Avion truck campers - Hundreds of photos

[67avion]

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.

[ticki2]

Bedlam wrote:
I have not seen an RV that uses chassis ground. They are wired more like a boat or home with dedicated ground runs. There may be a central grounding point/post, but it does not necessarily have to be attached to the chassis.

Bedlam , we are talking old campers here . The exterior running lights are single wire and get their ground from the exterior aluminum skin , witch has to be grounded somewhere . The schematic shows one , just not where .

[Bedlam]

I have not seen an RV that uses chassis ground. They are wired more like a boat or home with dedicated ground runs. There may be a central grounding point/post, but it does not necessarily have to be attached to the chassis.

[flyte63]

Here’s a link (If it works) to an album with some photos of work I’ve been doing in that area of the pigtail and old fuse box. https://photos.app.goo.gl/dGXmHjaE4V2aBLCv6

[flyte63]

Hi ticki, I have not found a place where the outer skin or aluminum frame is specifically bonded to the 12v ground. However on my ‘65 the Ground Wire of the pigtail coming from the truck is wired to the 12v house White negative line inside the front wall below the old screw-in fuse box. While I was in there I added a new ground stud (bolt) to the aluminum frame next to where the pigtail comes in so that I have someplace good to ground to. I also added switch plate sized access panel In that area so I don’t have to pull the inside skin off to get at that area next time.

[ticki2]

Hi all , every once in a while I seem to loose ground to the exterior lights . For those who have had theirs stripped down , how and where is the outer skin bonded to ground . Thanks

[rastaman33609]

cajunavion wrote:
Howdy!
Avion Terlingua Chili Cookoff!!!

cajunavion....Sorry You can count me out...as a part time resident and with knowing many locals and heeding their advice....the chili cook off is an event I think I will pass on.. lol

[cajunavion]

Howdy!
Avion Terlingua Chili Cookoff!!!

[rastaman33609]

flyte63....I checked in on your blog spot....very interesting. It never fails to amaze me how inovative and talented the Avion onwers on this site are....It makes me shudder just to read some of the tasks that are accomplished...I hope I wont have to do a floor replacement on My C10...

I would say good luck with the rest of the renovation...however i dont think you depend on luck 🙂

Maybe one day we can still all plan to meet up in Telingua..

rasta

[flyte63]

Wow it’s been quiet on this thread! No progress on my front windows yet, but thanks Ticki for the leads on possible gaskets per your post back on page 270. So much good stuff on this thread!

We have made a lot of progress on a bunch of other aspects of our C-10 over the last two months. Built and installed a new floor - see images and details on my blog at the link below). Also all the wood cabinets have been stripped and the cabinet doors are all refinished. Did a bunch of 120v electrical work - new 30 amp inlet and replaced some wire and some outlets. Working on 12 volt stuff now, new converter, small inverter, new fuse box, etc... Also did some work with the plumbing, finally ready to have the custom black and grey tanks fabricated.

-Don

[Givrdad]

Hi again,
So I have decided I need the 3 tripod original jacks.
Mine has 4 sketchily attached hydraulic jacks, but it looks like the originals would work better.
I have the feet, and the camper has the round receivers. Anyone have some Boch jacks for me?

BYW I built a nice low stand out of cut-down scaffolding and wheels so I can roll the rig around and fit it under my carport. (I would show you but am unclear how to upload a photo to this site).

[ticki2]

If you go to oldest post first and then to page 270 , I explained how I rebuilt my side plexiglass Windows wit h parts and sources . The front Windows are similar on a 68.

[garryk6]

Mine leaked terribly when we lived in a Alaska. I got so tired of a wet bed that I took the aluminum duct tape and sealed the entire window to the outside frame. It was not only the frame to frame seal but it was the glass to frame seal leaking. There we got enough ventilation via the roof vent. Now that we moved south where it gets hot I need to figure this same challenge out ...
Garry in Central Washington still under lockdown...

[flyte63]

Have any of you found a good replacement gasket that works with the original 1965-69 front cab-over windows? I think these windows were made by Phillips.

I’ve been able to find good matches for most of the other windows at VTS and other places, but so far have not found a good match for the front. I know Several of you have rigs in which these windows were changed-out, but I’m trying to see if I can can find a gasket that works before resorting to anything more extreme.

-Don

[ticki2]

Are you sure it's a 68 . To the best of my knowledge , 68 was the first year of the C11 and 67 was the last year of the C10 . That said , stranger things have happened . You can make a replacement for the bath door . It is simply a single thickness of 3/4" plywood . The comode can be replaced with new . The rest of the bath interior will be hard to come by , lower plastic surround , plastic shower pan , black tank . The fresh water tank can be replaced with new . There was no grey water tank , some here have added one . You could also go with a cassette toilet and eliminate the black tank . Good luck

[Givrdad]

Hi all,
I just bought a 1968 Avion C10 and intend to restore it to original if I can find the parts.
I have owned and restored and camped in many vintage airstreams as a hobby over the years, but have always wanted one of these truck campers. so here we go!

Lots of the original stuff is there, it has all its windows, cabinets, fridge, stove, heater, hot water tank and even the original cushions.

It is missing the bathroom (all of it, including the door), water and holding tanks, interior lights, and I'm sure a bunch of things that I don't even know what they are yet since they are missing.

Advice and parts are greatly appreciated, especially all that bathroom stuff!

Randy