Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: 67avion on 05/17/11 09:22am

tiki2 wrote:

Actually i was thinking about starting a thread for Avions to centralize the sharing of info on them , there are a few more on another site that could be invited over.

I think that is a good idea. I haven't been able to work through the Avion site. It seems it may have fallen on hard times. At any rate, this would keep us from "clogging up" the TC site. [emoticon]

A lot of people seem interested in "builds" that are accompanied by pix. If we can create a thread for smaller issues and then post larger themes on this thread I think that is the best thing.

I hope to try Sleepy's suggestion of dry ice as a remover of built up caulk, mastic and roof paint...which I will document in photos. Ditto with your suggestion on the Klean Strip "Peeler"....and 69 cayo's suggestion of xylene. Something should work.

I hope to start the repair and upgrade of the water systems this week, but life keeps getting in the way.

By the way, congrats on keeping the Avion on the road. Takes a bit of dedication.

Posted By: garryk6 on 05/17/11 11:00am

Talking about keeping the Avion on the Road, My lovely wife, who usually really likes the ammenities of a nicely appointed RV, shocked me when we were coming home on the ferry with the shell of the Avion. We had just been told about some rate changes on the ferry system. We have a 29' class C that we will be selling next spring, while we work this coming winter to fix up the Avion. The rate changes on the ferry will cause our vacation in August to be $400 more round trip if we take the Class C than if we take the Avion as is on my truck. What surprised me, was that my wife recommmended that we take the truck and camper "as-is" since it will be the warmer time on the mainland, and we can just put some camp mats out for the kids, and a mattress up in the cabover for her and I. And just use a camp stove, and a cooler, and stay at campgrounds with facilities this trip.

So with that said, I need to do a few minor things to the Avion to get it ready. There are no screens on the louver windows, and August on the mainland is bug-central. How do I get screens on these windows before we leave? Second, has anyone tried to install a screen door on theie camper? The louver windows are glued shut since the operating mechanism is missing. Any ideas? Fortunately the previous owner already replaced the vents with new plastic ones with screens.

I hope to use the $400 saved on the ferry to help buy the 12V recirculating toilet while we are in Anchorage, so we will have a restroom for at least part of the trip. Any other ideas? For water we will just use portable 5 or 6 gallon water bottles for now, and keep looking for a water tank. There are lots of inexpensive tanks on the internet, but then they want $200 to $300 for shipping to Kodiak, AK........ :-(

Thanks for all the great input!

Garry

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: Reddog1 on 05/17/11 12:07pm

Canned Ham wrote:

67avion wrote:

I don't want to clog up the forum with too many posts and try people's patience, however.

Seems to me that if you post pictures and new info in this same thread, anyone who doesn't have interest in the rebuilding of your Avion can just move on to another thread.

I, for one, would love to see progress in the salvage of a neat old Avion; not too many of those left, never mind in usable (or repairable) condition.

I think many of the RV.NET members agree with Canned Ham on this.

I hope you take many photos and keep us updated on your progress.

Wayne

Posted By: 67avion on 05/17/11 12:51pm

garryk6 wrote:

So with that said, I need to do a few minor things to the Avion to get it ready. There are no screens on the louver windows, and August on the mainland is bug-central. How do I get screens on these windows before we leave? Second, has anyone tried to install a screen door on theie camper? The louver windows are glued shut since the operating mechanism is missing. Any ideas? Fortunately the previous owner already replaced the vents with new plastic ones with screens.

The jalousie windows are a real pain. They seldom shut correctly, leak and the vandals stole the handles. I ordered the window gaskets from Vintage Trailer SupplyVintage Trailer Supply. They also have handles, cranks,etc.The windows should be amenable to screens that you can have made at many local hardware stores.

[image]

I installed two Fantastic Fans in the roof to help with airflow. I also removed the AC unit and put in another roof vent for a total of three openings in the roof. If you're fighting the bugs, then this may help.

[image]

I don't know what you are doing with the electrical. We put in two AGM batteries and a Progressive Dynamics Power Control Unit, along with a full cut-off switch.

The batteries were installed under the seat area.
[image]

We moved and rebuilt the tie down supports and reinforced the supports for the jack stands.There had been a lot of rot.

