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Lexi & Chris In A Truck Camper

@roamlab

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est. 2015 ✕ Nomads on a perpetual road trip in our 1970 Avion C11 truck camper. Trail running, mtb, paddling, overlanding, & DIY camper renovation.
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Back in one of my favorite places: KoFA National Wildlife Refuge. Here, rough Jeep trails wind through the colorful terrain of the Arizona desert. It was the first place we ever boondocked, back in the days when we only had a shell over the truck bed rather than a camper. ⁠
⁠
It was a spur-of-the-moment decision brought on by a lack of formal campsites and the encouragement of a local guide. But it opened a new world of options to us. We knew then how we wanted to shape this—as yet new-to-us—truck into a home on wheels.⁠
⁠
We keep coming back. Each year, our camper is a little different. We add new conveniences and swap out factory parts for more specialized options. ⁠
⁠
And each year, we come away happy and inspired for another year of change and creation.⁠
⁠
𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 @roamlab 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴⁠
⁠⁠
_________________________________⁠
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴⁠
⁠
1970 Avion C11 truck camper⁠
2015 @ramtrucks 3500 Tradesman⁠
@bowen_customs truck bed⁠
@warnindustries Ascent Front Bumper⁠
& Zeon Winch⁠
@bfgoodrichtires HD-TERRAIN T/A KT⁠
@methodracewheels 305s⁠
@bushwackerinc fender flares⁠
@ternoverland_arctictern roof hatch⁠
⁠
𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘢𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝘮⁠
_________________________________⁠ Truck camper in the desert

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This is my home on wheels, a 1970 Avion C11 truck camper.

Yes, it looks like an Airstream. But really, Airstreams are just part of a long history of aerodynamic aluminum campers.

Avion truck campers were built between the 60s to the early 70s and distinguished themselves from the competition with high quality interiors, cutting edge closed cell foam insulation, and anodized aluminum exteriors.

Of course, we are far from the first owners of this gem and while the exterior is in fantastic shape, the interior and pretty much anything that’s wood was in poor condition. So, we gutted the camper and started from scratch. We have:

🛠️ Reconstructed the subfloor, wings, and bulwark
🛠️ Extended the cabover to accommodate a queen sized bed
🛠️Replaced the windows
🛠️Installed a roof hatch
🛠️Mounted solar panels
🛠️Built our own lithium batteries
🛠️Installed a custom truck bed, bumper, and winch
🛠️And so many other details and tweaks.

It’s been an adventure in itself. But throughout our major mods and minor tweaks, we’ve also been traveling. I’ve covered a lot of our travels at @roamlab but I’ll revisit some of the highlights here.

I hope you’ll join our little adventure!

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This summer just got way too hot.⁠
⁠
If anyone is looking for me, I'm hiding deeeeeeeeeep in the forest.⁠
⁠
𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 @roamlab 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴⁠
⁠⁠
_________________________________⁠
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴⁠
⁠
1970 Avion C11 truck camper⁠
2015 @ramtrucks 3500 Tradesman⁠
@bowen_customs truck bed⁠
@warnindustries Ascent Front Bumper⁠
& Zeon Winch⁠
@bfgoodrichtires All Terrain T/A KO2s⁠
@methodracewheels 305s⁠
@bushwackerinc fender flares⁠
@ternoverland_arctictern roof hatch⁠
⁠
𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘢𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝘮⁠
_________________________________⁠ Truck camper driving down a forested road

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When was the last time you serviced your vehicle?⁠
⁠
It's prime road trip season and⁠ in all the hustle and bustle to set an itinerary and decide what does and does not need to be packed, it can be easily dangerous to overlook one of the most important components in your trip: your vehicle.⁠
⁠
That moment of calm before clocking miles⁠ is also a critical time to check your tires, oil, coolant, and spare parts. No one wants a surprise breakdown in the middle of nowhere!⁠
⁠
Where are you headed on your next road trip?⁠
⁠
𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 @roamlab 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴⁠
⁠⁠
________________________________
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴⁠
⁠
1970 Avion C11 truck camper⁠
2015 @ramtrucks 3500 Tradesman⁠
@bowen_customs truck bed⁠
@warnindustries Ascent Front Bumper⁠
& Zeon Winch⁠
@bfgoodrichtires All Terrain T/A KO2s⁠
@methodracewheels 305s⁠
@bushwackerinc fender flares⁠
@ternoverland_arctictern roof hatch⁠
⁠
𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘢𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝘮⁠
________________________________ Truck camper parked in the shade of trees

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How do you prefer to explore?⁠
⁠
We travel across such a diverse landscape and despite our 4-wheel-drive and overland mods, we can't see it all from the windows of our truck. Fortunately, there are so many different ways to venture beyond the pavement. ⁠
⁠
We focus on:⁠
- Hiking⁠
- Running⁠
- Mountain biking⁠
- Packrafting⁠
⁠
And, to be fair, our interest in running, mountain biking, and packrafting is all fairly recent. All of them require certain gear and some degree of training. But we've found space for it all in our little home on wheels. And we appreciate the opportunity to learn new skills.⁠
⁠
That's the beauty of it all. Not only are there so many places to see, but there are also many ways to see it and opportunities to learn.⁠
⁠
So, how do you get out and experience nature?⁠
⁠
𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 @roamlab 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴⁠
⁠⁠
_________________________________⁠
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴⁠
⁠
1970 Avion C11 truck camper⁠
2015 @ramtrucks 3500 Tradesman⁠
@bowen_customs truck bed⁠
@warnindustries Ascent Front Bumper⁠
& Zeon Winch⁠
@bfgoodrichtires All Terrain T/A KO2s⁠
@methodracewheels 305s⁠
@bushwackerinc fender flares⁠
@ternoverland_arctictern roof hatch⁠
⁠
𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘢𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝘮⁠
_________________________________⁠ Truck camper driving through a field.

