Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 05/06/12 04:48am

garryk6 wrote:

I have a C-10, so originally mine had two skinny verticle bottles. But Now I have one new horizontal bottle. Plan on setting it up, so I can use a BBQ bottle when stationary at a campsite. Will either haul it on a rack up front (future project) or squeeze it into the original propane locker, now used for power cord, sewer hose and jack tripods etc.
Garry (currently in Anchorage till Monday) Staying at Fam Camp JBER.

What size horizontal bottle do you have ? I tried putting in a standard BBQ grill bottle and it is too tall. I know they make smaller vertical bottles for smaller gas grills just wondering if two of those could fit in the original compartment ? The horizontal bottles are just so pricey I want to explore all options.

Posted By: ticki2 on 05/06/12 02:41pm

rfuerst911sc wrote:

What are you Avion guys using for LP bottles ? I know they originally came with horizontal bottles but can you use vertical bottles ? The regulator is setup for two hoses what size bottles are you using either vertical or horizontal ? I'm going to start my restoration soon and LP bottles are on the list as my TC did not come with them when I purchased it.It is a 1968 C11.

The c-11's originally came with two horizontal 20# ASME tanks , they are 10" in diameter . I have not been able to find replacements with the correct length and diameter . A single 20# vertical DOT cylinder or a single 20# horizontal DOT cylinder will fit , but not two unless you modify the box . The DOT cylinders are 12" in diameter.

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

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 05/06/12 04:42pm

I searched the net and found that 5 lb. bottles are 12" tall and 8 " round. I measured the LP compartment and it looks like two will easily fit. It's very possible three will fit and three of them are less money than one horizontal tank. I think that may be the way I go.

Posted By: Jamm3r on 05/07/12 06:37am

I have the original 5 gallon ASME tanks. I've had these filled at two different propane dealers and haven't had any problems -- they recognize that they are not DOT cylinders and are exempt from the recertification and OPD requirements.

The only source for the tanks that I know of is other old Avion/Cayo campers. Sometimes people remove the propane system during rebuilds because they want an all-electric camper.

I have just replaced the regulator due to age and condition. Any ordinary two-cylinder RV regulator will work however the 1/2" outlet elbow will have to be replaced with 3/8" and the mounting holes are a little different. I don't know what the pigtail size is but it's the standard one used by the propane industry.

1971 Cayo C-11 truck camper, 2010 Airstream Classic, 1997 Chevrolet K2500, 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 8.1.

Posted By: sassydad on 05/12/12 05:18am

Well thanks alot guys for your postings. While reading about your rebuilds I checked Craigslist and there was a C 11 here in town. Went and brought it home. Wife really isn't too happy with "that ugly thing in the driveway". But what a retirement project it could be. Every thing seems to work so far as I've able to tell. It even has a belt driven water pump. Go figure!

Posted By: garryk6 on 05/13/12 12:01am

rfuerst911sc wrote:

garryk6 wrote:

I know my C-10 is different than the C-11's that are being discussed... But I took the refer access door and put one of the new 20# DOT cylinders in there after making a new box for it. Then with a stroke of luck, while visiting Fairbanks, we ran across a new propane bottle that is like the original skinny vertical bottles that fits the factory location. SO my plan now is to use the horizontal bottle most of the time, but for extended runs, add the second bottle. I use the factory bottle area now for my 110 cord, as it is the only outside storage that I have at the moment. Don't know if this helps at all, but it may help any C-10 folks.
Garry (now back in Kodiak)

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 05/13/12 02:14am

sassydad wrote:

Good luck with the C-11 , hope the wife doesn't wear you down , LOL. Post up some pictures of as-is .
That belt driven water pump is probably a PAR pump , it was used in high end RV's and still used in the marine industry , parts are still available at mariners and online.

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 05/16/12 05:48pm

Today I decided to hook up a battery to my restoration C11. It's the first time I've had a battery in it since I got it. I used the battery from my boat. Anyway slid the battery in place and hooked up the cables. Fortunately the previous owner marked the + and - cables. I turned on every 12 volt item in the camper and everything worked ! I was really surprised as I really thought a light bulb or two would need to be replaced. The fans on the roof vents both worked with no noise.Now I have to figure out why I don't have 110v current inside the camper when plugged in to shore power. The roof AC works but nothing else. I noticed there is a screw in fuse where the camper power cord is stored so maybe I'll get lucky and it's just the fuse.

Posted By: ticki2 on 05/16/12 06:56pm

All the C-11 I've seen have a breaker panel on the back wall of the wardrobe , one breaker for the AC and one for everything else .

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 05/17/12 09:05am

ticki2 you are correct mine has the same. I flipped both breakers back and forth a few times. Roof AC works no power at any of the 110v outlets. I really couldn't tell if the glass screw in fuse in the shore power cord storage area was good or not. So my next thing to do is buy another fuse and screw it in and see what happens.

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