Montana Argy,
Is that price for the 3 piece or one piece unit? IRIC the single piece is about $420 range. I have seen an argy with covers made out of canvas that snapped to the window frames, maybe you could make one of those with some thin lexan inside the fabric to help bounce the rocks. If I can find my pictures I will post some of the covers. They were made out of a brown and orange material...
Aaron
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....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #2449 AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
Thank you for the really great, carefully documented contribution you made here last year. The thread popped up again today. It was good timing for me.
Andy Thompson, the owner of Can Am RV up here often seems to have controversial opinions.
Worried about losing a beautiful window down the road, I recently told him that I wanted to add rock guards to the current remodel of my 1976 Argosy.
He told me that they were really for protection from sun more than stones, (the name was a misnomer), that the glass in the Argosy was “Herculite” and was stronger than contemporary glass (he said it was used in commercial aircraft) and that in 35 years, he had seen only a couple of broken windows.
(He also said the panels show abrasion quickly and become unattractive)
In this thread alone, 3 or 4 people report broken windows.
So thanks again to you and to everyone else that participates in the forum.
I think I will now make my decision based on this wider range of opinion.
I take it you installed these for stone protection, not just solar protection?
I’m guessing that Phil in the shop doing my work would be able to duplicate these. They have the equipment and expertise. Sometimes however, when you consider the true time and cost of building from scratch, buying off the shelf may be no more expensive.
At a minimum, Phil could easily install the guards, especially with your step-by-step guide. Can Am quoted $1550 Canadian installed.
Did Inland have the best price? Any other sources?
What’s the name of that famous RV scrap yard that I’ve momentarily forgotten? Colwell or something like that?
This product is nickel plated brass: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...001/741/740/13 I'd seen a thread somewhere 2-3 years ago with a picture of a durable quilted, padded cover for the front windows held on by this type product. I can't really offer any useful ways to find it... It looks like pop rivets would work fine, tho don't know if the head size would have to be bigger (eg, like Olympics). I don't know if each item includes the oblong grommet. This wasn't pretty and would have to be taken off and stowed when camping. There would also be the issue of how much the buffeting and wind movement might affect aluminum and glass where attached. Buyer beware, you get what you paid for this advice, etc, etc.
Sergei - we put them on for stone protection. Also - you shouldn't have to take apart the center section of the guard to make it narrower for a regular Argosy. The Minuets were narrow than the regular argosys.
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77 Argosy Minuet, 6 metre
77 Argosy 24, Rear door
AIR 3181, WBCCI/VAC # 5575
Wahoonc, it is the three piece model like the new trailers have, for a '76 Argy 20. I want to end up with the sunglasses or something close to it. I've thought of the fabric route, I could do that myself pretty easily, but I don't want to drill a bunch of holes in the trailer for that, then plug them all when I get the rock guard.
Contacted Colaws, they don't have any now, have never had a complete one, and sell the pieces for $150 each, one at a time. They said rock guards almost always get ruined at least partially on the wrecks they bring in. By the time I pay shippng three times, this isn't much better than brand new from Airstream.
The only dealer in Montana, over in Missoula is a new A/S dealership and doesn't now much about Airstreams. First time they would only give me the price for the three pieces separately. Now I got a price for the kit from them - - - (thanks to the Forums for the part number!) $625 plus shipping from Airstream. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and do it pretty soon.
Thankfully I won't have to install it now until the weather is 30 below and blowing 30 knots! Wonder how vulkem works in the winter ? ? ? Do I hear another thread starting?? Scott (-;
hi janet, so glad that you shared this. am thinking of purchasing a minuet and as you know, there is no rock guard. if i ordered the parts from airstsream and gave your instructions to my rv guy,, not airstream dealer, i assume he would be able to install it , right??? wow,, quite a time investment, but a job well done,,, thanks for posting,,,dieterdog
montana argy where in missoula is the new airstream dealership, i only know of Bretz rv and marine, which is not all airstream. dieterdog, donna in hamilton
Dieterdog Yes it is Bretz. I haven't been in there, when talking to them yesterday I was told they have only had Airstreams for a year or two. Haven't talked to anyone there in parts that knew much about the old stuff.
Hi - if you Pm me your e-mail I can send it to you - or you can print the article with the same content from our articles section - I think it's 4 pages.
Your instructions were most helpful, esp. the one about the hinge position. I ordered the set of three for my 79 Argosy Minuet and the first to come was the flat center one, bent out of shape! It took several calls to Inland and Airstream in Ohio back and forth to get Airstream to admit that it was their responsibility to send a replacement; which they did. Then got the two sides. I installed the sides first and it went so easy I could not believe it. I would say that the INSTRUCTIONS IN THE BOX were rather confusing, but upon going back and forth to yours and theirs, it made sense to follow the INSTRUCTIONS IN THE BOX re to put the CAM SCREW assembly on FIRST...then the hinges after careful marking while on and being held by a helper. It took me only 1.5 hours to do both wings. I did not install the center on and was waiting to come home and take my time, after visiting friends and having installed the wings. I was VERY HAPPY NOT TO HAVE INSTALLED the center rock guard. In travel, I can see all traffic behind me through the truck...front window...back window...clearly. If I had put the bronze rock guard on I would not be able to see that traffic. I think I shall have a window guy locally reduce the size and install CLEAR lexan instead of the bronze. Safety in driving is the motto here.
I was VERY HAPPY NOT TO HAVE INSTALLED the center rock guard. In travel, I can see all traffic behind me through the truck...front window...back window...clearly. If I had put the bronze rock guard on I would not be able to see that traffic. I think I shall have a window guy locally reduce the size and install CLEAR lexan instead of the bronze. Safety in driving is the motto here.
You have discovered one of the great features found on most of the Vintage Airstreams. What you propose is actually what I have been planning to do with my Minuet, but it has become less of a priority since I have been towing with my Eldorado which is too low to even see the coach's front window through the rear view mirror. I have a Lexan front window in my Overlander for this very reason -- since I tow it most of the time with my Suburban the see-through feature is quite handy!
Enjoy your new Minuet!
Kevin
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Kevin D. Allen WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359 AIR #827
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC/4.11 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)
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