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Sprouty · 08-28-2012, 08:19 AM

I just purchased an Avion 1959 R23. It’s been sitting in a campground forever and I am in the process of extracting it. The last plate it had on it was 1974. We cut away the old rotting addition and jacked it up and removed the tires yesterday. I am going to get new rubber this week and hope to pull it out this weekend. The wheels turned free and easy but I think I am going to pull the wheel bearing out inspect them and repack before I pull it home. I plan to pull off the brake shoes for the trip home as well. I have a towing light set up I am going to lengthen so I don’t have to worry about the wiring on the trip home.
Here are a few pictures on my prize. I know it’s going to need work but I think it’s a good solid base to start with. I have restored several cars over the years so I know I might be into a big project but that’s the fun part.

Sprouty · 08-28-2012, 08:21 AM

A link to more pictures
Avion pictures by sprouty64 - Photobucket

StreamRollin · 08-28-2012, 08:36 AM

What an incredibly awesome find! Congrats! Wendy

**Kevin245** · 08-28-2012, 09:17 AM

Congrats on the Avion. She looks like a real beauty.

Someday'59 · 08-28-2012, 10:04 AM

What a cute stove!

oh2bcarefree · 08-28-2012, 10:47 AM

MAN! You got it...

We were communicating with them about the trailer too. Glad someone on here got it, sad (a bit) it was not us. Distance was not in our favor.

Can't wait to see what you find and find out. That is a sweet trailer - A Rover - and I know you are going to love it. Is there damage where the building was leaning against it?

Are you planning on keeping everything original?? If there is anything original that you don't want to keep or change your mind... please contact us. We actually learned some things about 1959 Avions just by this trailer that our '59 was missing.

Congratulations!!!

Tina

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f417...ion-79207.html

Sprouty · 08-28-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh2bcarefree

MAN! You got it...

We were communicating with them about the trailer too. Glad someone on here got it, sad (a bit) it was not us. Distance was not in our favor.

Can't wait to see what you find and find out. That is a sweet trailer - A Rover - and I know you are going to love it. Is there damage where the building was leaning against it?

Are you planning on keeping everything original?? If there is anything original that you don't want to keep or change your mind... please contact us. We actually learned some things about 1959 Avions just by this trailer that our '59 was missing.

Congratulations!!!

Tina

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f417...ion-79207.html

One of the side marker lights is gone where the addtion was againt it and the backing plate for it looks very rusted hopefully we can find one to replace it with. The floor at the door area is soft and will need work. No damage that I can se to the skin where the addtion was on it. I don't know if any off the appliances work or what shape the plumbing or wiring is in. it's going to be an adventure.

oh2bcarefree · 08-28-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprouty

One of the side marker lights is gone where the addtion was againt it and the backing plate for it looks very rusted hopefully we can find one to replace it with. The floor at the door area is soft and will need work. No damage that I can se to the skin where the addtion was on it. I don't know if any off the appliances work or what shape the plumbing or wiring is in. it's going to be an adventure.

oh yes, you can find that side marker... wait until you get it home, double check to see if they are all alike, I would have sworn ours were and when I went out to check, two different styles.

places to check for vintage:
VintageCampers.com :: Vintage Campers, Vintage Trailers, Vintage Parts, Vintage Restorations - Dan Piper - even email him, he's got tons of stuff and doesn't always have it all listed online

Electronics, Cars, Fashion, Collectibles, Coupons and More Online Shopping | eBay

Etsy - Your place to buy and sell all things handmade, vintage, and supplies - just saw two on here about two weeks ago, I've gotten a few original things for the trailer here

for new:
Vintage Trailer Supply - parts and supplies for vintage travel trailers and campers! - lots of great options and will have the rivets, sealer, window seals, original curtain items etc.

Enjoy the adventure - it sure is fun. Heck, I'm sure excited for you.

Tina

M2HB · 08-29-2012, 08:04 AM

What a fantastic find. How extensive of a restoration do you plan on doing?

Sprouty · 08-29-2012, 05:16 PM

I don't think I want to get too carried away with it until we spend at least some time in it to make sure it’s what we want. I want to go through it and make sure it's safe to pull around first and give it a good basic cleaning. I might even just get it mobile and take it on a short trip as a glorified tent for a test run. If we fall for it I will go all out and try to make it "like new" but with upgrades to the systems to make it better without changing the overall appearance. I think though I am a babe in the woods right now with the trailer stuff. I do tend to get carried away though with projects. Here are a few pictures of the last two cars we "restored"
Steve

Sprouty · 08-31-2012, 08:51 AM

I got off work early yesterday and though I would go prep the trailer for the trip home. I cleaned and repacked the wheel brearings ,cut some more away from the addtion for more clearance and got the towing lights strapped on and working and it was still daylight! Things where going well and I thought I would make the run home I figured less traffic and all. It pulled away from its reating spot with no problems and we were ready to go.
The grease I pulled out of the bearings was NASTY

