Without going into too much painful detail, we had a mishap several week-ends ago. While working with sand bag crews on the Mississippi River, the truck and camper fell into the flood waters as a road collapsed. Because of a number of issues dealing with the wrecker truck, we had to release the camper as the truck was reeled up over the bank. The good news is that the truck is as good as new after a thorough rinsing, inspection of brakes, etc. The bad news is that the camper was thoroughly drowned. A lot of people had far worse trouble than we did, so we consider ourselves lucky. The floods are ongoing as I write.
Our planned trip to Montana in June is called off. heh.
However, I have now convinced my dear Jane that its time to really update the TC. After drying for several days we pulled out the interior. Amazingly the Zolatone paint that I had applied last year is good as new after a cleaning.
Without burdening the TC family overmuch, I'd like to ask some advice other than don't park too near a flood :-).
My DW was overjoyed that I had a plan for the bathroom: a composting toilet developed by Nature's Head http://www.natureshead.net/. Our holding tank was practically unusable and there was no real grey water tank on the 67 Avion. Our plan is to rip out the bathroom and install one of these and converting the blackwater to a greywater tank. Any experience with this?
Finally, the roof. I admit that I have not really done the work I should have. Now, I need to remove the various sealants on the roof and repair it. We are also setting up for a solar installation. Any advice as to this?
Here's hoping I have posted the pictures correctly. And many thanks in advance for your advice.
Our planned trip to Montana in June is called off. heh.
However, I have now convinced my dear Jane that its time to really update the TC. After drying for several days we pulled out the interior. Amazingly the Zolatone paint that I had applied last year is good as new after a cleaning.
Without burdening the TC family overmuch, I'd like to ask some advice other than don't park too near a flood :-).
My DW was overjoyed that I had a plan for the bathroom: a composting toilet developed by Nature's Head http://www.natureshead.net/. Our holding tank was practically unusable and there was no real grey water tank on the 67 Avion. Our plan is to rip out the bathroom and install one of these and converting the blackwater to a greywater tank. Any experience with this?
Finally, the roof. I admit that I have not really done the work I should have. Now, I need to remove the various sealants on the roof and repair it. We are also setting up for a solar installation. Any advice as to this?
Here's hoping I have posted the pictures correctly. And many thanks in advance for your advice.
Fellow Avionistas, I am pleased to report that Annie and I have just returned from Argo's first road trip, a 2000 mile loop thru the Southwest, to Lake Powell at Bullfrog for 4 days of houseboating, then back thru Capitol Reef, Bryce, Zion, Grand Staircase Escalante. Lots of freeway miles too!
We drove the Waterpocket Fold road and the Burr Trail switchbacks. That should be on every Avionistas' to be driven list, right up with Muley Point and the Moki Dugway.
The '13 Ford F250 Super Duty 4x4 diesel - "Big Bad Truck" as he's known in the family - was ideal for carrying Argo. I hardly felt the weight. I could accelerate like crazy anytime. Averaged 16MPG for the trip. The Airlift airbags on the rear axle worked like a charm to adjust the ride and clearance.
Everything in the rig stayed together, moved as a unit, was squeakless and creakless. The dust intrusion was very minimal, in spite of my not having finished caulking ALL the seams. No water leaks. This marks the finish of stage 1, the outside is complete. I rigged the inside to make it comfortable for the trip with seating surfaces and the swing out table, but Argo is without inner cabinetry, water, electrics and propane. No appliances installed yet. The camper alone currently weighs 1700 pounds. I learned that I can take him on an outing without everything being perfectly set up and have a great experience. The inner skin is next and then systems and cabinetry.
Here are some pics:
Approaching Bullfrog Marina, we stopped for a long look. Ck out the Honda mounted on the back. It confused some folks along the way who wondered if Argo was amphibious...
The Honda was used on the Avon Sportboat we used to zip around exploring the side canyons, birding and fishing
The houseboat seemed a continuation of traveling in Argo - the ability to get into remote and secluded spots and live comfortably there.
The Waterpocket Fold drive and the Burr Trail Switchbacks were a high point for us. You drive into the mouth of the canyon and can't imagine how you are going to get out. Then you go up and up and up and pop out with a long view of the Henry Mountains to the east.
It really was steep - and a very cool drive.
You may well ask why, being less than 100 miles from Muley Point, I didn't go there. I'm saving that for the completed camper.
Onward! (at last...)
Oh yeah, and as Cajun Avion has said, every gas stop is a press conference. Lots of interesting questions and feedback. The Park Service gal controlling traffic at the east end of the long tunnel in Zion stopped us and chatted for 10" about Argo, while the line of cars behind us got longer and longer.
