certificate data

[german6563]

Hello everyone
my motorhome this newcomer in Germany, to the new title of Argosy ask me an official certificate of mechanical data airstream recently wrote them asking them if they could send me a copy or could make me one.
my question is? if they do not have or can not do, someone you know or have an idea where I can get it?
thanks
Herman

[polarlyse]

Wie gehts Herman. I don't know how old your Argosy is so this may not apply. Is your Argosy a motor home or trailer ??? Motor vehicles made here come with what is called a build sheet. It lists what is installed at the factory including standard equipment as well as optional stuff. An example would be engine, transmission, differential ( gear ratios) as well as many other items. Now regarding trailers I have no idea since we did not purchase ours new but the previous owner did give me the original purchase order and that included many of the things Airstream built into the trailer including some optional equipment. If this is what they are looking for I don't know if Airstream can produce one for an older unit. Hopefully they will reply to your inquiry and tell you.

[german6563]

Hallo Roger, danke und dir?
The motorhome is 1977, and what I want is the official certificate from the factory with the mechanical specifications, as here it is important that they have to enroll in the title, must be official, I can not bring a manual with the characteristics of vehicle.
such as whether you in your job you ask for a certificate of study, you can not take a copy eg what did your friend, you know?
Herman

[idroba]

I wish I could be more encouraging, but in the US, data on specific vehicles, especially from small manufacturers such as Airstream (who owned Argosy) is not generally kept. There generally was a data sheet label on the Argosy motorhomes pasted to the dash, inside on the drivers side and visible from the outside, with data, but often that label has the adhesive dried up and it has disappeared.

Argosy records from the factory are minimal at best. For example, with Argosy travel trailers the Airstream Factory now says none were ever built in California, yet there are Argosy trailers in existence which have identification numbers with the California plant location recorded as their place of manufacture.

All Argosy motorhomes built in the 1970's were built on Chevrolet P 30 chassis. So Airstream/Argosy did not build the frame, the engine, driveline etc. They purchased that part from Chevrolet. Unfortunately, Chevrolet sold that business to Freightliner a number of years ago, and I doubt that even the information on the chassis is available now.

It is unclear what information your licensing and records agency wants or needs to record your vehicle in Germany. But, you may have a difficult time with any official factory data, especially from a vehicle built many years ago.

[polarlyse]

I don't have any suggestions Herman. In 1977 we did not have a lot of emission control on engines but we did have some. Truck requirements might have been different from cars also. Not sure what emission tests were being used in Germany either. I suspect that this is what it's all about getting certified for use there.

[german6563]

hello
thanks for all answer.here I will register as oldtimer, Serious vehicles with more than 30 years old can be registered so, pay far less taxes and insurance, and do not need a certificate of emission of the engine.
I just need a certificate stating my vin number that has technical specifications.
for example, that engine has (cm3, transmission, wheel sizes etc.) all the data I could find in the service manual, but sadly want a paper that contained the vin number
thanks again
segire trying
Herman

[german6563]

Hello everyone
I call yesterday Airstream in Germany, to ask if they could get me the certificate data, they asked me where I had bought the RV and I told them in the US, they answered me ah if you do not buy in our agency, we can not help.
disgusted by the reply, I thought and thought and thought, call airstream in USA, asked about my problem, and they told me no problem, we can make the certificate.
I want to thank USA Airstream service and help they gave me
friends they have good service
thanks Airstream
Herman

[martin300662]

Herman

I really think you are looking in the wrong place.

Each classic and Argosy motor home has two VIN, one for the Airstream product, one for the GMC chassis. When we register/title the vehicle in the U.S. We use the GMC VIN because it has the associated build sheet (manufacturing site, year, engine size etc).

I am planning on shipping my Argosy to Europe and have already started to make enquires - the info the UK authorities need is that of the chassis not the Airstream part.

At best the Airstream VIN just gives the year of conversion, size, plant, and configuration nothing about the chassis, my title has nothing about the Airstream VIN.

There are resources online/in the forum for deciding both the Airstream and the GMC VIN, that is the nearest equivalent to a build sheet.

- Martin

[german6563]

martin
I think you're right, I have to wait my Argosy leave the customs, until today I'm hoping I can be reminded when I pick up.
when will I know what to collect the VIN number on the chassis.
Today I call customs to ask when I could pick up my RV, I'm told, before removing tapeworm to change the gas AC, because it's oldtimer course my reaction was immediate and I told them, gentlemen RV comes from USA and that gas is not used for more than 30 years, anything else costs me extra 200 euros
you want to register your argosy in UK? or just you want to spend your holidays here in Europe?
Herman

[martin300662]

Yes we will register the Argosy in the UK.

Our 'plan' is a little unusual, as we live and work in the US, but come from the UK, still own a house in the UK, and will go back to the UK when we retire. Our motorhome is integral to this plan.

When I stop work (which sometimes feels like it will be next week, at other times maybe a few years). We will pack up our house in the US, and ship anything we want to keep back to the UK. We plan to travel the US in the motorhome whilst our house in the US sells. I believe our house will sell quickly as it is close to Boston and many people commute into the city from where we live (typically houses sell in 10-14days in our area), so we will probably even set up a domicile in a 'friendly' state so we have a permanent base after selling the house, and register the motorhome there. When we are ready to return to the UK, will fly back and ship the motorhome. Because we will have owned the motorhome for some time, it is classified slightly differently. We will be importing personal property not just importing a vehicle we have just bought, and because it is already registered in my name, I am allowed to use it as a 'visitor' for some time (even drive it away from the port). This will give time to sort out the paperwork.

My house in the UK is only 30mins from the Eurotunnel and I can be in France in 90mins, even to the German border in approx 4hours (I used to work in Freiburg area of Germany and commute home weekend - maybe not so easy now there are speed cameras on E35!!!!!), so can easily tour around Europe from that base, at a very much slower speed of course.