Speaking of deja vu, just make sure you stay on solid ground if you take your Avion down to the river...
I can't say enough about the strength and resilience of these people. And I understand similar scenes are playing out all across the country. Our Avion is perfect for helping out in this situation. The new fridge holds at least twice as much as the old one - we can carry medicines in it - and the food lies on the floor or on the bench where we removed the mattress.
The crest is expected in 3 days, I understand. It looks like it will be a record. Hopefully preparations will mitigate the potential damage.
67 Glad you're back up and running, sounds like not a moment too soon. Good luck down there.
With the exterior of my camper buttoned up, I made the mistake of driving it to work this morning. These beauties draw way too much attention to arrive at work on time, even if only partially finished.
Have a great New Year.
1968 Avion C-11
1993 Dodge D250 LE Cummins
I know you have an access door on the left side to the area in front of the wheel well. I am thinking of doing the same, as that is the area where I plan to place my 2 6 volt batteries.
Did you cut that access door out? If so are there any tips you have to offer...I am just real tentative about cutting a hole in the skin on the side. Because of having 4 jacks I did not think a hole through the top boards of the wing was a good idea as it may weaken that area...is that correct (anyone else please free to chime in).
Anyway safe travels....are you still planning on coming to Florida?
Happy New Year Avionistas
I think it is safe to develop that space on the drivers side. We have not had any issues whatsoever with water or anything else. However it did pop open during the windy passage from Michigan. But so did the Fantastik fan....
Yes, we plan on being in Florida starting on the 13th traveling from the Okefenokee to Tampa.
67, Hope the relief efforts are going well. The situation sounds very dire in many areas there.
Monkey see, monkey do. Im going to have to install access doors also, just too much addt'l storage to pass up.
I've had a bit of indoor time lately and needed some hard drive space back. Got some more video edited(poorly) and posted.
C11 Before Rebuild
Overhang Rebuild
Lets start with a photo from way back in the beginning.
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/tableweb_zpsih1vrtk0.jpg.html)
Here you can see the layout before we removed the built in table and reduced the width of the steps.
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/trapdoor_zpsbvpom6jo.jpg.html)
We put in a trap door inside the cabinet that is accessed with a small latch.
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/trapdoor1_zpsqahndwhc.jpg.html)
Which opens to another trapdoor with a hinge.
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/trapdoor2_zps28wyeydw.jpg.html)
Which opens to yet another trap door. Of course the bottom door gives us access to the water lines, but its also a relatively secure spot to stow things that you don't want in the open.
Directly in front of the rebuilt cabinet is the opening to the passenger side wheelwell. You have to slide out the couch to access it.
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/passengerdoorside_zpsjeoo5nxj.jpg.html)
On the drivers side, at the bottom of the cabinet, is the opening to the wheel well.
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/doorpassengerweb_zpsh4mmgfac.jpg.html)
Here is the installation of the new Nova Cool 3.8 CF refrigerator. It protrudes from the case, which is unfortunate, but it appears to lightly sip electricity and handily cool our goods. We'll give it a good test soon.
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/fridge_zpsbxwti4hv.jpg.html)
And finally here is my backup light installation. It hasn't worked out well. Unless its really dark it functions very poorly. I don't know if its the camera or the viewer that doubles as my rear view mirror. Any ideas on this would be appreciated.
![[image]](http://s739.photobucket.com/user/dgorton/media/backuplight_zpstns7idcf.jpg.html)
I ordered the Giraffe 4 distance finder. It measures up from the front of your vehicle. Since I have crashed this Avion 3 times, it behooves me to try and not do it again. I think I may lose Sweet Jane's support which was hard won after the last crash. The refrigerator went a long way to making things OK.....
http://giraffeg4.com/
And finally, finally. We have a resource with Chuck Cayo that is without parallel. I could not find anyone locally who would take on the task of repairing the roof. I didn't think I could do it because of (a) skill levels and (b) a warm dry place to work. My insurance company was going to total the coach. Enter Chuck Cayo.
Not only did he repair the top in record time, he came in way below what I had estimated. The insurance company paid off 100% on the repairs. But, get this: while he was at it he fixed a broken vent, my sliding bed, installed a new charge controller to the replaced solar panel. I can't remember what all. And he didn't charge me for the significant extra work. He loves these machines and he loves keeping them on the road.
I am convinced that he is one of the best electrical sleuths I have ever seen, which matters since my wiring was fried from the damage to the solar panel.
He also did an expert installation of my new Nova Kool.
So, if you have an issue or three or four and you want it dealt with quickly and reasonably, give some thought to traveling up to Watervliet and Cayo.
So, Happy New Years to my Avionistas. I'm heading back for some football.
* This post was edited 01/01/16 01:03pm by 67avion *