Contemporizing 1976 Argosy D - opinions please

[mistral blue]

Originally Posted by mistral blue

"No" on both type of guards...

... but I do love the look and functionality of those "Darth Vader" window protectors. They look cool and can help keep you cool. On the other hand ... I love being able to see all the way through the trailer as Wally supposedly intended. howEVER, I still worry about breaking that beautiful curved glass. BUT, as I understand it, they are equipped with a super resistant force field impervious to all forms of flying kryptonite! (right? )

I think in your situation, with frosted glass in the rear and how I envision your paint scheme, the window protectors would be an excellent choice.

[juel]

Since Tundra didn't make towing mirrors for my year truck, being able to look through the Argosy has been wonderful. Guess I don't tow enough yet to worry about rocks. Maybe if I ever get to retire, oh well......

[SmokelessJoe]

Thanks for the information and opinions on Rock Guards. While I consider the issue I have another question:

In the Original 1976 ARGOSY 24D: when I sat on the Front Gaucho the arm rest to the left (where the folding table stores) was about 6” to 8” higher than the armrest on the right.

Is this the way it came out of the factory or was that a PO modification?

I ask because I’m rebuilding the Front Lounge right now and I can either match the height of the arm rests or have one lower/higher than the other.

Can Argosy Owners please tell me what their own Front Gaucho is like?

Thanks.

Sergei

[mistral blue]

I don't have the front gaucho. My '77 has the front dinette. It sounds odd to me though that arms would be so different.

[juel]

I've taken some pictures of my 78, 24ft Argosy with the front couch. There is a piece that fits down on the street side, resting on the floor and over the pump and 12V outside light and pump wiring (I think). On top of that is another piece that rest on top of that and is the arm rest. On the other side (curb side) there is just a wooden shelf and no real arm rest. Hope these pictures help.

[SmokelessJoe]

Thanks, Juel.

I think this confirms that the factory design was a higher shelf/arm rest curbside and a lower padded, removable armrest street side.

I’m not sure yet whether I’ll keep mine like that or raise the street side one to match the height of the other.

Some of the wiring you speak of will be to the water pump but most of it will be the cord coming in from your tow vehicle battery and splitting off, through circuit breakers, to various auxiliary circuits such as brakes, clearance markers, turn signals etc.

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

Gary,

Re your cost/benefit analysis on buying rock guards or paying to replace glass:

I received a quote of $661.oo from Oasis RV. Did you pay less someplace or are you factoring in the cost to install a new curved window?

Or maybe you’re dividing the cost of the Guards by three windows?

Please explain how you arrived at the comparison.

Still considering,


Sergei

[Janets Husband]

Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe

Gary,

Re your cost/benefit analysis on buying rock guards or paying to replace glass:

I received a quote of $661.oo from Oasis RV. Did you pay less someplace or are you factoring in the cost to install a new curved window?

Or maybe you’re dividing the cost of the Guards by three windows?

Please explain how you arrived at the comparison.

Still considering,


Sergei

Sergei
I want to claim "stupidity" The rock guard did cost $650, Janet just found the receipt. Somehow, I got it in my mind it was $350, sorry for that.
Well now, you can still look at the overall cost of the curved glass and the installation cost of the glass. Rivets, sealant, new touchup paint... Also an item to take into consideration is you can't just order the glass from what I understand. I would think that a busted window would put a big damper on ones attitude.
In my opinion it is still worth the cost for the peace of mind you get from the extra protection. I will be putting them on the 77 Rear Door they just look too good not to.

[SmokelessJoe]

Last summer we put a window that I got from Balgrn into the Argosy door.



I’ve decided now that I want to make the door window fully operational, permanently replacing the screen door.

How do I get the screen door off?

I can’t readily see how the main door hinge-pin comes apart.

The rivets could be drilled out of the screen door hinge but I would like to remove the entire screen door, including the hinge supports.

Information much appreciated.

Sergei

[Argonaut20]

We lost an "unbreakable" street side window due to a rock and I can tell you that you don't want to replace it if you don't have to. Thanks to Balgrn, we got a clear window for less than the $500 a new one would cost, and the new ones are tinted from what I understand. Clear windows are collector items. The fun begins when you realize that Argosy trailers are somewhat idiosyncratic so the replacement window doesn't quite match the shape of YOUR Argosy. Lots of drilling, fitting, caulking, riveting (as well as screws - didn't want to say screwing), and repainting make that preventive rock guard a great idea. All it takes is a big enough rock perpendicular to the front of the trailer and the side window is toast. Rare, but it happens.

