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nynick52 · 08-17-2009, 08:31 PM

I have a 73 Argosy and want to replace the front gaucho with a dinette. Does anyone have a detail drawing or pictures of an install or original dinette?

Nick

nynick52 · 08-19-2009, 08:25 PM

No love on this post? Surely people have changed out a front gaucho for a dinette.

BIGED52 · 08-19-2009, 11:21 PM

Nick, Go to Airstream.com and click the American flag in the top left corner then click Service tab at the top of the page. On that page on the upper right is a selection for trailer spec sheets. Click on the 70s trailers tab and then scroll down to 1973 and Argosy specs or floor plans and see the trailers set ups. If a floor plan for your trailer was available in a front dinette it will be shown there. Then perhaps they may have a detailed picture of the dinette setup. Otherwise, Try the search function on the blue toolbar above and type in such words as custom/built/dinettes or look up the spec sheets for '73 Airstream models in the size trailer that is comparable to your Argosy. It will probably be a Tradewind, But you may have to go back a few years in the Tradewinds to find a 24' model. I do know thru '68 the Tradewinds were 24' trailers but I think that all the lengths changed in '69 with the body style changes and width changes. Hope this gets you started. Happy Trails, Ed

bhayden · 08-20-2009, 12:35 AM

I've thought a dinette on our '78 Argosy 24 might be better too. But, if I'm remembering correctly the fresh water tank is under the gaucho. That would make seating a real problem. Is the fresh water tank different on the dinette models?

InsideOut · 08-20-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nynick52

Surely people have changed out a front gaucho for a dinette.

We did on our '64 GlobeTrotter. Details here.

Shari

Happycampers · 08-20-2009, 05:16 AM

Hello... We did our Argosy and just completed the front with a custom dinette.... will post pic here later day...

lynn · 08-20-2009, 07:05 AM

Go the Airstream website and click on Factory service --interior restoration section. There is a re-do of a 1974 Argosy with front dinettes.

Chuck · 08-20-2009, 07:37 AM

wow! that is fabulous. I can only imagine what the bill must have been like...

but also...can anyone ID that furnace that they put in? it looks very "compact".

Isadora · 08-20-2009, 08:43 AM

Our 76 Argosy 24 has an original front dinette. We like the setup, it is perfect for us. The freshwater tank is under it, but it doesn't interfere with the use of the dinette. In fact, it is a good place to stash things. Our laptop rides there, and when it isn't there it is a good place to put shoes at the end of the day. If we take our cat, that is where his food dishes go. I'll try to locate some pictures.

Isadora · 08-20-2009, 08:47 AM

pictures of the dinette: Well, one picture anyway. You can see the freshwater tank underneath. It really doesn't take up that much room.

utee94 · 08-20-2009, 09:04 AM

Forum member Pizzachop has done this on two different 70s-model Airstreams, an Overlander and a Sovereign I believe.

Go to his photo gallery here for pictures. I believe there is also a drawing with measurements on that photo gallery page, though obviously your measurements won't necessarily match his. But, the concept will be similar.

(There are a lot of photos in his gallery, be sure to click through all the pages for many detailed shots. They are jumbled in with photos of other projects, so you'll have to keep looking for more dinette photos)

http://www.airforums.com/photos/brow...er=4331&page=4

Good luck!
-Marcus

nynick52 · 09-18-2009, 06:59 PM

OK. Here is progress to date. The dinette framing, dryfit and setting took a weekend. Will be at it this weekend to set the streetside and new cushoned back:

1973 Argosy Dinette - a set on Flickr

Nick

ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-19-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nynick52

OK. Here is progress to date. The dinette framing, dryfit and setting took a weekend. Will be at it this weekend to set the streetside and new cushoned back:

1973 Argosy Dinette - a set on Flickr

Nick

Hi, great job Nick. What a difference. Waiting to see more progress pictures.

bhayden · 09-19-2009, 03:42 AM

I love it. Gotta convert ours to the Dinette arrangement. The gaucho worked well when we were more concerned about bike storage inside and sleeping arrangements for our son at races but the dinette now is really looking like the way to go.

65CV · 09-19-2009, 05:56 AM

Nick-

That's craftsmanship.

Great job.

John

nynick52 · 09-19-2009, 05:19 PM

Saturdays progress. I'll post the rest up on the Flickr link tomorrow.

The back wall is 1/8" hardboard covered by 1" foam and a complimentary fabric. I am in the process of inserting gromets (actually a fabric store snap center with a self tapping sheet metal screw) into the fabric to give it some interest.

Have to shop for a chrome outlet cover for the existing outlet in the upper left. Curtain tracks go back up tomorrow!

BTW, those are the existing gaucho cushions. I sized the new dinette to reuse them; we will need additional cushioning against the front wall to make the bed approximately 46" D x 77" L.

Happycampers · 09-19-2009, 05:38 PM

Nick, Looks like you are doing a great job, that will be something you can be proud of. Annie put on a post earlier saying she would post a pic of the dinette we just finished so I will include that now. Keep up the good work.

Marvin

nynick52 · 09-19-2009, 05:57 PM

Looks great Marvin! Did your Argosy have a freshwater tank originally? I toyed with removing ours but decided to keep it. I don't see us boondocking, but the next owners may want that feature.

Nick

wheel interested · 09-19-2009, 07:17 PM

Marvin that does look great. I was actually considering trying to use the couches on both sides that meet in the middle like you replaced. Can you tell me why those didn't work out as well for you? I do like the look of this even better though.

The problem with our current OEM dinette is that the thick table rests over the seats so making it into a bed puts your head and feet lower than the middle section. A narrower table and lower rests would have made the bed flat in our Airstream. I was thinking couches that meet in the middle wouldn't have loose cushions moving about as they do and feel more cushioned.

Happycampers · 09-19-2009, 08:43 PM

Nick, yes ours has the water tank in front, I think all Argosy's are like that as you have the second year made and ours is the last year made of the metal ones. I think that was a good idea to leave the water tank, I just enclosed it and there is a door on top to store light weight items.

Carol, our beds don't come together to make a bed, the table does fold down for more room if you don't want a table. But the trailer only sleeps 2.