Contemporizing 1976 Argosy D - opinions please

[SmokelessJoe]

Go here to see how several members helped:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ons-26471.html

[BillyP]

How's the project coming? Just checkin in

[SmokelessJoe]

Hello Billy P:

So you sometimes feel Dazed, Confused and Broke as well, eh?

I’ve been lax in keeping this thread up. Sorry. I’ve also been spread around on a couple of new threads.

I will try harder in the New Year to pull those threads together and to up date people on my progress.

Often, the work seems frustratingly slow.

I know I said at the outset that I’d be “done when I’m done” but, truth be told, I think I also thought I might be down in places like Baton Rouge, Austin or Santa Fe instead of up here in the snow this winter.



Sometimes it helps if I look back at all that’s been done instead of thinking about what’s still to do.

The list of what has been done in 14 months is fairly satisfying:

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

-Frame and undercarriage sand blasted and painted.

-New, larger holding tanks. All new drainage, “waste management system”, sensors installed.

-All new 110 v wiring throughout in BX armor shield cable; new circuits for A/C and inverter system; new 12 v circuits added.

-Marinco power inlet installed.

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

-Wall to wall Maroleum flooring down.

-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 through out. Dry fitted; weight considerably reduced. LG fridge standing by.

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

-LG “Art Cool” split air unit on hand; wiring and gas lines already run.

-All new IPEX plumbing completed stem to stern

-Diesel Powered Trailer achieved. All components sourced and installed. (Webasto Coolant Heater, Indel Water Heater, COZY space heaters, Tempo tank). Getting the hydronic system up and running is first on our work list for the New Year.

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

-Cabinetry for the two gauchos, fold out table and galley counter being built by relative and member DavidsonOverlander

-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 ).

-Much insulation done.

-Winter work shed erected. Warm and cozy.



-Sprinter ordered last January, delivery taken last JULY. Drawing plans for ramp system right now; job to be quoted in the New Year.

So it’s much done; much yet to do.

These things always seem to take longer than one thinks they will.

I’m also off into new Airstream renewal territory for much of the stuff. It’s something like building a prototype. The models that follow will go much more quickly.

The trouble is that I ain’t going to be buildin’ no second ones, as they say here in Elgin County.

Happy New Year Billy and All.

Sergei

[dieterdog]

Happy New Year Sergei,, dieter

[SmokelessJoe]

To all who’ve sent me encouragement and/or advice this past year, THANK YOU and Best Wishes for the New Year.


2airishuman
3Ms75Argosy
Azflycaster
billyP
bhayden
canoe stream
chopper
Chuck
Clancy boy
DavidsonOverlander
dieterdog
Foiled Again
Frank S
Fyrzowt
janet
Janet’s Husband,
Jim Clark
john hd
juel
Lewster
Lipets
MaxandGeorgia
Millionairstream
Overlander63
Pattersontoo
Pmclemore
RoadKingMoe
Saddletramp
safari Tim
Safeharbour
Sneaknup
SimonHanbury
Tarheel
Tinsel Loaf
Tman
TomW
Uwe
Wahoonc
Zeppelium


There have been so many that I will have missed some names. You know who you are- THANK YOU too.

Sergei

[3Ms75Argosy]

But hey, can you post some pics?
I'm so interested in the whole enchilada.... but especially the skylight and Ikea stuff. I'd thought of their cabinets.... but they're so heavy.... I'd thought about hogging out their cabinets with big holes... is this what you did?

Where did you place the skylight... and where did you end up finding a source for it?
Can't wait to see more!
Marc

[SmokelessJoe]

Marc:

Much information on and several pictures of the SKYLIGHT here, post #3:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ari-28539.html

I don’t know why I said in this post that I’d replaced the front vent with the skylight. I didn’t. It’s positioned just ahead of the front vent.



I’ve kept the two cool looking originals. The new German super vent/skylight is in the front lounge area. Light just cascades in. It’s really nice.

Tomorrow I’ll post shots of the IKEA furniture weight reduction.

I think you once asked about how I was going to get the new Xenon pot lamps back into the ceiling. I have photos of how we did that too.

I’ll post more stuff soon. Keep watching this space. You’ll have the whole enchilada.

