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THEPILL · 12-24-2009, 11:06 AM

Just wondering why most of the airstreams I see have Red numbers on top. I haven't seen a Argosy with numbers yet. Is it wrong? WBCCI number right?

easyride · 12-24-2009, 11:11 AM

They could join WBCCI with an Argosy,maybe they were just smart enough not to.
Dave

**Janet H** · 12-24-2009, 11:15 AM

We occasionally display our WBCCI numbers. They are glued a magnetic oval (the kind they make signs for truck doors out of) and we just slap it up on the front end cap when needed. Mostly it's not needed.

Alwhisman · 12-24-2009, 11:28 AM

I tried to join a couple years back and they wouldn't let me, citing I didn't have a qualified AS............since I've decided I'd rather not anyway...

Al

THEPILL · 12-24-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwhisman

I tried to join a couple years back and they wouldn't let me, citing I didn't have a qualified AS............since I've decided I'd rather not anyway...

Al

SO the argosy is not qualified as an airstream?

wahoonc · 12-24-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwhisman

I tried to join a couple years back and they wouldn't let me, citing I didn't have a qualified AS............since I've decided I'd rather not anyway...

Al

Somebody didn't have a clue. Argosy's are Airstreams and are allowed in the WBCCI. If they were going to leave something out, it should have been the SOB styled MoHo...

Aaron

silverleeper · 12-24-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THEPILL

SO the argosy is not qualified as an airstream?

Hold on... See post #3. Janet has two Argosy's and is a member of the WBCCI.

Jim Foster · 12-24-2009, 11:44 AM

Argosys can join WBCCI. We have several in our unit.

**Stefrobrts** · 12-24-2009, 11:51 AM

This is an old arguement. Argosys didn't used to be allowed, but they have been for a long time now.

klattu · 12-24-2009, 01:30 PM

if someone told me not to, or that I did not meet their requirements...

I would have a set of red numbers up there before I sleep.

THEPILL · 12-24-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klattu

if someone told me not to, or that I did not meet their requirements...

I would have a set of red numbers up there before I sleep.

I like your way of thinking!!!

Shane

Lumatic · 12-24-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klattu

if someone told me not to, or that I did not meet their requirements...

I would have a set of red numbers up there before I sleep.

Or some big red letters

Alwhisman · 12-24-2009, 03:14 PM

In the long run I don't think it was really that important. I've been told several times I can, and I know I have an AS product. After all the reading I've done on it, I'm fine without it. I've seen other Argosy's with the reg # as well.........besides.....

...........those red letters would clash with my paint scheme!

Hope everyone has a marvelous and safe Holiday Season!

Al

overlander64 · 12-25-2009, 08:02 PM

When our first generation Argosys (1972 - 1979) were new, Argosy coaches were not welcome in the WBCCI. It wouldn't be until the early 1990s when the issue of allowing motorhomes and "B" class vans came up. The Argosys basically were accepted due to a slight change in the club's language regarding eligibility -- it was at this time that the eligibility statement was reworded to read:

An adult who owns a recreational vehicle manufactured by Airstream, Inc. shall be eligible for membership. (6/XX/9X)

The language was modified again when the issue of the Base Camp came up such that it now reads:

An adult who owns a hard sided recreational vehicle manufactured by Airstream, Inc. shall be eligible for membership. (6/30/06)

The sad fact is that it appears some units are more welcoming to Argosy owners than others. I had owned my Airstream for more than a decade when I acquired my Argosy so I never really experienced what a novice Argosy owner/member may have experienced. I have heard a few "unpleasant" comments when parading into the International Rally over the years. Most memorable for me was when parading into the Rally at Bozeman, I was towing my Minuet with my Cadillac top down to enjoy the weather -- while stopped waiting for the parade to begin moving into the bullpen area, I overheard a member say: "I still don't understand why we allowed those cheap painted trailers into the club."

Kevin

THEPILL · 12-26-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander64

When our first generation Argosys (1972 - 1979) were new, Argosy coaches were not welcome in the WBCCI. It wouldn't be until the early 1990s when the issue of allowing motorhomes and "B" class vans came up. The Argosys basically were accepted due to a slight change in the club's language regarding eligibility -- it was at this time that the eligibility statement was reworded to read:

An adult who owns a recreational vehicle manufactured by Airstream, Inc. shall be eligible for membership. (6/XX/9X)

The language was modified again when the issue of the Base Camp came up such that it now reads:

An adult who owns a hard sided recreational vehicle manufactured by Airstream, Inc. shall be eligible for membership. (6/30/06)

The sad fact is that it appears some units are more welcoming to Argosy owners than others. I had owned my Airstream for more than a decade when I acquired my Argosy so I never really experienced what a novice Argosy owner/member may have experienced. I have heard a few "unpleasant" comments when parading into the International Rally over the years. Most memorable for me was when parading into the Rally at Bozeman, I was towing my Minuet with my Cadillac top down to enjoy the weather -- while stopped waiting for the parade to begin moving into the bullpen area, I overheard a member say: "I still don't understand why we allowed those cheap painted trailers into the club."

