Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: garryk6 on 09/19/16 12:02am

rastaman33609 wrote:

Ok guys...It is just over a month before the Ist Worldwide Avion Meet.In North Florida

This is an invitation to come and join us. We still need to hear from some 'Key Players' whom without, it would just not feel right.
Ticki2, SilverPompadour, and CajunAvion,(you listening) just to name a few,plus all the other Avion owners out there. GarryK6 I know it would be a long haul for you, but I can promise you that there wont be any snow down here and I am sure you will have a good time.

Lets do it.....

Thanks guys for the invite! No chance of getting off the island for that length to drive down to Florida. We are planning to do a week off Kodiak in the camper to Anchorage at thanksgiving time. Going for a possible repeat of our maiden voyage. Don't know if it will be down to -9F this year like our maiden voyage but we are ready to get my df the island for a break!! Have fun in the sun for us!! Garry in Kodiak Alaska

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: 67avion on 09/19/16 08:55am

Well, it looks like the First WWAG is going to start out mighty lean. But, you know what they say when two or more are gathered together.

Rasta, fire up the Jerk Chicken! We'll be there.

Posted By: c11motorhome on 09/19/16 09:29am

Hi All,
thanks for the information.
I just got a line on a few aluminum honeycomb panels, 3/4" thick for a great price, $25 dollars each for 4'x5' sheets. So a significant cost and weight savings over plywood. Anyone have any experience using these?

Seems they can be riveted and epoxied and cut with a jig saw or router.

I know the thermal conductivity would be a downside, but no rot could more than make up for that.

any thoughts?

Posted By: rastaman33609 on 09/19/16 10:04am

67avion wrote:

Well, it looks like the First WWAG is going to start out mighty lean. But, you know what they say when two or more are gathered together.

Rasta, fire up the Jerk Chicken! We'll be there.

Yeh Mon.....no problem!

Posted By: D1trout on 09/19/16 01:33pm

C11motorhome, in my effort to make Argo a truly all-aluminum camper, with nothing to rot from the inevitable leaks, I too have studied aluminum composite panels for the floor. I think they are very well suited to the purpose. I don't think there are any real thermal issues because of the plastic core. If you're worried about that, being in Canada, you could sandwich in a thin sheet of polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation (widely available at home centers).
I have found a very good selection of sizes at www.nglantz.com, a business that provides materials for the sign industry. I got some samples last year from a local sign supply and messed with them a bit. They are easy to work with simple woodworking tools.
Hope this helps.
Onward!

Posted By: c11motorhome on 09/19/16 03:24pm

Thanks D1trout,
I got some excellent information here:
http://www.hexcel.com/Resources/DataSheets/Brochure-Data-Sheets/Sandwich_Panel_Fabrication_Technology.pdf
Really comprehensive .
Sadly I missed the deal on kijiji, but I think the idea warrants some pricing from local suppliers.

I did a little more digging in the underbelly today. The wooden 2x8 frame that the camper rests on is bolted to the old floor of the van. The tie down's are attached to this floor also. As I am redoing all the tiedowns I was wondering if they should be attached to the frame of the van? Anyone carrying their camper on a flat deck? What do you tie it down to? My tiedown's are chain, and turnbuckles attached to u bolts. Would tensioned (spring loaded) tiedowns be better?

Posted By: rastaman33609 on 09/19/16 03:48pm

D1Trout.....can we expect you to join us at the First International Avionista Meet....in Florida?
It would sure be nice to have you...

Posted By: D1trout on 09/19/16 05:12pm

C11motorhome, these hex panels look to be just the thing, particularly as they are used in lots of transportation applications. I'd go with those. I might use them on my floor, although the thermal issue is still worth considering. Undoubtably I'll put some floor covering over the basic floor, either fixed or removable.
Rastaman, sadly, I am not a candidate for a FL trip. Still trying to complete Argo. Maybe by next summer... And my first destination will be Muley Point, kind of a pilgrimage.
However, the truck Argo is on is a big diesel so I can visualize towing a catboat to FL. There are interesting small boat rallies in your state. More will be revealed!
Onward!

Posted By: cajunavion on 09/20/16 07:53pm

Howdy!

Here's a great story! Our coach battery was dead and we went to Autozone to grab a new one.
The whole store ran to the window, obvious Avion admirers. I was kind of perturb that no one was bothering to open the door or help with the big ol Optima. Then things changed. They gave me a brand new battery no questions asked. Begged to have pictures of the rig. And I was told the cool factor alone was enough for free service! Wow, I think I might need to sell tickets or something.

Posted By: rastaman33609 on 09/21/16 04:05am

cajunavion...I notice your TC seems to be sitting higher in the bed than mine sits in a dodge,, not sure if its the difference in bed height or did you raise it?
Also I am curious as to what arrangement you have in the rear in this photo, is that a step leading up to a platform?...any other pics

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