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.

[67avion]

If you were wondering what we were doing, we (including Hula the Wonder dog) traveled Colorado last year, dragging my beloved Suzuki Samurai. If you look at pictures I take with Jane in the photos with the Samurai, she looks happy. Believe me she's not. The solid axles and short wheel base affected her like a bucking bronco.

We ascended into the mountains around Telluride circling the mining trails. The Suzuki was great, but Jane was hanging on for dear life, shaking at every bump and rock.

Then, I decided to make it up a trail at around 11,000 feet. Off we started with Jane on the side where you can see way, way down. The carb just about shut down so we jerked and jammed along the trail.

It was a miracle, but Jane came to love my Samurai.

Rastaman certainly understands 😉

[67avion]

Cajun, Good Grief! So you sidestepped the epidemic? Stayed distanced in your Avion cruising the bayous? Thats sort of what Rastaman did, though its his half dozen houses that he visits that keep him out of sight.

[cajunavion]

Howdy!
Everyone alive? Muley Point? No mo’ pics?

[flyte63]

67- your Avion has been an inspiration to many of us here, glad that you are having it done right.
Also good to hear that you are taking care of yourself and are on the mend- scary stuff!

Posting photos seems harder than ever - I’ve found recently that I can post links to my photos stored online elsewhere lately, but hard to get an inline image.

Here’s a test for an image stored in google photos 1965 Avion C-10 at TCT Annual Gathering in 2022

[rastaman33609]

67...that was a had fall you took buddy, sorry to hear. However with that positive attitude you carry around with you, you be back like new in no time at all..

rasta

[roamlab]

D1trout, that makes complete sense. We've looked at the DIY showcase but the idea of opening the interior is a little too invasive for us.

[67avion]

One quick question. I used to be expert in posting photos from photo bucket. I just tried my old (poorly remembered) techniques and it didn't happen. I see that someone recommends URGAR (??? did I get that right?). If you have a quick way to doing it let me know...do it like this:

"take a photo of (x) size on your desktop> upload to URGAR>" and on and on.

I'd appreciate it.

DG

[67avion]

Well, well. It looks like we have a quorum again! Glad that you posted, Rastaman, and glad that I saw it. We have to get to Muley Point. Have some of your Jerk chicken and drink our local bourbon. Celebrate the soul of the Avion. Otherwise, what is this life about?

The tumble on the bike was unexpected, of course. Its an electric cargo bike, pretty good size. I had gotten it to get a bit of exercise while working on my construction projects. The front wheel just collapsed when I was riding, slamming the bike to a sudden halt and throwing me in the air over the handle bars. Lying one the street pavement I became aware gradually by noticing that I couldn't breath nor move. Then I could. Someone dragged me out of the street to the steps of a funeral home - which was bit ironic. My helmet was split from side to side. Broke ribs, injured back etc. So, I didn't have the capacity to handle the 67 Avion or anything else for that matter. But, on the other hand, like my beloved 67 I rose again.

[D1trout]

Roamlab, I’ve been accepted as a DIY exhibitor at the last two Expos but the Covid spike put me off. The prospect of showing hundreds of folks the ins and outs of Argo was unnerving…
Hopefully 2023 will be doable. I’m keen to see what else is
out there in the overland world.

[roamlab]

D1trout wrote:
I’m planning on being at the Overland Expo in Oregon next July. Any of you interested in that destination?

We'll be heading out to Overland Expo East this October. I'm not sure what next year will look like, yet. But who knows?

[rastaman33609]

Yes...Muley Point!....Muley Point...

BTW... I know when word got out that I had mounted my C10 on a tandem trailer, I was considered somewhat of an outcast.The red headed cousin.

However after getting everything loaded and in place for a trip. (which is the mode the C10 has been resting at,all that is needed is groceries) Not having the camper in the back of the truck creates so much available space. Not only can I carry my Yamaha TW200 under the bed overhang, plus a large locking metal box, but there is still room to carry stuff under the wings. And if that was not enough I still have the entire pick up bed....

