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.

[Dave_Pete]

Thanks ticki2. Looks like a good point out with tear drop curves.

[ticki2]

There isn't a lot of trim on Avions . Try some of the vintage trailer or tear drop suppliers .
Here's one
http://www.teardropparts.com/trims-and-mouldings.html

[Dave_Pete]

Okay my advanced aluminum Avionistas! I have a metallurgy question.

At the moment I'm into the tedious job of reclaiming my exterior aluminum trim (J trim rain gutter and L trim outside corner molding). My camper shape, like yours, is rounded and today's rigid extruded trims will not work.

If I wanted to replace my trim instead of re-using, what am I to look for? Is it called annealed? Or is that too general. I'm trying to determine availability and affordability before I invest so much time and effort that I cannot justify NOT using my existing stuff. It's mostly serviceable.

Where do I find, and what is it called - this stuff that is so very flexible it will bend with its own weight?

L Trim = aprox 7/8" x 3/8"
J Trim = aprox 3/4" x 3/8"

Both probably rolled through a gig from the same width flat stock.

[D1trout]

Silver, I got tired just watching! Nice job, busting out that new floor. I wish I could make ANY part of my resto go that quickly and easily...
Onward!

[67avion]

Silver, you get a free pass to Muley Point based on the determination and grit you have shown along with the remarkable ability to keep that bottle of beer upright. Those are the three attributes we look for in an Avionista.

Onward!

[cajunavion]

Howdy!
I too went with the airlift 5000 ultimate in the back and 1000
in the front. 4 way seems the obvious way to go, that way all
four wheels can be controlled independantly. There are some serious
electronic control of 4 way systems available, not necessarily Airlift
that can really add significantly to the ride and safety on the fly.
I got the Engel installed on the wing under the loft over hang. Great
addition to working counter space.
It fits beautifully, but the lid opens wrong. Oh well, we will see how
it rolls this way.

[rastaman33609]

Silver….just waching you made me feel overwhelmed and tired….but you made it seem simple and easy….I am sure glad I did not have any floor issues. Thanks for sharing.

[SilverPompadour]

I put a short video of my adventures in C11 floor replacement on my YouTube channel. Figured I'd share it here also.


Youtube - Avion C-11 Floor Replacement

[67avion]

BTW I have an original fridge, stove and AC that is available. PM me if you are interested.

[D1trout]

67, I'm pleased you have a new fridge with the Danfoss compressor. Now we'll be able to compare notes when I've got my Norcold with the Sawafuji compressor installed and running. Good cocktail conversation at Muley Point!
Incidentally, I've taken everything off my roof and sealed all the holes. I'll use a marine fitting to get the solar wires thru the roof and will be venting the heater horizontally out the back.

[67avion]

No it's an electric compressor. We haven't been using the old fridge for some time. I sealed the roof vent after running the solar cables and outside antenna.

I had put in an outside shower in the back of the fridge compartment. It will be removed.

You're right about sealing the chimney.

[garryk6]

If you at getting rid of the gas fridge, while chuck is fixing the roof would be the perfect time to delete the fridge chimney. Removes one more spot for leaks! If I ever get a Olympic rivet shaver and rivets I plan to do that on my TC.
Garry

[67avion]

Update on the 67 Avion: I received word that the damage to the roof of my coach was not as extensive as I had thought....or probably more accurately, Chuck Cayo can dispatch this stuff in his sleep. Repairs that would have taken days (or weeks)to complete, if I could actually complete them, take far less time.

After the solar array is installed I will be going up to Michigan to pick up the camper. I'll confirm one way or the other the quality of the work. But, I really have no doubt.

I also decided to put in a new compressor refrigerator - a Nova Kool 4.3 cu ft AC/DC. It fits into the space where the old refrigerator was located and it has about double the capacity of the Engel 2.1 cu ft. that I had been thinking about. The fridge is well known in boating circles and I understand in some RV applications. click

We plan on heading for Mexico next month on our never ending journey. The good news is we hope we'll have a large store of cool beverages to share when we all arrive at Muley Point.

[SilverPompadour]

Thanks for the kind words. I do consider the castings an improvement but they are far from perfect. The reduced picture size hides a few sins.

Before making the mold, I had used a drill mounted wire brush to smooth the original badge as much as possible. Because of the fine grit of the sand, some of the pitting transferred to the new casting. Additionally, pits and bubbles appear in my castings due to gas trapped in the molten metal.

One more consideration is that aluminium shrinks appox. 2% between its molten and solid states. On the Avion badge this results in the two outer rivet holes being about a millimeter closer to center. This is easy enough to work around.
I would like to supply some castings but have to practice a bit more first. Dont want to run afoul of any trademark laws either.
I will submit detailed pics of my next batch of castings for approval.

[rastaman33609]

garryk6...check your PM....