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 07-13-2012, 12:20 PM   #681
Moderator
 
DKB_SATX's Avatar

 
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,493
Images: 1
Blog Entries: 7
FYI the base part of IKEA cabinets are all the same. There are variations for sink bases and that sort of thing, but the "hidden" parts are the same from the cheapest are the same. So, take SmokelessJoe's advice about weight, and within that group pick the ones that look the best to you. The cabinet framework will work just like Sergei's, even if you pick different doors and drawer fronts.
__________________
— David

Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566

He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
DKB_SATX is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-13-2012, 06:43 PM   #682
Rivet Master
 
SmokelessJoe's Avatar
 
1976 Argosy 24
now being enjoyed by Heath and Mary in , Vermont
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,432
Nikki, also check post #26 in the same thread I mentioned above:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f310...h-67241-2.html

I don't know if my earlier advocacy of stick-built and Ikea doors in combination inspired EuroAir or not but his is the first example of this that I've seen and it's really terrific. Like he says in his post, check out his photos.


Sergei
SmokelessJoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-13-2012, 09:23 PM   #683
Site Team
 
Aage's Avatar
 
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa , ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
Images: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe View Post
I don't know if my earlier advocacy of stick-built and Ikea doors in combination inspired EuroAir or not but his is the first example of this that I've seen and it's really terrific. Like he says in his post, check out his photos.


Sergei
Here's the thread that seems to have all his photos. Very nice work!

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...ent-64377.html

The new replacement work starts appearing at this post (post #15) and carries on from there.
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
...John Wayne...........................
Aage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2012, 10:02 AM   #684
3 Rivet Member
 
1978 Argosy 27
Lacey , Washington
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 220
Images: 8
Blog Entries: 1
Welcome to the AS forums and to the AS family. I have a '78 Argosy, 27ft which my wife and I rehabbed in '09-10. We did a mild custom inside and out. Like all vintage RVs you are constantly tweaking and repairing them (the little things). We live in WA ST so just south of Canada. Your project will give you much enjoyment and other RVers will come around and marvel your work. Good luck.
jjustice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2012, 01:40 AM   #685
2 Rivet Member
 
walk0080's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Toronto , Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 59
Great thread! How has the Sprinter truck been working for you so far? Any issues with the weight of the MINI and trailer in tow?
walk0080 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2012, 04:34 PM   #686
Rivet Master
 
SmokelessJoe's Avatar
 
1976 Argosy 24
now being enjoyed by Heath and Mary in , Vermont
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,432
How has the Sprinter been working so far?


Any issues with weight??


As much as I still love my MINI after 143,000K I think I enjoy driving the Sprinter even more.

That’s maybe because I pretty much drive the Mini in automatic while with the truck I use both DRIVE and the gear options.

I also like sitting high up in the cab, with it’s panoramic view, and feeling the thrust of diesel.

The rig is very heavily loaded. The factory Combined Rating is 15,200 pounds and I run around 14, 500.

Before I set out on my first major 173 day tour a couple of years ago I had a PM from member Lewster, warning about transmission and turbo resonator problems with his Sprinter.

Following his advice I preemptively added an additional transmission cooler and a machined aluminum turbo resonator, to replace the plastic original from the Düsseldorf factory.

Later, while in Louisiana, I added the Scan Gauge II. All of these items where from the Sprinter Store in Oregon.

I consider the Scan Gauge a fantastic driving tool. Not only does it measure and report a wide range of engine parameters it allows you to drive to “ percentage of load”. That leads to lots of revelations, like the counter-intuitive idea that easing off on the pedal often eases your way up a hill.

On that trip there were a couple of occasions where I slowed to a crawl on mountain grades in Georgia and Alabama.

I also met fellow Argosy owner Big Ed Moeller from Walhalla, South Carolina there. He uses and recommended a power chip and gauges to monitor transmission temperature and exhaust gas temperature for heavy loads or mountain driving


This summer I added a German made power module from the Sprinter Store and a matched set of ISSPRO EV2 gauges - transmission temperature and exhaust gases - from Geno’s Garage in Cummins, Georgia, recommended by Ed.

Currently enroute to Newfoundland on what I hope will be a 3 month long journey, I’ve been running up and down the back roads of the Eastern Townships these past few days, as well as climbing the long grades on the Montreal-Sherbrooke expressway and the little truck has been performing very nicely.

As before, I drive to percentage of load but now I have the added benefit of knowing what the transmission and turbo conditions are.

No dangerous or abnormal temperatures have been encountered despite the record breaking hot weather of late and the power module seems to have added more torque and performance to the truck.

