I bought it.

[Don Landis]

Ok. I bought it. Now what do I do? I kind of feel like Dustin Hoffman at the end of the Graduate when they're on the bus and looking at each another thinking......

It's a 78' Argosy 28 feet with a 454 Chevy Gas with only 43K miles on it. I got it for $4100. I think it was a good deal. What do you all think?

I guess the first thing is to drive it home. Then I'm going to get the engine checked out and some new tires on it. Finally, I'll call Andy on Monday and see what he has to say.

Tires - I plan on using it once a month and then for an extended month's vacation once a year. Do I get the high end tires or mid range since the tires rot before they wear out with my minimal use?

donlandis

[Boondocker]

I don't know a thing about the motor homes, but WHAT A COOL LOOKING RIG! Congrats on the new AS

[Steve & Susan]

Sweet deal and a beauty MH!
What kind of shape is the interior in?
I view tires as the number two safety device on a vehicle, brakes are first although they could be tied.
So, I never buy cheap ones.
We recently acquired a 1993 Fleetwood MH and put about $7K into exhaust manifolds, brakes and the like. I use it for business trips to DC and an occasional family trip.
Best of luck!

[Gene]

Don, congratulations. Rodney is right—it sure is pretty.

Now reality check: This rig has been used less than 2,000 a year (maybe a lot less recently) and seals, belts and rubber hoses and tubing may well fail soon unless they have all been replaced recently. Change coolant, oil, and get a grease job. Check everything—fluids, full tuneup, check brakes, bearings, exhaust system, new plugs, points (consider an aftermarket electronic ignition system to improve gas mileage, if such things are still available for that engine), filters (gas, transmission, oil, air) and anything else that you can think of on a 31 year old truck.

Tires—I agree with Steve & Susan. Get the best you can. Check the traction ratings and since you don't want to travel a tremendous amount, wear ratings will be less important. A good tire will have good ratings for both.

The first thing is to make sure you can drive safely and won't get stuck by the side of the road.

Then, all the RV stuff needs to be checked over.

You didn't say how handy you are, but I guarantee you will become more so as time goes on. Woodall's has a good book on RV systems and that would be a good start (it's probably on Amazon).

Gene

[Sixty3TW4US]

Congrats!! Nice lookin MOHO Any pics of the inside?

[Minnie's Mate]

Congratulations! and welcome to the world of Wally. By am that is. Have her checked out by someone who knows motor homes, specifically Airstream products and get what needs taken care of taken care of. Use the same judgment for the tires on this rig that you would on your mini-van. If you would put good tires on the mini, put good tires on the Argosy. If you'd go cheap on the mini, go cheap on the Argosy. In other words, you'll be betting your life on the tires on the Argosy as much or maybe more than on your mini-van so keep that in mind.

Again, congratulations!

[Coastalview]

Don, I sent you a PM with my number.
You have to give it a name!
Don't forget to update your profile now that you are a owner
You need to get it out for the locals to see by coming here:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f288...2-a-45785.html

Jeff

[2Alaska]

Congrats on your Argosy,

I've always wanted one of those! Argosy MHs are what got me into Airstreams to begin with. Have a blast with it! Post more pictues when you can. She's a beauty.
~2Alaska

[bkahler]

Don,

Congrats on the new Argosy!

Most definitely buy top of the line tires you won't regret it. Nothing worse than driving down the road after getting new tires and wondering where that new vibration is coming from. We tried to go cheap on tires and never again.

Post more pictures when you get a chance.

Enjoy!

Brad

[nohillgrish]

Congrats Don. Great looking rig. I also have a '78 28' Argosy MH that's a project. Post more pic's as you can.

[soldiermedic]

Congrats and welcome to the forums. Looks like the PO striped away all the argosy paint leaving the pretty and polishable aluminum for ya! Don't know about the motorhomes, but the Argosy trailers had steel endcaps on them, so keep an eye for rust if that is still the case with your MOHO.

Steve

[Don Landis]

Well, I made it home. I even got her up to 65 miles an hour. But taking those curves takes nervous os steel as she sways to one side or another. I think we'll call her Xiao Lung, which means little dragon in Chinese. My wife is Chinese and my given Chinese last name is Lung - so we call my little boys my Xiao Lungs.

I also made my first repairs - and I don't know my way around the tool box too well. The door won't lock. So I took it apart and used a lot of WD-40 to clean the 30 years of gunk out, reassembled it (three times), reinstalled it (twice), and it works. Wow. I think I can, I think I can.....

Here's the pictures from the inside. Lots and lots of things to do to it and I'll be posting lots of requests for ideas and suggestions. Loved the bunk bed suggestion from RV Surplus.

donlandis

[Kevin245]

Don,

The pictures look great. Congratulations on your new addition.

Kevin

[bkahler]

Don,

Cosmetically your Argosy is in great shape! You definitely got a bargain at the price you paid.

Once you get through all of the mechanicals (especially the rubber stuff) you should be in great shape to travel anywhere you want.

Brad

[danalee]

Congratulations, you and your family will have many happy adventures with her-love the name!

[soldiermedic]

I agree with Brad....very aesthetically pleasing.

Great deal!

Steve

[HiHoAgRV]

Congrats on one cool RV!
My only suggestion is based on previous experience with 454 powered RV's - spring for a set of plug wires made for high performance race cars, specifically with the highest temp boots you can find. I went several years with 2 sets of NAPA lifetime replacement wires, one set on the RV melting and one set as a spare. Every 6 months I'd swap sets when the misfires started and get the toasted set swapped under warranty.

I finally got tired of the shuffle and bought a set from Summit Racing and never again burned a set of wires.

[Don Landis]

These are all very good suggestions. I'm up to 16 on the list of things to have the mechanic check and change.

[Gene]

I haven't bought ignition wires in a long time since the newer ones really last, but when I used to, I found the NAPA house brand of electrical parts was inferior. I think the name was Belkin, but it's been a while—20+ years.

Gene