northstar Laredo SC/240w Solar/2-6v Lifeline AGMs/Dometic CR110 DC Compressor Fridge
2013 Ram 3500 4x4/6.7L Cummins TD/3.42/Buckstop Bumper with Warn 16.5ti Winch/Big Wig Rear Sway Bar/Talons w/SS Fastguns
My Rig
1998 Jeep Wrangler
US Navy Ret.

Posted By: 67avion on 09/07/11 08:39am

Hi Mike,

I took a peek at your blog. I think that you'll really enjoy your new truck camper combo. It'll be trouble free and easy to use. However, you should keep your eye out for an Avion for a long term restoration project. If you like the Airstreams, you'll love the Avion TC.

Posted By: Mello Mike on 09/07/11 10:32am

67avion wrote:

No doubt about it. I would love to get an old Avion camper. Here's my Airstream restoration blog.

http://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/

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