Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

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Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: rfuerst911sc on 11/18/12 01:56pm

69 Avion wrote:

I put a set of Torklift Glow Steps on mine. I attached it you my extension bumper.

Check out page 89 of this thread.

Any concerns with your steps being angled ? Or do you plan on wood blocking to get them horizontal ? Nice install.

Posted By: 69 Avion on 11/18/12 03:30pm

rfuerst911sc wrote:

69 Avion wrote:

I put a set of Torklift Glow Steps on mine. I attached it you my extension bumper.

Check out page 89 of this thread.

Any concerns with your steps being angled ? Or do you plan on wood blocking to get them horizontal ? Nice install.

I had them perfectly level and then I put more angle to my torsion axle which raised the trailer a couple of inches. I put two 2x4 redwood pieces underneath the steps when camping. I also use the same type of boards to put under my stabilizer jacks. I could remount them, but I like the fact that the factory step rests on the longer aluminum piece that I put on the top of the Glow Steps. It takes a lot of strain off of the factory setup.

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

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

We've been busy for some time with the interior of the camper. While its not finished (the upholstery hasn't been done for instance, nor the final floor covering of Allure) I thought I'd pass along some of the things that have been finished. Here is a view from the back of the coach.

[image]

You can see that the cabinets are finished, led lights are installed, and the bulkheads are finished.

Here is a reverse view of the cabinets and kitchen area:

[image]

Here I've tried to show the installation of more storage or appliances. From the left of the image are the large cabinets. The exhaust fan is OEM except that we gutted it while installing a much lower wattage fan motor and LED lights. The counter top stove is new with a much higher BTU rating. Hanging from the cabinet is storage space for spices/herbs/sugar. On the cabinet front is a heater install that we found on this site. It has a quick disconnect so that it can be used on the counter top or outdoors when fitted with a longer hose. We lined the interior of the cabinet with metal. Directly above is a cutting board that slides into the counter top. Just seen on the right under the sink is another storage area and above is a new LED lamp.The cabinet tops are Corian. The backsplash is stainless steel.

[image]

This is a boat table that we inserted into the ledge below the seats. It completely disassembles for storage. It is also made to rotate with the leaf down either to give more space - or to accomodate seating. The radio and other communications are located in the cabinet. We have cell phone boosters and LAN Wifi along with Satellite Radio.

Next steps include the final designs for the solar power. We have three series 31 AGM batteries under the panels that support the bed. They are charged, at this point, by the truck alternator or shore power. With the switch to LED and low power appliances, we have noticed a real shift in charging. Undoubtedly the solar unit will improve that as well.

There are dozens of things that we did that would probably bore people. But, I hope to outline anything that may be of use.

* This post was last edited 12/05/12 02:31pm by 67avion *

Posted By: the tc life on 12/05/12 01:04pm

WOW! very nice job! that shade of blue goes great with the wood shade.
ive thought about doing a light upgrade to my old camper project but have not decided yet. in your pictures they look just fine being the new style. maybe something ill do too.

again, great job!

2010 adventurer 810ws
1999 c3500 dually 12' flatbed

THE TC LIFE

Posted By: 67avion on 12/05/12 01:13pm

Thanks for your reply. The paint that I used on the large cabinet faces and the bottom of the cabinets is from George C Kirby Jr., Paint Company founded in 1846 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Its made specifically for wooden boats, is UV resistant and stands up well to scuffs and banging. Its actually a green, but doesn't appear that way on the computer. Spar varnish, also UV resistant, was used on the old cabinets where I restored the wood. There are also marine hardware and latches throughout. They don't tend to shake loose. I thought of the cabin of the camper much like the cabin of a boat, as you can see.

* This post was edited 12/05/12 02:34pm by 67avion *

Posted By: garryk6 on 12/05/12 01:37pm

Looking great!
I hope to be able to actually put some finish (spar varnish or other) on my wood this winter. I am over on the mainland right now, and picked up a v-10 2000 excursion to replace my diesel excursion. But while over here I found and bought a marine stainless steel cabin heater called a "shipmate". It is a kerosine heater, and since we live in cold country, thought the price was right to give it a try. Then we could use the catalytic and the kerosine to drive out the cold, but then turn off the cat to minimize moisture buildup...
What do you Avion guys think of my krazy new idea?

Garry in Kodiak, 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

Posted By: sabconsulting on 12/05/12 02:01pm

the tc life wrote:

WOW x 2

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

Posted By: 67avion on 12/05/12 02:02pm

Garry, I'm out of my depth on heating in the artic. I think the cold would be so bitter that you might wind up with a diesel heater. Don't know about kerosene. But, you might notice - on a different subject - that I took your advice about the Allure. It works great. I've actually used it in my housing restorations and it reduced both labor and materials costs.

Posted By: 67avion on 12/05/12 02:07pm

Steve, I'm humbled that you approve of the restoration. There are few, if any others on this forum, whom I watch as carefully for their modifications. Thanks.

Posted By: garryk6 on 12/05/12 03:07pm

67avion wrote:

Thanks! And I think Home Depot hit a home run with the Allure Ultra!
As for the Alaskan wild... It was -17 when we got to the Whittier tunnel this morning, and it's -2 here at the ferry. We will be leaving on our 23 hr ferry ride momentarily, and wil loose wifi...
It is a balmy 22 back home in Kodiak with 25 to 44 moh winds and snowing...
See you all soon!
Garry in AK

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