Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: D1trout on 01/15/19 04:54pm

Wow! Gotta have that shirt! The Avion looks so good on the Power Wagon!
I drove a PW to Baja in ‘69 and did a couple of hundred 4WD miles doing reconnaissance for an Outward Bound program. Those rigs were unstoppable.
Argo’s floor is nearly in. Then upholstery and curtains and he’ll be debuting on this Forum.
Watch this space!

Posted By: cajunavion on 01/28/19 09:03am

Howdy!
pics please!

Posted By: flyte63 on 01/31/19 01:44pm

Hi, we recently purchased a 1965 Avion C-10 and are looking forward to Muley Point. Our C-10 is in pretty good condition, everything original and structurally solid including the floor and wings. For the last 10 years we've been camping with our family in a 1963 Shasta Airflyte trailer that we restored ourselves. My wife and I figure the Avion will take a year or two before it's ready for the road and are looking forward to spending many hours working on it, then many more traveling with it.

-Don

[image]

http://flyte63.blogspot.com

Posted By: rastaman33609 on 01/31/19 02:41pm

welcome....that is the same unit I have....
I know you will enjoy it and there is plenty of information here to solve any issues you may have

rasta

Posted By: garryk6 on 01/31/19 11:48pm

Yes, Welcome!! I have a 66 C-10. Just installed a stable-lift on it and need to put the interior back together now. Hope to see pictures real soon.
Again , welcome!!!
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: ticki2 on 02/01/19 07:26am

Well flyte63 , we are practically neighbors , within 500 miles lol . I do get over to the Adirondacks at least once a year and also have friends in Buffalo . Maybe we will cross paths . There is a ton of winter reading here , good luck.

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

Posted By: flyte63 on 02/22/19 06:50pm

As I dig in and learn about our new Avion one of things that I'm wondering about are the Jack Stands.
Our C-10 has 3 original Atwood Jacks, what you guys think about 3 vs. 4 jacks?

From photos it looks like many of you have replaced the original jacks, I'm wondering what the deciding factor was for spending money on new ones?
I've seen some mention of height when loading being an issue with some trucks, and I understand the benefits of a Stabile-Lift system but would rather spend my budget on other items. My original jacks seem to function fine and I expect to rest the camper on cradle/dolly when it's off the truck, so I'm thinking that when home they would only see temporary use when loading and unloading from the truck.

Our C-10 also has a slight "crinkle" on the right side at the single jack point. I believe that someplace in this thread I saw a mention of the "crinkle" being common, but can't seem to find that discussion now. Our crinkle is very slight and doesn't seem like a structural issue, but it's something that I want to understand and take care of if needed.

Looking forward to crossing paths with any of you on the road sometime!

-Don
http://flyte63.blogspot.com

Posted By: rastaman33609 on 02/23/19 01:29pm

flyte63....I am no expert by any means, here are my thoughts.
Obviously 4 jacks would probably be better. However I dont think the issue is so much the number of jacks, as those 3 have probably lifted that camper many times before. The key is going to be what the jacks are mounted to. which will be the wings. You will have to make sure you have a solid base in the wing area. I dont recall if you intend to rebuild the wings, but I would seriously consider doing that.

I have 4 jacks on my C10...however I only use the jacks for loading and unloading, I make sure the camper is resting on something solid.
55 gallon drums worked perfect for me when I had my truck.(was just the right height) Now its sitting on a trailer.

I hope you are trying to enjoy this experience, it will get frustrating at times but hang in there. You will be proud of your work when you are done. And hopefully learnt your lesson to never attempt to do it again [emoticon]

cheers

Posted By: D1trout on 02/23/19 01:48pm

I second that! I added a 4th jack to Argo before I went off in an entirely different direction and attached him permanently to the truck. Unless you rebuild the plywood in the wings, guaranteeing that the mounts are bombproof, I’d be reluctant to just use 3 on a ‘60s camper. That crinkle is telling you something...
As for learning your lesson, I would add “be careful what you wish for”.
Good luck.

Posted By: 67avion on 02/23/19 04:45pm

Flyte63, Welcome! Lots of information here about the ascending road to Muley Point.

On the issue of the "crinkle": be very careful.

DG

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