Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: Dodgeavion on 10/19/13 03:38pm

The car started as a 69 Scout. Only parts left from the original are the frame and rear axle. It's Cummins powered now. The Texas Chainsaw boy is my German exchange student Levi.

I would guess the shell as pictured and the tub weigh around 250 lbs each give or take.

Floor pack will be welded rectangular aluminum tube. I plan to make it around 12" deep and put the gray water, freshwater and as much of the mechanicals in it as I can. I plan to use a cassette toilet as most places I go have pit toilet around to dump in.

Problem with adding 12" to the floor pack is without modifying the shell I'd end up with a huge gap between camper and truck. I really want that 12" added to my bed height. I'm also doing a north/south bed.

Ken

Posted By: 67avion on 10/19/13 03:48pm

Ken, keep an eye on Levi.

I was wondering how you thought of modifying the shell to deal with the 12" basement? One of the pleasures of the Avion TC is the headroom - you don't intend to lessen that do you?

So, I'm a little unclear on how you were going to add 12" to your bed heighth...modify the shell to eliminate the huge gap...etc

Posted By: Dodgeavion on 10/19/13 04:16pm

In simple terms I plan to lower the floor of the bed and wings ~12 inches to compensate for the basement. Unfortunately in reality it will be far from simple. Form new ribs 14"taller, reskin etc. I'm 6'5" so I actually plan to add a couple of inches to overall interior ht. the bed will gain 14" of headroom.

Ken

Posted By: Dodgeavion on 10/19/13 04:21pm

I also plan to use a Propex ducted forced air furnace put in the basement. As well as a Propex water heater as these have a small protrusion through the skin. I also plan to use a compressor fridge internally vented. No external door or vent for the fridge. Minimize the holes in the camper and potential leaks. Cleaner look.

Ken

Posted By: Desertboy on 10/19/13 04:55pm

Ok so I went and bought a new plug with all 7 blades on the round plug, I then took my little lawn mower battery out to the Avion and ran a ground from the negative terminal and grounded it to the truck and stripped back each of my 5 wires and touched them one at a time to the positive side for a second to Identify what would light up when I touched wire to battery and put a sticker and labeled each of the 5 wires so I know exactly which one powers what. Then I wire it according to the diagram that came with new 7blade plug. Everything comes on when its activated, Brake lights come on when I push breaks and only then/ Running lights come on only when I turn on truck lights/ Reverse lights work on TC and truck and no longer blow fuses, every light on the TC works/ But I still have the rapid blinkers blinking , But only when TC is plugged in. I have no Idea if truck is charging camper Battery and don't even have the correct Tester for testing that yet. Also which type and brand tester do you guys prefer so I buy the right one the first time. I have 3 testers but the are for AC current only. I have a lot to learn so I need all the help I can get Guys. Any idea what else could be causing my blinkers to act up. Could it still be a ground? Or is it a short? Or maybe some 1968 technology in camper? And also which of the 5 wires should be charging my TC battery? Im fixing to go outside and open that box and look for a wire feeding the Battery.

1969 AVION
3/4 12 VALVE

Freightliner/24' Flatbed 50,000 miles/ Titan 4000 receiver Hitch, no Mods needed.

Posted By: garryk6 on 10/19/13 06:29pm

Dodgeavion wrote:

What you are doing is what I was trying to explain. Did you find the correct thickness anodized skin? Or are you doing something else?
How much are you extending the cabover, and how are you building the new ribs for that?

Sorry for all the questions, but I plan to one day do what you're doing, or something very similar. And love to hear all the nitty-gritty details, problems concerns etc...

Thanks again, and keep us up to date with pics and any other info!

Garry

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: Desertboy on 10/19/13 06:41pm

Update, When I use my turn signal it works but its blinking to fast, Both of them do this. I guess its a short somewhere, But I noticed that when I use the right signal I see the left just barely trying to blink with it, and Visa Versa, Does this sound like a short Garry.

Posted By: Dodgeavion on 10/19/13 06:47pm

Pull your lens covers and check for corrosion in the sockets. I also seem to remember something about some rigs needing a heavy duty flasher when using a trailer. Might be something to look at.

Posted By: garryk6 on 10/19/13 07:13pm

Desertboy wrote:

Do what Dodgeavion said, check for corroded sockets. It sounds like the turn signals are trying to use the running lights for ground, which would show a faint lighting of the opposite side. Check for clean sockets and then verify you have a good solid ground. If the opposite side stops blinking, but the rapid blinking continues, you may need a heavy duty flasher. But the rapid flashing is probably due to bad ground or some bleed over between running and turn.

Good luck!
Garry

Posted By: Desertboy on 10/19/13 07:36pm

Hey thanks man that seems like a good place to start. Heres a pic with lights.

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Looks like all the running lights may be new, I don't think they are LED though, I can see the little bulbs in there. I finaly went up top today and it looks really good up there.
[image]

This Meter wont do me much good will it?
[image]

Check out these 2 little propane tanks I found in the little door on the side.
[image]

And a old Route 66 Travel guide from the old days.
[image]

Well that's all the pics today, In the morning Im pulling bulbs and cleaning contacts. Thanks folks.

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