Sealing an Argosy

[Mike Giles]

I just bought a 1978 Argosy and it's leaking.
The floor under the water tank was so rotted that I could remove a lot of it without tools.
I thought this was a tank problem, but after cleaning it out and testing it, the water tank is solid.
Then, it rained. The next day there was a puddle in the void (on top of the skin under the trailer) where I removed the old plywood and muddy insulation and mouse homes. I could watch the water coming down through the interior wall and side running light area.
So, during the next dry day I did an experiment and put thick painters tape over many of the seams making a kind of temporary gutter.
Seemed much better in the following evenings' storm.
Therefore, as I peruse the Airstream forums I find a lot of info for the actual "silver" (i.e. classic) units but not so much on the Argosy.
Should I use the Vulcem product to seal ALL the joints?
or ... should I use something else for the seams? I think one of the main problem areas is where the trim is mounted to the exterior. It is pulled away a little in places and was full of mud. I just don't want it to look like it's held together with caulk when I'm done.
I also want to seal the outside before I get the floor reinstalled just to make sure the leaks are taken care of.
Thanks for any help and info that will get me camping soon.

[kennethowens]

There are several places your Argosy may be leaking. I went and bought
DAP Butyl Rubber caulk at the hardware store....water proof and stays
flexible. Start with the Tv antenna mount and work your way down to the running
lights. There is probably heavy rust under the running lights and places for
rain to get in. Look for rivet holes and pop-rivets...plug-em all. Check the
window trim area closely.....caulk anything that is suspect. Check it the next
day with a water hose. Seek and caulk!!! That was my first business with my
1975Argosy24.

[DEITZ645]

Mike,
Use Acryl-R & Acryl-R applicator or Parbond to seal your panel seams.

[kennethowens]

Ol Deitz may be right....InlandAndy may not agree with either of us.....Whatever the "product"....get the thing plugged. A good plug is a good plug.

[CanoeStream]

I had the exact same floor rot on my '74 Argosy. The pano windows sit in a plastic extrusion within the frame. That extrusion is no longer available but it deteriorates and allows water sheeting down the window to get inside. That water didn't show up on the inside sill. It ran down between the inner & outer skins to the C-channel and out under the tank.

Don't even try to take out a pano window! My favorite Airstream caulk is Sikaflex 221. [$7.75 at the Airstream Store]-- smooth, light consistency that can be syringed after a fashion, 10-12 hours for a fairly strong skin to develop. I cleaned out around the window and finger trowled Sikaflex between the glass & extrusion and between the extrusion and aluminum framer. The gray sikaflex is spot-on for aluminum color.

Knowing more now, I'd think the thinner Acryl-R could be better for this use. But I haven't used it. Any experienced Acryl-R users? Any solvent in Acryl-R to worry about around plastic parts?

[DEITZ645]

Originally Posted by kennethowens

Ol Deitz may be right....InlandAndy may not agree with either of us.....Whatever the "product"....get the thing plugged. A good plug is a good plug.

Yes it's important no matter what you use to arrest the leakage.

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

Don't even try to take out a pano window! My favorite Airstream caulk is Sikaflex 221. [$7.75 at the Airstream Store]-- smooth, light consistency that can be syringed after a fashion, 10-12 hours for a fairly strong skin to develop. I cleaned out around the window and finger trowled Sikaflex between the glass & extrusion and between the extrusion and aluminum framer. The gray sikaflex is spot-on for aluminum color.

I forgot all about Sikaflex 221 and I even used it last week to reseal around my black tank roof vent.

Find a product that works for you and gets the job done (that is except for silicone caulk, DO NOT USE SILICONE CAULK). We are all just giving you our personal favorites.

[kennethowens]

I would like to retract the comment I made earlier "whatever the product".
I put no, none, < zero trust in "Silicone" caulk.

[Mike Giles]

Hi,
Thanks for all the info from you guys.
I've been trying to find the Vulcum (em?) sealant and came across a similar product called "M1"
Should I take the plunge and use it? Has anyone used/heard of it?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Mike Giles

Hi,
Thanks for all the info from you guys.
I've been trying to find the Vulcum (em?) sealant and came across a similar product called "M1"
Should I take the plunge and use it? Has anyone used/heard of it?

Several Airstream dealers hav Vulkem.

Using an unknown product could prove to be a real headache.

Andy

[loudruff]

You can get Acryl-R and Vulkem both at Jackson Center, Airstream Store.
We have used Acryl-R, Vulkem and Sikaflex all on our Argosy Minuet. Works the same way that it does on the Silver ones.