[azflycaster]

The one piece rock guards for 70's Airstreams go for around $350. The ones for the Argosy's are 3 piece and cost a bunch more. From what I read, those wing windows are worth protecting.

[SmokelessJoe]

OK, we’ve had some real life experience and opinions form Juel, Whitelight, Mistral Blue, Marc, Janet’s Husband, MotorSeven, Happy Camper, Bob, Argonaut and Azflycaster.

I’m still curious to know how wide the prevalence of actual broken front windows is out there.

Here’s a poll we’re taking:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f469...ors-37715.html

Argonaut, was it your FRONT, curved street side window that took the hit?

Perpendicular. Does that mean the rock bounced straight up from the road surface?

Thanks for the stories and opinions.

Sergei

[Argonaut20]

Front curved streetside window took the hit from a rock that struck directly from the front, perpendicular to the front, likely thrown high from a passing vehicle. Think of something that could have traveled over the top of the tow vehicle, not necessarily up from the road from the rear wheels. Striking point about 2 inches from the right hand edge of the window (viewed from back), about 4 inches below the top. Obviously the worst kind of rock hit as it was not on the curved surface and all force gets translated to the window. This is not a common strike, but anything that hits that window normal to the surface it strikes is likely to break the window.

[mrmossyone]

I have been seriously thinking of making my own rock guards out of sheet metal. Cut them minus a 1/4 inch to the shape of curved window place padding ( I think the foam weatherstripping would work very well)at points that could contact window and use the brackets that are used to hold the plexiglass style rock guard that is on my middle window. You would just slide the sheet metal into position in bracket and snap the holder on bracket over the sheet metal holding it in place. I plan on painting them to match the theme or colors that I have been painting the Argosy. They are only for travelling and I think I can make them look pretty good for probably about 25 bucks a piece. What do y'all think? Has anyone tried this approach?

[SmokelessJoe]

The furniture DavidsonOverlander made for me looks much nicer in the trailer.



The fold out table is covered in matching Marmoleum, as is the kitchen counter (and floor).

The grey wool upholstery will be made and delivered after Christmas.



The backrest shelf under the window easily lifts off it’s brackets if the sofa is used for sleeping.

I picked up that tip from reading complaints about a fixed shelf on the forum.

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

There are 8 Xenon down lamps through the coach.


The 12v dimmers are by Frilight of Sweden. The front 4 are controlled at the entry door.


The back 4 are dimmed at a midship wall.

[safari62]

Nice touch S-Joe. Where are this available?
Gary
Also, is that a floor Marmoleum product used on th table or another product?
Thanks

[safari62]

Guess I sould not ask a question at a late hour judging by the spelling, grammar and missing letters. wow.
Anyway I was curious about the 12v dimmer and if the table surface Marmoleum is the same as the flooring.
Nice work.
Gary

[SmokelessJoe]

Gary:

I got the Zee Puck xenon lamps at an electrical wholesaler in Toronto.

You can probably find the Swedish dimmers at places that sell marine goods. I bought mine over the Internet at Sailor Sam’s. SailorSams.com: 12 Volt LED Lights, 12 Volt Lights, Rope Lights, Small Microwaves, Marine Refrigerators, Coffee Makers, Electric Cooktops, Dock Cushions, Marine Hardware, Shrink Wrap for Boats, Boating Products and RV Accessories

We used the same Marmoleum flooring on both the bath and kitchen counters, on the fold out table and wall to wall seamless over the floor.


Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

Gary:

I got the Zee Puck xenon lamps at an electrical wholesaler in Toronto.

You can probably find the Swedish dimmers at places that sell marine goods. I bought mine over the Internet at Sailor Sam’s. SailorSams.com: 12 Volt LED Lights, 12 Volt Lights, Rope Lights, Small Microwaves, Marine Refrigerators, Coffee Makers, Electric Cooktops, Dock Cushions, Marine Hardware, Shrink Wrap for Boats, Boating Products and RV Accessories

We used the same Marmoleum flooring on both the bath and kitchen counters, on the fold out table and wall-to-wall seamless over the floor.


Sergei