Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: 66C10 on 07/09/14 03:30pm

Put a couple more hours of time in today, and got quite a bit accomplished. Since this is still mounted, I'm going to have to get creative on how to repair the stuff that needs repaired. Anyways, I know you guys like pictures, so here is what I have done so far today.

First look of the area below the water tank
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Water tank pulled!
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The copious amount of stuff that was behind/under the water tank
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The PO's way of fixing the previous water damage
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The water tank area cleaned up a little bit
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Looks like they used self-tapping screws and silicone to attach the boards
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Found another Brown Recluse
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The original wing material. This is more towards the aft by the wall for the bathroom.
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Getting the rotten wood pulled out
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The styrofoam
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Underneath the styrofoam
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How the PO attached the boards
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The aluminum needs replaced as well
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Most of the boards pulled and the area vacuumed out
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The remaining boards needing pulled. Unfortunately, they have a row of screws in them as deep as the wing.
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It's amazing what can be lurking underneath an area that was rebuilt. The tie-down was the only thing really noticeable at the time when I looked over the camper. The jack mount and aluminum corroded causing an issue. I may just have to cut the aluminum to get a new piece in before I install the wood in the wing. It will take some creative ingenuity to figure out how I'm going to do all of this.

Posted By: tonyj54 on 07/09/14 04:30pm

Tim.

Good attitude.

Sit back. Enjoy the ride.

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 07/09/14 10:25pm

Howdy!
Sorry D my bad I was thinkn 67 was 69.
Wow, it is truely amazing to watch 6610 have that, "Oh what the hell, lets fix it all moment"!
D1 we really need some pics of that all aluminum monster.

Posted By: 66C10 on 07/10/14 09:33am

Last night we had a good rain come in, if I remember correctly somewhere around 1.5" - looks like the water was coming in from the windows, as I can see the trail on the sides leading from the windows. I think once my sealant comes in and I can get going on sealing up the outside, that should help, greatly. After more looking, the floor will need to be replaced as well, at some point in time. The overhang had some soaked wood that was very soft.

For a 48 year old camper, I'm not complaining one bit. Things could be way worse!

Posted By: 67avion on 07/10/14 10:59am

66C10 wrote:

For a 48 year old camper, I'm not complaining one bit. Things could be way worse!

You sure have an amazing attitude. I imagine you'll do very well in your college work.

Tearing out all this stuff isn't that difficult. Its the putting it back in, correctly, that takes the time and effort. You know this, I'm sure, but I always caution folks that you can lose patience or interest in something as labor intensive as a restoration.

You're right, you have to tear out the cabover. When you do, be sure and keep the piece that you remove as a template. You should be able to locate the leaks that caused the issues and repair them pronto. Ditto with the wings. That will give you a good base to start from.

BTW, you are one of the most adept of our folks at posting pictures and outlining your work.

Thanks.

D

Posted By: 66C10 on 07/10/14 02:53pm

67avion wrote:

Thank you. I take pride in the things I do, and I've had many great experience in life that allow me to keep the attitude I have. I actually just graduated from one college with an AAS in Internetworking Management in May with a 3.95 GPA and decided I better go attend this next college program that I've wanted to to for a few years. Heck, school is paid for so I'd be dumb to turn away the chance to do it!

I've done some small restoration projects, firearms and guitars, but haven't tackled anything like a camper, until now. It's rewarding seeing your efforts bring the life back into something that has been forgotten by many.

As for documenting my work, it's a great way to see what I've done and it allows others to point out something I may have missed. I enjoy doing it, and it doesn't take too long to pick up my phone, snap a couple pictures, and then get back to work.

I did stop at the local ACE Hardware this morning and picked up a clutch-head bit and I'm one happy worker now. This will make the tear down much easier.

Posted By: Michael 111 on 07/10/14 03:27pm

First, welcome to this forum, i have benefited greatly from all the wisdom here.....

D1, No, i have not started with the inside skin.
i had to put this project on ice for a bit as i am up to my neck in work at this point. I guess there are worst problems to be had ......
Definitely looking forward to picking it back up in the fall

Stay tuned

Posted By: 66C10 on 07/11/14 06:54pm

Any recommendation on what aluminum sheet to use for fixing the wing? Thickness, type, etc.

Thanks,

Tim

Posted By: D1trout on 07/11/14 08:58pm

Tim, I have just purchased aluminum sheet to replace the degraded outside panels on the undersides of the wings and the sides of the box. I bought it from Airparts, Inc in Kansas City. It is Alclad 2024 T3 in .032", the same as the original material used by Avion. Airparts is a pleasure to do business with. Very fast shipping and competitive prices. They sell by the foot and roll it up for shipping. I took the roll, about 20', in the shipping box, with my paper templates, to a sheet metal shop and had them cut and bend the pieces I need. There are cheaper aluminum alloys available, however this is the factory spec. It has a bright finish. The anodized finished is not available anywhere that I am aware of. I actually considered using a fiberglass board called Sequentia in lieu of 2024T3 as this area is essentially out of sight, but decided to keep the outside all aluminum.

Airparts sells all manner of other useful items for restoring Avions and Airstreams.

And, for what it's worth, 67 is exactly right about it being very easy to tear things out. I'd counsel you to consider the consequences carefully before you remove a particular item. Each removed item adds time and expense to your rebuild. He's also right about keeping your resolve and having courage. I'm in the "fits and starts" as I begin the reassembly of the shell and frame. It can be a challenge to stay focused!

Good luck!
Dick

* This post was edited 07/11/14 09:11pm by D1trout *

Posted By: 66C10 on 07/11/14 10:08pm

D1trout wrote:

Dick,

Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know. Kansas City is about 2 1/2 hour drive from where I'm currently at, and there is a place closer that sells a lot of aircraft material as well (great thing about being close to the air capitol, I suppose). I'll have to do some price comparisons, and get some bought.

I completely understand about tearing things out being easy and things going back can be difficult. The fire under my butt on this one is, regardless of what happens, this will be the roof over my head in a little over a month. Right now, structural repairs are necessary and from there, I'll get more involved with creature comforts. If everything works out, I should only be sleeping in the camper and then spending the rest of my time with school or working on the coach.

Some good news as well, my Parbond came in the mail today (SUPER fast shipping!), so I'll be sealing seams and I believe we are due for another storm next week. Guess I'll see if I hit the right spots!

Tim

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