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.

[My_Blue_Heaven]

D, we haven't seen any pictures of your old C-10 lately; how's it coming?

[rfuerst911sc]

67avion great response thanks. In my mind I have already set a time table of at least one year for the restoration. I just completed a restoration of a Boston Whaler boat that took a year so I know these things take time.

[67avion]

Gary, it looks like you're living large in Kodiak. And it was close to the longest day of the year so the kids probably played til they dropped.

Marietta, Georgia, restoration: My experience was that I removed things in order to figure out where the problems were located. It's imperative, as I'm sure that you know, that everything must be thoroughly documented and labeled.....cause you won't get back to them for a long time. And memory fades.

The overhead cabinets are a good fit, in my opinion, for the space. Moreover, they should be relatively easy to repair. Take them out first and set them aside would be my advice.

Its the bed/kitchen/cabinets that you have to pay attention to...especially what lies beneath them. If you have damage, more than likely it will be in the wings that support them and in the floor in the back of the coach.

A lot will be revealed including wiring and gas lines. And here is where I've had my biggest problems: electrical issues. I rewired, but I also added outlets, batteries, inverters, future proofed for solar, etc. The net result is that I have a labyrinth of wiring that is difficult to sort out.

Once you've found and fixed all of the spots where rot has appeared (assuming you have those), then its a careful configuration of the wiring and gas lines...electrical switches et al.

The rest of the interior work is just like a house - well not exactly since you have to allow for vibration and movement - but for the most part you will be using materials and techniques that are used for restoring old houses.

For instance, the cabinets should be carefully sanded and then varnished a number of times with sanding in between coats.

The interior of the coach, if everything has been removed, should be repainted. I used OEM Zolatone paints, but there are other options of course.

Much to do. But, I take you at your word that you have the patience. My estimate on time is around a year to a year and a half. Then there are the remarkable projects like 69Avion that break that pattern and get it done quick.

Best of luck. This thread has all of these issues dealt with, I believe. But keep asking and we'll keep responding.

[69_Avion]

It looks like you are enjoying some great weather. Enjoy it because in AZ it isn't so nice right now.

Not too far NW of Phoenix, 18 firefighters just lost their lives today fighting a fire in this extremely hot weather. I pray for their families and for those who were injured.

I can't wait to get out of this miserable heat.

[garryk6]

Well, we had a great day yesterday, the women folk enjoyed the camper for the facilities. The kids enjoyed the four wheelers! The weather was sunny and warm... For Kodiak. We were hot and it was only in the mid to upper 60's. There was a light breeze to keep the Mosquitos and flys away. Basically th perfect Kodiak day.























http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/garryk6/11F5A543-3AF3-420B-B8A3-098A580B108B-4449-00000679CD2B08F1_zps390c69f2.jpg







We were out for the day with friends! And what a day it was! Most of us actually got sunburned...:C

Garry in Kodiak

[69_Avion]

Garry, it looks like you are having a lot of fun. With it around 118 degrees in Phoenix, I would rather be where you are right now. Come winter time, I can't say the same thing. LOL

[69_Avion]

rfuerst911sc wrote:
I was in the camper today scoping out all the work I have to do, good grief will I ever get it done ? I noticed the interior cabinets are held in with a combination of straight head screws, phillips and clutch head. I will replace all of the screws with the same type. Should I use aluminum screws ? Or stainless or just plain steel ? After looking at the existing cabinets it's going to be a challenge to refurbish them but the frames and doors are in good shape it's the horizontal pieces ( shelves ) that are in rough shape. Has anyone gone with a cabinet system that is deeper than the originals ? The originals don't seem very deep, I'm not sure a dinner plate will fit in them. Any suggestions on interior upgrades are welcome. Good thing is the AC works so I don't have to sweat like a dog !

Originally, everything was a clutch head screw. I replaced all of mine with phillips head stainless steel. I know some folks talk of reaction to alumium, so if that bothers you, then maybe you can find some aluminum screws. As far as space, the cabinets are very well thought out. Too much more room and you may put too much weight in them. I have been camping in my C-11 since I was 9 years old and the cabines work great, but as in anything this small, you probably will always want more space. Remember, weight is your enemy. Especially weight that is as high as the cabinets.

