Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: 69 Avion on 11/07/13 03:06pm

ticki2 wrote:

69 Avion wrote:

Question for all you Avion camper owners with the Duo Therm wall furnace. Have any of you rebuilt the fan motor section with a better bearing system?

So nobody has worked on or changed out their Duo Therm fan (squirrel cage) unit or bearings?

Sorry , I guess you are going to be the pioneer on this one , mine is still working . I would try to repair if possible as it has a very low amp draw , less than 1 amp . What exactly is wrong with it ?

I plan on keeping it since it is in great shape. The motor (fan) makes a lot of noise and the lack of quality bearings in the end of the fan shaft is the reason. I just need to modify it with a decent bearing. It has been noisy since it was new. Its just the design that is the issue.

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

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 11/10/13 05:37am

May be a crazy idea but has anyone ever fit a front window rock guard/hard awning over the front window of a Avion truck camper ? Seems to me it would protect the window from rain while stationary in the " open " position and also during driving in the " down " position. It might be a little awkward to open/close when on the truck but other than that any other issues ? Either fit one from a travel trailer or make one out of aluminum it wouldn't be that hard as that area is flat so no contour to speak of. Might be able to utilize the holes in the top of the window so no additional holes to drill ? What do you guys think ?

Posted By: 69cayo on 11/10/13 05:49am

I have thought abt. doing this but the problem I see is getting to it to open/close.

Dennis

Posted By: D1trout on 11/10/13 09:38am

Annie and I travel with our two German Shepherds. I'd like to put a sliding window in the front of the Avion and then use a boot to seal it to the back of the truck's sliding window. Has anyone retrofitted a slider into their Avion? One of the old Avion ads posted on this site has a picture of two kids grinning at their mom thru the open sliding windows...
I suspect I could have a slider custom made here in northern CA. And I see several boot styles available online that seals the windows together. Anyone have experience with the window retrofit and the boot issue? Thanks.
BTW, Dave, the fantastic blacksmith, shows up tomorrow morning to discuss the aluminum tub concept as a replacement for the rotted plywood. I'll keep you all posted on that project.
Dick

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 11/10/13 10:14am

69cayo wrote:

I have thought abt. doing this but the problem I see is getting to it to open/close.

Dennis

I'm wondering if the only way to open/close is to raise the camper, pull the truck forward a foot or two and stand in the truck bed to be able to reach ? Dennis please check your PM's I want to confirm you received my check for the roof vent. Thanks

Posted By: 69cayo on 11/10/13 04:18pm

Yes, the check came in Friday's mail.
I'll send your vent out tommorrow.

Dennis

Posted By: 67avion on 11/19/13 07:47am

We're leaving tomorrow for a 3,000 mile road trip. We're traveling to the far west of Texas and then to Big Bend and along the Gulf Coast to New Orleans. We're looking forward to a day at the races and a family Thanksgiving in The Crescent City.

While this is not the first trip of any length with the restored Avion, it is by far the most ambitious. Now we really will see how good the joins were in the plumbing and whether I actually defeated the gremlins in the electrical system. What Jane and I both noted on the previous outings is how COMFORTABLE the Avion is. Now we'll find out how DEPENDABLE.

One of the last things I am doing is placing "Conspicuity tape" on the camper. I have decided that the silvery color of the Avion almost floats in the sky under certain lighting conditions,making it hard to see. I got the idea from a photo that I saw of a camper in Alaska. My concern, of course, was that I would muck up the OEM look of the restored camper. However, safety trumped. Here is the photo from Alaska, I'll post one of my camper when I get back.

Posted By: D1trout on 11/19/13 08:30am

67Avion, I have always liked the look of that Avion in AK. Annie and I have discussed putting a similar tape on our 69 C11. We're thinking more along the lines of accent stripes. In Avion red.
If I can get them in a reflective tape, so much the better.
Happy trails! Big Bend is one of my favorite places. A hike into Fern Canyon is worth your time.
As is a visit to Lajitas and Big Bend Ranch. Stop in the Davis Mtns on your way south. Of course the beignets in New Orleans make the trip worthwhile ...
Dick

Posted By: 69 Avion on 11/19/13 08:42am

67avion, enjoy your trip. I'm betting that your Avion will perform just fine. Keep us informed as you travel.
By the way, the biggest visibility thing that I did for my Avion was the LED exterior lights. They made a huge difference. Besides, I couldn't find the original lens covers.

Posted By: 67avion on 11/19/13 08:50am

Dick, thanks for your good wishes. We may need them. Actually we have traveled to parts of the region in the past, just not in a camper. Our goal in the westerly part of the trip is Marfa where we have spent time - and where we may look to purchase a forward staging base in the West...heh.

I saw your inquiry about the camper window that abuts the rear of the truck. I believe that SoCal has a good suggestion...and from what I know of his skills he is rock solid.

We also wonder about an opening from a safety point of view. For instance, it has crossed out minds that traveling, and camping, along the Rio Grande is not exactly a walk in the park. If there is an problem, I'd like to be able to get from the camper to the truck without any exposure. So, I'm following your project with real interest.

On Edit:

69 those are handsome and clear lights. I went over mine last week and I was unhappy with the low levels of luminosity. I ordered LEDS that will get here after we return. The Conspicuity tape is to run along the side as well as the back of the camper - and I've ordered a solid red for the upper tape and a 7 - 11 inch red/silver for the bottom.

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