And to top it off...My Tundra pulls it like it is not there.

Function over form, mon

[ticki2]

Still alive and kickin , heading up to the Adirondack’s for a week visiting friends . The old flojet water pump finally died last trip . Replaced it with Seaflo 3gpm and is it quiet and no pulsing . Very pleased . Safe travels all .

[D1trout]

Hello fellow Avionistas! We have certainly been a quiet group of late. It’s nice to catch up on events.
67, I am horrified to hear your accidents, both of them, and hope that you and your Avion are on the mend. Actually, I hope your medical care is as good as Chuck Cayo’s care of your Avion will be. Rather like going to the Mayo Clinic!
Rasta, leaving Big Bend after all these years… that’s quite a change, but it is a long way from Florida. I saw that the Rio stopped flowing through the canyons in the park this summer. I never imagined that could happen.
I’m still hoping to arrive at Muley Point in this lifetime. I had thought to go to Lake Powell this spring but another low water cancellation.
I did take my first extended trip in Argo, the all-aluminum camper last fall. A month-long western states fishing tour with my German Shepherd buddy, Shep. We had a fabulous time, camping in wild places, along river banks, in the wide open Great Basin.
Every system worked as it was supposed to. Easy cooking. Hot showers. Cozy nights. I was very pleased.
These days I’m using Argo to travel back and forth to my fishing house near Mt Shasta, a 700 mile round trip. I find that the truck’s AC keeps the camper’s interior cool for the dogs, even when it 100 outside - while we are driving, of course. The dogs love the space and that makes Annie happy.
Readjusting to life after Covid is bit odd. Glad to have an Argo to get away in.
Hope all of you are doing well. Still love to have a meet up somewhere out west. I’m open to anything. I’m planning on being at the Overland Expo in Oregon next July. Any of you interested in that destination?
Dick

[roamlab]

I guess it's been a minute since we last stepped in for roll call but we are here and continuing to tinker around.

Our biggest update would be our new truck bed for the Avion (https://roamlab.com/diy/mod/truck-bed/). I'm guessing that's how Bedlam came across us. Thanks!

Right now, we are prototyping a cab-to-cabin pass-through. I have a feeling that this will be far from our final version but at least we can make the transition if we need a speedy exit

67avion, any shots of the branch/damage? It would make a fun before/after shot when you get that beauty back in commission.

Sorry to hear about the hold-up rastaman33609. It never really is a simple, direct path to the road with vintage campers but it certainly can be rewarding.

Hey there BlackFlagForge! Hopefully, some fall weather can give you some pleasant conditions to make progress?

[rastaman33609]

Ah GREAT...there are still a few of us hanging around in here..

67Avion...So sorry to hear about the damage your unsinkable Avion had. It has certainly taken a licking, but as you said it will be back.
67avion 2.0 ...or is it . 3.0 or 4.0 🙂

I am embarrassed to admit in public that still after 7 years of ownership we have only ventured out once for an overnight trip with our Avion C10 😮
But to my defence 2-3 of those years were spent doing the rebuild.

This year was going to be the year that the maiden voyage was supposed to take place, however with the gas prices, plus the fact that I went out to Terlingua, Texas and retrieved the 1974 Terry Taurus 19' Travel Trailer that we have owned for the past 19 years, that was sitting on our property out in the desert, (under cover) and brought it back to Florida, (as we are thinking of selling the property).

I spent January- June doing exterior repairs and minor interior stuff along with updating electric and plumbing, then threw on a coat of fresh paint...Looks awesome now.

However...That has created a huge problem. We are planning an extended trip early next year for a couple of months. Hence the problem....which camper do we take? The larger more comfortable Taurus, or the more compact Avion? (on the Trailer, which allows me to take the motorcycle to explore remote areas, plus I still don't have a truck that can carry the Avion). I feel like I am cheating on the C10 with the TT...ah well.

Options, Options....

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