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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos |
Posted By: D1trout
on 07/24/18 08:54pm
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Rastaman, I call the fiberglass molding “the bustle”. As you know, it holds the black and gray water tanks. Rather than reorganizing all that plumbing and infrastructure, I’d raise up the forward part of the camper to provide storage - space for more water or propane or batteries - whatever you like. There’s very little storage inside the camper and a trailer increases the options considerably. As I think about such an approach, I’m tempted to look for small Avion trailers on eBay or CL... My 2 cents.... In rereading your post, I realize I didn’t really answer your question about spacers or a platform. I’d go platform, with built-in storage. |
Posted By: LoneWolfSS454
on 07/25/18 08:36am
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Rastaman, My advise, 2-cents is, if you do build the platform, which seems unavoidable given the shape of the camper along it's lower parts (the "bustle" area especially), I'd find ways ("creative ways" if need be) to secure the platform at all four corners (or in at least 2 places along each side) to the trailer surface ("bed,floor"), as well as secure the camper floor (the 2nd lowest area that usually sits on the truck bed floor) to the top of the platform. In my case, having my former C-11 sitting on & bolted to wood strips (the factory flat bed leveling strips plus a flat 2X4 on top of each of those) sitting on the frame of an old Chevy C-30 (former flat bed) truck, I ran only a total of 4, long wood - lag bolts (with large flat washers under the heads) thru the floor of the camper into the wood leveling strips (which had U-bolts holding them to the truck frame). The only other things holding the camper down to the truck (besides it's own weight) were 4-each, 3/8" chains, roughly 3' or 4' long each, hanging down from near the jack mounts (I believe, I can't remember if there were factory "tie-down mounts" along the camper sides, or if I made some?) and (the chains were>)bolted to the sides of the truck frame. I drove the rig like a (young) maniac at times and it never moved. Although the lag bolts I used would of never held the camper in place in a bad wreck, they did prevent any side to side or front to rear movement, with a fairly wild young version of myself at the wheel. Carpet on the floor of mine hid the passenger side bolts, I think the other side (at least 1 was anyway) were hidden inside the floor storage compartments.
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Posted By: rastaman33609
on 07/25/18 04:14pm
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Thanks for the input so far...I am leaning towards a 4'x8' platform. On my C10 I had already installed 2 layers of 2x6. under the body. 3 rows, length wise, doubled up, which gave me 3" of additional height between the camper and the bed rail of the truck, that gave me room to access my batteries and have storage for the jacks when removed. Now with out a truck I will really only need an additional height of about 4" for the 'brussel' to clear the floor of the trailer. I will certainly try to incorporate some space under the platform for storage. it wont be much as I want to have as much support as possible under the floor of the camper. but I should have 2 cavities that will run the length of the camper where poles/hoses etc. may be stored. I am thinking L brackets bolted to the trailer and attached to the side of the platform and high enough to also brace the side of the camper will prevent side to side movement. same on front. then go with my original tie downs. I am hoping to have my 'gray' water tank mounted between the axles. The trailer that I am using is a small 7x12 car hauler. with drop axles. so I will have a low COG. plenty of room on the sides for storage boxes and I am hoping I will be able to fit my small dual sport motorcycle under the bed area. OR I am tempted to try and enclose the area under the overhang/bed to give a more finished look but that may be difficult to construct...we will see. Keep those ideas and suggestions coming, right now my plans are set in jello. I am presently redoing the bearings, bushings and adding brakes on one of the axles. One Love |
Posted By: LoneWolfSS454
on 07/25/18 05:38pm
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Rastaman, The L brackets sound like a good idea. I'd (multi-) bolt (or multi - lag bolt) them solidly to the sides of the platform (which is hopefully 2 X thickness minimum around the perimeter, x whatever height you need), and bolt the tops at the front - to the camper it self (also I feel a minimum) in case of starting out from a stop, going up a steep hill, especially if your have a manual transmission, "pulling gears" in the rear end, or a powerful engine, to eliminate any chances of the camper sliding off of the rear of the trailer. It could be your other tie downs can do this and those steps may not be needed? It sounds as if you have a solid plan so far. Good luck!
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Posted By: ticki2
on 07/25/18 06:01pm
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I doubt you will have access to any storage under the camper floor as the bussel will come down to the floor of the trailer . You will gain a lot of storage under the wings . You will probably have to change the discharge from the waste tank as it comes straight down . With a little plumbing you could make it exit through the hatch door , not sure if the C10 is the same as the C11 .
'68 Avion C-11 '02 GMC DRW D/A flatbed |
Posted By: rastaman33609
on 07/26/18 05:18am
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Lonewolf...I used a 'horse stall matt' from tractor supply in the truck bed before..it gave a good non-slip base.(even with the truck bed plastic liner) plus with the tie downs and the brackets as you suggested I think I will be good, Ticki2 ...Dang it I for got about the bussel, it was on my other camper that I was able to store stuff under...oh well, but like you said I will have plenty of space under the wings. The outlet from the tank comes straight down.I am going to use a a cap with a garden hose fitting and I am hopping to get enough height to run a hose to my 'holding tank,which I am thinking I should mount between the axles for maximum clearance. it will just be a 5 gallon jug. When i had the camper on the truck I had strapped the jug below the spare tire and it worked perfect. Jug has a drain valve. Do you have any suggestions for the area up front below the bed, The thought of a motorcycle may not work as loading it will be an issue. I will plan on keeping the batteries and 3 2x4 solar panels (just for transporting)up front on the V of the frame. I will have to figure a way to secure them from walking away. I like my panels portable so I can park in the shade and deploy them to the sun.Plus they are used at another off grid location when i go there. |
Posted By: 1968 C11
on 07/27/18 04:58am
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unfortunately we didn´t get our c11 on the road this summer for some reasons. so i bought e chevy g20 (back to the roots) and me and my wife went up to norway. now i want to restart doing some things on in my avion. isulation is nearly done all the woodwork (wings, floor, cabover is rebuilt with kind of waterresistant plywood. still havet found a place to store /upload my pix now i have seen, that one of my mosquito "window frames" are missing. tho one in the cabover. does anybody know where to get e new (used) one? Chevy Pickup since ´95 (c10, R33, K3500) Fleetwood Elkhorn, Sportcam, Palomino 1000 sl Now a Avion 1968 c11 Needs to be restored |
Posted By: 67avion
on 07/27/18 09:32pm
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Hello everyone. I've been in Copenhagen visiting my daughter and son in law. So, this is the first time I've checked in about a month. Glad to see that the group is functioning again. Joerg, I have been using Photobucket for 3rd party photo hosting. I know. I know. Once burned twice shy. But it looks like they have learned their lesson after nearly destroying their company. I'll bet you had a good time in Norway, but its dry as the Sahara. I mean its dry and yellow as far as the eye can see all across Northern Europe. I stayed in an Airbnb on this trip and I really missed traveling in a truck camper. My costs on this trip were double or more than when Jane and I traveled in the Tonke. It just brought back to me the incredible advantages of truck camping: I stayed at inexpensive parks, kept food and drink in the camper and didn't eat at restaurants except occasionally, and I moved about the country on my own terms. ![]() |
Posted By: ticki2
on 07/28/18 05:45am
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Rastaman, the garden hose cap works for grey water but will clog right up with black water . If you bolt down the TC to the trailer you won't be able to move it for and aft to balance the load depending on what else you carry . I would tend to attach the platform to the TC rather than the trailer to give it location flexibility . Lots to think about .
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Posted By: Dave Pete
on 07/28/18 05:38pm
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Saw this in the Wyoming Cragslist ads. Avion in Cody. |
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