wannabees

[GregE]

We are looking for our first trailer to join our friends Mike and Donna from Tempe Arizona. Of course, they have a vintage Argosy, so our search is on for a similar vintage Argosy or Airstream Tradewind. More to say when we find "THE TRAILER".

[markdoane]

Greg,

Welcome to the Airstreamforums! Good luck on your search.

[overlander64]

Greetings GregE!

Welcome to the Forums!

Originally Posted by GregE

We are looking for our first trailer to join our friends Mike and Donna from Tempe Arizona. Of course, they have a vintage Argosy, so our search is on for a similar vintage Argosy or Airstream Tradewind. More to say when we find "THE TRAILER".

Between the Airstream TradeWind, and the Argosy 24/26, Minuet 7.3 Metre; you will have a number of interesting options to consider:

• The Airstream TradeWind has the tride and true rear bath floorplan in the era 1972-1979 as does the Argosy 24 and 26. With these coaches, you will find either twins on either side of the aisle over the tandem axles -- or a center double pull-out bed on one side of the aisle with a wardrobe/dressing area opposite.
  • Most of the TradeWinds of this era will have a front lounge with a Credenza dining table -- if you are lucky, the coach may even come with its original Leg-O-Matic chairs.
  • The Argosy 24 and 16 offered an optional front dinette, but it was seemingly less popular than the front louge setup.
• The Argosy 24 did offer a floorplan that was not available on the TradeWind of this era. The floorplan was referred to as Rear Door or Rear Entery. With this floorplan, the main entry door is found behind rather than adhead of the tandem axles.
  • This floorplan cam standard with a curbside dinette.
  • The front of this particular floorplan usually featured twin lounges separated by a nightstand with credenza table. The lounges were essentially twin beds. There was a drape that separated this front sleeping area from the kitchen/dinette area.
  • This floorplan featured a rear bath that was nearly identical to other Airstream and Argosys of the period.
• The Argosy Minuet 7.3 Metre is another option in the 24-25' size range. It was produced during the period 1977-1979. Most of the 7.3 Metre coaches seem to be 1979 with a few being 1978.
  • The Minuet is only 7' wide at floor level rather than the 7' 8" of the standard Argosy coach.
  • The Minuet was designed to save weight that reflected its production during the Energy Crisis Era.
    • The interior cabinetry in the Minuets (unlike the standard Argosys and Airstreams of the era) featured cTabinets constructed of vinyl-clad aluminum (the vinyl-cladding was designed to resemble wood).
    • The interiors were designed to be light, airy, and welcoming -- they were, however, very definitely 1970s with popular interior color schemes featuring avacado green, burnt orange, harvest gold, and a rather unusual spring green.
    • The floorplan was fairly typical for the 1970s era Airstreams and Argosys -- rear bath, center sleeping area, front lounge (dinettes were offered as a low-cost option).
  • All of the Argosys of this period featured the front window with the deep-wrap wing windows that wouldn't be available on Airstreams for several years.
    • Rock guards weren't common options of the Argosy coaches of this time period
      • The standard series Argosys utilize the currently available 3-piece Airstream rock guard with minimal modification
      • The Minuets also can utilize the currently available 3-piece Airstream rock guard assembly but the center section will require some significant modification.

Good luck with your search!

Kevin

[azflycaster]

Friends of Mike and Donna! We met them at Dead Horse for the first time last month. Two very nice people and fun to hang with. Good luck with your search for the right trailer. It took me almost a year to find mine and it was being sold by a forums member. BTW, my Trade Wind is not for sale!

[airstreamers]

welcome grege! so glad you're joining us. hats off to overlander64 for the excellent and detailed answer. i sure can't add anything to that. see what a great choice you made by joining and asking your question here. this is such a wonderful bunch of people. good luck and keep us posted.

[flyfshr]

Hi Greg and welcome. I also met Mike and Donna at the dead Horse rally earlier thiis month. It is true, they have a great Argosy and they went a ways to get it. I looked for over 4 months before finding our '59 TradeWind. It is just the right size for us and have taken it out many times and am always amazed at how comfortable we are while "roughing it". Be patient, you'll find just the right one. BTW - mine's not for sale either.

Brad
FF