Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: D1trout on 08/04/15 09:21am

The secret route to Muley Point indeed. A fanciful place and far away, a golden city shining in the sun...
Onward!

Posted By: Ocean Avion TC on 08/05/15 10:28am

Well its been a busy time since my last post. Thanks for the welcome I have to say this forum is just a wealth of information and I want to thank those that take the time to pass along all their knowledge.

I am now a little confused, I was advised the camper was a 1969 however on the water tank I noted a date stamp of 1970 I suppose the tank could have been replaced). The serial number is GJ-050. Does anyone have a list comparing serial numbers to year of manufacture?

Ticki2 – Unfortunately the pictures were a little deceiving. However there are no bullet holes as others have been dealing with. There is damage around the front right lower corner and near the clearance light on the front right corner. For some reason a lot of the rivets were missing underneath the overhang. I was able to source some water resistant (nothing is waterproof) rivets at a tractor trailer repair place and they also advised they could supply roof sealant and any aluminium I would need.

I have had to rewire the exterior lights as the PO had not hooked up the reverse or clearance lights and the wire that was used was a couple of pieces of old extension cord. I took the time to put on a new 7 pin plug and 7 strand wire. Surprise, surprise almost all the lights work. Only one clearance light on the front had to be checked and it was missing the bulb and the ground was not connected.

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As there was propane remaining in one of the old horizontal tanks I’ve confirmed that the propane stove works. The other tank has been given to a friend in the propane business to get re-certified and filled. He was surprised by the tank as he had never seen one before. I have not checked the heater yet but I’m not planning any winter camping at the moment … not quite as cold as where Garry is camping.

When taking off all the upper cabinet doors I found out I am missing two of the stays. Does anyone know where I can purchase them? Picture below. I have purchased the two types available from Lee Valley which is a very good source of hardware but they are not the same length. I checked Vintage RV and unfortunately they do not have anything listed. Also noted multiple types of screws and some damage to the cabinet carcases where the screw holes are. Now I see some finer woodworking in my future. The upper cabinet doors painted and just finishing off a couple coats of varathane before the re-install which should be done this coming weekend.

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Here are some interior pictures currently. I repainted the top of the stove. Condition is pretty good until you look in the "closet" and find the skeltons.

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Finally got around to putting water into the water tank … which thankfully held. Turned on the old par pump and …. no water movement. Fortunately a friend has just replaced a pump he had in his Fuzion toy hauler because he wanted one with more flow. When I tested it, the pump worked but the pipework to the hot water tank had been disconnected. The fitting is an odd size so once I find some fittings I will have to try the water systems again. Ultimate goal for now is to get water to the toilet. If not we will just fill up some water cans and take with us. It is now obvious PO did not antifreeze the water system so I am concerned on how much hidden damage there is. I agree 67Avion I see pex in my avions's future but for now ...

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Drove through some very heavy rains the other morning and noted a leak around the rear vent and coming out of the top of the front curbside window. A look at the roof and again some interesting products up there done by POs. One side of the roof is covered in a metallic foil put on in approximately 6 inch strips the length of the camper.

So bottom line; I have leaks, wood rot, plumbing issues, no steps, no hot water tank … and the bathroom will need to be gutted and rebuilt properly. However we stayed in it the other night, and enjoyed it. So for now the plan is to do the minimum needed in order to spend two weeks going through western Newfoundland, Labrador, eastern Quebec and New Brunswick. Garry I will take a page from your book, use it as is and repair and modify when time and money allows.

I had the awning partially out and it looks in pretty good shape. Meant to set it up and take some pictures, will do so for my next post, this one is definitely long enough, my apologies.

70 Avion C11 Ultra
08 GMC 3500 Sierra

Posted By: Ocean Avion TC on 08/05/15 11:26am

67avion wrote:

Glad to have you on board. At a certain point we will name you an official Avionista and share the secret route to Muley Point.......

I had never heard of Muley Point, as it turns out it is in one of the few areas of North America I have not traveled, the American south west. At some point I intend on correcting that wrong and I am definitely intrigued and thus will need that secret route [emoticon]

Posted By: ticki2 on 08/05/15 12:25pm

Ocean Avion

If you take the letters in the serial number and find it's numerical place in the alphabet it will give you the year , G = 7 and J = 0 . The 50 is its place in the production run .

Interesting that yours has stays for the upper cabinet doors . All the Avions I have seen have magnetic catches attached to the ceiling .

Nice trip you have planned , it is on my to-do list . You do realize you will owe us a trip report .

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

Posted By: 69 Avion on 08/05/15 03:20pm

I don't think the area under the cabover had rivets. Mine had clutch head screws that I replaces with stainless steel screws and plastic washers to eliminate any reaction.

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

Posted By: 69 Avion on 08/05/15 03:24pm

My 1969 Avion camper is not a C-11.

It says that it is a model: 9-3513SD
The serial number is: S-11138

I think mine was made in California.

Posted By: Ocean Avion TC on 08/05/15 03:43pm

ticki2 - Thanks for confirming the method in determining the age of the Avion. I checked the ID plate and it at least is a C-11 Ultra. So I have gone back and updated my signature block to indicate the true year of my Avion. I am looking forward to the trip and will definitely provide a trip report for those that may be interested.

69 Avion it makes sense that there would be screws under the cab over as there is wood just above. Not sure why the PO would not have put at least a few screws in ...

Posted By: 67avion on 08/05/15 06:51pm

Sweet Jane and I are sitting next to our Avion next to the water of a lake near Council Grove, Kansas....the head of the Santa Fe Trail. There's a cooling breeze that keeps us more than comfortable as we enjoy a few cold beers.

The Avion is such a pleasure at times like this. It's like an old friend who has spent a lot of time with you. And I must say, Canjunavion's quote that every gas station is a press conference is true. No matter where we stop people come over smiling - asking about the camper. Something about the old girl makes people happy.

And it makes us happy too!

Onward!

Posted By: 69 Avion on 08/05/15 07:12pm

67avion wrote:

You could be enjoying a delightful 112 degrees in Phoenix. LOL

Posted By: D1trout on 08/05/15 07:45pm

67, are you going to follow the Santa Fe Trail to Santa Fe? I just read Rinker Buck's account of his recent wagon trip across the Oregon Trail and I'm longing for a big dose of American history, firsthand! I've got to get to Muley Point!

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