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Old 08-13-2008, 07:55 AM   #1
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Sorting out Argosy 20' years and models

Hi all - I've recently been bouncing back and forth in my trailer search between a 20' Argosy (advantages: cheaper, wrap-around window, more room, lighter, active forum community!) and a newer Bambi 16' (advantages: well, newer, so less repairs likely needed.)

Been reading the brochures and looking at online listings. A few questions about the Argosy:

- Did they sell both Minuets and the "wide-body" 20' models concurrently?
- Did 20' models get the gray water tank (a wife-mandated essential) in 75 with the other models?
- Do only the 77-78 Minuets have the aluminum sandwich floor? I recall an exciting VAP episode where Colin referred to a 75-ish Argosy with such a floor. (Could be a slip of the year.)

So far I've been just missing some trailers that I see listed (including a Minuet in upstate NY - kicking myself over not calling earlier on that one) or finding earlier trailers sans gray tank. Thanks for the info.
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Old 08-13-2008, 09:18 AM   #2
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It's a tough call

I have a 73 20'. I am close to spending the same amount on my Argosy as a new Bambi would cost. But I now have a customized Argosy fitted with
all the things I needed , and decorated the way I wanted.
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Old 08-13-2008, 09:32 AM   #3
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A thought occurs to me (a possibly self serving one, but none the less perhaps still helpful.) A gray tank could be added to an early Argosy. I've seen the threads for it, I just can't find them now.
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Old 08-13-2008, 10:25 AM   #4
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Our 1972 Argosy 20 had a grey tank added, if you ask him really nice, Bob Fowler may be able to snap a couple of photos of it for you.
Argosy 20 was offered concurrently with Minuets, at least for a time.
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Old 08-13-2008, 11:10 AM   #5
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I would suggest dropping Kevin (Overlander64) a PM. He is the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to Argosy info ~

He has a lot of the original brochures & lots of experience in Argosy trivia.

Shari
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Old 08-13-2008, 11:17 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by thatismytruc View Post
A thought occurs to me (a possibly self serving one, but none the less perhaps still helpful.) A gray tank could be added to an early Argosy.
LOL! Yeah, I know that a tank could be added. But I'm trying pretty hard to buy something where I don't need to pull up the floor or drop the belly pan.

I'm also leaning towards something that could be towed by my wife's Odyssey (I've done the math and it can be done since we leave most of the van's seats empty.) Since the 69-71 Caravel doesn't have a gray tank (and are often pricey), that leaves the 20' Argosy or a newer 16' Bambi. Obviously there are pros and cons to each.
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Old 08-13-2008, 11:55 AM   #7
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no need to drop the belly pan

Some people added a network of 4" PVC pipe under the trailer and used it as a gray water holding tonk
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Old 08-13-2008, 01:24 PM   #8
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Sorting out Argosy 20' years and models

Based upon the literature that I have, the following may be of help:
  • It appears from literature as well as what I have been able to observe that the Argosy 20 was offered alongside the Minuet 6.0 Metre in 1977 and possibly VERY early in 1978.
  • The first mention of an optional gray water tank for the Argosy line was in the 1973 model year brochures.
  • Early in 1974 the gray water tank was listed as optional, but appears that it may have become standard equipment toward the end of the model year.
  • The gray water tank was a standard feature beginning in 1975.
  • It appears that the Minuet series was the only offering in lengths below 26' in 1979 -- possibly began after mid-year in the 1978 model year.
  • Something to be aware of with the Minuets (at least the 6.0 Metre variety) is that the gray water tank was mounted above the floor level (it is found in the bottom of the streetside rear corner wardrobe), and as such it does not collect the waste water from the shower.
    • An aftermarket solution is to add a small bilge pump to pump the waste water from the shower up to the tank -- it requires driling an access in hole in the wardrobe floor to route the hose and modifying the drain piping above the gray water tank.
  • The most notable difference in interior layout between the Minuet 6.0 Metre and the Argosy 20 when equipped with the front lounge is the presence of a streetside armrest on the lounge in the Argosy 20 while the Minuet doe not receive the armrest.
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Old 08-13-2008, 02:00 PM   #9
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Kevin, thanks a lot for the details! Other than your posts in the picture pages of the later brochures (which I greatly appreciate), the only brochure I have is for a 73 Argosy.

Can I assume that the gray water tank in the regular Argosy 20' would collect shower drainage, or would that have a similar set-up to the Minuet?
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Old 08-13-2008, 02:06 PM   #10
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Sorting out Argosy 20' years and models

Quote:
Originally Posted by mutcth View Post
Kevin, thanks a lot for the details! Other than your posts in the picture pages of the later brochures (which I greatly appreciate), the only brochure I have is for a 73 Argosy.

Can I assume that the gray water tank in the regular Argosy 20' would collect shower drainage, or would that have a similar set-up to the Minuet?
I am almost afraid to speculate as the only Argosy 20s that I have direct experience with are 1974 and earlier models that did not have the gray water tanks. I don't believe that the gray water tank was mounted above floor level on any models other than Minuets, but I do not have any direct information to substantiate this as a fact. Hopefully, someone with a 1975 or later Argosy 20 will see this thread and provide a firsthand report.

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Old 08-13-2008, 03:35 PM   #11
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Quote:
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Based upon the literature that I have, the following may be of help:

<snip>

Kevin
Quote:
Originally Posted by mutcth
Kevin, thanks a lot for the details!
Told you so!
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Old 08-13-2008, 04:09 PM   #12
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I know for fact the Argosy 22 and 24 had a below floor level grey tank. I pulled one out of the 1975 parts unit we had. Black tank still above floor, under toilet.
The Argosy 20 we had was retrofitted with a below-floor 10 gallon grey tank. It really wasn't that big a headache to put in, they cut and capped the line to the dump valve, and diverted the grey water into the tank to a separate dump valve.
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Old 08-13-2008, 05:44 PM   #13
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Hello Kevin: My 75, 20' parts trailer has the greywater tank, located under the blackwater tank. My 73, 22' does not have a grey water tank.
Regards, SamH
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Old 08-13-2008, 08:03 PM   #14
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Hi Kevin

8' Wide 20' Argosy's were made from 1972 - 1976

The Minuete was introduced mid 76 and was made until 1979 it was the only model with the Aluminum Floor.

Grey tanks first appeared in 1974 as a compulsery option. This was how they got around wage a price controls at the time.

1973 Excella 500's also had grey water tanks.

I hope that helps.

A new Bambi is a lot less work and the resale is generally better that an extensively renovated older coach.

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Old 08-14-2008, 07:42 AM   #15
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Thanks all for the info. At this point in my trailer search saga, I've got "lines in the water" for a 01 Bambi 16' or a Minuet. Got to see both trailers to decide - the Bambi is newer, but that floorplan has only one sitting/sleeping area and the window area is a bit small.

The Minuet needs a bit of cleaning up inside, but is less than half the price (well, before fixing the furnace and adding rock guards, etc.) and has the panaromic front windows that my wife loves.

As mentioned above, the Bambi has the advantage of easier resale to a wider audience and should need less work on my part.
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Old 08-22-2008, 06:11 PM   #16
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...of course, assuming that the Bambi had a solid floor. Which it didn't. The particleboard floor had gotten wet (and was still damp in places when I saw the trailer today), likely during the 2-4 years (owners weren't sure when they last used it) it sat in an RV storage field.

Sadly I missed out on the rather nice aforementioned 79 Minuet by about 20 hours - at least I think it went to another forum member. (All's fair in love and, er, trailers.)

The search goes on.

Tom
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