Looking at this argosy. Will this need repaired?

[npm5031]

I am looking at this Argosy this morning and am trying to figure out if this needs repaired and approximate costs before buying.

[npm5031]

Originally Posted by npm5031

i am looking at this argosy this morning and am trying to figure out if this needs repaired and approximate costs before buying. Attachment 354445Attachment 354446Attachment 354444

[npm5031]

[Belegedhel]

It looks like some of the belly pan rivets may have let go. Not a big deal to replace them. If you do it yourself, it is a $10 repair. The dents in the banana wraps come with use. You can repair them if you want, but they will just get dented up again as you use it. Most vintage trailers have dented wraps, it isn't a big deal. That big mashed in part is more of a concern. Looks like the gas line could have been damaged as well, plus it has opened up a gash for critters and debris to get into. If you aren't up to tackling these repairs yourself, then figure several hundred dollars to have it done. It is mostly labor.

That being said, these things are likely the tip of the iceberg where repairs on a vintage trailer are concerned. You need to examine the entire perimeter of the floor and ensure that it isn't rotten. Go to the "Portal" tab of these forums and download the Inspector's Checklist. Go through the trailer with the checklist and you may have a better understanding of the condition it is in.

My general opinion is that just about every vintage trailer needs a shell-off rebuild unless it has already had a lot of work done to it by previous owners. Find out what kind of work has been done. If this trailer is "all original," meaning it has sat neglected for the last 20 years, then it probably needs a lot of work.

good luck!

[DryFly]

At a minimum do the rear end separation test and check the floor for soft spots (especially in the rear, adjacent to the door, and beneath the front windows). I agree that most, but not all, vintage trailers would benefit greatly from a frame off reconstruction. In my opinion, the main and first thing you need to determine is what it will cost to make it reliably safe for towing. So at least the frame from tongue to bumper needs to be in good shape - you don't want an issue while towing at 65mph, endangering you, your family and everyone around you. Of course if the floor is so rotted that it won't hold the shell that's an issue. Past that the next concern is the axle (and brakes). Once you get those two items squared away you can start throwing a lot more money and labor at the cosmetics and functional stuff, like water system, heating, cooling, refer, electrical, windows, paint...

[drbrick]

Everything is repairable! However, it all depends on time and money. Who is going to do the repairs and the balance between how much you pay for the AS and the cost to repair against the value of the AS itself. IMHO....

[Isuzusweet]

Buy yourself a sheet of aluminum, cut to size at the metal shop you buy it from, some aluminum rivets, a drill with a 1/8" drill bit, tin snips and a bit of patience.

You'd be surprised at what you learn. Practice on a couple of scrap pieces first.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[DavidsonOverlander]

The floor and frame can be repaired without separating the shell from the frame, if that's more convenient for you. The project takes up a lot less space that way. Some things are easier with the shell off, but then you also have the work of removing and reinstalling the it.

[OTRA15]

You might want to read "The Love Shack" thread for a heads-up on one possible road ahead:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f227...ck-183431.html

Good luck,

Peter

[npm5031]

Thank you for the replies! I ended up talking them way down and going home with it yesterday. Very excited and I hope I don’t find any huge surprises. There were no soft spots and I’ll be ripping out all the carpet to check for more. The aluminum is being repaired this week. We towed it home over 100 miles yesterday and it towed great.

What is the best/easiest way to check the frame?

[Eric 26 Argo]

[QUOTE=What is the best/easiest way to check the frame?[/QUOTE]

Start by looking for any soft spots in the floor. From there you will start to pick at the floor removing interior items until you get to this point.

[IMG]before lift off by Eric Frye, on Flickr[/IMG]

Don't despair because eventually you can get it back to this.

[IMG]20190922_192048_resized by Eric Frye, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Isuzusweet]

Hmmmm; for everyone that gets down to frame and then is rebuilt, I'd say 99 trailers don't. Congrats to you for seeing the project through.

To the OP. Goodluck with your project, and don't despair if you do come across challenges. Just remember to never throw anything away until the entire project is done.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[alberta paso]

PICS PICS and more PICS as you tear things apart as it might be a bit before you get back to putting it back together and label where it came from.
Good luck and this group is great for answering questions