We drove the Waterpocket Fold road and the Burr Trail switchbacks. That should be on every Avionistas' to be driven list, right up with Muley Point and the Moki Dugway.
The '13 Ford F250 Super Duty 4x4 diesel - "Big Bad Truck" as he's known in the family - was ideal for carrying Argo. I hardly felt the weight. I could accelerate like crazy anytime. Averaged 16MPG for the trip. The Airlift airbags on the rear axle worked like a charm to adjust the ride and clearance.
Everything in the rig stayed together, moved as a unit, was squeakless and creakless. The dust intrusion was very minimal, in spite of my not having finished caulking ALL the seams. No water leaks. This marks the finish of stage 1, the outside is complete. I rigged the inside to make it comfortable for the trip with seating surfaces and the swing out table, but Argo is without inner cabinetry, water, electrics and propane. No appliances installed yet. The camper alone currently weighs 1700 pounds. I learned that I can take him on an outing without everything being perfectly set up and have a great experience. The inner skin is next and then systems and cabinetry.
Here are some pics:
Approaching Bullfrog Marina, we stopped for a long look. Ck out the Honda mounted on the back. It confused some folks along the way who wondered if Argo was amphibious...
The Honda was used on the Avon Sportboat we used to zip around exploring the side canyons, birding and fishing
The houseboat seemed a continuation of traveling in Argo - the ability to get into remote and secluded spots and live comfortably there.
The Waterpocket Fold drive and the Burr Trail Switchbacks were a high point for us. You drive into the mouth of the canyon and can't imagine how you are going to get out. Then you go up and up and up and pop out with a long view of the Henry Mountains to the east.
It really was steep - and a very cool drive.
You may well ask why, being less than 100 miles from Muley Point, I didn't go there. I'm saving that for the completed camper.
Onward! (at last...)
Oh yeah, and as Cajun Avion has said, every gas stop is a press conference. Lots of interesting questions and feedback. The Park Service gal controlling traffic at the east end of the long tunnel in Zion stopped us and chatted for 10" about Argo, while the line of cars behind us got longer and longer.
Congrats, Southedistoman. That sounds like two projects that could result in two solid campers. Double your pleasure!
67 You always blow me away with your photos. Those desert sunrise/sunsets are really hard to beat. A little wet wood isn't gonna take the Zen out of that. Glad you were able to keep truckin'.
Im just really hoping you're wrong about leaks being payback for enjoying our campers. After this past year of fun and adventure, I'll need an Ark!
Thanks for all the compliments on my interview with Mellow Mike from TCA, I declined to post about it as you were all virtual participants on the build and already familiar with the story. A story which continues on.
Only an Avionista would Whynter-ize their camper in April. FM45G
For now, the bike that used to reside here will just hang out in the middle of the camper while underway.
To help the Whynter keep the beer cold I added
Two 150W HQST Mono solar panels. I remember saying I did not want to mount them on the roof but in the end, the pros outweighed the cons. I went with the 2 x 150w config because the panel size of 39" x 40" worked well between the vents while not sticking out the sides too much. They also sit 3/4" below my closed vents so they add no additional height to the roof, at least in the middle.
For the wire entry, I used and old stern light from a boat. The wires pass through two separate holes at an upward angle hopefully preventing most water intrusion. We'll have to see about this one.
But that's not all.
I cut off the bed extension and restored the overhang bed to it's original size. The queen size was just not needed and the extension wasted valuable backrest space below.
Much more comfortable for sitting. The black box with all the wires protruding from the wall where the bed meets the kitchen counter is the new solar charge controller. I was going to save this write up until that was properly mounted but they shorted me the surface mount bezel so why wait?
The new Whynter fridge is running on 100% solar power despite the fact that the sun has not come out since fedex dropped off the panels and one of my two group 27's is pretty much smoked. This week I'm going to swap out the 27s for a couple GC2 or 2400 from Interstate. Just cant bring myself to pony up for the Lifelines.
67 You always blow me away with your photos. Those desert sunrise/sunsets are really hard to beat. A little wet wood isn't gonna take the Zen out of that. Glad you were able to keep truckin'.
Im just really hoping you're wrong about leaks being payback for enjoying our campers. After this past year of fun and adventure, I'll need an Ark!
Thanks for all the compliments on my interview with Mellow Mike from TCA, I declined to post about it as you were all virtual participants on the build and already familiar with the story. A story which continues on.
Only an Avionista would Whynter-ize their camper in April. FM45G
For now, the bike that used to reside here will just hang out in the middle of the camper while underway.
