Greetings TheChillPill
Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Argosy ownership!
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Originally Posted by TheChillPill
Howdy fellow Argosy owners!
My husband and I just purchased a 1975 Argosy trailer and we are very excited to get her fixed up  Her name is The Chill Pill :P
This is a list of items that we need to replace or need, if anyone has tips?
- The large window shade is missing. |
I am not certain what you mean by the large window shade. If you are referring to the protective covers for the Panoramic Front Windows, those are readily available new from Airstream. They are the same Rock Guards that fit the Narrow Body Airstream Trailers with the Panoramic Windows. Those Rock Guards are well worth their cost as those clear Panoramic windows have not been available as new replacements for many years so the only way to get a clear replacement Panoramic Window is from a salvage trailer. The deep tinted Panoramic Windows from modern Airstreams will fit our Vintage Argosy travel trailers, but just appear a little out of place until you get accustomed to the difference created by the tint.
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Originally Posted by TheChillPill
- The fridge seems to not work at all, my husband said it's taking power but it's not getting cold at all.
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There are several possible things that may be working against you with this problem. First, these old two-way Dometic Refrigerators insist upon being as close to absolutely level as possible. I was taught years ago to use a
bullseye level placed on the floor of the freezer to establish level, not anywhere else in the trailer. Second, you want to be certain that the flue is clean and clear and that the screened opening in the floor of the refrigerator cabinet is clear and fee of debris. Third, you want to allow the refrigerator sufficient time to cool -- unlike compressor refrigerators, this can take 24 to as much as 48 hours depending upon ambient temperatures when you are trying to cool the refrigerator down. You may also find that the flint striker mechanism has worn out which often means adapting a modern flint or piezo igniter for the LP Gas pilot -- or there are instructions in several threads here on the Forums for lighting manually from the access panel if absolutely necessary. The 120-Volt AC heating elements also will occasionally fail, and for most of the Vintage Dometics found in our Argosy travel trailers the replacement part is no longer available so a generic replacement needs to be adapted -- there are several threads on the Forums discussing these modifications. If none of these steps prove to be helpful in getting the refrigerator to begin cooling, there is a technique that will work some of the time with an uncooperative Absorption Refrigerator -- it is a process called "Burping", and is discussed in a number of threads here on the Forums.
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Originally Posted by TheChillPill
- Missing one hub cap  |
The full wheel covers as installed on your Argosy are generally available as used from E-Bay, the Forum Classifieds, and sometimes through Facebook Marketplace. Be prepared in that these wheel covers have been experiencing a continuing increase in prices over the past few years. Recently, I have seen prices for these wheel covers in fair condition at around $50.00 each while those in very good condition can be priced at twice that much. Unless you are going for a total restoration, you may find it more cost effective to purchase a set of 15-inch wheel covers that you like from your local automotive salvage yard as the total cost may be around the same as a used replacement plus shipping. Something else to consider is that these aluminum wheel covers have an attachment method that makes them a challenge to keep attached to the wheel meaning that you will often have one or more wheels that will throw the wheel cover frequently. I had these on my
1964 Airstream (they were used on both Argsoy and Airstreams with different center emblem colors), and gave up trying to keep them on and switched to aluminum alloy wheels similar to what Airstream was using on their new trailers in 2008.
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Originally Posted by TheChillPill
- Front door lock missing keys
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That door locking mechanism is something of an Achilles heel for our Argosy travel trailers. They require TLC to return good service, and getting replacement keys can be done a couple of different ways. The first way that I would try would be to go to a local locksmith's shop and speak with the locksmith. Ask if they could make a key for your lock if you towed your trailer to their shop -- often this will save you money over a house call for service and the locksmith will have all of his tools and supplies immediately available. Should it work out that none of the local locksmiths want to work with you regarding either towing your trailer to them or having them come to your trailer to create a new key, it may still be possible to purchase a new lock cylinder with keys from an Airstream Dealer's Parts Department. A dealer who has been in business for an extended period of time would be best to ask about this, and my suggestion would be
Woodland Airstream, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Originally Posted by TheChillPill
- We are looking to replace the AC unit, tho ours still seems to work if anyone is looking to buy an original? or know of any replacements I should look into?
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My suggestion is that if that air conditioner is an Armstrong unit, save yourself a princely amount of money and have your existing air conditioner brought up to excellent operating condition. The Armstrong air conditioners are built with commercial grade components that are built to be maintained, repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. It is quite unlikely that you will find a modern replacement that will cool as well, operate as quietly, work with the wall mounted thermostat, and utilize the built-in condesate drains like the Armstrong air conditioners are designed to do. Be prepared to search out a commercial refrigeration technician for service as RV Service Technicians do not understand the Armstrong units and most have no idea of where to begin to cross-reference parts and get any parts that may be needed to repair an Armstrong. Believe me, I wish that someone would have told me about the superiority of the Armstrong before I let myself get talked into a modern replacement air conditioner by a fast talking RV Technician who didn't understand Armstrong air conditioners (in 1996)-- that replacement air conditioner doesn't cool as well, does not work with the wall thermostat, doesn't utilize the built-in condsate drains, and is several times more noisy than the Armstrong.
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Originally Posted by TheChillPill
Thank you for taking the time to read this and we look forward to posting the renovations! Here is a horrible photo of her but we will have more photos soon!
E & J
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Good luck with your Argosy and Safe Travels!!
Kevin
This is my 1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre that I have owned for 23 years during our trip to the International Rally in Bozeman, Montana in 2008. The 1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible was my all-time favorite tow vehicle, but sadly it was stolen in 2014 so I am now towing with a 1992 Buick Roadmaster Limited sedan.
As a Post Script:
I might suggest that you consider joining the
Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI)/Airstream Club International (ACI) along with your local Unit as it is an excellent way to meet other Airstream owners in your area and experience the camaraderie of Airstream ownership firsthand. You will often find someone in your local Unit who either owns or has owned an Argosy travel trailer identical or similar to yours who can be a great source of information. In addition, you have access to State, Regional, and Special Event Rallies as well as the Annual International Rally that will be held in York, Pennsylvania this year at the end of August (different state and dates each year). Members are also welcome to attend the Rallies and functions of other Units on a space available basis as you travel. There are also the Caravans that are led by Volunteer members who attend training seminars at the International Rally, and these Caravans are typically a great value as they generally include campground fees, many if not all attraction fees, some group meals, sometimes include tolls/ferries, and often include being able to see/do things that are often not available to solo travelers. There are also
ten Intra-Clubs or Clubs within the Club for persons of varying interests. For instance, I belong to two --
the Vintage Airstream Club, for owners and enthusiast of Airstreams 25 years of age or older where preservation/restoration/maintenance/upgrades are often topics of discussion -- Pride Streamers, one of the newer Intra-Clubs for LGBTQ owners, their friends and family. There is an Intra-Club for just about any interest, and there are many options for members to enhance their enjoyment of the Airstream ownership experience. With several of the Intra-Clubs, you are offered the option of parking with your Intra-Club at larger Rallies like the International Rally.
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