Argosy Redo

[rugjenkins]

Ordered lots stuff.
1. New black tank
2. dometic 320 toilet
3. Step tub
4. Atwood 15k heat pump
5. Tiger foam- spray foam insulation
6. Hytech ceramic insulation additive for ace galvanized and aluminum primer
7. 5 sheets of belly pan material

I will adjust frame for new tank. Decided that the valterra tank I am using for the grey will not work for the black tank. I want the toilet flush on the floor.

I also really like the ceramic paint additive. Great insulator and thermal break on skin and ribs.

I did a lot of research on insulation. For me, considering cost, labor intensity and insulating factor I felt it was the best choice. Cost wise it was only about a $100 more. For me it was a no brainer. Pictures are coming :-)

[rugjenkins]

I was looking at my tank set up and decided it wasn't going to work. The tank plumbing outlets were level with the axles. I was either jack up the trailer 3 inches or use different tanks. So after 3 days thinking, I came up with plan. I decided to box in the frame around the axles and use different tanks. Here are pics of boxing the frame. Waiting on the grey tank, black tank mount is done.

[rugjenkins]

Boxing frame at axles done. Will weld grey tank mounts, frame out at door and look at welding new wheel wells.

[rugjenkins]

Took out the cracked plastic wheel wells. I had some 22 guage sheet metal in the basement so I experimented on a custom wheel well. I also welded a 2 inch mounting plate for the wheel well. It will then be riveted and sikaflex end on to that. The old plastic one will get cut up and used on the aluminum skin side that way I don't have to worry about dissimilar metals.

[rugjenkins]

Finished new wheel wells and installed

[rugjenkins]

Installing tanks. I had to modify on of the frame rails I boxed in. I didn't account for the drain flange. I had to in set the tank inside the frame on end to make it fit.

[rugjenkins]

Tired of welding. So I moved on the patching all the holes in the roof. I'll post pics soon.

[rugjenkins]

Almost ready to attach the belly pan but need to weld a few supports then I'll be happy. Re-engineering and swapping floor plan causes lots of fab work😄 I'm glad it's relaxing

[rugjenkins]

Finally done with the supports for the belly pan. My tanks sit a little below the frame rails and all 3 have different heights and widths. So I had to ponder awhile to make it work.

Also I dry fitted the drains.

I'm painting the belly pans blacks but have to strip the old paint from the camper before I can install the pans.

[DDOK]

Wow ! You've done a ton of work. I'm sincerely impressed. By comparison, I've just started work on my Argosy 26.

Quick Question: On your Argosy, were the banana wraps just riveted to the shell? IE, to remove them, did you just have to drill out the rivets, or was it more involved?

[rugjenkins]

Yes they are and just drill them out. Should come right off😄

[rugjenkins]

Tried 2 kinds of paint stripper tonight.
Citristrip and Kleen strip. I like the citristrip. Not harsh, biodegradable and smells good. I spray a can on side and came back 4 hrs later and washed it off- I really like that. My plan is to apply it Thursday night before bed and remove it before work the next day.

[DDOK]

Thanks for the info on the banana wraps !

Have you decided which 'etcher/primer/paint' you want to use? We probably won't be painting for several months. I've got at least a month of weekends work to do on the frames and floor, probably longer if I'm honest with myself.

[rugjenkins]

Yep, Ace galvanized metal and aluminum primer. I have 82 popup with aluminum skins I repainted 2 yrs ago. It turned out great. I then sprayed the Ace Rust Stop enamel paint with a hardener on top of that. Cheap, tintable and is what cars were painted with before acrylic lacquer.

[rugjenkins]

I plan to primer the belly pans this weekend. Aluminum is slick so sanding the panels is a must. I use fine sandpaper or wire wheels. Sanding gives the primer something to expand into. The primer fills all the sanding marks and leaves a smooth surface.

Here a pic of the popup for you to see😄

[rugjenkins]

Note to self- citristrip doesn't work real well in freezing temps! I applied a coat last night at 6 and let it sit overnight. Checked it this morning, it worked at little. The temps rise to 50's today so it should kick in. And yes I did read the suggestions on the back. Optimum working range 65 to 85 degrees. I like to stretch the rules though😁

[DDOK]

Sounds like you are making great progress. Keep it up !

I got a start on dropping the belly pan on my Argosy last weekend, hoping to finish dropping it tomorrow. Some welding will definately be required.

Also, those buck rivets don't come out nearly as easy as the smaller pop and intermediate rivets do :-)

Thanks for the tip on the 'Ace galvanized metal and aluminum primer'. I'll have to take a look at that.

[rugjenkins]

Finally done stripping the paint!!
It seems that if I say 1 day to do something and it takes 3 maybe I should say I'll be one with the camper in 1 week!😁

[rugjenkins]

Finished priming the belly wraps. I sanded with 150 grit then sprayed with ace gal and alum primer. I'll post a pic tonight.

[rugjenkins]

Tanks and plumbing drains are installed!!