B's Bus 1975 Argosy 20

[Evalu8r]

My wife found this 1975 rear bath Argosy 20 while hunting for a mh for our son. Bryce is turning 18 this year and is at peace when traveling, loves the outdoors and camping. So we bought it to help him enjoy what he loves most.

The mh has been through a couple owners since 2012 and came with a 2" thick binder full of receipts and the work done on it. Mechanically it works very well as I drove it home after purchasing it, a 4.5 hr ride on HWY 401.

We've had everything but the PL and water working inside, fridge even worked on 110V and got fairly cool over night. What we are missing are the original side mirrors, one side sliding window, generator is gone, PL tank, passengers bench seats / dinette and there was a big heavy scooter deck welding on the rear, which I took off and need the rear bumper too.

Hopefully we can find or fabricate most of this with a little help for our friends.

These photos are from the ad posted by the seller. The last photo is Bryce enjoying "B's Bus" and planning his first trip.

[HiJoeSilver]

Get that monstrosity off the back! Otherwise I'm thinking "SOB IM JEALOUS!" That's one lucky kid! It looks like it's in great shape.

[martin300662]

The rear bath 20ft are really rare in the pre-face lift models but also different from the rear bath 20ft made from 77 on. For example. you have the two 30" slider windows on the drivers side but the the same fixed window as found in the rear bath, by 77 that third window is a 24" slider. Those fixed windows are totally unobtainable (Brad was searching for years until I replaced all of Bella's with sliders).

The mirrors are easily available, what aren't are the bases, but be aware the PO changed the mirrors for a reason - the standard ones are useless! Think about changing for something similar (bottom mounted) but more useful. I think Joseph (JM2) has a collection of Ramco mirrors that he may let go?

Please make sure you add the VIn to the Motorhome Serial number thread, and Fred is working on a database of all the known 20ft so you may want to reach out to him as well.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by martin300662

The rear bath 20ft are really rare in the pre-face lift models but also different from the rear bath 20ft made from 77 on. For example. you have the two 30" slider windows on the drivers side but the the same fixed window as found in the rear bath bed, by 77 that third window is a 24" slider. Those fixed windows are totally unobtainable (Brad was searching for years until I replaced all of Bella's with sliders).

The mirrors are easily available, what aren't are the bases, but be aware the PO changed the mirrors for a reason - the standard ones are useless! Think about changing for something similar (bottom mounted) but more useful. I think Joseph (JM2) has a collection of Ramco mirrors that he may let go?

Please make sure you add the VIn to the Motorhome Serial number thread, and Fred is working on a database of all the known 20ft so you may want to reach out to him as well.

I hate that posts can't be edited after 15mins!

[drnkpnk]

Originally Posted by HiJoeSilver

I'm thinking "SOB IM JEALOUS!" That's one lucky kid! It looks like it's in great shape.

My exact thoughts too!

Looks great and I look forward to reading the progress.

[Overlander & Sea]

We also have a '75 Argosy 20' rear bath MH & have really enjoyed it!! Yours looks to be in good shape. You may be able to find some of the items you need such as a rear bumper if someone is parting one out. Good luck & have fun!!

[Evalu8r]

Originally Posted by HiJoeSilver

Get that monstrosity off the back! Otherwise I'm thinking "SOB IM JEALOUS!" That's one lucky kid! It looks like it's in great shape.

Joe, That was the first thing I did when I got it home. That monstrosity must have weighed 400lbs. Yes, the body and paint is not bad at all. I pan on putting the compound and polisher to it this weekend to take the haze out of the paint. The underside is in good condition as well, light surface rust from sitting is all I've seen so far. I imagine there will be some hidden surprises for me as we get at it.

Originally Posted by martin300662

The mirrors are easily available, what aren't are the bases, but be aware the PO changed the mirrors for a reason - the standard ones are useless! Think about changing for something similar (bottom mounted) but more useful.

Yes Martin, I've been thinking about what to do about the mirrors. I don't care for the size of the ones on it now and would like to see the original mirrors on it. But the two things that I'll have to deal with is the holes left behind from the removal and then how much can one see out of the original mirrors?

[mprokop87]

Congrats on your purchase! That one looks like its in nice shape. Brad ended up helping me out with the mirror situation a while back but making a couple of the parts for it. Your setup is strangly similar to mine with the mirrors and the CB antennas. Where the antennas are mounted is where the original mirrors were placed. Brad made up the posts that bolted to the mirrors for me (mirrors available online). I also had the mirrors that were screwed in above and below the window like you have. Maybe someone can chime in on this mirror/antenna configuration.

[mprokop87]

Also, I cannot tell if you are missing hubcaps on the rear or not but I have two of those sitting in my garage. They are in mint shape, came off of a parts RV that only had 9k miles when I dismantled it. You might need to figure out how they mount to the rim but they are yours as long as you pay to ship them.

[bkahler]

That's one nice looking Argosy! That's one lucky kid

I replaced the original mirrors on my Argosy with Ramco replacement mirrors.

You have to dismantle the interior side walls to do the work but from my perspective it was worth doing.

Did you get my PM showing the 77 bumper on my 74 Argosy?

Brad

[m.hony]

What is the fiberglass camper under the lean-to?

[Evalu8r]

Originally Posted by mprokop87

Also, I cannot tell if you are missing hubcaps on the rear or not but I have two of those sitting in my garage. They are in mint shape, came off of a parts RV that only had 9k miles when I dismantled it. You might need to figure out how they mount to the rim but they are yours as long as you pay to ship them.

mprokop87, Thanks you so much for the offer and the kindness but our mh has the 16.5 rims on it and two tires need to be replaced. So I'm going to change them all over to 16" and hopefully find a set of matching aluminum rims.

Originally Posted by bkahler

That's one nice looking Argosy! That's one lucky kid

I replaced the original mirrors on my Argosy with Ramco replacement mirrors.

You have to dismantle the interior side walls to do the work but from my perspective it was worth doing.

Did you get my PM showing the 77 bumper on my 74 Argosy?

Brad

Yes Brad, Just had a look at what you sent me. I think between me and my welder we could make that look fairly close to what was there.

[Evalu8r]

Originally Posted by m.hony

What is the fiberglass camper under the lean-to?

Canadian built Trillium 5500, all fiberglass camper. Pretty rare, only 65 of these were ever made. They wouldn't sell it.

[HiJoeSilver]

If you haven't seen this thread give your son some homework to start reading, if anything lots of good info in there;

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f310...ild-98858.html