!978 Argosy 24

[ramblinman]

Just purchased. Wanted to know if electric brakes are standard. The person I bought it from does not know as he purchased recently and drove without light hookup locally to his house. Thanks, we are excited, first time owners, long time lookers.

[DKB_SATX]

Yes, electric brakes are standard on Argosy trailers. All 4 wheels. So are reverse lights and a 12v charge line for the trailer battery from the tow vehicle.

It's possible that the pins on the trailer umbilical connector aren't mapped to the modern standard, they did it differently when our trailers were made. Unless someone has put a molded connector on it, it should be fairly easy to get in and move the connections around in the trailer plug if they're not right, but it's an important thing to check.

[DKB_SATX]

Oh, and welcome to AIRForums and to Argosy ownership.

[overlander64]

Greetings ramblinman!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Argosy ownership!

Originally Posted by ramblinman

Just purchased. Wanted to know if electric brakes are standard. The person I bought it from does not know as he purchased recently and drove without light hookup locally to his house. Thanks, we are excited, first time owners, long time lookers.

I am attaching a pdf of the schematic that Airstream and Argosy utilized during the time period that our coaches were built. You will note that the color coding (as to function) does not match up to the current industry standard. When checking the wiring on your Argosy's connector it is best to consider function rather than color when connecting the terminals so that they will match up to your tow vehicle.

You may also wan to be prepared to replace the breakaway switch. If your Argosy has been inactive for several years, the breakaway switch has likely met its match with corrossion. A breakaway switch isn't terribly expensive, and they are comparatively easy to install. You can find the metal cylinder style breakaway switches at Vintage Trailer Supply as well as Airstream dealers who are Vintage friendly.

I might add a suggestion if you haven't decided upon the style of connector to utilize. While the seven-blade RV connector is the industry standard today, I have found that they are far more prone to problems with corrossion than the seven-pin style connectors that Airstream and Argosy utilized when our trailers were new. These pin-style connectors are still made today, and are sold by shops catering to over-the-road truckers . . . they are heavy-duty and many are "self-cleaning". Prior to making the switch to pin-type connectors five years ago, I was disassembiling and cleaning corrossion every spring and replacing connectors every other year . . . I haven't had to touch the pin-type connectors and this is their fifth full season.

Pardon my curiousity, but whenever someone posts that they have acquired a 1977-1979 Arosy 22 or 24, I usually ask whether it is a Minuet or standard Argosy . . . and whether it is a front entry or rear entry model. The biggest difference between the Minuet and standard Argosy is the floor width . . . Minuet is 7' while the standard Argosy measures closer to 7' 8". The standard Argosy with the rear entry floorplan was very limited in production and wasn't introduced until about 1975 and it was only available in 22' and 24' models . . . they foreshadowed today's front bedroom floorplans to a degree. Something else that might distinguis your Argosy as being a little out of the ordinary is if it happen to have an "S" in the VIN rather than the typical "V" (for Versailles, OH factory) . . . according to a number of VINs that have been reported, there were at least a few Argosy travel trailers produced in the Cerritos, CA plant resulting in the "S" designation.

Good luck with your Argosy. I am sure that you will enjoy many travels!

Kevin