New owner 30' Argosy a Full Monty project

[moliveri]

Well I just bought this 30' Argosy with the center bath configuration. I chose this model because of the wrap a round glass it has on both ends. Lots of potential.I bought it sight unseen in texas and had it driven to Georgia where I live. The body is in really good condition, but the interior needed to be gutted. Did that within the first 12 hours of having it. Feel better after removing so much crap. Nothing was worth keeping except the stainless steal sink. After reviewing the gutted shell, I've come to the conclusion I need to replace the floor. I'm thinking of removing the shell, but not sure the best way to do it. Any Ideas? After the holiday I'll remove the interior wall panels. I'm thinking of removing the rivets with a grinder, since I dont intend to re-use the panels. Any thoughts on this way of removing the rivets? The trailer frame looks good with very little rust through. After I put the new floor on I'm thinking of having the bottom of the trailer sprayed with truck bed-liner . Can I do this and avoid replacing the bottom pan? Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated,this is my first trailer project.

[vswingfield]

The rivets on the interior skin (pop rivets) can be easily removed using a 1/8" drill. Easy and quick, and doesn't even damage the panel.

What are you planning on replacing the interior panels with? They are structural.

[moliveri]

Thanks for the info. I was hoping to use 1/8 in baltic birch plywood. Will that work

[vswingfield]

If I recall correctly, people who have done interiors like that have left the aluminum panels in place and put the wood over it. That way the shell still has its structural integrity.

[moliveri]

Glad I posted this. Thanks for the tip.

[saburkha]

I went and looked at this Argosy when it was for sale. You got a great deal. I thought the shell was in really nice shape. Protect those wrap windows! They are hard to find, expensive, and not fun to replace. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

[TG Twinkie]

I don't believe the interior panels have anything to do with the structural integrity of the trailer. It is the inner and outer skin along with the floor and frame members that give it the strength. And of course the metal frame member.

[Kevin245]

Hi and welcome,

It looks like you've got everything removed down to the walls. The walls are also referred to as the inner skins, and they do contribute to the trailer structural integrity. I would take care in removing them as the cost and effort to replace them with new aluminum sheet is significant.

As for rivet removal there are specialized tools for this purpose. You can also just drill them out, or others use a stiff bladed putty knife and a hammer to sever them.

Good luck.

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

I don't believe the interior panels have anything to do with the structural integrity of the trailer. It is the inner and outer skin along with the floor and frame members that give it the strength. And of course the metal frame member.

In this case, what the OP is referring to as the panels is the inner skin. See post #1 about removing the rivets on the inside.

[Aviator]

If you need any local help, there are a lot of Airstreamers in northern GA. The GA unit of the WBCCI also ons a campground just north of Helen. We are holding a rally this weekend. The rain will keep the numbers down, but tree will probably be 75 rigs or so in the park. Come on over and check it out. It would be a great way to get some ideas.