Sergei

[dieterdog]

Sergei,, love the skylights,,, great idea,,, well done,, Dieter

[3Ms75Argosy]

That hatch looks great. Incidently, this is almost the same (as in a modern version) of a "Wally hatch." Seems Wally liked a rectangular side opening hatch on the top of his trailers (see AS Life for an article on the Gold Wally Trailer.... there's a picture of it there). I'm curious why he didn't include that on his production trailers.

Can't wait to see more!
Marc

[SmokelessJoe]

Marc:


I must have noted the Wally Byam hatch when reading Fred Coldwell’s piece in last summer’s Airstream Life but went back just now for a re-read.

It’s astonishing how similar that 1957 idea is to my brand new Seitz German made piece. They seem about the same size and shape and of similar construction. The lever handle mechanism to open the unit is almost exactly the same, from what I can see.

Do you know if current Airstreams have large, fully opening skylights like this?


Sergei

[bhayden]

So, your contemporizing your '76 up to 1957 standards

Good to hear from you. Keep them pictures coming.... how about a Sergei cam

-Bernie

[3Ms75Argosy]

the newer trailers do have a nice large skylight, but it's fixed in place. I wonder if the German's read Wally's old artiicles in National Geographic?
Funny how history repeats!
Marc

[SmokelessJoe]

Marc, others:

Marc asked to see some photos showing how I am installing the IKEA furniture used in my remodel.

All the pieces - bath cabinets, wardrobe and desk unit, galley, fridge box, and slide out pantry drawers – have been dry fitted and cut to the profile of the trailer.



Once the hydronic system is completed, we will install the furniture pieces.

The weight reduction method used is very effective. I estimate that cutting the frames down this way results in cabinetry no heavier than if built with stick construction.



The centre, tall unit is an Ikea wardrobe that comes complete with double doors that slide over each other on cool aluminum tracks.

In my redesign, slide the doors to one side and you get the wardrobe; slide them to the other and you get a road office set up (under the window).

The desk surface will slide out, carrying my iBook and printer.

I stole that idea from forum member Zeppelium

Sergei

[3Ms75Argosy]

this is what I had in mind for the cabinet carcasses - do they feel much lighter now? What will you place on the bottom of the cabinet box for supporting item?

Are you using the front dinnette?

Can't wait to see more!
Marc

[juel]

Hey, what a wonderful looking trailer. I never wanted to do that much to mine; however, looking at yours has made me envious. Mine is just cute, your's is going to be modern. There is a retired pilot in Austin, Texas, who has taken a 28ft Argosy and made it look like a plane inside. I have pictures if you'll PM me with your email address.

[SmokelessJoe]

Marc, Juel, all:

The cabinet frames are MUCH lighter. I couldn’t lift a unit before I started. I can easily lift the frames now.

Repeating from above, cutting the frames down this way results in cabinetry no heavier than if built with stick construction.

I forgot to mention that the interiors will be completely lined with white.040 aluminum sheet. You will see none of the cutouts, just a clean white surface.

I think I will use aluminum for shelving as well.

I have the gaucho at the front, with the foldout table model.

DavidsonOverlander is rebuilding the arms and back shelf of the front unit in birch. There will be slide out drawers under.

The table is being rebuilt as well. Marmoleum matching the floor will form the table surface, as well as the kitchen counter top.

Grant is doing all the birch cabinetwork, including the mid-ship gaucho to match the front one.

The upholstery will be in a GM Cadillac/Oldsmobile cloth called Dorchester Grey. A nearby couple is doing that professionally.

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

We built a winter work shed for the Argosy. Full details here:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...eam-27544.html


So far this year we’ve had only ONE snowfall, which quickly melted.



The shed stands surrounded by green lawn. Two days ago I swatted a mosquito in the trailer.

Like the plants and critters, I’m hoping the Argosy will think it’s spring … and perhaps hurry up and finish the job all by itself.

Sergei

[3Ms75Argosy]

Thanks so much for the updates...... now get back to work on her!

Seriously, can't wait for the next updates - always exciting to see someone's trailer reborn.
Enjoy the sun... still mossy on my north side here in the NW
Marc

[SmokelessJoe]

Marc:

That’s what I say too.

I feel guilty whether I’m reporting progress instead of working or working but not letting people know what’s happening.

It’s a catch 22.

Sergei

[dieterdog]

Sergei,, glad you reported,,, beautiful work,,, thank you for posting all of the pictures,,, no idea you were silently progressing so fast,, donna