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We love a good forest road. But not all forest roads love us back. With our height and width, we occasionally have to scout ahead to ensure we have the clearance to make it through a tight squeeze or some rough terrain.⁠
⁠
That usually means that I hop out and either bike or run ahead.⁠
⁠
It's not a tough proposition when the weather is pleasant. But as the days get hotter, the shorter the distance I'm willing to sprint and the more time I spend planning routes that are a bit more certain.⁠
⁠
And oh, am I planning!⁠
⁠
Do you have any upcoming adventures?⁠
⁠
𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 @roamlab 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴⁠
⁠⁠
_________________________________⁠
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴⁠
⁠
1970 Avion C11 truck camper⁠
2015 @ramtrucks 3500 Tradesman⁠
@bowen_customs truck bed⁠
@warnindustries Ascent Front Bumper⁠
& Zeon Winch⁠
@bfgoodrichtires All Terrain T/A KO2s⁠
@methodracewheels 305s⁠
@bushwackerinc fender flares⁠
@ternoverland_arctictern roof hatch⁠
⁠
𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘢𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝘮⁠
_________________________________⁠ Truck camper on a dirt road.

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Who has plans for fireworks tomorrow?⁠
⁠
We kinda do? I have a hill in mind that should have a view of fireworks. But, like most things we do, it's an educated guess. We'll know on that night if there are any fireworks to be seen. And, if not, we'll figure something out.⁠
⁠
We can plan all we want, but if there's one thing we've learned on the road it's that plans are just a framework for action. Circumstances such as weather, our current needs, other people, or surprising oversights shape the actions we actually take on any day in question.⁠
⁠
So, will we see fireworks tomorrow? I hope so. But we'll manage either way.⁠
⁠
𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 @roamlab 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴⁠
⁠⁠
_________________________________⁠
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴⁠
⁠
1970 Avion C11 truck camper⁠
2015 @ramtrucks 3500 Tradesman⁠
@bowen_customs truck bed⁠
@warnindustries Ascent Front Bumper⁠
& Zeon Winch⁠
@bfgoodrichtires All Terrain T/A KO2s⁠
@methodracewheels 305s⁠
@bushwackerinc fender flares⁠
@ternoverland_arctictern roof hatch⁠
⁠
𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘢𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝘮⁠
_________________________________⁠ Truck camper parked on a lawn

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Chris looks concerned.

I think he’s jumping the gun. I’ve been on Threads for only a day. It’s shiny and new. So, it’s only natural that I’ve made 31 posts so far.

What can I say? I like a text-centric social media platform.

Don’t worry, I’ll get this out of my system and I’m sure I’ll be back with my full focus on IG.

Unless you want to join me…
⁠
𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 @roamlab 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴⁠
⁠⁠
_________________________________⁠
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴⁠
⁠
1970 Avion C11 truck camper⁠
2015 @ramtrucks 3500 Tradesman⁠
@bowen_customs truck bed⁠
@warnindustries Ascent Front Bumper⁠
& Zeon Winch⁠
@bfgoodrichtires All Terrain T/A KO2s⁠
@methodracewheels 305s⁠
@bushwackerinc fender flares⁠
@ternoverland_arctictern roof hatch⁠
⁠
𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘢𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝘮⁠
_________________________________⁠ Truck camper driving down the road

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Clusters, Cups, & Camping…🏕 When indulgence strikes in the outdoors, keep Toasted Coconut Dark Chocolate Clusters & Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Cups by your fireside! Do what @roamlab did—get your favorite Niagara Chocolates at @thefreshmarket!
.
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#niagarachocolates #handcrafted #indulge #indulgence #weobsessyouindulge #chocolate #premiumchocolate #nongmo #rainforestalliance #smallbatch #handcraftedchocolate #americaslocalchocolatecompany #nongmoingredients #toastedcoconut #chocolatecoconut #coconut #peanutbutter #peanutbuttercups #milkchocolate #darkchocolate #outdoors #camping #vanlife #travel #snacks #roadtrip

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Check out how @roamlab uses our GTC400C Thermal Camera to help keep their van-life camper warm and toasty! 🚚🔥

#bosch #boschmeasuringtools #thermalcamera #vanlife

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There's nothing quite like California's coastal redwood forests.⁠ Truck camper driving between redwood trees

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We want to thank @roamlab for their visit to the Park! Looks like y’all had a blast! 😎

#Repost @roamlab with @get_repost
・・・
Our first stop in Anderson County is @windrock_park, where we will be staying. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Not only will this be our home base for the next few days, but it is also host to the largest private offroad park in the United States. Windrock covers 73,000 acres of densely forested land with 300 miles of hiking, biking, and 4x4 trails covering easy to reach vistas and challenging boulders for crawling.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
With all the low hanging tree branches, we left our truck and camper behind to explore Windrock in a SxS. There's no way to cover all the trails in the time we had, but our highlights include: ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
💨 Visit the wind turbines⁠ (G2)⁠⠀
💦 Cool off under a waterfall⁠ (G40)⁠⠀
🍃 Racing through a mud puddle⁠ (anywhere after a storm)⁠⠀
📸 Get a shot on the scenic ridgeline (G9)⁠⠀
⠀
We may have also scouted some routes that the Avion can reach. 😉

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