My heavy rig doesn’t do jack-rabbit getaways, that’s for sure, but I have no interest in that. I am content with the outfit building toward its road momentum and have no desire to pass other trucks that are grinding up hills either.

I have no truck experience except for this Mercedes and it still has less than 11,000 miles on it so maybe something will give way in time.

For now I remain impressed, maybe even amazed, at the quality German engineering that allows such a small engine to work so effectively, economically and quietly.


Click image for larger version

Name:	rig 1.jpg
Views:	261
Size:	258.7 KB
ID:	163739


Sergei





SmokelessJoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2012, 05:17 PM   #687
Rivet Master
 
Happycampers's Avatar
 
1979 30' Argosy
Havelock , where we park it
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,652
Good to hear from you

Hello Sergei... Like the heading says... have been wondering about where you were? We are heading to Alaska next summer and Nfld the year after. Nfld is one of my favourite places... wonderful scenery and wonderful people. Enjoy.
__________________
Marvin & Annie
Niki (fur baby)
1979 Argosy 30 (Costalotta)
WBCCI 10103
"Happiness is a warm Puppy" Charles Schulz
Happycampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2012, 07:45 AM   #688
2 Rivet Member
 
walk0080's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Toronto , Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 59
Thanks for the update Sergei. You have quite the setup! I showed this thread to my spouse and I don't think this particular setup will fly with her but it has given me ideas.

Now if I could shoehorn my MINI inside of a black 3500 Sprinter van with body kit (like the AS Interstate) to tow a 23FB AS, that might work. Sadly I think the MINI is too wide not to mention the weight issues.

My particular MINI is a manual and has huge amounts of low end torque so I suspect driving the Sprinter would leave me wanting. But that is why the MINI is in tow right! Whatever decision I make I think it will have to include the MINI as I enjoy driving too much. No point going across country long-term and having to leave behind my favorite past time.
walk0080 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2012, 12:33 PM   #689
2 Rivet Member
 
walk0080's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Toronto , Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 59
The other comment I have is that those loading ramps are awfully long. And my MINI has the lower Aero kit and will eventually be about 1/2 to 1" lower than stock ride height. Most trailers need to be tilt based with 6' long ramps. No idea how long the ramps would need to be on your rig.

Does anyone else have any sources for flatbed rigs (with tilt) for carrying small cars? I am going to start searching around. There must be some out there already based on MB, Dodge, Chevy platforms.
walk0080 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2012, 04:07 PM   #690
Rivet Master
 
SmokelessJoe's Avatar
 
1976 Argosy 24
now being enjoyed by Heath and Mary in , Vermont
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,432
Hey, Aagie and Marcus, the recent greeting from Marvin and Annie made me realize that I hadn't thanked you for your friendly reminder and for your congratulations on passing the 75 year mark.

I'm past that by quite a bit now, actually, and still happy and content with my decisions and the result of them - and on the wander again.

I'm still following the aphorism I lifted from Joe Reddington's obituary some years back:

Click image for larger version

Name:	joe's door.jpg
Views:	402
Size:	312.0 KB
ID:	165362

Most days we are not too certain were we will be that night. The guiding star on this trip is only that we are bound for Newfoundland.

Sergei
SmokelessJoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2012, 02:50 PM   #691
Rivet Master
 
utee94's Avatar
 
1963 26' Overlander
Austin , Texas
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,640
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe View Post
Hey, Aagie and Marcus, the recent greeting from Marvin and Annie made me realize that I hadn't thanked you for your friendly reminder and for your congratulations on passing the 75 year mark.

I'm past that by quite a bit now, actually, and still happy and content with my decisions and the result of them - and on the wander again.

I'm still following the aphorism I lifted from Joe Reddington's obituary some years back:

Attachment 165362

Most days we are not too certain were we will be that night. The guiding star on this trip is only that we are bound for Newfoundland.

Sergei
So glad to hear your updates and I'm still quite sorry I missed you last time in Austin. Next time you're here, please do let me know and I won't make the mistake again. I would love to hear all about the circuses and everything else you've done in your fabulous 75+ years. Shiner Bocks and margaritas are on me.

Take Care!
-Marcus
utee94 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2012, 10:09 AM   #692
Crazy Montanan in Texas
 
MrBeast's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Houston , Texas
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 167
Sergei, I just read the whole thread, very cool project.


