C11 center of gravity

I like the idea of aluminum floor and wings. With that improvement, the superstructure should last forever.

D1trout wrote:
Fellow travelers, I've concluded that a small flatbed trailer will be the simplest and most efficient cradle on which to rebuild my C11. Do any of you know where the CofG is on a C11? And have any of you used a flatbed trailer for this purpose? If so, what size and how has it worked for you? It seems that an 8 foot would work well, at least dimensionally, but I don't want the rig tipping backwards....
I met with Dave, the fantastic blacksmith yesterday, about replacing the plywood with aluminum. I think he was slightly horrified at the amount of work involved. We've paused to consider the options. I still like the idea and am thinking about other ways to do it that don't involve lifting the shell off the chassis. Perhaps building one aluminum section at a time to replace a rotted out section, then moving on to the next. Seems more manageable and except for the actual aluminum fabrication, I could do all the other work myself.
Dick

As I recall, the empty C of G is slightly behind the rear wheels of a standard 8' bed. That is why I made the trailer for mine 4'-6" longer than the bed before I bent the structural channel for the hitch. Besides, I needed a place to haul a quad and the longer trailer will tow better.
The C of G is forward when the fresh water tank is full.

When I helped build a storage trailer platform for the Avion about 40 years ago, we put the unsprung axle as far back as we could. The was done for storage purposes.

69 Avion, thanks for that info. I decided against a trailer after all and have built a cradle of 4x6s to hold the camper, which I will place on that frame tomorrow.
Regarding the aluminum chassis, I have now a plan to replace all the plywood/foam sandwich panels - really all the plywood in the camper - with 1" thin wall square tubing welded up to a template for each panel. Then I'll attach a 1/8th fiberglass sheet to the bottom side, fill the space within the aluminum frame with foam-in-place closed cell foam, and attach another piece of 1/8" fiberglass sheet to the top. I plan to take each plywood/foam sandwich out a panel at a time and replace it with the aluminum/glass panel. I concluded that detaching the shell from the chassis was unnecessarily complicated. This replacement of the panels one at a time is, I think, pretty straightforward. We shall see...
I have a 6' Quicksilver tent trailer, made by Livin Lite. It uses 1' thin wall square tubing and Azdel panels. No wood anywhere. The floor is 5.75" x 3/4" aluminum planks that fit together in a tongue and groove fashion. I believe I will use those planks for the floor. The manufacturer in Indiana can supply them. This will provide rigidity and complete weatherproofness.
Still considering how to fasten the panels in the camper. I'm thinking a combination of construction adhesive along the outside curved edge with rivets and/or screws. I think mechanical fasteners are a better idea than welding the frames together, but perhaps some welding will be appropriate.
I'll post pics as I get to interesting points. Currently my C11 looks like every other stripped-out project camper.
By the way, I have what I believe are speaker wires coming out of the walls, one at the front and back of each side of the overhead cabinets. Three are single wires and one is a double wire. Is there a way that Avion was able to rig speakers with just one wire??
This forum is such a great resource!
Dick

D1trout , you have embarked on an ambitious project , I will be watching and learning . Just offering some thoughts , take them for what they are worth .

The aluminum tub has lots of appeal but it is not the end-all . It does corrode if not protected especially around a salt air or salt water environment . It is also has more heat transfer than wood . I don't believe any of the aluminum frame in an Avion is welded , all rivets .

If going with the aluminum tub I would not piece meal it . The top aluminum structure ends with a U channel at the bottom that is screwed to the wood tub . It could be detached at that point with some bracing to hold it's shape then re-attached to the new tub the same way . The new tub could be built completely ahead of time , with much more control .

Best of luck on the project and keep us updated .

I think ticki has the right idea. I would build the entire sub structure from the wings down in one piece, that can't move and then attach it to the camper. I would sheet the exterior with aluminum, except for the bottom. I would do the fiberglass as you mentioned. I would fill the entire structure with the foam as you describe.
Good luck with your project.

Thanks for the feedback. Your points are very taken and as a consequence, I have modified my plans to take the shell off the chassis at a friend's boatyard, drop out the chassis, disassemble it, and rebuild in aluminum. Then I'll reattach the shell. It would be ideal to take off the small curved panel that forms the bottom lower edge of the camper shell and re-secure the new chassis to the bottom U channel that forms the lower piece of the shell. Then resecure the bottom curved piece. That curved piece is buck riveted on. Any advice about dealing with buck rivets? I see I can buy the gun, bar, and rivets from Vintage.
Dick