Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-21-2017, 06:32 AM   #1
SMK
2 Rivet Member
 
1975 Argosy 24
Marshall , Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 32
1975 Argosy 24 Project

Hi,

I wanted to share some of the excitement of finding our Argosy for restoration! I've casually looked for years for an Argosy.

I answered a CL ad yesterday for a local Argosy 24' with twin beds and a rear bath being sold from an outdoor RV storage lot. I called in a builder who operates a trailer restoration business to inspect it with me.

I brought my Silverado, generator, air compressor and tool box. We were limited to an hour by the seller in looking it over.

What we found:
Belly pan torn open and hanging in front corner
Soft spot by door and at edge of bathroom floor.
Repaired and burst copper plumbing under sink
All compartments checked and no evident leaks
Original and clean appliances -- not function checked due to location and seller time constraints
Interior lights and fans work
Most exterior lights work
Exterior needs to be sealed and repainted
Awning needs replacement
Axels will likely be replaced as well as tires, brakes and shocks
On the interior the bathroom needs work, appliances serviced or replaced, flooring, and cosmetics like counters and upholstery need updating.
LP lines should be replaced.

It has what looks like a factory TV antenna with a crank up mast and factory 8 track tape player with built in speakers. We didn't try raising the TV antenna in fear of not being able to get it down for the drive out. Not having an 8 track that was not tested either.

I paid the seller her $1,700.00 asking price, aired up the tires and towed it fifty miles to where it will undergo restoration. I am hiring out the restoration as I have too many irons in the fire.

We are both semi retired and plan to use the trailer to visit our National Parks. I love Teton National Park and plan to spend long stretches in the West.

I'm looking at the forum for 24' Argosy restoration threads. I like the factory faux walnut cabinets. Not sure which direction to take the exterior and interior decorating. Looking at all the pics I can find.

The more I see this trailer the better I like it. Neither too big nor too small and has a ton of storage, the great glass panoramic windows, nice kitchen, and it's well built.

I'll follow up with a more detailed condition report once all the appliances are checked out and it's cleaned up.

Still, for sitting outside unloved since 2011 it looked good on the trip out and happy to be on the road.

Thanks for reading,

Scott
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4630.jpg
Views:	244
Size:	299.5 KB
ID:	287920   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4631.jpg
Views:	158
Size:	192.3 KB
ID:	287921  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4639.jpg
Views:	148
Size:	278.9 KB
ID:	287922   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4634.jpg
Views:	194
Size:	365.7 KB
ID:	287923  

SMK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2017, 06:41 AM   #2
SMK
2 Rivet Member
 
1975 Argosy 24
Marshall , Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 32
More Pics

Few more pics...
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4638.jpg
Views:	405
Size:	276.2 KB
ID:	287924   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4636.jpg
Views:	132
Size:	241.7 KB
ID:	287925  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4637.jpg
Views:	125
Size:	199.3 KB
ID:	287926  
SMK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2017, 07:04 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
Iansk's Avatar
 
1977 31' Sovereign
Vintage Kin Owner
Vintage Kin Owner
Sunset Valley , Texas
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 744
Unless that's was a typo, you should be arrested.
You stole that trailer for $1700.

Great find and good luck

Ian
Iansk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2017, 08:02 AM   #4
SMK
2 Rivet Member
 
1975 Argosy 24
Marshall , Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 32
Purchase price should make the pro restoration palatable. Seller had a list of interested buyers. She was happy with the sale and got her asking price. Someone before me offered her $350. Go figure.
SMK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2017, 01:17 PM   #5
2 Rivet Member
 
1972 27' Overlander
Pocahontas , Iowa
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 21
I agree with Iansk, You got a GREAT deal. Good luck with the restoration.
dianalynn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2017, 06:29 PM   #6
3 Rivet Member
 
Picinisco's Avatar
 
1977 Argosy 24
Gilbert , Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 129
I too agree, great deal. Got mine almost a year ago and spent most of the time till now renovating it. Great project and very rewarding.
__________________
Cheers....John


1977 24ft Argosy - sold.
Picinisco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2017, 07:10 PM   #7
SMK
2 Rivet Member
 
1975 Argosy 24
Marshall , Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 32
I see Inland RV has the axels I need with brakes on sale for $675 an axel until the end of the month. Thinking hard about putting on the Dexter 3" lift and going with 16" wheels. I am not seeing many pics of lifted trailers. New axels, brakes, and tires are the top priority.
SMK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2017, 08:48 PM   #8
3 Rivet Member
 
Argosy man's Avatar
 
1973 Argosy 22
Carleton , Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 123
Very nice buy at $1700.

I have found with buying some really pristine older model cars that if people cant finance the purchase- most buyers can not come up with the cash. It would be hard to get financing to buy a 42 year old trailer; so it was good for you
Argosy man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2017, 08:53 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
1973Argosy's Avatar
 
1973 Argosy 24
hartselle , Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 582
Great find at a great price.
1973Argosy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2017, 10:07 PM   #10
4 Rivet Member
 
utahredrock's Avatar
 
1962 22' Safari
1973 25' Tradewind
1968 30' Sovereign
Salt Lake City , Utah
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 264
Images: 6
Fun! Looks like a helluva deal, though sometimes you don't know exactly what you've got until you dig in. Nevertheless, enjoy!

I am working on my new-to-me 1962 Safari. New axle went on today!

