Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: 67avion on 06/27/15 02:05pm

Your vote has been recorded. This may be a red headed step child but we love it!

Posted By: garryk6 on 06/27/15 02:33pm

This is definitely a close enough relative to the C10 and C11 and because there is already a C11 mounted on a trailer this is not far off. More pics please!!!

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: Mr.N on 06/28/15 01:59pm

Yes, repurposed back in the 90's from what I can tell.
I will get som interior pictures.
I believe it was too tongue heavy as the moved everything to the back wall and they even removed the bathroom. A wood stove was added as well and the fabrication for the modification was done well. (At least in its current setup)
I am cleaning it out except for the sink and plan to use it for 1-4 day trips where electricity is available.

Posted By: 69 Avion on 06/28/15 08:37pm

That is a neat looking rig. I'll bet it tows well. Can't wait to see the interior pictures.

By the way, we are getting close to the 300th page on this thread. It has to be a record on this forum, for one brand.

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

Posted By: D1trout on 06/29/15 10:00pm

Fellow Avionistas, I have a number of parts from my C11 which I will not be needing. Yours for the asking and the shipping costs. Here are pics. Also, I have the fiberglass and plastics moldings from the original bath. They might prove bulky and expensive to ship, but I'm willing to consider it if you are.

In this pic, from upper left, you're looking at the heater vent stack, one of the two small perforated vents(liberally slathered with silicone by the PO), the vent assembly for the range, and the fridge vent assembly without the actual vent cap, which I sent to Brandon a couple of weeks ago.

Let me know if any of this appeals to you.

As for progress on Argo, the all-aluminum camper, I'm steeling myself to removing the truck bed, moving Argo forward to contact the back of the cab, and cutting a big pass-thru... I'm only just coming to terms with the idea of radical surgery on this expensive truck. But I'm already heavily invested in Argo itself and a 4WD high clearance modified Class C vehicle really fits the bill in my family. Onward!

I'm wondering how to handle relationship between the cabover and the roof of the truck. Leave space OR have the cabover contact the roof OR actually mechanically fasten the cabover to the roof OR just place some sort of foam/rubber mat between them OR some aspects of a couple of these ideas. Your thoughts welcome.

Dick

Posted By: 69 Avion on 06/29/15 10:10pm

Remember that the frame twists as you drive over bumps. A hard connection between the cab and the cabover part of the camper would impede that movement.

Posted By: D1trout on 06/29/15 10:48pm

69 Avion, how would you handle that twisting motion? Perhaps foaming or caulking the joint would allow movement and still seal out corrosive moisture. Or leave enough room so moisture drains out?
I think what you are saying is to think carefully before fastening the two parts permanently together? I was planning to fasten the front of Argo to the back of the cab in a manner that would not permit movement and insure a good seal between the two parts. Maybe not? Maybe the accordion gasket is a better approach? I wonder how the Tiger vehicles - or any Class C really - deals with the flexing.

Posted By: garryk6 on 06/29/15 11:05pm

Most class C have not only the back wall but also part of the roof cut out maximizing the connection to the van body.
Because you have a truck, your frame will want to twist the most right at the connection to the cab and camper. A
I have looked at a few early truck style class C motor homes that only had a crawl/walk through. They used a flexible rubber boot of sorts that was bolted and flanged to the cab and the camper. This provided a flexible yet airtight seal. I would avoid connecting the can and cabover, as the cab will want to move and the cab over is fairly rigid that could cause buckling at the cab over to main body of the Avion.
I hope this helps!
Garry

Posted By: D1trout on 06/29/15 11:19pm

Great observations, Garry. Very helpful. This means you'd favor leaving a space between the bottom of the cabover and the actual roof of the cab?

Posted By: garryk6 on 06/30/15 12:36am

Yes. I would leave 3 - 4 inches between the cab both at the back wall of the cab and between the roof and the ca over. Then fabricate a piece of thick rubber that would be bolted via a flange to the cab and bolted to the camper via a separate flange leaving enough slack such that it bulges inward to allow a large degree of misalignment without tearing or breaking. I'll try to find a pic of what I am trying to say in words....??
Garry

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