First Time Argosy Owners

[Family Camp]

Juel,

Sorry Bob won , but the floor looks great. I didn't realize you could do a fixed floor system. The guy we talked to said due to the trailer movement it wouldn't be a good idea. Have you had any issues? Also, did you do something with your cabinets, they look so rich in color and in general a little different than ours.

The weather is beautiful and the family is very anxious to start our summer camping adventures in our new trailer instead of the usual tent, although the kids insist we still bring the tent so they can use it as a fort.

Although this is more fun, I better get back to work .

[juel]

Lots of folks put wood or cork floors in their trailers. So far we have had no trouble with the floor and actually let's face it, the trailer floor is plywood under there already. About the cabinets, had I known what I know now, I would never have attempted staining them. I didn't like the dead looking color and finish on them, so I thought I would freshen them up with a light stain. It's extremely hard and I would never do it again. I would remove and replace the vinyl wall coverings. That was easy and added so much to the interior of the Argosy. I covered the wood by the entrance door also. Lightens up the trailer. I took the vinyl wall covering off the bath pocket door and the wood was so nice I didn't replace that piece. I used shellac to cover the sticky glue residue and it worked wonderfully.

[Family Camp]

Juel,

Thanks for the info on the vinyl inserts. the material came yesterday. I have to admit the color was a little shocking. Our trailer was missing all this when we purchased it so we had no idea what to expect. I tried looking at some of your pictures to see what it looks like but I wasn't able to tell. So does your vinyl inserts constrast a little with your matalic brown stripe?

Also, I called Airstream and they said the stripe and unbelly color were Metalic Gold (44767AM) for the 78, but I also searched through the forums and found where someone said it was Metalic Brown (44721-AM). In either case we called some local paint places and they say these dupont paint colors are no longer made. I guess what I am trying to ask is what color you guys used to paint your stripe?

My husband just painted the end caps with the paint color you recommended and it looks great. We have been taking pictures of the progress so we will post as soon as we get some time.

The interior questions will be coming soon. I'm more excited about that! But I guess since Frank (my husband) is doing all the work he gets to choose what gets taken care of first.

Thank you very much for all your input it has been extremely helpful.

Vicki

[juel]

Well, Bob and I went to an auto parts store and had a metallic copper paint mixed. It's just a good auto paint but Bob's going to look up the brand when he gets home this week-end. We also used an auto primer. We sanded, washed and primed. Then Bob sprayed on the copper color. It's been a year and it still looks good as new. In answer to your question, the orange vinyl inserts don't match anything, but they sure make the trailer look good. I taped and spray painted those metal end pieces that the insert goes in to on the side. Personally we've had pretty good luck just using what we thought would work as far as paint, interior vinyl wall covering, etc. There's no mystery to these trailers. Actually I spray painted that stripe a brown color with Krylon first, but didn't like the color. The metallic copper looks good. The Krylon stayed on for a year in the harsh Oklahoma weather with no problems.

[juel]

Here are the pictures of painting that end piece and the brown paint on the stripe. I painted the raised name on the back and then sanded the ridges. Doesn't look bad. I taped each letter on the Airstream we have and that took about an hour. Of course it was the only way to paint the letters on one of those big silver ones. Also a picture of the inside when we first finished it and put the light carpet runner in. I liked that color on the floor, but it showed so much dirt. The new one is better. Most carpet runners will fit end to end in the 24ft, just cut a nitch out for the bathroom panels.

[juel]

Two ways of painting the name on the back of one of these trailers. Also if you have something like that horrible gold toilet we had, you can fix that too. Not really easy, but it can be done if it gets to be too much for you.

[dieterdog]

Perfect Judy,,, looks like a new trailer,,, happy trails,, donna