Hello to Dayton and welcome to the Air Forums! You live near Airstream Central! Very cool. Come to Alumapalooza next year! I just signed up.

Miami University grad here--Oxford, Ohio. Used to pass by Dayton a lot.
__________________
Jim Breitinger, Salt Lake City
Former full-timer (2007-2009) Airstream tribute blog.
Brief revival in 2017, the year of my '62 Safari
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimbreitinger/
utahredrock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2017, 05:25 AM   #11
2 Rivet Member
 
Brad H's Avatar
 
1974 Argosy 24
Munising , Michigan
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 23
I have the same layout in a 74. I believe I have most of the books so if you need anything from them I can search and send you pics.
Brad H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2017, 06:50 AM   #12
SMK
2 Rivet Member
 
1975 Argosy 24
Marshall , Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 32
Thanks Brad!

Appreciate the offer. All the documentation was with the trailer; owners manual, brouchure, appliance books, etc. I'm in Marshall, Mi now. We close on our house in Dayton next week. All moved into our restored centennial farm. Always plenty to do on the farm with equipement to repair hence hiring out the Argosy resto.
SMK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2017, 06:57 AM   #13
SMK
2 Rivet Member
 
1975 Argosy 24
Marshall , Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 32
Brad,

How do you like the layout? Seems like it will be great for two. I only had the lights on briefly but it looked welcoming. I like the faux walnut cabinets. I'll change out the green counters, floor and upholstery. I have black walnut on hand for the counters or stainless would be cool. Looking at some updated mid century upholstery fabric from Arc Com on EBay.
SMK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2017, 07:01 AM   #14
SMK
2 Rivet Member
 
1975 Argosy 24
Marshall , Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 32
Thanks, I checked out your resto threads. Looks fun. Good luck with the sale.
SMK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2017, 08:33 AM   #15
2 Rivet Member
 
1974 Argosy 26
Dana Point , California
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 46
Images: 5
Colin Hyde sells axles for airstreams. He is cheaper than Inland, if you can get a hold of him. Also his axles bolt right on. No welding or drilling. Oh and you stole that trailer. Makes me embarrassed for what I paid for mine.

Colin Hyde's site
https://sites.google.com/a/colinhyde...ions.com/home/
Peter Culp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2017, 10:37 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
SuzyHomemakr's Avatar
 
1972 29' Ambassador
Boynton Beach , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 568
Quote:
Originally Posted by SMK View Post
I see Inland RV has the axels I need with brakes on sale for $675 an axel until the end of the month. Thinking hard about putting on the Dexter 3" lift and going with 16" wheels. I am not seeing many pics of lifted trailers. New axels, brakes, and tires are the top priority.
I used Colin- some have said that they had problems with getting the axles delivered on time. Mine showed up about when they sere supposed to, so I can't say as to others' probs.

I put the lift kit on at the same time, and like it. I have to use 3" pads under the landing gear to get them to reach the ground. Now, I never ground out in the back like I used to. There was some mods necessary to get it to fit, re-drilling of holes. Also, the visuals on the lift aren't that extreme- the tires are still under the lip of the boday
SuzyHomemakr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2017, 02:01 PM   #17
2 Rivet Member
 
Brad H's Avatar
 
1974 Argosy 24
Munising , Michigan
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 23
We like it! There's a ton of storage room. It's pretty much all original, so if I ever decide to restore, I think we will try and keep the current colors minus the shag carpet which was taken out. Check your floor underneath the bathroom sink behind the Univolt converter, that's a hot spot for water to get in where the outside trim piece is attached to the floor. Mine will get wet but it still feels solid. I keep it parked under a carport when it's not being used so that helps.
I just recently replaced all the window and door seals along with the fuzzy strips along the window handles. It's a job, but keeping mosquitoes out was my number one priority, haha.
I figure the maybe 3 times a year we'll use it, it should last us forever.
Good luck with your restoration!
Brad H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 05:58 AM   #18
SMK
2 Rivet Member
 
1975 Argosy 24
Marshall , Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 32
Running Gear

Ordered the new running gear. This is what I got. For visuals I would have liked aluminum wheels, but I've had problems with aluminum wheels before keeping a seal and also seizing to the axel due to corrosion. So, steel wheels it is. I'll use hubcaps. I think the new axels will give me the additional small amount of lift I am looking for.

2 part#20609 complete axles w/ 12" self adj electric brakes, 3500# 61 3/8 OB $1350.00
4 part#12416 shock abs $120.00
5 part#11147 steel wheels 15x6 $294.75
2 part#30000 axle hdw kits $48.00
1 part#10975 spare tire carrier $155.95
1 part#10989 " " " hdw $8.25
1 part#10990 " " " brkt $63.25
2 part#12400 shock brkt LH N/C
2 part#12410 " " RH N/C
SMK is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Project Barley Hound 1975 Argosy 28' rebuild GoNomad All Argosy Trailers 10 03-29-2018 09:27 PM
Seeking a 19-21 foot project trailer for Food Truck project debbooooo Airstream Classifieds 0 09-06-2016 01:00 PM
Las Vegas, NV - 1975 31' Sovereign Project tommcc99 Member Introductions 8 01-16-2014 04:45 AM
1975 31ft International Sovereign project Okotoks Member Introductions 28 07-25-2012 12:05 PM
1975 Tradewind project - questions! lots of them! keithmac 1970-79 Tradewind 4 03-05-2011 10:10 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:50 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.