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.

[69_Avion]

gwincolo wrote:
morn n, looked but did not find info on the Flagstaff Expo that is mentioned, would one of yas share? thank you

http://www.overlandexpo.com/

[gwincolo]

morn n, looked but did not find info on the Flagstaff Expo that is mentioned, would one of yas share? thank you

[69cayo]

The storm windows are clear Plexiglas framed in aluminum with a small step in the frame that matches the step in the window trim.
They're held in place by the plastic "clips" you see on your window trim.
Mine are in storage right now otherwise I'd post some pics.

Dennis

[Jamm3r]

Interesting. I had the remnants of the "removable clothes rod" in my bathroom, but they were in rough shape and the rod itself was missing so I took them out.

Does anyone know what the storm windows were like?

[69_Avion]

That was quite a price increase for three model years, but the 1970 is 1' longer. I just noticed that the 1969 pricing was for the 1970 model year. I wonder how long into 1970 model year that Avion Campers lasted before changing to Cayo.

[ticki2]

And here's one for '67

[69_Avion]

If I could get Airsteam to build the upper part of the camper with a lower part like a Camp Lite camper, I would buy a shell in a heartbeat. That would be a fun camper to finish the way I would like it. I really don't need one since I have a nice Avion already.
How many modern campers will still look as nice as an Avion after 50 years in the elements? I doubt that any of the current campers will hold up like an Avion.

[67avion]

The things you learn! So it turns out there were OEM slumber bags and a contoured slipcover for cab-over mattress? Who knew?

And now my sweet wife informs me that my calculations for late 60s costs in terms of present day dollar value was off as well. It appears that the Avion with options could run $32,000 - $40,000 in today's money.I can't find the sticker price for a 1969 era one ton Ford pickup, but I think it was around $3K to $4K - meaning that your Avion TC rig circa 1969 - 1970 cost around $75,000 in today's prices. I think. Maybe some other folk have a better handle on this, but I think it gives some insight into the Avion buyer.

[69_Avion]

For those Avion owners that are going to the Flagstaff Expo, if anyone wants the original lights that I took out of the interior of the camper, I can bring them. They are the center light, the light in the cabover bed area and the light above the sink. The plastic is yellowed but the lights are in great shape. If nobody wants them, I will toss them out.
Let me know.

[69_Avion]

That looks like the sheet that I have. You certainly can't get much for that money (adjusted for inflation) today. Avion used some really good products. For example, the Rego regulator today is well over $100. You don't see the same level of quality items in most modern RVs. Today, you get the throw away regulators, and cheap hoses.

[ticki2]

The options

[ticki2]

Lets see if this works

[67avion]

The $4300 figure is calculated to be around $24,000 in today's currency adjusting for inflation. That is at the lower end of the top priced TCs available today, I think.

[69_Avion]

I finally went through all of the paperwork that came with my Avion C-11 camper. It's list price was about $4,300 as I recall.
I did find the instruction sheets for the La Jaga Jacks. Too bad I don't have an extra jack handle. LOL

[rfuerst911sc]

69 Avion wrote:

Jamm3r wrote:
I'm looking for an extra set of horizontal propane tanks so I can keep some filled ones on hand and swap them as needed. Has anyone converted to some other system? Any "parts" C-11s out there?

I think that there are several folks looking for those tanks. They are hard to find these days.

You're looking for an " extra " set I'm looking to have a set ! My C11 didn't come with any tanks when I got her last year. Any leads on a pair of tanks is appreciated.