Wanted Argosy - Page 2

overlander64 · 07-30-2004, 09:49 PM

Greetings Aviontt!

Quote:

Originally Posted by aviontt

What is the layout?

The Argosy Rear Door Models were available as either an Argosy 22 or an Argosy 24 depending upon model year. The brochure page for the 1975 Argosy 22 Rear Door Model is below:

The brochure page for the 1977 Argosy 24 Rear Door Model is below:

Each of the coaches has a unique arrangement that makes for a very different feel than the more traditional Airstream/Argosy floorplans. With the Argosy 24 version of the floorplan, one has what amounts to a semi-private front bedroom area when the divider drape (I don't know whether the divider drape was owner-added or if it was a factory feature) is closed.

Kevin

airstreamDreamer2 · 08-01-2004, 06:31 PM

Thanks for all your replies. unfortunately, we have had a financial pit fall and we are going to have to put the search off for a little bit.

mccrosti · 08-02-2004, 06:42 AM

Hey All,

My wife and I are looking for a smaller argosy. At first we waned an airstream, but feel that a painted coach might be easier to care for (opinions, comments and BS welcome

, So an Argosy might just be the coach for us. Question, they seem to be more expensive than your typical Airstream, why is that?

Thanks!!
Dave

thenewkid64 · 08-02-2004, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccrosti

So an Argosy might just be the coach for us. Question, they seem to be more expensive than your typical Airstream, why is that?

Dave,

Are you sure you have the numbers right?

Normally an Argosy goes for less than the same length Airstream. The small ones (minuet models) are a rare breed and do sometimes command a premium. If you look for a 20,22,or 24 footer you will find many out there for 2/3 the cost of the comparable Airstream. The painted coach is easier to maintain on the exterior as long as the paint is in good shape. If not, you can have it redone. The cost is more than the plasticoat job on an Airstream will cost, but it will tend to last 3X as long with maintenance.

Keep looking, you will find one that is the size you want for the $$ you wish to spend!

mccrosti · 08-02-2004, 09:31 AM

Brett,

Thanks for the heads up. I've been looking at AS's now for about 6 months. I saw the gorgeous Argosy that "Black Bart" has for sale down in Saratoga, that would be perfect - but out of budget! We're looking somewher in the 3-4K price range - I do like the small ones - probably no more than 22' max. There's just the two of us, and I'd like to go places where a larger coach can't go.
I don;t have much on the Argosy, other than they were built by Airstream, and they don't build them any longer. So, any info I can get would help. Did they experienbce the same problems as AS's - bath sag, etc? Sorrry for my novice questions...

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenewkid64

Dave,

Are you sure you have the numbers right?

Normally an Argosy goes for less than the same length Airstream. The small ones (minuet models) are a rare breed and do sometimes command a premium. If you look for a 20,22,or 24 footer you will find many out there for 2/3 the cost of the comparable Airstream. The painted coach is easier to maintain on the exterior as long as the paint is in good shape. If not, you can have it redone. The cost is more than the plasticoat job on an Airstream will cost, but it will tend to last 3X as long with maintenance.

Keep looking, you will find one that is the size you want for the $$ you wish to spend!

thenewkid64 · 08-02-2004, 09:44 AM

No prob on the questions:

There are common issues. Axles are the same, so the axles should be checked for wear/age. be wary of 74 or older ones. Frame sag can be an issue with a longer rear bath model (30 footer). They used common components and framing. One of the biggest differences is the interior appointments and the wrap around windows. The wrap around in the Airstream line did not start until the early 80s. The interiors will be a bit more basic and the trailer may have a few less windows than the comparable Airstream.

One thing to be aware of is that there will be some things "missing" Most Argosy trailers do not have a tank monitor system, and the tanks will be smaller than the same size AS. Stay after 1975 and you will have a gray tank, but it will be small.

mccrosti · 08-02-2004, 11:07 AM

Thanks Brett,

So, the usual things you'd check on the Airstream. Is there an easy axel check? or will it need to go to a dealer for that? One other dumb question, if there is no tank monitoring system, what do you do, use a dipstick?

We plan to camp in North/South Carolina, with hookups, so I'd hope our tanks would not get too full.

I am not totally sold on the Argosy, but we have a neat old Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and it would be neat to paint the coach with some of the same colors as the Jeep...
Than again, there is nothing quite like a polished AS. I just worry that they'd be a maintenence headache to keep up.

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenewkid64

No prob on the questions:

There are common issues. Axles are the same, so the axles should be checked for wear/age. be wary of 74 or older ones. Frame sag can be an issue with a longer rear bath model (30 footer). They used common components and framing. One of the biggest differences is the interior appointments and the wrap around windows. The wrap around in the Airstream line did not start until the early 80s. The interiors will be a bit more basic and the trailer may have a few less windows than the comparable Airstream.

One thing to be aware of is that there will be some things "missing" Most Argosy trailers do not have a tank monitor system, and the tanks will be smaller than the same size AS. Stay after 1975 and you will have a gray tank, but it will be small.

thenewkid64 · 08-02-2004, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccrosti

Thanks Brett,

So, the usual things you'd check on the Airstream. Is there an easy axel check? or will it need to go to a dealer for that? One other dumb question, if there is no tank monitoring system, what do you do, use a dipstick?