Sprouty · 08-31-2012, 09:07 AM

Thats not the end of it though. I looked at the brakes when I had the drums off and though "maybe I should just yank these shoes right out " but.... they looked ok and were not rubbing on the drums so I left them. That I think was a big mistake. I went about 5 miles and checked the lug nuts and all seemed fine. Then about 10 miles later I heard a loud bang and could see the right side of the traler drop. I pull on to a side road and yep a blown tire plus SMOKE & FLAMES. I quick tossed dirt on the back side of the tire/rim and put out the flames and pulled off the tire so it would not start on fire. The drum and was bright red. It could have been a bearing or the breaks I have to pull it apart and check later today when it shows up on a flat bed. I don't think the trailer was damaged ...just my pocket book for the hauling and wrecked tire. I am going to try to get the parts to replace the whole hub / brake set up ASAP. I hope there are modern parts that will bolt on.

nmbosa · 08-31-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprouty

Thats not the end of it though. I looked at the brakes when I had the drums off and though "maybe I should just yank these shoes right out " but.... they looked ok and were not rubbing on the drums so I left them. That I think was a big mistake. I went about 5 miles and checked the lug nuts and all seemed fine. Then about 10 miles later I heard a loud bang and could see the right side of the traler drop. I pull on to a side road and yep a blown tire plus SMOKE & FLAMES. I quick tossed dirt on the back side of the tire/rim and put out the flames and pulled off the tire so it would not start on fire. The drum and was bright red. It could have been a bearing or the breaks I have to pull it apart and check later today when it shows up on a flat bed. I don't think the trailer was damaged ...just my pocket book for the hauling and wrecked tire. I am going to try to get the parts to replace the whole hub / brake set up ASAP. I hope there are modern parts that will bolt on.

Wow, glad you got home okay. I'm enjoying your posts about recovering this trailer.

Norm

Sprouty · 08-31-2012, 11:51 AM

I think I figured out what happend. The rim looks slightly incorrect and may have had some damage at some point. I think I distorted the drum slightly when I retightend the lug nuts anf caused the brakes to start catching . With the weight and power of my 3/4 ton Duramax truck I neve felt a thing. I stilll need to pull it apart to check out whats what.

Sprouty · 08-31-2012, 03:42 PM

The trailer showed up this afternoon and its safe a sound. My father in law is a part time lock smith and he opened up the storage area and look what we found. The original toilet with date stamp, some torsion bars for the hitch, a wheel for the jack, an air pump for pressurizing the water tank? , and some metal polish.
I started peeling off the roofing tar and other crap and will be washing it this weekend and doing a quick clean up. It’s exciting to start and new project!

upstateart · 09-01-2012, 10:32 PM

Welcome, we have a '64 Sportsman and a '68 Travelcader. Love the Avions !!

65CV · 09-02-2012, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprouty

... The original toilet with date stamp, some torsion bars for the hitch, a wheel for the jack, an air pump for pressurizing the water tank? , and some metal polish.
I started peeling off the roofing tar and other crap and will be washing it this weekend and doing a quick clean up. It’s exciting to start and new project!

My '59 came with the exact same Reese Torsion Bars, right down to the label. Did you get the really beefy hitch that goes with it?

Keep the pics coming. Great story. Glad to hear your recovery mission didn't end with a bigger problem than it did.

oh2bcarefree · 09-02-2012, 07:30 PM

Hey Sprouty,

Glad you made it home and it wasn't worse. You know, I've heard stories of vintage trailers having "split rims" I don't know what they are, I've just seen that anyone who has them replaces them. Don't know if that could be an issue or not for you.

Love the car restorations - sweet! Keep the photos and updates coming, we love this stuff!

Tina

Sprouty · 09-03-2012, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65CV

My '59 came with the exact same Reese Torsion Bars, right down to the label. Did you get the really beefy hitch that goes with it?

Keep the pics coming. Great story. Glad to hear your recovery mission didn't end with a bigger problem than it did.

No the Hitch was not with it but have one already for my other trailer so the bars are all I realy needed.

Sprouty · 09-03-2012, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh2bcarefree

Hey Sprouty,

Glad you made it home and it wasn't worse. You know, I've heard stories of vintage trailers having "split rims" I don't know what they are, I've just seen that anyone who has them replaces them. Don't know if that could be an issue or not for you.

Love the car restorations - sweet! Keep the photos and updates coming, we love this stuff!

Tina

Tina the rim was not a split rim but the rim, hub and drum was not the same as the other side so something was changed at some point over the years. I have more pics on the way!