Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

Print | Close

Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: Avion C-11 on 03/05/12 05:49pm

I have a couple more things I need advice on too.

1. What kind of foam to use to replace the stuff I have chipped out during the restoration. The open cell stuff I used from Lowes is too porous and just soaks water up.

2. Anyone know where I can get a set of emblems that are in good shape. I thought I had a solution to restore mine but it was a no go.

3. Rear door knob and grab handles, re-chrome or find new?

Thanks guys!

Happy Camping!

Avioncamper.wordpress.com

Posted By: 69cayo on 03/05/12 05:59pm

I used mostly buck rivets but there are some places where the Olympics were a better choice.

Dennis

Posted By: 67avion on 03/06/12 06:48am

There's a C-11 on the outskirts of town that I spotted some time ago, that has been severely damaged by a storm. I'll try to stop by and see if the owner is interested in selling some of the parts. Let me know exactly what you are missing or need. Photos would help.

Posted By: Avion C-11 on 03/06/12 04:08pm

I'm looking for the "Avion" name plates that are front and rear in big chrome and orange paint. Also the Bargman back door knob assembly and grab handle just to the right of the door. Maybe one of the jacks if it is good shape. I will try to snap some pics in the daylight. Thank you very much! Anyone else looking for parts of any kind?

Posted By: 69cayo on 03/06/12 04:53pm

ticki2 wrote:

69 cayo

From your experience is it possible to replace the fixed upper plexiglass without removing the frame . One side of mine has discolored from the UV rays and has a pinkish tint .

Avion C-11
I have not removed any windows yet , trying hard to avoid . What I did do is cut back the rubber glazing on the outside with a razor , clean thoroughly with alcohol and caulked all around. So far so good .

I don't see that being possible with the way the windows are built.

Before deciding to remove mine I compounded and polished them with a high speed buffer and they came out like new except for all the crazing mine had.
If you decide to do it, I used 3M Superduty rubbing compound (abt. $20 a qt. at any auto paint store) followed with Meguiars polish
then wax.
Just keep the pressure lite and keep the buffer moving.
The hard part will be staying off the al frame, so mask that first.

I ended up having to caulk some of the corners on mine because of the same problem you and c-11 have with the water building up in the corners.

The new glazing seals have to be mitered at the corners and no matter how careful you are it ends up being a potential leak.

Dennis

Posted By: 67avion on 03/07/12 01:21pm

avion c-11 wrote:

I went out to the Avion yesterday and talked to the owner. There's good news and bad news. The good news is that he's decided to restore the camper. The bad news is that he doesn't want to get rid of any of the parts.

Posted By: Avion C-11 on 03/07/12 04:14pm

67avion wrote:

avion c-11 wrote:

It was very good of you to try! At least we have another C person to join the ranks.

Posted By: Avion C-11 on 03/11/12 07:57pm

Tail Lights and More Patches!

This weekend I got in some of my LEDs and was able to finally fix the gaping holes in the back of my camper where the old tail lights used to be. The only lights I could find that would be big enough to cover the existing holes were so big that they would never be able to make the bend around the back of the camper. I decided to put patches over the old holes and use some smaller clear LEDs. I am very happy with the result. Better than the original in every way.

This is the old tail light location
[image]

This is the old backup light location
[image]

I cut out yet more patches from the 12 foot sheet of aluminum I bought when we started this. I remember at the time I was pissed I would have to buy that much aluminum but funnily it is almost down to 4 feet.

[image]

Patches all finished and ready to go
[image]

Notice the very careful placement of holes straddling the vertical rib.
[image]

Sealer applied and awaiting rivets.
[image]

Once it is foamed in I might just forget that hole is there!
[image]

I use scotchbrite pads to scuff up the polished aluminum before applying the sealer.
[image]

4 done. Believe it or not that took most of a day.
[image]

We got out to the camper at 7am to finish up this morning. Man that was cold and early:
[image]

A little coffee and polishing warmed us right up
[image]

The LEDs are riveted to the camper and sealed to the skin. Then a Chrome bezel snaps over them.
[image]

With chrome bezel
[image]

I still like looking at it!
[image]

We got some work done on the leaking window too but still have not received the seals in the mail yet. Next weekend...

* This post was edited 03/11/12 08:05pm by Avion C-11 *

Posted By: Photog101 on 03/11/12 09:32pm

Excellent. They look like they should have been there from the get-go.

Combat Vietnam Veteran Support our troops for serving our great country.
1997 Veri Lite RL1200 on a '02, K3500, CC, DRW, 8.1L, Allison, 4.1 gears, Bridgestone 225/70R19.5 tires.
'12 C2500, EC, 6.6L Duramax
A couple of older 5th wheels housing homeless vets.

Posted By: sabconsulting on 03/12/12 01:07am

Stunning.

Excellent patches - looks like the fuselage of a B17.

Normally stuff looks worse when you patch it - it actually looks better on your camper - gives it even more of an aircraft fuselage look.

Ha ha - with all your polishing it is getting more difficult for you to take pictures of the camper - all you are ending up doing is taking your own reflections [emoticon]

Steve.

'07 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab diesel + '91 Shadow Cruiser - Sky Cruiser 1
'98 Jeep TJ 4.0
'15 Ford Fiesta ST
'09 Fiat Panda 1.2

Print | Close