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10-31-2016, 03:59 PM
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#701
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Keen amature
1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield
, Kent
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,534
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I'm pretty sure Bella has the same extensions to the main chassis Brad. It also seems to be shown in the 1977-78 manual cut away.
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10-31-2016, 04:38 PM
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#702
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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I just looked at the rear of Peanut's frame. It's similar in construction but different in some aspects. The hitch frame on mine was fabricated out of 2"x5" tubing. The hitch frame on Peanut was fabricated from custom bent 2"x5" channel. At least that saved Peanut from rusting away like mine did.
Also the GM frame on Peanut is one piece where mine has a 10" section of U channel welded onto the end of the truck chassis. You can see in the picture there is no seam in the truck chassis frame.
After thinking about hitches for a while I think I've decided not to build the same type of hitch receiver arrangement that mine came with. I think I'll either build or buy something similar to this Reese Multi-Fit Receiver.
I think this style of receiver would be a reasonable way to fit a new receiver to Peanut. Some of the propane system piping would have to be tweaked a little and there might need to be some rework on the holding tank drain piping but I think it would be doable and plenty strong for towing.
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-02-2016, 05:14 PM
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#703
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Rivet Master
1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Tipp City
, Ohio
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 551
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkahler
I just looked at the rear of Peanut's frame. It's similar in construction but different in some aspects. The hitch frame on mine was fabricated out of 2"x5" tubing. The hitch frame on Peanut was fabricated from custom bent 2"x5" channel. At least that saved Peanut from rusting away like mine did.
Attachment 274619Attachment 274620
Also the GM frame on Peanut is one piece where mine has a 10" section of U channel welded onto the end of the truck chassis. You can see in the picture there is no seam in the truck chassis frame.
Attachment 274618
After thinking about hitches for a while I think I've decided not to build the same type of hitch receiver arrangement that mine came with. I think I'll either build or buy something similar to this Reese Multi-Fit Receiver.
Attachment 274622
I think this style of receiver would be a reasonable way to fit a new receiver to Peanut. Some of the propane system piping would have to be tweaked a little and there might need to be some rework on the holding tank drain piping but I think it would be doable and plenty strong for towing.
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I think you have the right idea Brad. Unless you how some special circumstance that forces you to custom fabricate something the pre-manufactured hitch should be faster and easier. I have started out building something like a simple hitch and 10 hours later thought , why am I doing this? Sometimes simple things get involved fast. You certainly have other tasks to challenge yourself with.
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11-03-2016, 05:20 AM
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#704
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregsch
I think you have the right idea Brad. Unless you how some special circumstance that forces you to custom fabricate something the pre-manufactured hitch should be faster and easier. I have started out building something like a simple hitch and 10 hours later thought , why am I doing this? Sometimes simple things get involved fast. You certainly have other tasks to challenge yourself with.
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Yeah, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that "I can build it cheaper than what I can buy it for"
Been there, done that way to many times! I'd like to buy a hitch that is a straight bolt on for the frame width instead of an one size fits all but it seems hitches are listed by vehicle make/model rather than size. No one lists a hitch for a P30 chassis so I'll likely have to call and ask for measurements before I buy one. If need be I'll buy one of the one size fits all and live with it.
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-03-2016, 06:07 AM
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#705
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Ebro
, Fla Panhandle
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,212
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Nice getting a piece of cancerous rusty metal like that removed.
I would think a well fitting prefabed hitch setup would be the way to go if it doesn't reduce your clearance at the back.
Frame extensions, you should see the multipul extensions on the 345s
There is one added mid frame between the wheels, and a couple at the rear.
Can't really place Jack much behind the rear axels with out tweaking the shell when the extensions flex. Flexie flyers. They are.
Cheers Richard
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11-03-2016, 10:43 AM
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#706
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tevake
Nice getting a piece of cancerous rusty metal like that removed.
I would think a well fitting prefabed hitch setup would be the way to go if it doesn't reduce your clearance at the back.
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Clearance issues is one of the reasons I'm hoping to find dimensions of a hitch before I buy it. It will probably take a few calls to the manufacturer to find out for sure.
Quote:
Frame extensions, you should see the multipul extensions on the 345s
There is one added mid frame between the wheels, and a couple at the rear.
Can't really place Jack much behind the rear axels with out tweaking the shell when the extensions flex. Flexie flyers. They are.
Cheers Richard
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Actually I've seen the frame extensions on a 345, I dismantled one for scrap 3 or 4 years ago. Definitely an interesting way to manufacture something!
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-12-2016, 04:50 PM
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#707
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Made some decent progress in rebuilding the generator compartment the last couple of days. The original generator was inserted from below and then the frame work was welded into place. That to me was a really stupid way of installing a generator
So I've opted to install the generator on a sliding drawer similar to how I did my old 310 generator. The early front bath Argosy has the generator compartment in the rear. Instead of orienting the generator side ways as is typically done Airstream inserted the generator length wise in the compartment. I had originally planned on using an Onan 4.0 but found that it was to large for the compartment. As it turns out the Onan 6.5 from the 345 is physically smaller than the 4.0.
The last two days were spent fabricating brackets, etc. for the tray slides. The hard work is pretty much done, now I just need to drill a lot more holes for various bolts and cut a piece of metal here and there and then take it all back apart so I can paint everything.
Anyway, here's some pictures of what it looks like at the moment.
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-12-2016, 09:03 PM
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#708
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2 Rivet Member
Geismar
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 91
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Looking pretty good sir. Those drawers can support the weight of the generator easily? They look pretty beefy.
Dane
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11-12-2016, 11:49 PM
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#709
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Keen amature
1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield
, Kent
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,534
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Big improvement on the original Brad!
