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mutcth · 11-18-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drussel

In general, do you consider the aluminum floor to be an asset or a liability?

To add another variable - by 1979, even the smaller Minuets typically had a plywood floor. You could find a 78 Minuet 6.7 Metre (22') to get you the space in front of the door and an aluminum floor, but that isn't a common trailer.

I really like the aluminium floor in ours - especially given I have a little leak at a roof rivet that I need to suss out/seal. But there are issues of the floor getting dips between the frame members - putting in a floating laminate floor helps that and makes the floor feel more stiff, which is desirable.

I can't imagine an L-shaped dinette fitting in a Minuet. Too narrow.

I've seen Skip's Argosy (it is for sale) - it is a very nice, ready-to-camp trailer. I wanted the lighter weight Minuet for easier towing with my minivan, but if it wasn't for that....

Tom

biggoofball · 11-18-2009, 08:07 AM

I'm still convinced that Tom could tow my Argy with his Oddessy.

No matter how much I badgered him he would not budge from his desire for a Minute, which he fianly got. I couldn't be happier for him. And cannot wait to see it.

COArgosy78 · 11-18-2009, 03:05 PM

Finding that aluminum floor on a 22' or 24' will be difficult. Our 78 22 footer has the wood floor. We have pulled up the carpet and will re-floor w/cork, soft underfoot and warmer than wood. Sealing really well should protect.

If you become "obsessed" (note my avatar

) w/a particular trailer, you probably will have to travel a ways to make it yours. My hub and youngest son went on an Odyssey (

) to find ours all the way up in Canada above NY. It was quite an adventure for them and just adds to the stories to tell later@!!

I saw a 22' Minuet on e-bay a couple months ago that did not sell. I e-mailed the owner because they had it listed as a 20', so I may still have their mail address. Never saw it listed after, but can't say for sure what happened to it. Want me to see?

DonDiego · 11-19-2009, 08:42 AM

The aluminum floor is appealing to me, but I worried as to why they quit using it.
I also agree the Minuet is probably to narrow for an L-dinette.
While I enjoy project work like restoring or refurbing an Argosy, the timing is not good. I simply do not have the time or the money right now.
We shall keep looking and hope we find something in descent condition. Replacing some items is not a big deal, but no complete overhauls.

DonDiego · 11-19-2009, 08:43 AM

Leigh, if you find the ebay listing, I would always be interested. Thanks for looking.

COArgosy78 · 11-20-2009, 10:43 AM

Have not found it, but will try a couple other places.

Alwhisman · 11-25-2009, 09:11 PM

Heres one I ran across a few days ago....

1978 Argosy(Airstream) Minuet 22' Travel Trailer

...not enough pics for me but.......

Al

DonDiego · 11-28-2009, 06:38 PM

Al, thanks for the lead.
On Wed we bought a 20' Minuet. We wanted a 22', but have settled on a 20'. We just got home with it tonight.
I will get some pictures up later in the week. It needs some work, but hopefully not a lot I am unaware of.

aircooled4 · 11-28-2009, 07:12 PM

Great info guys...

Alwhisman · 11-28-2009, 09:34 PM

Outstanding! Congrats! Cant wait to see!

We go to Bedford every year, might have to come sneak a peak next year.....
Al

**Janet H** · 11-28-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drussel

Al, thanks for the lead.
On Wed we bought a 20' Minuet. We wanted a 22', but have settled on a 20'. We just got home with it tonight.
I will get some pictures up later in the week. It needs some work, but hopefully not a lot I am unaware of.

Congratulations. The work to repair and make it your own is half the fun. Welcome to the Argosy tribe

mutcth · 11-29-2009, 06:02 AM

Congrats! Always good to hear of another Minuet owner. We love ours - getting a bunch of stuff done to it this winter to make it even more our own.

Tom

DonDiego · 11-30-2009, 07:21 PM

Well on Sunday I worked on "Diego"..... my wife named it Diego as the original owner were from San Diego.
I had a water leak which I traced to the water inlet pressure regulator. I have removed it and have been researching it online. There is also another part that looks like a relief valve. It has a hose attached which discharges thru the floor onto the ground. It has "Webster No 11" on a tag on the top. I have been unable to identify it.

I have a list of about 20 items we wish to fix or change on Diego. Most are no big deal... broken latches, tambour doors that are sticking etc.
I will be posting some photos and then I should probably start a new tread.
Thanks to everyone. I am sure I will be seeking advice as I work on Diego.

DonDiego · 11-30-2009, 07:33 PM

photos

curnes · 11-30-2009, 07:46 PM

That's a beauty! Congratulations. We bought our 78 6 meter in September and are really enjoying it.
Cameron

georgezink · 11-30-2009, 08:44 PM

Congratulations - Diego looks great! If you still want the large bed in front - you can have it in the 6 metre! We fabricated a slide-out lounge that measures 64" X 82" when it is in sleeping mode. Easy to pull out at nite and our bedding rolls up out of the way to support the lounge back - check out our pictures...

Geo...

DonDiego · 12-01-2009, 03:30 PM

Geo, that is a great looking unit. Very clean looking and it looks like there is more room. Did you do the work yourself?
How did you construct the bed to slide out?

georgezink · 12-02-2009, 08:34 PM

Yes, we did the work ourselves. By reconfiguring the floor plan, we seemed to have opened it up a bit, or at least it feels more open. We took out the goucho along the street side and built a permanent bar/dinette with two folding "leg-o-matics" for seating. This was a simple structure made of 5/8" plywood attached to the side wall and closet wall on one end and the old dinette leg on the other. Covered it with linoleum and used an aluminum edge trim.

We completely removed the front dinette as it was difficult to make up and take down everyday and storage was less than handy. In its place, we built a wood frame over the fresh water tank and attached the goucho framework and slides (including the dropdown door) to create an oversized bed/lounge (with storage underneath) that takes up the entire front 48" (almost to the door) and pulls out an extra 16" for sleeping, making a bed larger than a queen. I attached a 16" piece of 3/8" plywood to the sliders from the goucho. To slide it in, I just pick up the front edge of the plywood which is attached to the frame over the water tank (it lays loose over the sliders) and push with the knees - easy.

We had to special order two chunks of latex foam and have it covered at an upholstry shop -- expensive, but very comfortable. During the day the bedding gets rolled up to the wrap window, the 16" foam cushion flips up to hide it, creating a lounging couch. At night, just pick up the front edge and pull out 16", pull the cushion in place and unroll the bedding. Takes about two minutes to make up or take down.