Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Avion truck campers

Print | Close

Topic: Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

Posted By: 69cayo on 12/05/12 04:45pm

Awesome job !
More details on the table please.

Dennis

Posted By: 69 Avion on 12/05/12 05:36pm

67Avion, you are doing a fantastic job. I would like to hear of the details that you did. It may give others some ideas for their camper.

Those LED lights are the only way to go. I ran my camper off of one small battery with the heater running all night long and we still had plenty of power in the morning. In the old days, with the incandescent lights, we would run low on power with the original large tractor battery.

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

Posted By: ticki2 on 12/05/12 06:35pm

67 Avion

Looks great , it's really starting to come together now . I have been putting off refinishing the woodwork until I had all the other mechanics and utilities the way I wanted them . I have used them for a few seasons now and am pretty satisfied with the function . Sooo , I guess it's time for the wood . I am going to try to do it in place as there is nothing major just refinishing .

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

Posted By: 67avion on 12/06/12 10:31am

Let me go through a few of the questions in this post. First of all Ticki, finishing in place is certainly possible. Remove the doors and hardware of course, but the problem will occur when you hit the edges. Because we removed the cabinets we put in new cabinet welt along the edges of the cabinets (available from Vintage Trailer Supply). It seems it may be difficult to refinish without tearing up the welt. My technique was to take the cabinets down to bare wood with a 180 grit. Then follow with 220. After applying the spar varnish ( I used the sponge since it tends not to leave marks) I would sand again with 220. There are about 5 or 6 coats on every surface. With the Kirby Paint, its even tougher. That is meant to be applied with a brush and stipple technique - which roughly means to apply strokes in one direction with a solid brush and then using a lighter brush in a 90 degree angle. And yes, sand and do it again. It will take a lot. I'm sure your fellow Hampshiremen on the Coast know this stuff as I'm sure you do. But, I'm going over it since this string is now a sticky.

Here is another view of the kitchen side cabinets.

[image]

On to the issue of the tables. The original table set-up was contained in a cabinet on the front bulkhead. It was unbelievably awkward. Hard to get out, difficult to sit behind. There was nothing to recommend it. Here is a photo of what we started with:

[image]

There was another problem. I felt that the feeling of spaciousness in the coach was pinched by the lack of floor space. Two people had to dance around each other if they were cooking, working or just getting out of the sofa. So, we decided to not only to eliminate the built in table (which appears to have been constructed as an afterthought by Cayo) but to take about 4 inches out of the footrest/storage area. Here you can see the new set up with the table leaf down, but also notice the increased space on the floor:

[image]

But, what to do about a table? Since there were just two of us planning on using the camper, it came down to two tables. Each of us have our own laptops and iPads. And we thought that we could serve meals easier on separate tables. Still there were serious design issues. We decided to use marine tables that could be disassembled. Moreover, we wanted them to twist on their axis for easier seating, and to clear space.

[image]

So, I took some old cabinets from an Alaskan Camper I used to have, and made a table and leaf - off center. The leaf comes out and is secured by two 12" stays. Also, because its off center we were able to mount the post into the foot rest/storage. Otherwise, there was no way to squeeze behind the tables. Note that the post had one side of the mount removed to fit into the space. The tables when disassembled fit into the footrest/storage:

[image]

This is a view under the footrest/storage of the projection of the base of the mount:

[image]

Like most things, if you start changing the original set-up you have the opportunity to rethink the issue. In this case, we got a far more spacious feeling in the coach, an improved table for work and meals. And there is a nice space on the end of the cabinet for the electronic gear. And I found another little spot to perch where the old table was stored. Its great for sitting while Sweet Jane is cooking. A glass in my hand and a smile on my face.

Enjoy

* This post was edited 12/06/12 10:53am by 67avion *

Posted By: My Blue Heaven on 12/06/12 10:35am

D, where's the fridge? Behind the large blue (green) door to the left of the stove?

Lookin' good, bud. Jim would be pleased.

2001 F350 Lariat CC 4WD 7.3 PSD dually, chipped, 4" SS exhaust, 350 hp, Rancho 9000's, front receiver, front & rear Roadmasters
2009 Arctic Fox 990S, storm windows, Cummins/Onan, FastGuns, Torklifts

Posted By: 67avion on 12/06/12 10:43am

That's correct - inside the large cabinet, but we are using a removable 12 volt fridge. On some occasions a cooler might be more appropriate. We're not absolutely sure where we'll finally come down on the fridge issue.

Posted By: 69 Avion on 12/06/12 12:11pm

The cabinets are not very hard to remove. It would be much easier taking them out than trying to work inside. The hardest one on the 69' Avion is the closet in the back. It will only go in and out one way. Too bad I can't remember how I did it. LOL

Posted By: Avion C-11 on 12/12/12 04:27pm

the tc life wrote:

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!

Wow!! That thing looks great! Thank you for sharing!

Happy Camping!

Avioncamper.wordpress.com

Posted By: Dodgeavion on 12/26/12 02:23pm

Just bought a 67 C10 basket case out of southern CA. It's now in southern Idaho.

Question for Gary regarding your wave3. Down to what temp will using the W3 only keep you warm?

Ken

Posted By: garryk6 on 12/26/12 05:48pm

Dodgeavion wrote:

Just bought a 67 C10 basket case out of southern CA. It's now in southern Idaho.

Question for Gary regarding your wave3. Down to what temp will using the W3 only keep you warm?

Ken

Ken,
Welcome to the addiction we call Avion Truck Campers! ;-)

The Wave 3 seems to do alright down into the low 30's, even high 20's as long as there is not wind too. If you are camping in cold weather you need to also add insulation like I did. And cover the windows with the foil-bubble-wrap. The numbers I quoted above was with the foil-bubble-wrap and added insulation. Any colder and you need more BTU's... Either a Wave 6 or a different type of heater.

Good Luck, and 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

Print | Close