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.

[rastaman33609]

67...I am thinking somewhere in the middle to end of April..Things are a little hectic for me right now however that is my target time. I am hoping to be in the area (SW Texas/Arizona) for a few weeks,
lets see what works for everyone.

[D1trout]

67, it is my personal view that this meet-up can happen whenever you and Jane and your rig are road worthy. I have no commitments until mid-May at the Overland Expo in Flagstaff. I have sort of mentally blocked out April to travel in Argo to this event.
Let us know what you are thinking about the restoration of your cabover berth.
I am very pleased at the prospect of putting faces with names after five years of digital conversations...

[67avion]

Its time to make some decisions about the meet up. What dates do you all think make sense? Last part of March? April? Lets do this.

[rastaman33609]

Yeh Mon...all sounds Irie...

[D1trout]

Well, my favorite camp food is anything shared around a campfire with friends.
A little chili, a little pork, a little chicken, some Andouille, some brown whiskey - it’s all good! I am capable of a tasty mixed grill if we need additional dinner options.

[67avion]

I’ll have a better idea when we return to the US next week, but agree that April is best. We’ve been out there in March as well, and that can be great weather. I’m thinking about Muley Point and either time is good.
I’m hoping that Cajunavion joins us and cooks one night. D1 what’s your favorite camp food?
Also, Rasta, we’ll bring along some baby bourbon from Southern Illinois.

[rastaman33609]

D1trout....My target date is late April. That is the time we usually go out there, as the weather is 'usually' good...nice day time temps and chilly at nights,and sometimes windy. although that is always subject to change.
There are a couple of things that may affect that timing, but I am hoping not. Early May is good too as that is when they have "Voices across the river" which we attended last year and are hoping to do the same this year...If all goes well we hope to spend weeks out there, so.....

[D1trout]

Amigos, this talk of chili making me hungry...
Can we start a conversation about timing for Big Bend and Muley Point.
I’m under the impression April is our target time.
67, you’ve got a big repair. Is April realistic? I’m inclined to wait on you.
Overland Expo is mid May in Flagstaff. I’m going, assuming Argo is selected
as a DIY show-off vehicle.
Let’s talk.

[rastaman33609]

67avion...chilli sounds good..I am bet you are having a great trip,,,enjoy 🙂

[67avion]

I’m traveling in N Africa with my wife, daughter and son in law. I like the food but I was thinking about chili in Terlingua. Specifically fireball chili that was part of the cook off. If my fellow Avionistas are agreeable, after Jerk Chicken from Rastaman, I’ll cook chili.

Karl Bock, also known as Chef Mojo:

Here ya go. This is the basic recipe. There’s quite a bit of improvisation involved in getting it to your personal tastes. This recipe will give you a fairly spicy pot of chili. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

4 lbs. of coarse (chili) ground chuck
2 medium sweet onions, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
6 heaping Tb. ancho chili powder
6 heaping Tb. chipotle chili powder
6 heaping Tb. cumin powder
3 Tb. fresh ground black pepper
2 Tb. dried thyme leaf
2 Tb. dried oregano
2 26 oz. containers of Swanson Beef Stock (NOT broth. Stock.)
2 12 oz. cans or bottles of good lager beer.
Salt to taste

Place the chuck, onions and garlic into a large pot and turn the heat on to medium high. Get the beef rendering and browning, breaking it up as it cooks. Do not drain the fat. Trust me on this. When most of the beef liquid is cooked out, add all the spices and herbs and stir it in. Let it cook some in the fat, but be careful not to scorch the mix. Add the stock and beer, scraping the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil and set to simmer.

At this point, you have a choice to make: How “wet” do you want the chili to be? By this, I mean how much fat do you leave in? Remember fat = flavor. You may skim after some simmering time, but I leave it in. As the liquid reduces, it becomes easier to emulsify the fat into the liquid by stirring.

Simmer slowly for at least 4 hours, adding more water or beer if it gets to thick for your tastes.

Also, there’s no beans in this recipe. This is old school Texas Red. No tomatoes, either. Yesterday I did it with beans. I added 2 drained cans of Goya brand pinto beans in the last hour or so of cooking.

[67avion]

Merry Christmas! 2020 is our year!

[rastaman33609]

yeh mon....Merry Christmas...and a great new year

[cajunavion]

Howdy!
Merry Christmas!

[D1trout]

Merry Christmas, fellow Avionistas. And a very Happy New Year. The prospect of putting faces with names this spring in Big Bend makes 2020 a banner year already!

[rastaman33609]

On the contary my friend, the blantant display of the Avions flexability and unique arrangement will put it in a class by itself. However I am coming prepared with wrist bands and gold colored rope and poles so I can have a restricted area roped off to facilitate crown control.