Very original concept, you have a very neat rig.
__________________
"When the people fear the government, there is Tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is Liberty." - Thomas Jefferson
MrBeast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2012, 02:11 AM   #693
Rivet Master
 
bhayden's Avatar
 
1978 24' Argosy 24
Woodinville , Washington
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 682
Images: 10
Been a while since I've posted to this thread. Sergei, when are you going to come back out to the Pacific North Wet? Oh, and I should add the great north wet has had only one day of 1/100 of an inch of rain in the last 60+ days! With our house projects it's looking like the only way we'll ever "go camping" with someone is if they come and park in our pasture

-Bernie
bhayden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2012, 01:53 PM   #694
Rivet Master
 
SmokelessJoe's Avatar
 
1976 Argosy 24
now being enjoyed by Heath and Mary in , Vermont
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,432
Hello Bernie,

Me and the Much Contemporized Argosy are both now aboard the MV BLUE PUTTEES, steaming toward the mainland, after about a month in Newfoundland.

Next spring or early summer I intend to head across Western Canada toward the Left Coast and after some time in British Columbia I guess that I will head down the Pacific North Wet as well.

Maybe I'll meet you then....

There have been several small world events on this trip, including running into Graig Dorsey in Nova Scotia. Maybe I will report on them here once I get off the road in a month or so.

Sergei
SmokelessJoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2012, 01:31 AM   #695
Rivet Master
 
bhayden's Avatar
 
1978 24' Argosy 24
Woodinville , Washington
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 682
Images: 10
Most excellent! We'll wash the Silver Palace and put air in her vintage tires in honor of your arrival.
bhayden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2013, 02:41 PM   #696
Rivet Master
 
SmokelessJoe's Avatar
 
1976 Argosy 24
now being enjoyed by Heath and Mary in , Vermont
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,432
Split AC

Over the years I’ve received several enquiries on how it was even possible to retrofit a commercial / residential AC split unit - compressor on the tongue, blower unit inside - on my contemporized ARGOSY, and have enjoyed answering the questions on this forum.

Click image for larger version

Name:	AC Webasto reflection.jpg
Views:	288
Size:	50.8 KB
ID:	188479

But this winter I saw a split AC installation that completely stumped me. It was in Montevideo, capital of Uruguay (sans trailer of course):

Click image for larger version

Name:	split AC.jpg
Views:	268
Size:	404.6 KB
ID:	188480

This 20 plus story government building on the main square of the city was covered, top to bottom, with split units.

I still can’t figure out how they got them up there or how they will service the outside units.

Maybe somebody here knows??

Sergei

Click image for larger version

Name:	Sunset Grant.jpg
Views:	235
Size:	130.1 KB
ID:	188478

entire rig now available
SmokelessJoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2013, 03:10 PM   #697
Moderator
 
DKB_SATX's Avatar

 
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,493
Images: 1
Blog Entries: 7
They could use window-washer-style platforms, they'd just have to be a foot or two further from the glass than usual or they'd have to put out to pass the outside units every floor as they descend or ascend.
__________________
— David

Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566

He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
DKB_SATX is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2013, 04:05 PM   #698
Rivet Master
 
DavidsonOverlander's Avatar
 
1964 26' Overlander
1974 31' Sovereign
Milton , ON
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,223
Images: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe View Post

entire rig now available
You're selling?
__________________
1974 Sovereign
2005 F-350 SRW 4x4 crew cab long box
TAC ON-5

1965 Avion C-10 Truck Camper (65avion.home.blog)
DavidsonOverlander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2013, 01:57 AM   #699
Rivet Master
 
bhayden's Avatar
 
1978 24' Argosy 24
Woodinville , Washington
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 682
Images: 10
Say it ain't so Joe! You haven't come visited us yet and we just installed a 20A outlet to park in our pasture.
bhayden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2013, 10:53 AM   #700
Rivet Monster
 
wahoonc's Avatar

 
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak , North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
Images: 40
From the looks of it, those split units are underneath or in a window that opens...

Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
wahoonc 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
Looking for a stone guard -1976 Argosy James Martin Rock Guards, Segment & Window Protectors 10 06-02-2023 12:21 AM
Argosy Motorhome Manual & Brochures WANTED Rik Argosy Motorhomes 40 02-13-2022 05:20 PM
Stripping an Argosy CHRIS CANNON Cleaning, Stripping & Polishing 8 05-11-2017 04:42 PM
confused Argosy newbie Dave Cole All Argosy Trailers 23 09-15-2006 09:36 PM
I just bought a '76 28' Argosy MH!!!! Mr.Motorhome Argosy Motorhomes 3 05-17-2004 09:02 PM


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 11:44 PM.


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