Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: 67avion on 10/13/12 09:37am

Absolutely beautiful work on this camper! Really inspiring.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we're really in the weeds at this point with tedious cabinet work. But, I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. It may be a few weeks, or it may be a few months, but I think that coach will be all I hoped for - beautiful, comfortable and reliable.

I ran across a stunning '66 Avion C-10 in stock condition right down to the paint. It's located in Trumansburg, New York, and is owned by a fellow who runs a vintage trailer business. I understand it was his personal camper for many years. He's the second owner. I have not actually seen the camper, so I have to go with what the owner says and the pictures on his website. But, if I were in the market for a C-10 Avion, I'd take a hard look at this. In my opinion, the better condition the camper is in, the less you spend in the long run.

http://www.vintagekingpins.com/1966%20C-10.html

Posted By: ticki2 on 10/13/12 10:57am

67avion wrote:

I have seen that 66Avion you are referring to , it is a very nice unit . The only thing I remember as non-original is the toilet . The owner hosted a TinCanTourist rally nearby in the Finger Lakes . If you ever get up that way be sure to stop by the shop , very interesting old stuff and nice folks .

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

Posted By: 69 Avion on 10/13/12 12:57pm

ticki2 wrote:

69Avion ,I'm not sure what you are saying about the mount and shower head . I replaced my shower head also with one from an RV dealer , it simply screwed on , I thought the ones for household use had the same thread .

The lavatories are similar but not the same . Mine just has a screw flange along the 2 wall sides , I notice yours has a small lip against the wall sides .The toilet surround in mine is one piece , yours is two , yours had a MC , mine didn't . Lots of subtle changes between your 69 an my 68 .

My original shower head assembly (with the stud for the mount) was broke. I couldn't find another one so I bought an entirely new assembly off of the internet. I wanted to use my original mount so I had to adapt a stud to the new shower head assembly. That is what I used the large shrink tubing for.

Ford F-350 4x4 Diesel
1988 Avion Triple Axle Trailer
1969 Avion C-11 Camper

Posted By: 67avion on 10/13/12 01:47pm

ticki2 wrote:

I see that the toilet itself is a Thetford, so that is the only change? Its practically in museum condition. Note the hinges on the doors are not rusted (it appears) and the wood still has the blonde look. Altogether a remarkable coach.

BTW, Is that a gas lamp in one of the photos?

[image]

Posted By: 69 Avion on 10/13/12 05:49pm

I put the fiberglass cover back under the gray and black water tank. It wasn't easy, but it's there. I still have to put the two pieces of aluminum trim on.

The aluminum diamond plate used to cover the large hole looks great.
[image]

Black Water tank valve.
[image]

Rear step area.
[image]

Posted By: 67avion on 10/13/12 05:53pm

Could you explain more about the rear steps. They appear to be scissor steps. Where do you have them attached? The photo is a little confusing.

D

Posted By: 69 Avion on 10/13/12 07:08pm

67avion wrote:

Could you explain more about the rear steps. They appear to be scissor steps. Where do you have them attached? The photo is a little confusing.

D

They are torklift Glow Steps. I had them replace the actual steps (I took them apart) because they were off center. They were returned without the Glow stickers.
They mount to my bumper which is removable from two, 2" ID (2-1/2" seamless square tubing) receiver tubes that are made onto the trailer frame. I used to build rear truck bumpers with a 2" ID reciever tube so I could pull a boat or trailer. Those style bumpers would have a cross brace to make them extremely strong.

The Glow Steps attach to the top of the bumper and I put an extended piece of aluminum on the top so that the bottom of the factory camper step actually rests on the top of the Glow Steps. Therefore, the bumper takes most of the weight and the camper gets very little strain from the steps.

Here is a picture of the bumper upside down when I was installing the 4" ABS pipe for the sewer hose. You can see the steps on the back of it.
[image]

Here is a picture right side up.
[image]

Here is a picture of the mount before I put a longer top piece. The longer top piece allows the bottom of the factory step to rest on the top of the Glow Step. I had to reposition the height of the step to make this happen, but I really like the sturdy feel when the factory camper step rests on the top of the Glow Step aluminum bracket.
[image]

I will take some better picture when the camper is put all the way back on the trailer bed. It was slid back to put the rear fiberglass back on.

Posted By: ticki2 on 10/13/12 08:46pm

67avion wrote:

BTW, Is that a gas lamp in one of the photos?

[image]

Yes , gas lamps were an option . I don't believe that is the original lamp however , the original globes had straight side not pancake style and were not copper colored .

Posted By: 69 Avion on 10/14/12 05:58pm

I finished putting the trim on the rear fiberglass cover.
This picture also shows the steps folded up.
[image]

The steps down.
[image]

The factory step resting on the Glow Step.
[image]

The Avion at the gas station getting the gasoline tank filled for the first time. The gasoline dispenser works great.
[image]

I had a chance to take it up to freeway speeds for quite a distance and it tows great. I passed several travel trailers, motorhomes and semi trucks with no problems. It tows like a dream and it doesn't even have a WDH.

Posted By: garryk6 on 10/14/12 06:25pm

Are there any plans to put it on the truck ever? It sure looks nice!

Garry in AK

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

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