Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: 69cayo on 08/13/14 04:35pm

The original edging or bead is no longer available he had found something similar but not the same.
I ran into this problem before I decided to forgo the beading.
What's available does not have a long enough "leg" to reach the rivet line so he slit the bead so it would slide further under the sheet.
Hope that helps.

Dennis

Posted By: cajunavion on 08/14/14 05:43pm

Howdy!
Gary I saw this rack. Thought this might
give some ideas.

Posted By: garryk6 on 08/14/14 11:08pm

Thanks Cajun!
I have the added disadvantage in that i do not have a ladder to access the roof yet... So I need to address that as well. I am contemplating purchasing a tubing bender, and then buying aluminum heavy wall pipe, then build a rack and a ladder. This would then allow mounting solar.
But in the next few years we will be moving to warmer country, and I am looking to add A/C, so I have to evaluate roof space, vents, A/C, solar etc before I start building my rack. I would like to have a place to store fishing rods and a cooler too, but those are only wishes....
The bigger question is what is the best way to attach a rack and ladder to the Avion? Rivets? Screws? Through bolts?

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: rfuerst911sc on 08/15/14 05:27am

How did Avion originally install a roof ladder/rack ? My guess is they were screwed into wood backing. I too would like to add at the very least a ladder for roof access just to perform roof inspections. But a roof rack would be a nice addition. I go back and forth on adding solar but a roof rack could make install a little easier. Can aluminum tubing lets say 1 " in diameter be bent using a simple EMT bender ?

Posted By: Teacher's Pet on 08/15/14 06:43am

RV Factory Surplus in Elkhart Indiana has ladder parts.

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Posted By: 67avion on 08/15/14 08:20am

Garry et al.

I wonder about putting weight on the roof. As you know, any weight is highly leveraged that far from the ground. As far as the ladder goes, I've seen many pictures of Avion TCs with roof ladders but I've never seen one in person. I would think that 69avion would have some clues since he spent a lot of time with the chassis of the TC.

Someone mentioned wood as a fastening point, but the rear is aluminum over fiberglass in mine and I think in all of them. I think you would have to hit the ribs very carefully to create a fastening spot that would not (a) leak and (b) give way unexpectantly.

Posted By: 69cayo on 08/15/14 10:29am

This is what the ribs look like in the back.....

[image]

The ribs to the left of the window have little to no strength.

Dennis

Posted By: ticki2 on 08/15/14 10:37am

rfuerst911sc wrote:

I have an option list for a '67 and a '69 and there is no mention of a ladder or roof rack so I don't think it was ever available from the factory . If installing an aftermarket one I would definitely mount it through the ribs .

'68 Avion C-11
'02 GMC DRW D/A flatbed

Posted By: D1trout on 08/15/14 10:46am

69Cayo, in looking at your picture of your shell with all interior panels removed, I wonder if you reinstalled the original panels or made new ones for some or all of the interior?
I'm looking at that step and wondering if one can, using an original panel as a template, drill the holes and make the cutouts and expect the new panel to fit relatively easily...?
Thanks
Dick

Posted By: 67avion on 08/15/14 11:20am

Of course, installing a ladder is not impossible... its just tricky. I would think that a combination of fiberglassed panels with through holes for fasteners that also incorporate the ribs would do the trick. Having said that, it would incur removing the existing panels as Dick and Dennis have done, making the structural changes and then replacing the interior panels. That's a lot of work for a ladder.

BOTOH - If you have carriage space on the roof with a railing it would be almost necessary to have some permanent access. Otherwise you'd be carrying around a 10' ladder or a handful of pitons.

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