Almost an owner...

[dobiedisco]

...but I spent too much time reviewing the immense amount of knowledge in here and they sold it this evening! Now I am not sure whether to be sad or try to believe it wasn't meant to be, lol.

It is a 28" 1978 Argosy in good original condition, with the carpeting up (owner was going to replace floor covering) and the dinette removed, but everything else in place. The water and electric had been tested, but not the propane. Frame and tongue were supposedly in good shape, pulled well, etc. The paint on the front and rear end caps had peeled and they said the tires were OK and holding air, but they would recommend replacing on down the line. They sold it for $2800, I could have BIN on eBay for $2500.

So, should I be sad or glad?

I love this site and the ability to have found answers to most of my questions, just wish I would have stopped reading a tad sooner!!

[cwf]

Hey, don't be sad or discouraged! If you really want or are destined, it will happen.

[Belegedhel]

Welcome to the Forums!

If you were having that many trepidations about buying it, then it is probably for the best that you didn't. It boils down to how much of a project you want. Any time I read "original condition," I start thinking "shell-off renovation."

When considering a vintage trailer, start by calibrating your expectations. Any trailer that is ~40 years old is going to take a lot of work, especially in a wet environment like the South. That $2500 that you could have gotten it for would have been just the down payment. By the time you replace the sagged out original axles and the may-pop tires and deal with the very-likely floor rot, you will have spent another $2500 easy--and you will still have a lot to do.

If you don't want a huge project, then look for trailers that have already had the "heavy lifting" done. You will pay upwards of $10k for it, but you will spend your weekends camping instead of replacing rotten wood and evicting rodents.

If you do want a project trailer that may take you years to complete, then get your cash in hand, do your research in advance, arm yourself with the buyer's inspection checklist, and be ready to close a deal as soon as you see it. The good deals go fast.

good luck!

[Argonaut20]

What Belegedhel said X2. Any vintage trailer is a project in the offing, some more so than others. The up side is that you can get a new hobby and learn all kinds of new skills. WoooHooo!

[Gearheart]

I just got an Argosy 24, 1974 vintage last week. Have repaired two water leaks, the major one was a pre-requisite to finding the other one. So far all is good. The major appliances all work, even the air conditioner. The floor is good, no rot, but the carpet had to go. A coat of paint will serve for the now. A floating stick together tile floor is in the long term plan. The paint is in dire need of attention, especially the steel parts on the ends. The fridge works on electricity but I have not yet determined if it works on propane. So far I am happy.

[dobiedisco]

I think I was moving slowly due to the nightmare of a headache I've had plugging leaks in my mom's coachmen motor home, that I've been using the past few years.

Here is a link to pics of the argosy:

Argosy Photos by dobiedisco | Photobucket

Thanks for the feedback!

[Bex]

Looking at those pics tells me you need to be glad.
New lock
Floor covering
Dinette
Fridge
Curtains
Sprung door needs fixed
The list goes on, and on. Cant even see the plumbing