[rfuerst911sc]

I was in the camper today scoping out all the work I have to do, good grief will I ever get it done ? I noticed the interior cabinets are held in with a combination of straight head screws, phillips and clutch head. I will replace all of the screws with the same type. Should I use aluminum screws ? Or stainless or just plain steel ? After looking at the existing cabinets it's going to be a challenge to refurbish them but the frames and doors are in good shape it's the horizontal pieces ( shelves ) that are in rough shape. Has anyone gone with a cabinet system that is deeper than the originals ? The originals don't seem very deep, I'm not sure a dinner plate will fit in them. Any suggestions on interior upgrades are welcome. Good thing is the AC works so I don't have to sweat like a dog !

[garryk6]

Going out tomorrow! It's so nice to be able to tow behind the Avion now!




Garry in AK

[rfuerst911sc]

I don't think this was covered in the previous 126 pages, if it was I missed it. Does anyone know what alloy aluminum ( 6013 , 7050 etc. ) Avion used for the exterior skin? I'm asking just in case I have to make a repair section to the exterior.

[garryk6]

Been reworking the kitchen area to fit my 12V Engle refrigerator/freezer. Pics to come!

Garry in Kodiak, AK

[07blacktruck]

Been following this thread for a long time and I'm still amazed at the number of people that are viewing it. Makes me think there is quite an interest in the restoration of a classic truck camper. I don't have a TC yet but I hope to one day soon. I would love to find one of these. My virtual hat is off to all who have done their work and documented it here for the rest of us. Please keep posting. I for one will never get tired of reading posts like this.

[69_Avion]

69cayo wrote:

rfuerst911sc wrote:
OK guys and gals I'm going to start the restoration of my 68 C11 where to start ? I have cleared a large spot in the basement to hold the interior as I remove it. Most of the wood cabinets I will be keeping. So do I just start at the back and keep removing interior pieces until they are all removed ? I know I have a soft spot on the floor at the door and a piece where the passenger side factory lift jack has " crumpled " the aluminum skin. I plan a complete restoration of everything inside the camper. Will probably keep the stove/oven and will probaly try to fix the refrigerator but other than those two items everything else may be replaced. I will document with pics just so I can get it back together and also will be adding ( somewhere ) a gray water tank. Plus solar on the roof " if " I can install panels that will fit the roof real estate. Any tips on how to get started are appreciated.

I would start with the overhead cabinets then the base kitchen cabinets then move onto the bathroom partition and fixtures.
This will leave you more room to maneuver the closet partition around once you remove the fridg.

Good luck and don't get discouraged.

Dennis

That is what I did. The closet is the hardest to get out and it seems to only go out and back in, one way only. A couple of people can strip the interior in one day.

[rfuerst911sc]

69cayo wrote:

rfuerst911sc wrote:
OK guys and gals I'm going to start the restoration of my 68 C11 where to start ? I have cleared a large spot in the basement to hold the interior as I remove it. Most of the wood cabinets I will be keeping. So do I just start at the back and keep removing interior pieces until they are all removed ? I know I have a soft spot on the floor at the door and a piece where the passenger side factory lift jack has " crumpled " the aluminum skin. I plan a complete restoration of everything inside the camper. Will probably keep the stove/oven and will probaly try to fix the refrigerator but other than those two items everything else may be replaced. I will document with pics just so I can get it back together and also will be adding ( somewhere ) a gray water tank. Plus solar on the roof " if " I can install panels that will fit the roof real estate. Any tips on how to get started are appreciated.

I would start with the overhead cabinets then the base kitchen cabinets then move onto the bathroom partition and fixtures.
This will leave you more room to maneuver the closet partition around once you remove the fridg.

Good luck and don't get discouraged.

Dennis

Dennis that approach makes sense thanks for the tip. And I don't get discouraged easily.

[69cayo]

rfuerst911sc wrote:
OK guys and gals I'm going to start the restoration of my 68 C11 where to start ? I have cleared a large spot in the basement to hold the interior as I remove it. Most of the wood cabinets I will be keeping. So do I just start at the back and keep removing interior pieces until they are all removed ? I know I have a soft spot on the floor at the door and a piece where the passenger side factory lift jack has " crumpled " the aluminum skin. I plan a complete restoration of everything inside the camper. Will probably keep the stove/oven and will probaly try to fix the refrigerator but other than those two items everything else may be replaced. I will document with pics just so I can get it back together and also will be adding ( somewhere ) a gray water tank. Plus solar on the roof " if " I can install panels that will fit the roof real estate. Any tips on how to get started are appreciated.

I would start with the overhead cabinets then the base kitchen cabinets then move onto the bathroom partition and fixtures.
This will leave you more room to maneuver the closet partition around once you remove the fridg.

Good luck and don't get discouraged.

Dennis