Modernizing: Vintage Owners Sound Off

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by AYRSTRM2

I am not the kind to change or "Modernize" the woodwork, the counter tops or the walls. I like that stuff original.

Me too...we are "behind closed doors" types. Our "new" '56 Safari Birdy will be modernized much more than Maxwell has been because we have fewer original systems to work with. However, from a glance, it is our intent to make things look original wherever possible.

Shari

[Blu_Hwy_Lady]

It literally gave me a headache to listen to it hum when I was working inside the trailer. The PO had tried to quiet it by packing it in styrofoam which was a mess to clean out.

Interior renovations have made it the trailer a very nice, cozy place to hang out. I completely redid the interior and ripped out the bulkhead divider. It's amazing how much that opened up the trailer and made it seem bigger on the inside. I just don't understand having a small space and dividing it into to make 2 tiny spaces.

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

I did keep the hand crank jack on the front though, you have to at least LOOK vintage on the outside I feel like when I'm out there cranking away to hook up the other campers go 'wow, look at that old Airstream, they don't even have an electric jack"!

Yes! We actually had someone come over and comment on this when we were camping in our Bambi II. All of the newer rigs seem to all automatically come equipped with an electric jack so it does look out of place when you see someone hand cranking their rig.

[SmokelessJoe]

Steve:

Here’s a mostly complete list of what I’ve done so far to “contemporize” and customize my 1976 ARGOSY:

-Completely decommissioned; stripped bare inside and out (that’s always the fastest, easiest part).

-Frame and undercarriage sand blasted and painted in urethane.

-New, larger holding tanks. All new drainage, Sani Con “waste management system” installed in special compartment, Micro Pulse sensors installed.

-All new 110 v wiring throughout in BX armor shield cable; new Blue Sea distribution panel being installed this week; new 12 v circuits added.

-Marinco power inlet installed.

-19.5” x 29.5” Seitz Roof light from Germany installed. A beauty.

-Wall to wall Maroleum flooring.

-Bath walls and ceiling done in POR 15 WhiteCoat. New ceramic toilet waiting to go in. Shower fixture mounted “in-wall”.

-All new IKEA furniture cut to shape and dry fitted; weight considerably reduced.

Bath cabinets now installed; wardrobe, desk, galley counters soon to come.

LG fridge standing by.

-Xenon pot lights installed throughout; Frilight 12v dimmer system from Sweden.

-LG “Art Cool” split air A/C installed and ready for commissioning.

-All new IPEX plumbing through out.

- new Ultra Fab 3500 power jack

-Diesel Powered Trailer; no propane. Webasto Coolant Heater, Indel Water Heater, COZY space heaters, Tempo tank make up the new hydronic system. Has been tested, ran beautifully and is now being installed in final position.

-Interior primed (2 coats) and painted (2 coats) in flat acrylic. Final touch up coat after furniture install.

-Cabinetry for the two gauchos, fold out table and galley counter by relative and member DavidsonOverlander nearing completion.

-All upholstery materials on hand; upholster semi-patiently waiting on me.

-Exterior paint removed with aircraft stripper. Prepped too. (Final prep to be done before painting in Mini Cooper colours ).

(front panel of trailer already painted mini Cooper Black)

-Much insulation done.

-Winter work shed erected. It was warm and cozy.

-Sprinter ordered last January, delivery taken last JULY. Still have to draw plans for ramp system, have flat bed built.

This has consumed 18 months so far. Besides the truck we still need to:

Install 12v panel, charger/converter

Source, install diesel cook top

Paint the trailer two tone Pepper White and Black.

Re-install belly pan, banana wrap, trim.

Develop a truck mounted generator/inverter power supply system

Install new axles, wheels and tires (maybe disc brakes too)

Install window and segment protection.

The whole, long story is on my main thread:

Contemporizing 1976 Argosy D - opinions please


Sergei

[yukionna]

Nice job Smokeless Joe! You sure have been busy! Is it done yet?

[soldiermedic]

My old Magic Chef looks good on top, but it is badly rusted out under the cooktop. New ovens are pretty expensive so I have been looking at this.

Gourmet Propane Stove

[safari57]

That is a neat looking stove. Priced reasonably as well. If you get one you'll have to let us know what you think of it.

Barry

[Fyrzowt]

Our PO had already replaced most of the appliances. The change I made that I really like is electric spark water heater. No more relighting pilots in the cold or at night.
Dave

[JimGolden]

Well I hate polyester, bell bottoms, and disco music (although I do like the screaming chicken on the hood of '77 Trans Am's ). So all my 70's stuff is going. I'm keeping the shell though

May reupholster the gauchos and polish up the magic chef; that'll be about the only stuff that stays.

I'm firmly in the "MODERNIZE" camp!

[juel]

We were lucky in that our 78 Argosy was fairly rust free. I think the fact that it was originally sold in New Mexico and made it no further than El Paso, accounts for that. We have replaced the A/C (because it quit), the water heater (because we wanted LP/Electric with the remote switch), the kitchen faucet (because it was cracked), the vinyl wall covering (because it was coming off), all the light fixtures (because most would not come on), the Univolt with new fuse and 12v panels( because I feel better with new electric stuff, the vents (they looked rough), the carpet (because Bob wanted wood), upholstery (worn out), put an electric jack on the tongue (because Bob wanted it), new stabilizers ( PO had torn two off), running lights, connector, battery, and plumbing (it started to leak). Cleaned it up. The old frig still works but we don't use it much. Put in a new small electric frig that is faster and more dependable. I would say the trailer looks pretty original, but the systems have been upgraded to give peace of mind. The original furnace is still there, but never used. We will replace it and the catalytic heater soon. Trailer needs painting and new vinyl inserts, but we have all that, just haven't gotten around to doing it. The Twink is spending the summer at the lake and giving me pleasure until Bob can come home and enjoy it with me. (And help me work on it)

[soldiermedic]

Originally Posted by juel

The Twink is spending the summer at the lake and giving me pleasure until Bob can come home and enjoy it with me.

Guess we will all see it come October!

[juel]

Oh the pressure! Better start that work myself. What him to look great. Don't count on the new paint job by October. I'm excited about the first rally!!!!!

[Aerowood]

Everything on the interior is gone on my 71 Globetrotter and a complete rework is underway. Changing the floorplan, relocating access doors, new everything, including all lower exterior skin

[Streamin 65]

When I remodeled ours, I kept the spirit of the original, but stuffed it with as much new stuff as needed. NO more buzzing Univolt, just a much lighter and silent Intelipower now. The old water pump that nearly shook the whole trailer when it started has been replaced with a nice quiet sur-flo. The old water heater is now a DSI with nothing visible from the original other than an extra switch to turn it on. In any case, the original style is great, just the technology has improved so run with that. I remodel homes for a living and often have to match original stuff just to keep the orignal feel. Airstreams, like many older homes, have a timeless style that I think ought to be preserved if possible. Good Luck! --dave