Kevin

Amazing some people. Personally, I would like to talk to that person one on one. I just don't understand some people.

I love my "PIll"

Thank-you for all the comments. Even the the "nice coach" makes me feel good inside. I like this sight. A lot of information and some of the the Pm's from people here have made and my wife feel special.
Shane

**Stefrobrts** · 12-26-2009, 01:20 PM

As I have heard the story, Argosys were intended to be an 'entry level' trailer to get people hooked on Airstreaming, and withholding membership in the club was supposed to be one of the incentives to stepping up to a 'real' airstream. So there's bound to have been a few snobs who felt that the club should have been restricted to those who could afford the silver variety, just to keep the riff-raff out.

Now in my opinion Argys are actually as nice or nicer than the same vintage Airstreams, as long as you don't mind them not being silver. I wish my trailer had the big wrap around front windows! And I love the rear-door argosy layouts. Personally, I would be very happy to have an Argosy, they are really great trailers.

overlander64 · 12-27-2009, 03:10 PM

Greetings Stephanie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

As I have heard the story, Argosys were intended to be an 'entry level' trailer to get people hooked on Airstreaming, and withholding membership in the club was supposed to be one of the incentives to stepping up to a 'real' airstream. So there's bound to have been a few snobs who felt that the club should have been restricted to those who could afford the silver variety, just to keep the riff-raff out.

It is more than just legend. This was the exact purpose as stated in the Trailer Life article announcing the introduction of Argosy trailers in 1972. The mission or purpose of the Argosy was also repeated in the preface to the early model owners' manual (I am not certain when that page was removed from the manuals).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Now in my opinion Argys are actually as nice or nicer than the same vintage Airstreams, as long as you don't mind them not being silver. I wish my trailer had the big wrap around front windows! And I love the rear-door argosy layouts. Personally, I would be very happy to have an Argosy, they are really great trailers.

As you point out, what some of the naysayers don't realize is that these poor little painted coaches pioneered some of the features that current day Airstreamers rave about. The number of unusual but very livable features found their homes originally in our Argosy coaches is a rather varied group. The universal use of the deep-wrap wing windows in the front of the coaches is one of particular interest -- as is the use of these deep-wrap wing windows in the rear of coaches with the rear bedroom. The rear-entry floorplans in 22' and 24' coaches; and who can forget the composite aluminum floors in some of the 6.0 and 6.7 Metre Minuets.

I have always considered the WBCCI administration to have something of a blind-eye toward any Airstream products other than the raw aluminum, rivited trailer coaches. Even the Motorhomes that created such a stir when they were discontinued were not eligible for WBCCI membership until the early 1990s including the popular B-190 Van. My assumption has been that those who walk lock-step with the national organization and IBT often express these rather narrow views -- so long as it doesn't trickle down to my Local Unit, I don't get overly disturbed as it isn't a widely held belief among the younger WBCCI members.

Kevin

mutcth · 12-27-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander64

I don't get overly disturbed as it isn't a widely held belief among the younger WBCCI members.

Kevin

You're right - we're frequently the ones buying Argosys! I was amused - when we took the tour at Jackson Center this July, Don the tour guide told us "A good way to start out is an Argosy - you can usually save some money buying one over an Airstream."

Old Argosy brochures make it very clear that you couldn't join the WBCCI. Membership in the club must have been a much stronger selling point for Airstream then than now.

Tom

nynick52 · 12-27-2009, 04:23 PM

I only know what I have read on the forums about WBCCI, and from that limited information, I wouldn't want my Argosy in that organization. Like unpainted aluminum makes a difference.

We searched long and hard for an Airstream product and made the conscious decision to buy an Argosy. More personality IMHO.

overlander64 · 12-27-2009, 06:47 PM

Greetings Tom!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutcth

Old Argosy brochures make it very clear that you couldn't join the WBCCI. Membership in the club must have been a much stronger selling point for Airstream then than now.

Tom

In the 1970s, the Airstream mistique was near one of its peaks. WBCCI membership and participation was also at one of its peaks. It was during this time period that International Rally attendance attained 3,000 families and approached 4,000 families. It is also my understanding that during this time frame, many dealers would include a one-year membership in WBCCI with the purchase of a new coach.

Kevin