Interesting that there are two Cayo campers available right now, both appearing to be in good condition. The eBay one has been listed for a long time also.
Annie would be happy to have a camper that would allow her and the dogs to pass back and forth
but, as we require 4WD, Cayo is not in the cards. And if I had two aluminum camper projects in process here, I'd be living alone...
Onward!
Dick
In the hot Arizona sun, after a few decades, the interior will look really bad, the plastic will be brittle, but the aluminum, wood and the steel will be in excellent condition.
I would look for one from a hot, dry climate.
Ford F-350 4x4 Diesel
1988 Avion Triple Axle Trailer
1969 Avion C-11 Camper
"In 1970, the Cayos affixed their own name to the familiar streamlined camper shell. A year later, they extended the length of the camper, slipped a cutoff chassis beneath
it and christened the self-propelled coach the Cayo Motovator.
Available in 20- and 22-toot models, the Motovator featured an anodized
aluminum shell (sporting a 13-panel rear cap design so familiar to owners of
mid-'50s Airstream trailers) and metal framing which allowed the mini-motorhome to
maintain its structural integrity, In fact, the Cayo RV Corporation offered the
coaches with a lifetime warranty to the original owner, "When we designed it,
we realized that the body of the coach would last longer than the chassis,"
Bill pointed out, "so it was actually designed to be removed and placed on a
newer chassis, should the need arise".
This appears to make the idea of putting the camper body on a 4WD truck chassis more than just feasible...the question is, was plywood used in the foundation structure of the Cayo or was it really a metal frame and foundation with wood only used in the interior panels and cabinetry. And was all the framing done in aluminum, as is the case in our Avions.
Interestingly, the Cayo on eBay appears to be the 20' model and the CL one is the 22'.
What are the odds both models would be for sale simultaneously!
The rest of the write-up describes chassis available:
Originally available on a Dodge one-ton chassis with a choice of a 360 cid or
318 cid Dodge, 350 CID Chevy or 302 CiD Ford V-8 engine, the Cayo carried a
dry weight of 8,245 pounds (20-foot model).
Hummmm...
Dick
Garry and Dick, you guys are evil for bringing up this sort of information.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
(Dave turns resolutely and walks back to the GMC Motorhome page)
D1trout wrote:
69, those are good points. I've been doing a little Cayo Motorvator homework and listen to this:
"In 1970, the Cayos affixed their own name to the familiar streamlined camper shell. A year later, they extended the length of the camper, slipped a cutoff chassis beneath
it and christened the self-propelled coach the Cayo Motovator.
Available in 20- and 22-toot models, the Motovator featured an anodized
aluminum shell (sporting a 13-panel rear cap design so familiar to owners of
mid-'50s Airstream trailers) and metal framing which allowed the mini-motorhome to
maintain its structural integrity, In fact, the Cayo RV Corporation offered the
coaches with a lifetime warranty to the original owner, "When we designed it,
we realized that the body of the coach would last longer than the chassis,"
Bill pointed out, "so it was actually designed to be removed and placed on a
newer chassis, should the need arise".
This appears to make the idea of putting the camper body on a 4WD truck chassis more than just feasible...the question is, was plywood used in the foundation structure of the Cayo or was it really a metal frame and foundation with wood only used in the interior panels and cabinetry. And was all the framing done in aluminum, as is the case in our Avions.
Interestingly, the Cayo on eBay appears to be the 20' model and the CL one is the 22'.
What are the odds both models would be for sale simultaneously!
The rest of the write-up describes chassis available:
Originally available on a Dodge one-ton chassis with a choice of a 360 cid or
318 cid Dodge, 350 CID Chevy or 302 CiD Ford V-8 engine, the Cayo carried a
dry weight of 8,245 pounds (20-foot model).
Hummmm...
Dick
69, those are good points. I've been doing a little Cayo Motorvator homework and listen to this:
"In 1970, the Cayos affixed their own name to the familiar streamlined camper shell. A year later, they extended the length of the camper, slipped a cutoff chassis beneath
it and christened the self-propelled coach the Cayo Motovator.
Available in 20- and 22-toot models, the Motovator featured an anodized
aluminum shell (sporting a 13-panel rear cap design so familiar to owners of
mid-'50s Airstream trailers) and metal framing which allowed the mini-motorhome to
maintain its structural integrity, In fact, the Cayo RV Corporation offered the
coaches with a lifetime warranty to the original owner, "When we designed it,
we realized that the body of the coach would last longer than the chassis,"
Bill pointed out, "so it was actually designed to be removed and placed on a
newer chassis, should the need arise".
This appears to make the idea of putting the camper body on a 4WD truck chassis more than just feasible...the question is, was plywood used in the foundation structure of the Cayo or was it really a metal frame and foundation with wood only used in the interior panels and cabinetry. And was all the framing done in aluminum, as is the case in our Avions.
Interestingly, the Cayo on eBay appears to be the 20' model and the CL one is the 22'.
What are the odds both models would be for sale simultaneously!
The rest of the write-up describes chassis available:
Originally available on a Dodge one-ton chassis with a choice of a 360 cid or
318 cid Dodge, 350 CID Chevy or 302 CiD Ford V-8 engine, the Cayo carried a
dry weight of 8,245 pounds (20-foot model).
Hummmm...
Dick
My bet is that the Motovator is made like the Avion TT with an all aluminum shell and ribs with a 3/8" plywood/foam/plywood floor.
My first encounter with a Motorvator happened in a small town in Texas last year. Jane and I were traveling to the Texas Truck Camper Rally and decided to take the back roads near Fredericksburg. We were tooling along in light traffic with a stop light just ahead. At first I couldn't make out what I was seeing. It was aluminum, it was one piece and its was headed in our direction.
I couldn't compute until, at the very last moment, my eyes locked onto the eyes of the driver. He had the same expression I did - a sort of stunned stare. I could tell he was thinking - "Avion truck camper!". And I was thinking - "Motorvator!" And he went into my rear view mirror. And that was that.
I looked at Jane sort of dazed. "Jane that was a Motorvator. It just materialized here in Texas and then it disappeared".
"Whats a Motorvator?", Jane asked.
"It's a ghost camper. They just appear and then they're gone. I'd really like to have a Motorvator some day".
"No more projects" Jane said firmly.
* This post was edited 06/07/15 08:56am by 67avion *
Now that I'm back home I need to replace the fridge vent cover that jumped ship. Any suggestions other than buying one from Cayo?
![[image]](http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y348/Apmann/image.jpg1_zpssa4dwamz.jpg)
Avion C10
2002 Silverado 2500HD 6.0L
KEEP ON TRUCKIN'
I don't know if Cayo has any sort of replacement for the vent cover. That may well be something that you can salvage from a junked Avion TC or you might have to fabricate it.
Glad to hear that you are rolling and that the camper is weather tight.
I use Torklift tie downs and Fastguns for turnbuckles. They are tied to the frame of the truck. I don't know if you are aware, but the sort of system that you have with ties downs to sheet metal, can fail. Its something to think about.
(I made a post about taking out my old bellybar and putting in Torklift Talons just the other day>)
Forward!
You are welcome to any or all of the vent assembly for the cost of shipping.
And I second 67's comments on Torklifts. They are bombproof and very reassuring.
Dick
PS: 67, how did CS Lewis get into this thread...?
Screwtape Letters
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
I'm aware that my tiedowns aren't perfect. I'm confident though, and I'll keep my eyes on the situation as time progresses. I just like the look of these better I guess.