Difference between Argosy/Airstream

[Swillv8]

There has been some stuff mentioned in other treads, as an owner of both and both major fixer uppers it's hard to tell stock items.

I've been eyeing up the windows recently. They are quite different. If I'm not mistaken I have read they share the same glass? The argosy uses glass that slides in channels and airstream is in window frames. Which is better? In theory and actual user experience?

Also the exterior light by the door is riveted with 6 rivets on argosy. Airstream is chrom with 3 screws. I personally think the argosy light would look much better polished vs the chrome.

[bkahler]

The windshields, cockpit window glass, side window glass and rear windows are all the same. The differences were in how the frames were trimmed out with most of those changes occurring on the side windows.

Some of the Classics used push out trailer windows in the bathrooms. I'm not sure what models and years did this but I know 84 and 86 had the push outs.

The floor structure from 74-76 is different than 77 and later. I also think somewhere in the early 80s they made another floor change but I'm not certain of that.

I believe the number of ribs increased as the years went by. My Argosy has minimal ribs whereas the 345 I dismantled seemed to have considerably more per running foot.

The quality of the trimmings inside also improved year after year with the Argosies being the "cheapest".

Argosies were manufactured in Versailles Ohio and the facility was shutdown in 1980 (I think that was the year) and production was moved to Jackson Center Ohio.

The entry door hinges are actually trailer hinges turned upside down. The hinges are labeled Top and Bottom but on the motorhomes the Bottom goes on top and vice versa. The doors themselves are the same as trailer doors.

The front grilles on the 74-76 Argosies were completely different than the 77-early 90s models. Same for the front and rear bumpers for 74-76.

I'm sure there are a lot more differences, these are just the ones that come to mind at the moment.

Brad

[Boom Sounds]

Classics after 91 up to at least 93 came with OBD1, 4L80e and TBI.

[Boom Sounds]

If you look on the Airstream.com site, you can also see which coaches came with standard items and which were optional. Coaches with most or all options (commonly LE) are most desirable

[Swillv8]

A question e on the doors as I'm not entirely clear. Are the classic and argosy door able to be swapped? Also you mention the doors are the same as trailers do you know what year of trailers have same openings curves etc?

[bkahler]

The doors are basically the same. The differences that I know of are the hinges are on the opposite sides as are the latch assemblies. The trailers hinge on the rear edge (i.e. suicide doors) where the motorhomes hinge on the front edge. The motorhome and trailer doors in and of themselves are not interchangeable due to the hinge placement.

You can put a Classic motorhome door on an Argosy motorhome and vise versa. Not so with trailer doors.

My 74 Argosy currently has an 84 310 door on it.

Brad