Solution for the vibrating Argosy mirrors

[bkahler]

One of the upgrades I have been planning to do for my little 20' Argosy MH was to rework the side mirror installation to eliminate the vibration that everyone complains about. I spent part of this past winter trying to think of some way to add structural support inside the wall of the Argosy. I wanted to develop something that wouldn't be that difficult for someone else to fabricate if they wanted to do something similar.

I was fortunate in that I have a band saw, drill press and mill to use for fabrication but someone with a hand drill, hacksaw and patience could fabricate them as well. With that in mind I've attached some pictures of where this project is headed.

I found that it is almost impossible to get the right hand inner wall panel removed completely without removing the dash and the A/C evaporator. So I needed to figure out a way to get a support block in place without removing the dash and the wall panel. You can see in this picture where I was able to roll the wall panel out of the way enough to gain access. It's a tight fit but should be doable.



Now that I've gained access it's time to make the blocks. The blocks are made from 3/4" x 4-3/4" x 6" aluminum plate.



I then cut and drilled some 3/4" aluminum angle to use as attachment points.



I did test fit to make sure what I was fabricating was going to fit and I'm happy with the results.



The last step before mounting the mirrors is to fasten the block in place. If you look at the last couple of pictures close enough you might see what challenges lie ahead

Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures of that process in the next couple of days

Brad

[masseyfarm]

That plate of aluminium makes the BULLET bullet proof!

Dave

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by masseyfarm

That plate of aluminium makes the BULLET bullet proof!

Dave

Dave, I HATE vibrating mirrors

Brad

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Dave, I HATE vibrating mirrors

Brad

3/4" plate stock? I think your angle stock needs to have at least 3/8" thick legs to hold it in place. Don't forget to add a few pounds psi to the front air bags to carry the extra weight. I'm sorry but it was just too easy.

Actually it looks pretty good Brad but I do think it might be just a bit of overkill.

[masseyfarm]

Just don't park where those trailer guys are practising backing up. If they hit the mirror, your whole cab is going to be removed.

My other thought would be, maybe the vibrating mirrors could be used someplace else???? Sometimes distortion might be good.

Dave

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by masseyfarm

Just don't park where those trailer guys are practising backing up. If they hit the mirror, your whole cab is going to be removed.

Good point

My other thought would be, maybe the vibrating mirrors could be used someplace else????

While driving?

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

3/4" plate stock? I think your angle stock needs to have at least 3/8" thick legs to hold it in place. Don't forget to add a few pounds psi to the front air bags to carry the extra weight. I'm sorry but it was just too easy.

What can I say, I'm an easy target

I didn't have any 3/8" thick angle stock laying around...

Actually it looks pretty good Brad but I do think it might be just a bit of overkill.

It might be overkill but I'd just as soon do this only once. There are to many other things I'd rather be doing as it is!

Brad

[bkahler]

I got the Ramco mirror mounts completed today. They are even more rigid that I was expecting

Too bolt things in place I needed a drill motor with drill bit that was no more than 4-3/4" long. I bought one of those angle drills in the hopes that I could chuck a bit in and get it to fit in between the frame members. No such luck. So I had to shorten a couple of drill bits that would allow the drill and bit to fit in the cavity between frame members. As you can see in the next to pictures the drill bit is kinda short I started off by marking the frame member where I needed to drill the two holes and then used a tiny center punch as a guide. I then used the smaller of the two drill bits to bore a guide hole and then followed up with the larger drill bit.

Once the lower holes were drilled I enlarged the holes in the angle for the 1/4" bolts to pass through into the frame member.




I set the block in place with the bottom angle attached and bolted it in place. I bolted the top angle to the plate and then using a 1/8" diameter 12" long drill bit I used the small hole I had bored in the angle as a guide to drill into the upper frame member. I then followed up with a 1/4" diameter 12 long drill bit to finish up the top two bolt holes.



Next I tightened all the bolts and moved outside to install the mirror. The large hole in the center is for the power window wiring.



I made the decision to move the drivers mirror as far forward as possible to give a better viewing angle. The passenger mirror is set farther to the rear to provide clearance for the diagonal window frame.

On the drivers side I have to plug two holes with Olympic rivets. On the passenger side I'll have to plug six holes.



I'm quite happy with the installation. The mirrors are nice and rigid and located where they need to be for driver comfort.

Brad

[K5006W]

Howdy Brad, really appreciate your input regarding mirror dilemmas. I'd like to buy an original-type "squiggly" chrome bracket (broke a bolt off in mine). Have one for sale? Big thanks, Ron

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by K5006W

Howdy Brad, really appreciate your input regarding mirror dilemmas. I'd like to buy an original-type "squiggly" chrome bracket (broke a bolt off in mine). Have one for sale? Big thanks, Ron

Morning Ron,

Are you talking about the round bar that bolts to the mirror bracket on the body? Or the bracket on the body?

I have both body brackets and one round bar (not chromed anymore). There is nothing special about the round bar, I think it's just a 3/4" solid bar with a tapped hole at one end.

[Jjona5]

I am glad this was brought from the dead, I like this idea!

[bkahler]

The new mirrors are mounted sturdy enough that I can grab the mirror arm and rock the coach from side to side