What do y'all think about this Argosy for sale?

[User506]

https://dayton.craigslist.org/rvs/d/...622291558.html

The guy said it has new tires and brakes and the roof has no leaks and everything is operational.

[User506]

I'm handy and can probably fix most things but I'm looking for something that's more or less ready to roll.

[OTRA15]

A 1974 trailer is bound to have many problems, hopefully none as extreme as this 1977 Argosy 26':

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

"Buyer beware" is usually the assessment from a distance.

You should also be aware that many CL listings are potentially scams. This at the bottom of the listing seems like a red flag IMO: "PHONE CALLS ONLY ---E-mails and texts will not be answered."

Good luck.

[User506]

I talked to the guy on the phone. Said he used it for hunting but now he's retired and wants and RV. He sounded nice?

[Monza]

Looks nice you have to assume it will have issues. I believe that’s a good price, not a screaming deal but I’d say fair.

[User506]

What are some questions I should ask him? I'm still very new to the AS scene. Are there common problems with these particular ones? I'm dying to get out on the road so I'm trying to keep focused and not do anything too hasty.

[OTRA15]

Did you read the Argosy thread I linked in Post #3, and checked all the photos? It is entirely possible that your Argosy trailer has some, if not most, of those problems IMO.

At the risk of raining on your parade," . . . dying to get out on the road . . . " is not a good start, unless you are prepared for the worst later, when you dig a little deeper.

If you go up to the left, and click on the Portal grey tab, on the right side of the page that opens up next, there is a system here for finding an inspector for each state.

Good luck.

[streaminwild]

Chris-Jill, Welcome to the forum. I bought mine from Craigslist. This trailer looks very clean. Go and see it with cash in hand. You will know it's the one in five minutes. Have the owner show you how everything works, heater, air, water, stove etc. etc. Yes, you want to see water coming out the faucet, shower, toilet. Flames from the stove, water heater, if possible heater for the trailer. Open all cabinets doors and drawers. Make sure you get the hitch for the bars inside the trailer. Look at E-Bay completed Airstream Argosy listings and OneCraigs for price comparisons. Good luck

[dhbinkley]

It does look nice...however, keep in mind it's a 1974, that's 44 years old. I would bet that the axles need to be replaced, there are probably some leaks in the shell, some degree of rust on the frame. Point being, to keep it up you will most likely need to do some work and spend some significant money. If you know that going in then you are good to go

Nothing like the fun of a vintage camper

[OTRA15]

To add a reality check -- about how far an Argosy renovation can go -- here is the last photo from Post #1 in the thread linked in Post #3 here:

[rmkrum]

Love the new 1960's style green shag carpet you installed, OTRA15. Nice retro look!

[rugjenkins]

It looks to be in good shape. The sellers has done a few upgrades looking at the pics (new stove) plus it come with a towing hitch, newer a/c, larger propane tanks and newer tires. The price is very reasonable. Ask about floor stability/ leaks. Stove, a/c, propane tanks, tires and weight distribution hitch would add up to $3000 to 4000 if you had to buy new. A major musty smell though is a good indication of rotted subfloors. Honestly the panoramic windows alone are worth $700- $1000 a piece.

Great deal in my opinion.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Love the new 1960's style green shag carpet you installed, OTRA15. Nice retro look!

Thanks, it works very well with the Tom Swiftian AGMs [Anti-Gravity Modules], as you can see.



PS -- The author of that "Love Shack" thread -- Eric 26 Argo -- has a great sense of humor. His first post is worth a careful perusal not only for the excellent photos, but also for his choice self-deprecating comments, as he leads us through the entire dis-assembly of the Argosy, piece by piece!

Here is his comment under the first photo:

"So we got the camper home and here is what the interior looked like. A 40 year old camper that had been reasonably maintained the interior had been updated 15 to 20 years ago based on the materials and colors"

Then fast-forward to the photo just copied into Post #10.

Wait a minute, what happened to that "reasonably maintained" trailer?

[User506]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

To add a reality check -- about how far an Argosy renovation can go -- here is the last photo from Post #1 in the thread linked in Post #3 here:

Yea I saw this thread. This picture is hilarious.

I thought about all that--the worth and the work--and since I'm 100% inexperience when it comes to Airstreams in general, maybe a 44-year-old trailer isn't the best place to start if I plan on living out of it; especially if it's sight unseen, digitally speaking. He said it has new tires and brakes but I don't remember what he said about the axles or rust. I'm casting a wide net and based on the pictures and the size and the price it seemed to be the best deal. But I can't be sure of the level of the seller's expertise either. Maybe I'll call him and ask him to go into the trailer and take a big whiff and stomp on the bathroom floor.

[OTRA15]

Thanks for checking in, good to know . . .

That trailer might be OK, and a good deal, but you should see it in person, with a knowledgeable inspector or two there with you IMO.

As I mentioned earlier, you can locate an inspector by state, via the Portal grey tab at the top left. When that page opens up, fill out the form at the right edge.

Good luck,

Peter

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Chris-Jill

. . .
Maybe I'll call him and ask him to go into the trailer and take a big whiff and stomp on the bathroom floor.

Curious whether you are going out to look at this trailer?

Cheers,

Peter