Thursday, January 12, 2012

What's Inside the Avion Truck Camper?

All the time people ask to see the interior of the Avion camper. Maybe you'd like a peek inside too.

Up there above the passenger door is the bed, positioned over the truck cab. 

And just below is the comfy booth-like eating space with table. That table drops down to the level of the cushions to make another bed, the cushions rearranged to provide the mattress. Not that we use this space for anything other than eating, computer work, and reading. Note storage above.

Here's the opposite side, with 3-burner range, sink, and a generous food prep area. Plus a lot of storage above and below. Behind me is a closet, a fridge, and a bathroom. We don't use the bathroom on this 45-year-old camper, though we could. Note the crank windows, which let air flow freely in all directions (the rear door has windows too)...one of the things I love best about this tiny living space.

The truck is a 1975 Ford F250 camper special, meaning it's set up for a slide-in camper like this one, a 1965 Avion C10, made in Michigan (by the way, most people think it's an Airstream that's been cut down). 

The designers were hunters working for Avion (which made trailers like this one) who talked their employer into letting them design this truck camper. 

In a nice symmetry, the grandson of one of those original designers, Chuck Cayo, still works on Avions (including ours, when Art can't figure out what's wrong) at his shop in Watervliet, Michigan.

The water tank holds 20 gallons and the small but serviceable fridge runs on propane, AC, or DC. We travel with a cooler too, and 5 gallons of extra water. There's also a furnace, though we rarely need it. Most of all, having our home on our back permits us to get into areas that are off-limits for trailers--towing can be a challenge on rough back roads.

This little rig is extraordinarily comfortable.

21 comments:

  1. The truck campers are the perfect RV vehicles and i think it is best solution for travelers for long drive and they are stylish from both inside and outside and provide you a comfortable drive. I recommend to check all new and used truck campers from scatt. Scatt also has large variety and all popular brands of truck campers. I have looked at this website, it is great website also for truck campers and camper shells.

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  2. I've admired these campers for decades, and I'd like to have one on my '77 F250 (trailer special, extended cab).
    Questions: What is the overall width and height of the camper (already have weight and length), and what are the bunk measurements?

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  3. Sorry, but those stats are in our camper, which is not near us now. You might search around online. Good luck. If you get one we predict you'll love it as we do.

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  4. This is a wonderful post On Truck Camper! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! I hope to read more of your post which is very informative and useful to all the readers. I salute writers like you for doing a great job!

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  7. Love this post. I've been looking for something exactly like the Avion, but a clean one in good shape is difficult to find. I've refurbished a 1952 Dodge Power Wagon with a new Dodge 360 v-8, disc brakes and power steering, and love the Vintage look of the Avion. If you ever want to sell yours, call me :- www.petercoyote.com Thank you for your post.

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  8. I just bought an Avion, 1967 C-10, looking forward to explore updates and vehicles used . What's inside? facing forward, door entry, Rt. Bathroom, with sink, toilet and shower. Followed on Rt. side by kitchen sink with storage above and below. Then eating seating with table, mine has two facing seats with table in between.

    Rear door, left side: Storage closet, stove with storage top and bottom, leading to seating area. top birth has full time bed.

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  9. Congratulations, Michael. Have fun with it.

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  10. Excellent. My Avion C10, vintage '65 is in the process of restoration. Biggest problem is the wiring. Where the heck is the electrical harness? The wiring seems to magically conversation from 7 wire leading from the outside and connecting to my 1990 f250 4x4 to old aluminum 2 wire!
    Would love to charge 12 volt system while driving. At least all of my running lights.are.working. Any suggestions out thwre?

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  11. Excellent. My Avion C10, vintage '65 is in the process of restoration. Biggest problem is the wiring. Where the heck is the electrical harness? The wiring seems to magically conversation from 7 wire leading from the outside and connecting to my 1990 f250 4x4 to old aluminum 2 wire!
    Would love to charge 12 volt system while driving. At least all of my running lights.are.working. Any suggestions out thwre?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Excellent. My Avion C10, vintage '65 is in the process of restoration. Biggest problem is the wiring. Where the heck is the electrical harness? The wiring seems to magically conversation from 7 wire leading from the outside and connecting to my 1990 f250 4x4 to old aluminum 2 wire!
    Would love to charge 12 volt system while driving. At least all of my running lights.are.working. Any suggestions out thwre?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Suggest you speak to Chuck Cayo, whose family has been involved in Cayo/Avion for generations. He's in Watervliet Michigan. Sorry can't be more help.

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  14. Hi, I am in Australia and we have a 1975 C10 stepside pickup. Do the Avion camper fit on these or are they too long or just have overhang. Before I try to find one I need to learn more and see if they fit.
    Thanks for any info or comments.

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  15. Hi Liz:
    Any Avion truck camper is designed to fit into a standard US 4X8 foot truck bed. If your truck has a 4X8 bed, should be no problem. Good luck finding one--they don't seem to be too often on the market, even in the US. Art

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  16. I'm looking to purchase a c-10 avion truck camper. My truck is a Dodge 2014 with a bed dimensions of 5' 7" without the tailgate. And 7'7" with the tailgate down. Will the camper fit sufficient in this truck without trading for a long wheel base bed?

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  17. Our Avion is on a 4X8 bed with the tailgate removed. Your set-up would hang over the back.

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  18. My truck bed is 6.5' long (Chevy Silverado heavy 1/2 ton). From the info above it sounds like a c-10 or c-11 will not fit. Utter sadness…..Im suppose to go look at one for sale next week!

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  19. Ack, minkus36. It takes a truck with an 8-foot bed. Feeling bad for you.

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    Replies
    1. better to know now then after I handed the seller the money! Thanks for the confirmation...

      Delete
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    ReplyDelete