Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: Sango on 04/09/14 05:12am

Job well done on your camper. Enjoyed meeting you two and seeing your camper at the Rally. We were in the Arctic Fox on the other side of Sandy and Rich that were beside you. [emoticon]

2018 3500 Dodge Laramie DRW 4 X 4
2019 Bigoot 25C10.4
2016 Jeep Wrangler Sport

Posted By: Wyocuttergirl on 04/09/14 08:51am

Thanks Cajun! [emoticon]

I think I'm doing the right thing. Here's a Slideshow of The Goat as she sits. [emoticon]

http://s65.photobucket.com/user/saddleridge1/slideshow/

My ugly PINK bathroom

Don't mind my mess!! [emoticon]

Posted By: 67avion on 04/09/14 09:27am

The Goat looks pretty good. You'll soon find out where the issues are located. Typically the first problem is moisture caused delamination and rot. While it is not immediately apparent that the shell is leaking...trust me when I say that it is. The outer shell of aluminum is fastened on ribs that run E/W across the coach. The inner shell which is fiberglass in the nose and the back is coated with an insulating material...leaving an airspace between the two. The riveted fasteners along with the aluminum screws are places where water may enter and then run the length of the coach before finding an outlet. Typically it is the wings that are rotted in places - especially around the tie down braces.

The dents in the plates on the right rear and right front may be a leak issue. If you want to repair them you may have to go through Cayo in Michigan. I had to replace some in front and they provided the bent metal. I think someone said, however, that they were using different aluminum that may not match exactly.

I advise you as the first order of business to check very carefully for any rot. Look under the "tub" (the center of the coach, not the bathroom) floor, push and pull any thing that is fastened such as the tie downs or the stairs (the very back of the tub is another vulnerable spot). Check the bathroom and especially how the blackwater tank and toilet are fastened.

I note that you are missing the "bustle" on the underside of the rear of the coach. That is where the black water tank is located. You do not have a grey water tank, though that is now required. When I see the bustle missing, that usually means issues withe the toilet. The pink paint job is another indicator that you may have to remove and repair the toilet. Ask Garry.

If you have electrical skills, which I do not, take your tester everywhere and check for shorts. We have the electrical wiring harness available as well as brochures for all of your appliances. Finally check the water system. You will find that it was a pressure actuated system initially. If its been changed by the PO, then make sure that the water is being handled properly. You will need to clean it thoroughly for potability.

I would take a very good look at the aftermarket electrical lifts at the four corners of the coach. Unless they were attached with maniacal skill, they could cause a big bump in the night. Meanwhile brace the underside of the camper while walking inside.

Finally, there are folks on this thread who know far more than I do, and who write more clearly, that will take time to guide you through any of the issues you find. We want the Avions to stay on the road - but we know how discouraging it can be when you address seemingly intractable problems.

Stick with it. Its the only TC that will still be around 50 years from now.

Keep on truckin'

DG

* This post was edited 04/09/14 09:42am by 67avion *

Posted By: 69 Avion on 04/09/14 11:50am

Wyo, your camper looks very similar to mine. I actually didn't fix the cracks in the plastic rounded piece inside the bathroom. I covered all of it with headliner material outside the bathroom, but I didn't find anything I liked for the "wet" area yet. I took my bathroom entirely out and had the fiberglass stiffened, and reinforced, then repainted. There are pictures from earlier in this thread. I did replace the cracked fiberglass lower panel with a sheet of FRP from Home Depot. It turned out real nice.

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

Posted By: 69 Avion on 04/09/14 11:59am

I looked up the pictures. They are on page 70, 87, and 88 with some more pictures in between.

Posted By: 67avion on 04/09/14 06:13pm

69, I hope you become totally familiar with this string. I am really lost most of the time....its gotten very long.

Posted By: 69 Avion on 04/09/14 08:56pm

67avion wrote:

69, I hope you become totally familiar with this string. I am really lost most of the time....its gotten very long.

It has to be one of the top threads on this forum. It certainly has a lot of useful info.

Posted By: cajunavion on 04/09/14 09:48pm

Howdy!
Wow 67! I sure wish Id known all that
before I got started. (Maybe Id gone store
bought). Wyo I like the roof rack, I thought
there should be a ladder attached to the back.
Im interested too in a picture of the bottom.
Are your tank and pipe still there?

Posted By: Wyocuttergirl on 04/10/14 07:19am

Good morning guys! And thanks for the info! This thread is a WEALTH of information! I'm using it live a novel.....reading about 30 pages per night. And I have to go to a hockey camp this weekend, so I'll probably just read it all at the rink! [emoticon]

If anyone is interested, I would happily make a Facebook Group. Might be easier way to communicate, but it would be a shame to lose all the posts here. Just nothing else like it out there.

So some Goat history....The kid that had her before us totally re-rid the floor/tub. New subfloor, new oak wood floor under the throw rugs. He added the wainscoating you see in the photos on the side of the tub (am I using the right terminology?) and made new wood seating for the benches and the upper bed (over cab) area. So all of that is solid.

The roof rack the kid made out of old bus railing. He was a maintenance man at the City and most everything he did was salvage of some kind. I'm only 120 lbs. so I just climbed up the side of the truck onto the cab and then on to the roof. A ladder is an excellent idea. That rack is going to be such a blessing! I can already see the possibilities and more importantly I can see my canoe on top! [emoticon]

The kid said he never used the bathroom. For him it was just extra storage. The black water tank is not there. It looks like there's still a hook up under the sink that comes out underneath, but there's nothing from the shower or toilet...just new floor. [emoticon]

I'll take some pics today. I'm torn about how to handle the bathroom. Part of me wants to just gut it and do it right and fix it. Part of me says just make it functional for now. I love the recirculating toilet idea from Garry (about page 17 or so...) or even just a self-contained one. I'm totally fine with just a solar shower, military style at least until we can get the bathroom going.

67 - I DO NOT have electrical skills. She's at a buddy of mine's place right now. He is an auto mechanic that builds hot rods. So he's going through the wiring stem to stern. That and the propane were my first concerns. Water is next and something with the bathroom. Then on to cushions, etc. I sew so that's the fun stuff for me!! [emoticon]

I think I want to do some fix up to get her road worthy for the summer. Then I will start with the big stuff in about October. Unless you guys think I really need to address the dents, etc. NOW to avoid further damage. I'm thinking we can have fun with her this summer, then next fall I'll pull her in the shop and start taking her apart to really fix things. I'm pretty handy....for a girl. [emoticon]

Raised on a cattle ranch the oldest of 3 girls...basically my dad's boy he never had.

SO...I don't want to write a book here. [emoticon]

But really, sincerely THANK YOU for all the help and information. This is so AWESOME!! I might have to have you guys all out to Cody, Wyoming for an Avion TC rally at our ranch next summer to repay the kindness! [emoticon]

All in all I'm pretty pleased with my Goat. [emoticon]

Not too bad for $1200! At least in my book. Have a great day guys!! I'll be back with more questions soon I'm sure!!!

Posted By: Wyocuttergirl on 04/10/14 07:22am

OH! And 67 - the kid also made an angle iron frame for it to sit on when off the truck. I have that too. Put it on the roof rack to haul it home. It's HEAVY! But I think she's supported well enough.

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