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11-13-2016, 05:17 AM
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#710
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Rivet Master
1982 31' Airstream 310
champaign
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,071
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You da man Brad!
Curious, when the generator is on the slide, do you disconnect the exhaust and electrical feed when sliding it out for maintenance? I suppose you could use a plug of some sort for the electric. As you know, on my 310, I cant access anything on the back of the generator as it is. I was surprised I could even change out the points. Great work Brad, you must be getting pretty good at this mod!
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11-13-2016, 05:32 AM
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#711
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danec020
Looking pretty good sir. Those drawers can support the weight of the generator easily? They look pretty beefy.
Dane
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Dane,
The drawer slides are rated at 500 lbs for stationary equipment and 300 lbs for mobile equipment. The Onan 6.5 weighs in around 260 or so. When the drawer is in the "in" position I will be clamping it in place so the slides won't have to deal with road impacts or the suspension trying to bounce it around.
I think the slides cost around $150 for the pair. They are considered full extension slides but even when fully extended the generator will still have about 2" inside the compartment.
Considering the location and the orientation of the generator it still won't be the easiest to work on but it will be a darn sight better than if it was welded in place!
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-13-2016, 05:46 AM
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#712
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mayco
You da man Brad!
Curious, when the generator is on the slide, do you disconnect the exhaust and electrical feed when sliding it out for maintenance? I suppose you could use a plug of some sort for the electric. As you know, on my 310, I cant access anything on the back of the generator as it is. I was surprised I could even change out the points. Great work Brad, you must be getting pretty good at this mod!
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Mike,
Yes, the exhaust pipe does get disconnected. Fortunately this generator doesn't use exhaust pipe clamps to connect the exhaust pipe to the generator manifold. It uses a flange at the exit of the exhaust manifold. You just have to bolt the external exhaust pipe to the flange. Much easier than trying to pry apart two pipes that have been clamped together.
Your access problems with the generator are the same reasons I put my old 310 generator on drawer slides. Several years ago while diagnosing a starting problem on the 310 generator I had the drawer slides extended and was able to work on the generator even without the exhaust pipe being connected. It was a little loud but sure made working on it a lot easier
I will be using two pairs of male/female 30 amp connectors to connect the generator to the coach. Basically to slide the generator out the exhaust pipe has to be disconnected and that's it. The two electrical connectors only need to be unplugged if you're removing the generator from the drawer.
Needless to say I'm sorta hoping this is the last set of generator drawer slides I install
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-13-2016, 05:47 AM
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#713
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662
Big improvement on the original Brad!
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The phrase night and day comes to mind
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-14-2016, 08:31 AM
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#714
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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One thing I was faced with was having to fabricate a bottom plate for the drawer I was making. after thinking about it for a while I decided to go the cheap route and cut the bottom out of the original generator tray I salvaged from the 345. A 4-1/2" cutoff wheel on a little hand grinder made fast work of it.
All that's left to finish up the siding tray installation is to drill 6 more holes, finish welding four brackets together and then paint everything.
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-19-2016, 03:30 PM
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#715
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-19-2016, 08:03 PM
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#716
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2 Rivet Member
Geismar
, Louisiana
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 91
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'74 Argosy 20' Motorhome restoration/rebuild
Looking good! Is that C channel the same size as the ones on peanut or is it actually a little bigger? Definitely going to be a good bit of welding to get that all on there. I am assuming you are going to have to lay under it while welding. That is going to be slightly dangerous. Nothing like hot metal falling on you to get your blood pumping! :P
The gas tank is looking nice as well. How many gallons is it again? And out of curiosity, since I am going to be doing some rust prevention treatment on my project, what paints are you using/recommend?
Dane
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11-20-2016, 06:12 AM
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#717
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Peanut did not have C channel. It has the same 2"x5" rectangular tubing that was on mine. One difference is the tubing doesn't extend as far back (forward actually) on the frame rails due to the existence of the black water tank sitting between the frame rails. I opted to use C channel mainly because it's thicker and rain and dirt can't get inside to sit and rust the metal.
There's definitely a bunch of welding to do and all of it is vertical so there will be a fair amount of sparks. I've got a couple of welding blankets that I will use to keep the sparks contained as well as covering myself There are times when I forget to where my welding cap and the feeling of burning hair can be pretty irritating!
The gas tank is 50 gallons. I probably should have made it slightly smaller so it would be easier to install but I figured this is a one time deal so I might as well make it as large as possible. Now I just have to figure out how to mount it
I've been using Rustoleum rusty metal primer and Rustoleum black paint. If the metal was sand blasted or if it was stripped in my electrolysis tank then I just use the black paint. If it wasn't prepped by blasting or electrolysis then I use the rusty metal primer before painting. The gas tank had some light areas of surface rust so I decided to go ahead and prime it.
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-20-2016, 06:32 AM
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#718
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Keen amature
1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield
, Kent
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,534
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danec020
.................................................. ...... And out of curiosity, since I am going to be doing some rust prevention treatment on my project, what paints are you using/recommend?
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OK Dane....we know what you have done
They say confession is good for the soul, so come on, start your thread and get it out on the table!!!!!!
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11-20-2016, 06:43 AM
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#719
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662
OK Dane....we know what you have done
They say confession is good for the soul, so come on, start your thread and get it out on the table!!!!!!
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__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-20-2016, 08:05 AM
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#720
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Safari
1977 20' Argosy 20
northern valley
, new jersey
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkahler
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just no words to adequately describe the condition, Dane, but there is help!
lol!
__________________
Joseph & Gabrielle
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci.
WBCCI 2087 - AIR 3144 - TAC-NJ2
https://defendwally.org/
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