'75 Argosy 24'

[RBolton]

Kenneth, I am not trying to Hi-jack your thread. I know you are concerned now about your tires and that deserves more discussion - I think.

Andy,

I understand about the stresses on a trailer wheel in a turn. Should one assume that a rim - even if always used with the same ply tire will eventually weaken over time and need to be replaced. Or will they stay good indefinitely (in general) and only split (in general) when ply is increased?

Should I be concerned with the 40 year old wheels on my Argosy even though they look to be in fine shape?

It sounds like you are saying that the rims get use to the lower stresses and then in their complacency are not ready to accept the added stress of the higher ply tire and crack under the load. It seems to me that the rim would have to be on the way out anyway, compromised in some way or marginally bad already for the higher ply tire to break it.

Understand, I am not doubting that what you say is true. You have forgotten more about trailering and Airstreams than I will ever know. I'm just trying to understand what changes the rim is going through to cause this type failure.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by RBolton

Kenneth, I am not trying to Hi-jack your thread. I know you are concerned now about your tires and that deserves more discussion - I think.

Andy,

I understand about the stresses on a trailer wheel in a turn. Should one assume that a rim - even if always used with the same ply tire will eventually weaken over time and need to be replaced. Or will they stay good indefinitely (in general) and only split (in general) when ply is increased?

Should I be concerned with the 40 year old wheels on my Argosy even though they look to be in fine shape?

It sounds like you are saying that the rims get use to the lower stresses and then in their complacency are not ready to accept the added stress of the higher ply tire and crack under the load. It seems to me that the rim would have to be on the way out anyway, compromised in some way or marginally bad already for the higher ply tire to break it.

Understand, I am not doubting that what you say is true. You have forgotten more about trailering and Airstreams than I will ever know. I'm just trying to understand what changes the rim is going through to cause this type failure.

Maybe this makes more sense.

When you use a steel wheel within it's ratings, they last a long long time, unless they have some rust on them.

It's when you push it beyond what it has been use to for many years, with additional stresses, it simply lets go.

Sort of like us fellows do, when we reach that "senior" plateau.

If 30 or 40 year old wheels create doubts in your mind, for heavens sake, replace them.

For safety's sake, that's real cheap insurance.

We all replace things when they break. We seldom replace somethings, that should be replaced, when, enough is enough.

We don't wait for a tire to blow, when they have aged out or have enough miles. We replace them of course. That's a very good judgement call.

If safety is "EVER" a question, the answer is simple. DON'T.

Andy

[KAYAKAMPERS]

Originally Posted by kennethowens

My wife and I found a 1975 Argossy 24ft in Jacksonville Texas .. . The potty got replaced with an Aqau Magic V.
AND
I last mounted a rotating flat screen tv mount, bought at Wal-Mart, such that it can be rotated and viewed from any point inside.

Based on your post, I'm not sure WHEN you bought this or if you still have some things, but I am looking for a short, original toilet (that works of course) to fit in my '78 Argosy 22' so that the little cabinet opens above it. Do you still have your toilet and want to get rid of it?
We currently have an AquaMagic V and it is too tall and my feet dangle!

Also, where did you put the TV mount and what kind of TV are you buying?

Beth

[kennethowens]

TV mount....I mounted the tv swivel on the street side, to the
rear side of the partition between the kitchen and the twin bed area.
It seemed good to add a 1"X2" brace horiz from side to side
so that there would not be any "twisting" of the wall material
or framing. This location allows the tv to be viewed from nearly
any point in the coach. Cabling on the streetside also seemed
to be the way to go. Type of tv.....start with this first....the tv
will be dismounted when on the road.....15-19" dia flatscreen
your choice :-)

[maccamper]

If you are ever up around Joplin, Missouri, there is an RV salvage place just off I-44 at exit 22. It is called Colaw's, and they usually have several salvage Airstreams. Most of these trailers have been damaged, so the chances of finding a perfectly intact awning in the size you need are small.

You may be able to piece together something using parts from different units, and they have a parts bin as well. Just be sure to allow a fair amount of time to look, take the measurements for your particular trailer, and have some tools handy. The folks there are nice, but they have a lot of inventory and you may have to do some removal work yourself.

Good luck.

Laird

[kennethowens]

I found a carefree awning....complete with everything for $500.
It came off a 1972 Airstream Sovereign 31 ft. I wish it was ZipDee...
but I am on a limited amt of money. The lower mounting brackets
needed added support.....the metal at the floor level at the rear of
the Argosy can get "Stingy"!