[image]

Finally here is the water set-up so far. Hopefully we'll get the old water heater out soon and replace all the pipes. You see the new pipes coming in from the outside line in the left rear, the new tank, the Shurflo pump on the floor and the switch mounted.

[image]

As you can see there has already been upgrades, so my task is not too daunting. Once the electrical is completely tested, water and gas, we can start the process of refinishing the wood and installing it.

Or, alternatively, I can take Sleepy's advice and get a new one....

Happy trails.

* This post was edited 05/17/11 11:40pm by an administrator/moderator *

Posted By: garryk6 on 05/17/11 01:23pm

THANKS!!!
Great pics! I have been contemplating locations for the batteries. I still havn't decided on AGM 12V or maybe dual 6V. Still a toss-up. I hope to put solar on the top once we sell the class-C.

How is the wall to the bath attached to the wall and ceiling? I see the line on the painted aluminum telling me where it used to be, and I see som screw holes, but I am having a tough time picturing the assembly that mounts there..... I am also contemplating moving the forward wall back a bit more, and not putting a sink in the bathroom, since the toilet will be floor mounted now, and I plan to weld up an aluminum floor-pan and drain assy for the "wet-bath". Aluminum will hold up better than fiberglass, and I can fit it to the "room".
Thanks in advance,
Garry

Posted By: 67avion on 05/17/11 02:02pm

garryk6 wrote:

How is the wall to the bath attached to the wall and ceiling? I see the line on the painted aluminum telling me where it used to be, and I see som screw holes, but I am having a tough time picturing the assembly that mounts there.....

The plastic surround to the bath is attached by screws that are, I think, unique to the aluminum RVs. Its a small slot screw that is called a "clutch head". It is an old system of high torque fasteners. Some of my workmen call them "butterfly" screws. They are available at vintage Trailer Supply.

[image]

Those screws are used everywhere there aren't rivets on the Avion and Airstream. So, I assume you're talking about removing the screws that go around the floor as well as the back of the toilet support?

[image]

I'm not sure, but I think it all comes out. As soon as I can get the time I plan on doing just that. If you go before me, take photos and let me know.

Posted By: My Blue Heaven on 05/17/11 02:10pm

Sorry to hear of your mishap, D, but your restoration of the old girl is appreciated. Keep us posted.

Bill

2001 F350 Lariat CC 4WD 7.3 PSD dually, chipped, 4" SS exhaust, 350 hp, Rancho 9000's, front receiver, front & rear Roadmasters
2009 Arctic Fox 990S, storm windows, Cummins/Onan, FastGuns, Torklifts

Posted By: garryk6 on 05/17/11 02:20pm

Actually, I do not have a bathroom right now... I have no interior walls or cabinets, and the fiberglass/plastic surround is all gone before I got it. The point I was referreing to, is the wall to the left of your picture. The wall between the bath and the dining area. How is it attached to the wall and ceiling? Curved piece of pine or birch? Curved piece of plywood? Curved piece of aluminum? Tryin to decide if I will re-use the old location, or move the wall back towards the back of the camper by 6-8 inches.

To define what I am trying to do. I hope to build a fold down bunk above the dinette as well as move the dinette aft a little bit, since we hope to push the cabover bunk back just enough to fit a queen matress (or foam the size of a queen mattress) for my wife and I. Then 2 kids on the dinnette and one on the fold down bunk.

I hope this all makes sense...

Thanks again for the pics. I hope to start getting my aluminum pieces picked up, and have my son start welding, as he is getting pretty good at the High School welding program.

Talk to you more later!

Garry

Posted By: ticki2 on 05/17/11 03:15pm

67avion wrote:

garryk6 wrote:

I'm not sure, but I think it all comes out. As soon as I can get the time I plan on doing just that. If you go before me, take photos and let me know.

I had a hard time locating that small size for the bath trim . When I finally did it still didn't work that well so I ground down a small flat screw driver which did the job . I replaced them with ss philip head.

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

Posted By: garryk6 on 05/17/11 03:29pm

Here is the camper sitting in my driveway on the new jacks and some pallets.
[image]

Here is the inside looking aft.

[image]

Here is the inside facing forward.

[image]

I'll post more later.

Thanks,
Garry

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