Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: Michael 111 on 05/26/14 06:43am

67avion wrote:

The spray on foam has been a tough topic. It reasonably becomes part of a restoration. However, it appears inevitably to develop other problems.

I think that it adds a marginal strength to the shell. But the biggest challenge is replacing the foam in a manner that was consistent with the OEM specs. Correct me, but I thought that the foam ww as part of the double hull. The outer portion sprayed and then a small area barrier from the inner shell.

The effect, I understand, is to maintain some insulation qualities while defeating the tendency for moisture build up on the interior.

I suggest that electrical lines can be located and repaired without disturbing the foam.

I am not aware of any completed project that replaced the foam except 69cayo.

Well, i am on m way to be one of them that will replace the foam .....
Good or bad i will find out and keep you guys posted.
The smell and dirt ( wasp nests etc.) that was impregnated in the foam was just to much to take.
As far as structure is concerned , not too worried about it.
The foam that was in there was more or likely a 2 to 3 LB foam ( 2-3 LB per Cubic Foot ) very light weight but not to strong. The luan heat barrier should provide some stability as well, as the strips will be about 2 to 3 inches wide and riveted to the frame on all contact points. That's the current thought.

Good ventilation should help with any moisture build up hopefully, thinking of installing a few computer fans that run constantly.

Also, taking the foam out has exposed a bunch of rivets that are not properly set,and some previous repair attempts that did more damage than any good.
Got to figure out what to do in some cases without breaking the bank.
I may have to resort to nontraditional methods

All my wiring will be replaced with marine grade wires , dedicated ground wires for the LED lights, got my mind set on that one already.

Back to scraping foam

Michael

Posted By: cajunavion on 05/26/14 07:27am

Howdy!
I want to refurbish the original fresh water
pressure tank. It is one part of the interior that
is super cool, maybe all shined up with all its
aluminum goodness! I really only need it to hold
water as I am converting to a modern water
system. If I can make it hold pressure, it might make
make a perfect reverse osmosis reservior, why carry
anything but perfect water?
Question is how to clean inside and make it
potable again, and possibly fix or convert the
integral hand pump cap?

Posted By: Desertboy on 05/26/14 08:02am

I bet the foam they have now is a different animal from what was original used. UV resistant/ Closed Cell for vapor barrier/ and all that. I would like to use it on my house that I'm building.

1969 AVION
3/4 12 VALVE

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

Posted By: D1trout on 05/26/14 08:51am

Michael, I agree with you in the value of total foam replacement. I'm not at that point yet and will be interested in your solution. The OEM foam application is very uneven and badly degraded in many parts. My thought is to run marine grade wire, perhaps in plastic conduit and then spray in the foam, using one of those kits widely available on the Internet. (How did folks do these restorations before the Internet..!)

Re: insulating the inner shell from the outer, there have been discussions here about creating an isolating layer. I'm not certain any definitive conclusion has been reached. I'm considering is the use of rv sealing tape/bedding/putty tape (don't know it's proper name). It's that sticky material that comes on a roll with paper backing. I think it's available in different widths and thicknesses. It could be stuck to the ribs and then the inner skin could be riveted over it, creating a barrier for temperature...? If you use Luan, I'd guess insulation will be less of an issue than with an aluminum inner skin.
Along these same lines, I'm thinking to drill small holes in my tubular aluminum frame and spray foam into the square tubing to help deal with the temperature issue, but I'm not certain that will make much difference. Probably more value in isolating the inside and outside surfaces. Question is how?

I had a water filter in my rig. It had a small arched faucet at the sink and a cylinder holding a filter plumbed in beneath the sink. Looks to be the same vintage, if not the same style, as yours.

I'll be glad to have the frame and shell reconnected so I can get on to the business of creating the interior!

Dick

Posted By: D1trout on 05/26/14 08:59am

Cajunavion, I have cleaned the inside of a metal tank by adding sand or fine gravel, perhaps 25% of the tank volume, plus enough water to make a slurry, then shake, rattle and roll the tank til it's clean...

Posted By: Michael 111 on 05/26/14 11:40am

Foam =0
Michael =1

Foam is 99% out

Posted By: tonyj54 on 05/26/14 01:11pm

WOW!!

Just finished reading the entire thread end-to-end. An encyclopedia of knowledge contained here, and, in case you haven't noticed in a while, we're closing in on 250pages.

You guys are the best. Shirley and I are SO looking forward to getting the truck back into shape and getting out on the road.(And, btw, Dennis, speaking of getting the truck back on the road, thank you for the heads up about the OILBURNERS site. Good bunch of guys over there. They've been great.)

So, just for fun, here are a few photos of our girl.

Check out the COLEMAN wall-lantern

Thanks, all.

See y'all on the roads, or in the parks.

tonyj & Shirley
'66 AVION C-10
'86 F-250 6.9 DIESEL
KJ4OEQ 146.520MHz
CB Channel 7

Posted By: cajunavion on 05/26/14 02:01pm

Howdy!
Tonyj I like your floor plan. I am remaking
mine in a similar vein. My kitchen sink
getting moved to where yours is. Would
you be so kind as to give us some pics
of the plumbing inside your kitchen cabnits?
Also what lives in the floor space between your
dinette?
thx

Posted By: 69cayo on 05/26/14 03:54pm

Tony, Your camper looks great !
Glad that OB was able to help you out, if you were closer I would give you a hand.

Dennis

Posted By: 67avion on 05/26/14 05:07pm

Tonyj, that is totally old school. Comfortable and neat.

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