New owner of a '75 Argosy

[mprokop87]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Fred has some very good photos of the roto-dinette on his site http://viewrvs.com/blog/2012/12/13/t...-roto-dinette/

If you can replicate it, please make two as i would love a set to go in Peanut!!!!!

Martin,
I have a roto-dinette in mine as well. I can try to get you information for it if you'd like. Or even remove some of the parts this winter so they can be fabricated.

I am looking for the latching mechanims for mine. I am currently missing 2 (well 1.5) and would like to get them all fixed. If anyone has any leads let me know!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by mprokop87

I am looking for the latching mechanims for mine. I am currently missing 2 (well 1.5) and would like to get them all fixed. If anyone has any leads let me know!

How about some pictures of the latching mechanisms?

[mprokop87]

Since you asked, I will try to remember to take some when I get home.

[drnkpnk]

I have not unfolded it yet or figured out how it all works, but I can take some pictures as well. Take measurements too and all that.

Edit: Now with pics!
The leaves are spring hinged two ways. Fancy!

[Arlo argosy]

Would love to know where to get the window sliders as well as I need to do mine on my '75.
Haven't tried removing a window yet to see what's involved yet either.

[Evalu8r]

Originally Posted by drnkpnk

I have not unfolded it yet or figured out how it all works, but I can take some pictures as well. Take measurements too and all that.

Edit: Now with pics!
The leaves are spring hinged two ways. Fancy!

Very nice drnkpnk, if you would be so kind to give some measurements, I could totally make that table top this winter. I couldn't see the hinge for the first unfolding. Are they hidden hinges?

[GWallace]

The nameplate for the generator is definitely for an Onan 4.0BF which is a 4KW generator. The 4.0BFs were the ones installed by Argosy and is probably original. Notice that it is a 1800 RPM unit whereas most newer units are higher RPM units. Parts are still available from Onan (pricey). There is a detailed service manual available also.

Martin et al, the Roto-Dinette is something that can be fabricated. The pedastile is a double post arrangement made from steel tubing and plate. The seats are also items that can be fabricated from stock steel material. I had mine out a number of years ago and would have to partially disassemble to get details for fabrication. I noticed that the latches in the above pictures are slightly different from the ones on my 77. The fabrication process will require welding and some lathe work on some of the tubing. The later tables are simpler and easier to fabricate.

Gregg

[mprokop87]

I would definitely be interested in a table, I never knew they came with one like that. Mine had just a two post table that doesn't fold. Very cool!

[bkahler]

Here's a picture of the table that came with Peanut. I've seen Fred's Roto-Dinette but didn't really look that close at how it was constructed. To my knowledge there is nothing else left of this table assembly other than what's in the picture.

[drnkpnk]

Hello again all! I've been away for too long but now is time to get back at it with gusto.

I have poorly neglected this thread and the forums for a bit, my apologies. After acquiring my Argosy I took on way too much extra work and then had an injury that put me down for some months. All this forced me to store the old girl away and not get much done. This has changed now and things are moving along nicely!

I see that I forgot to take measurements of my dinette and provide them. I can do that now. I also have some parts that I have removed that are in good condition if anyone wants them. Not sure the desire for the old stuff, but thought I would see if there is interest rather than chucking or selling them.
Parts:
-Giant curved mirror that sat on the wall behind the driver seat, next to the stove.
-Rear fold up table.
-All the original mattresses and pillow/back support thingies. I am sure nobody wants the foam but the zip covers and things may be useful?

Looking forward to chatting with ya'll again!

[mprokop87]

Welcome back, I have been on a bit of a break too. Life just gets in the way sometime. I was hoping to use my Arogsy more than once this year so far but it didn't work out that way. I do have a trip planned this weekend and another in late September.

One thing I was thinking about with your Argosy is that you might want ot have the radiator checked. I have the exact same Argosy as you (but a 76) and I had to replace mine a year or two ago. It's not a cheap fix nor can you find replacement parts because we have the vertical radiators. Unfortunately when I had to replace mine, I had to do it quickly. The problem with them is that the coolant sits in there and starts to eat away at the cooper from the inside out, you won't know you have a problem until it is too late. I had mine recored with added efficiency and now my motor stays nice and cool.

Just a thought!

[drnkpnk]

Thanks for reminding me!
That was on my list of things to do, but more towards the end when I am ready to take off in the ole girl. I had also planned on wrapping the headers with insulating tape; I think I read that on here actually...been a while.

Mind if I ask how much it cost you to get it re-cored? I have also thought about just getting an aluminum one made up new for me. The heat exchange rate with copper is certainly better, but having new shiny things is nice too.

[bkahler]

I had Peanut's radiator re-cored here in Richmond Kentucky and the cost was $560. That didn't include any labor charges for installing and removing the radiator.

Brad

[drnkpnk]

That's not all that bad, considering. It's been added to my endless list.

Progress report from the past week or so: new roof vents installed, all rear windows sealed/resealed, old Univolt charger removed and new 45A one installed, fuses replaced, toilet removed, shower "stall" ready for caulking, all (but one) interior lights replaced with LEDs, rear marker lights replaced with new housings and LEDs, new gas regulator installed and some new line run, old non-functional fridge removed, carpet removed and those huge plates trimmed back, plus many other small things I forget.

This weeks aim is to get the 5 top amber markers swapped out, caulk around the roof AC, remove that huge antenna assembly, seal up and paint the roof, build a shelf where the fridge used to be and reinstall the wall, caulk the shower, and find some LED replacements for the taillights as well as prep the rear plastic housing for painting.
If I get to three of those things I'll be happy!

[drnkpnk]

Been a bit so I thought I would post an update.

Found a few loose rivets and some seam separation on the roof so I prepped and caulked every seam, all the way down the sides too. Found that the beltline rail had a leak on the curbside, debated on removing the whole thing, but decided to try caulking it all first and it worked! Utterly leak free after rain and snow here in MT. I moved into a storage unit shortly after anyway, so I can stop having to work in bad weather.
Fresh water tank removed, cleaned, and all new hoses and water pump in. I plan on flushing the entire system after it warms up.
Black tank is in the process of being removed. I was soooo happy to find that they welded the nuts & bolts holding the tank hanger to the frame. Sawsall time! Then onto removing the cladding around and dropping the tank. Turned out to be a much bigger deal than expected; as with all things Airstream. Someone warned me about this earlier...
Batteries are arriving this week for the solar system, so I will be working in the wiring for a while. Looking forward to that part at least.

Cheers all!