You can learn how to check axles yourself from www.inlandrv.com he has a section there on axles.

Dipstick ewwwwww

Grey (wash) water will back up in the shower when the tank is full. Black water use a flashlight and look into the abyss, and fresh water, you will know when you are out

The fresh water tank is normally under the front couch/dinette so it can be checked visually too. The wash water is the only one that is not able to be easily inspected. There are kits available with the sensors that would allow for a retrofit to current technology.

mccrosti · 08-02-2004, 12:26 PM

I called about a 20' Argosy this morning. If this guys price wasn't a missprint, I'll be taking a ride this weekend. Funny, but the things I woory about are the non cosmetic - wheels, axels, bearings, cosmetics I can fix, a broken axel is another matter.!

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenewkid64

You can learn how to check axles yourself from www.inlandrv.com he has a section there on axles.

Dipstick ewwwwww

Grey (wash) water will back up in the shower when the tank is full. Black water use a flashlight and look into the abyss, and fresh water, you will know when you are out

The fresh water tank is normally under the front couch/dinette so it can be checked visually too. The wash water is the only one that is not able to be easily inspected. There are kits available with the sensors that would allow for a retrofit to current technology.

COArgosy78 · 08-02-2004, 01:57 PM

Hello Dave - We own a 22' Argosy Minuet and we absolutely LOVE IT and I don't think you could get me to trade for anything - I'm SERIOUS. We LOVE the light, airy feel, we love the weight being easy to tow, we love the maintenence of the painted outside. I could go on and on. If you go for a regular Argosy they will be somewhat wider than the Minuet series. The Minuet was made for the fuel crisis of the 70's and is smaller and lighter than other AS trailers (and as stated above-more unusual and in demand).

I would suggest that you go to the FORUMS button (up above) and look for the Forum titled "Airstreams by catagory" then look for the one that is titled "Argosy". Once you are in that Forum, you will have a large amount of info to help you with choices, plus Kevin Allen, who also owns an Argosy Minuet (20') is trying to put a lot of the history of the Argosy line together and has posted numerous bits of good info (and pics of layouts for different trailers) in there. It is interesting reading and a good way to answer many questions. I am also happy to try to answer ??? Also, you might want to go to the picture gallery (mine if you want) and look at some pictures posted of different Argosy trailers. Later,

PS - we also have an 86 Jeep Grand Wagoneer that we hope to have pull our "Mini Moonunit" soon.

mccrosti · 08-02-2004, 04:00 PM

Thank You Leigh,

We've been looking for sometime now (ok..I have!) what convinced us to do this was a trip to the beach - where a room cost us $150.00 PER NIGHT!! HOLY MOLY!! Spoke to a guy later who was paying $22.00 per night..where? at a camground with his Travel Trailer! That really put us in search mode. I just found the Argosy section - I love the idea of a painted vs aluminum trailer. Ain't no way this boy would *ever* do that much polishing

I saw the one that "Black Bart" has for sale - absolutely gorgeous! I'd buy it in a minute except it exceeds my budget by 5k..so we're looking for a Minuet, in good shape, for around 4K. Thats about it.
Oh, BTW I spoke with the guy I mentionded in my last note - he sold his Minuet months ago - for $1200.00.Yikes!

Dave

**Janet** · 08-02-2004, 08:33 PM

Hang in there - you'll find one in your price range - eventually. When you do find one - be prepared to buy it on the spot - they don't last long. If you're looking at argosy's be sure to check for floor rot, same as any other airstream) only the little 6 metre minuets had aluminum composit floors...

We love ours - and have way more invested in it than we could ever recover in resale.... but that's OK! We have no intention of ever selling it.

I recently been comtemplating the foolhardiness of donating/loaning it - several years hence - to our son. He's 16 and I'm thinking that a year bumming around the country in his early 20's might be fun, or maybe a wedding gift....
By then maybe I'll have finally found my dream machine....a rear door 22 (argosy) in good shape, cheap, and cajoled hubby into the restoration... hmm.

Janet's Husband · 08-03-2004, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet

Hang in there - you'll find one in your price range - eventually. When you do find one - be prepared to buy it on the spot - they don't last long. If you're looking at argosy's be sure to check for floor rot, same as any other airstream) only the little 6 metre minuets had aluminum composit floors...

We love ours - and have way more invested in it than we could ever recover in resale.... but that's OK! We have no intention of ever selling it.

I recently been comtemplating the foolhardiness of donating/loaning it - several years hence - to our son. He's 16 and I'm thinking that a year bumming around the country in his early 20's might be fun, or maybe a wedding gift....
By then maybe I'll have finally found my dream machine....a rear door 22 (argosy) in good shape, cheap, and cajoled hubby into the restoration... hmm.

Can you say "Professionally restored ready to roll"?

mccrosti · 08-03-2004, 06:14 PM

Can you say Bukoo Buckaroos

. I think with some time (ok a lot of time) and some basic tools, you could probably build a neat custom coach. All of this provided that the oiriginal was in good shape!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet's Husband

Can you say "Professionally restored ready to roll"?