60s Avion aluminum camper

[mtm_motors]

I bought this camper and my cousin Evan is helping me fix it up. Initially the plan is to get it up to speed for dry camping, plumbing will come later. The floor was rotten out, so that is the starting point.

The interior, as purchased:

Much of the camper was put together with these clutch type screws:

First order of business before replacing the floor was removing the water heater and bathroom fixtures.

And... finally, the old rotten floor is out!

The original floor was surprisingly a plywood foam sandwich... we will be going back with 3/4 treated plywood. Not sure about insulation yet.

This is not going to be a restoration... just trying to get the camper live-able with whatever upgrades make sense. My vision for the camper, ultimately, is a more modern interior, perhaps EarthRoamer style. I know I won't be able to do that completely, but the primary goal is to just have a tight, clean, living space with common sense upgrades that is easy to keep clean.

I'm also not sure where it will wind up living. I have a 1965 Ford F250 Camper Special (albeit 2wd, see pic below) and for the time being it will be on my cousin's OBS F250

 

[Craig Lathem]

Cool looking camper...will be great to see this out on the road again!

 

[norcal*PWRstroke]

Nice camper! i used a lot of rtech insulation. go to amazon and order some sikaflex 221 you will use it alot
http://www.amazon.com/AP-Products-0...8&qid=1459623585&sr=8-1&keywords=sikaflex+221

 

[mtm_motors]

Thanks, guys! I can't wait to take it out.

I will definitely get some of the sikaflex... heard alot of good stuff about it. I'm not sure how far we will be tearing it down at this time, will definitely look into rtech insulation though. Thanks for the tips norcal

 

[grogie]

Wow! Would be cool to restore that... Very unique. Must have been something else when new. Great project and thanks for sharing.

 

[boxcar1]

One of the coolest campers ever built . My personal favorite.
Restored they bring good coin....
Sure would look great on the camper special.
Congrats on the great find.

 

[Doc Foster]

I love those old campers. Though not mine, here is some inspiration for you - http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-lifestyle/avion-restoring-an-american-classic/

 

[jkam]

Those Avion campers were very heavy. I know someone with one and he carries it on a dually Chevy 2wd.
I always liked his, he has had it for a very long time.

 

[STREGA]

Gotta like those old Avions, it needs to be on that F 250 for sure!
My parents bought a used Avion travel trailer back in the mid 70's it sure was built well actually lived in it for awhile. The story we heard about the guy who started up Avion was a employee at Airstream who thought they were not built as well as they could have been and started building his own trailers. They were similar in design but they were quite a bit heavier than a Airstream, IIRC they were a little wider also.
My dad bought a new '65 F-250 to haul around our cab over camper, the '58 Chevy with a inline 6 it replaced just didn't have the power needed to go down the hi way fast. The V8 in the Ford hauled it around much better but it burned oil almost from day 1. The camper did looked cooler on the Chevy though.

 

[mtm_motors]

We finally found a good platform for the camper to live on. It is a 1971 Dodge Power Wagon

 

[dawnhoyden]

My folks have one of those! (not on a dually- but the truck we lovingly call TABAAH - "Truck As Big As A House")

 

[Doc Foster]

I love the looks of those old Avion campers

Here are a few more:
http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-lifestyle/avion-restoring-an-american-classic/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_QiSxkDpNk
https://avioncamper.wordpress.com/category/camper-restoration/

 

[redthies]

With the Power Wagon thrown in the mix you have a winning combo! I restore Airstream trailers as a side business and have always wanted an Avion camper. The wife is not so keen though...

 

[Regcabguy]

I could have bought a 3/4 ton GMC with an Avion many yrs ago. 292 straight six,manual trans etc.
A lady in OB here who had lost her husband was selling it. Primo condition.

 

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

Before you put too much effort into the interior, I recommend you find and seal all leaks. On our Airstream, we use Acryl-R, applied with a gun designed for that sealant. Those old Avions are so nice.

Air Forums is a good info resource for repairing aluminum.