To help the Whynter keep the beer cold I added
Two 150W HQST Mono solar panels. I remember saying I did not want to mount them on the roof but in the end, the pros outweighed the cons. I went with the 2 x 150w config because the panel size of 39" x 40" worked well between the vents while not sticking out the sides too much. They also sit 3/4" below my closed vents so they add no additional height to the roof, at least in the middle.
For the wire entry, I used and old stern light from a boat. The wires pass through two separate holes at an upward angle hopefully preventing most water intrusion. We'll have to see about this one.
But that's not all.
I cut off the bed extension and restored the overhang bed to it's original size. The queen size was just not needed and the extension wasted valuable backrest space below.
Much more comfortable for sitting. The black box with all the wires protruding from the wall where the bed meets the kitchen counter is the new solar charge controller. I was going to save this write up until that was properly mounted but they shorted me the surface mount bezel so why wait?
The new Whynter fridge is running on 100% solar power despite the fact that the sun has not come out since fedex dropped off the panels and one of my two group 27's is pretty much smoked. This week I'm going to swap out the 27s for a couple GC2 or 2400 from Interstate. Just cant bring myself to pony up for the Lifelines.
Southedistoman, great to hear from you. Yes, its been slow on the Avion string. I have to admit I've been a bit distracted this Spring while I work through a construction project. And it looks like most of the other Avionistas are quiet, except of course for Ticki2. As to D1, I don't know. We keep sort of agreeing to meet at Muley Point. Then he upgrades his rig as if he's on the staff of Elon Musk.
In the meantime, the Silver Pompadour positively ruled with his 7,000 mile Avion Grand Tour that included Muley Point. He has a terrific write up in "Truck Camper Adventure". I read the piece and came away marveling how such smart folks are a part of our world.
It sounds like you have a significant restoration in front of you. I'm assuming that its not a renovation since you have most of 2 units to effect your project. Keep us up to date with photos and commentary. That'll wake up the drowsing Avionistas.
I had another of my mishaps while on the Western swing with Sweet Jane and Hula, the wonder dog. I don't recall if I mentioned it. I was fueling up the truck and noticed water dripping from the wing on the drivers side. Water? I said. Then I looked to the right and there appeared to be an opening under the wing just in front of the rear jack plate. (I don't carry the jacks with me). It was one of those moments when you're not clearly computing. "Jane" I said, "it looks like something blew up inside the coach, or something hit here. See the shards of metal under the wing hanging down?" I actually pictured, for a nanosecond, a bullet colliding with the beloved Avion.
Well, folks, my rear tie down had ripped out. The Torklift Turnbuckle had disappeared as well. I stuck my finger under the wing and into the hole....and it was wet. Rotten wood came out. I didn't know where this was heading, but at that moment I'm going Zen. I'm not worrying about it. I'm traveling on to California (and Mexico). And so we did.
I am definitely not looking forward to tackling this repair. The area of the wing is directly below my refrigerator. The active water leak turned out to be a bad fitting from my hot water heater.
So its either my hot water leak over a long time or the fridge or who knows what? Leaks are payback from the Gods for the good times we have camping in our Avions.
In the meantime, the Silver Pompadour positively ruled with his 7,000 mile Avion Grand Tour that included Muley Point. He has a terrific write up in "Truck Camper Adventure". I read the piece and came away marveling how such smart folks are a part of our world.
It sounds like you have a significant restoration in front of you. I'm assuming that its not a renovation since you have most of 2 units to effect your project. Keep us up to date with photos and commentary. That'll wake up the drowsing Avionistas.
I had another of my mishaps while on the Western swing with Sweet Jane and Hula, the wonder dog. I don't recall if I mentioned it. I was fueling up the truck and noticed water dripping from the wing on the drivers side. Water? I said. Then I looked to the right and there appeared to be an opening under the wing just in front of the rear jack plate. (I don't carry the jacks with me). It was one of those moments when you're not clearly computing. "Jane" I said, "it looks like something blew up inside the coach, or something hit here. See the shards of metal under the wing hanging down?" I actually pictured, for a nanosecond, a bullet colliding with the beloved Avion.
Well, folks, my rear tie down had ripped out. The Torklift Turnbuckle had disappeared as well. I stuck my finger under the wing and into the hole....and it was wet. Rotten wood came out. I didn't know where this was heading, but at that moment I'm going Zen. I'm not worrying about it. I'm traveling on to California (and Mexico). And so we did.
I am definitely not looking forward to tackling this repair. The area of the wing is directly below my refrigerator. The active water leak turned out to be a bad fitting from my hot water heater.
So its either my hot water leak over a long time or the fridge or who knows what? Leaks are payback from the Gods for the good times we have camping in our Avions.
