what is an Argosy?

[Isadora]

FUN!

[bobfowler]

... not as afraid of hail storms as are Airstreams (bondo & paint!)

[overlander64]

As Airstream's "experimental" division, the Argosy had features that wouldn't be seen in Airstreams for several if not many years or ever in the case of certain features. Some of these features included:

1. The deep-wrap front windows -- every first generation Argosy travel trailer had them.
2. The front and rear deep-wrap windows on 28' and 30' coaches with rear bedrooms.
3. One-piece galvanized steel endcaps -- fewer seams to seal, but frequent paint repair was the trade-off.
4. Floorplans that wouldn't be seen on Airstreams until relatively recent times
   1. 22' Rear Entry Model (door behind rear axle rather than ahead of front axle).
   2. 24' Rear Entry Model (door behind rear axle rather than ahead of front axle) created a semi-private front bedroom/lounge area.
5. The Minuet series (1977-1979) -- the only named series in the Argosy lineup, these coaches were only 7' wide rather than 7' 8" of the standard coaches. They were lighter, and tended to have a bit more window area than their sisters in the standard Argosy lineup.
   1. Many of the 6.0 Metre (20') Minuets were equipped with composite aluminum flooring meaning that wood rot became a non-issue.
   2. All of the Minuets had vinyl-clad aluminum cabinetry.
   3. Acrylic material in side windows to save weight (may prove a problem if previous owners were not aware of the proper care techniques for this material).

I have to admit that I truly enjoy both my Airstream and Argosy. I don't know which would be my first choice if I could only keep one. The Overlander was the camper where I had my first camping trip, and it has taken me to some of my favorite places. The Minuet is lighter and very economical to tow.

Kevin

[74"Twinkie"]

An Argosy makes the "Badlands" not so Bad.

P.S. I installed new axles since our trip.

[biggoofball]

74 twinkie: I'm sure you hear this all the time but your trailer and Suburban are beautiful.

[Aage]

Originally Posted by 74"Twinkie"

An Argosy makes the "Badlands" not so Bad.
Attachment 61498
P.S. I installed new axles since our trip.

Golly, that is one sweet outfit, Twinkie! What is the TV, a '40s Chev Panel Van or, would that version be called and Estate Wagon? Oh wait, the original Suburban?

Gotta love that colour scheme. Of course, the background scenery doesn't hurt much either.

[74"Twinkie"]

The TV is a 1950 GMC Suburban on a 1982 GMC chassis with a 6.2 diesel. To help with the ever rising fuel costs I've added the ability to run on waste vegetable oil (with great success, so far). The reason for the Argosy was the lower initial cost. The color matching and the fact that it won't need to be shined up all the time was a plus.

[Royce]

Originally Posted by 74"Twinkie"

The TV is a 1950 GMC Suburban on a 1982 GMC chassis with a 6.2 diesel. To help with the ever rising fuel costs I've added the ability to run on waste vegetable oil (with great success, so far). The reason for the Argosy was the lower initial cost. The color matching and the fact that it won't need to be shined up all the time was a plus.

That is a wonderful way to save a classic. Did you retain the old frame and bring chassis components across or is the body placed on the '82' frame. The reason I ask is I expect the '50' frame to be narrower than the '82' frame.

[74"Twinkie"]

Originally Posted by Royce

That is a wonderful way to save a classic. Did you retain the old frame and bring chassis components across or is the body placed on the '82' frame. The reason I ask is I expect the '50' frame to be narrower than the '82' frame.

I put the body of the '50' onto the frame of the '82', using all the running gear and wiring harness. The frame had to be modified alot (frame mounts, running board mounts, cross members, {the list goes on and on}]. The '82' frame is parrallel at about 32" apart but the '50' frame tapers from about 40" at the rear to about 30" at the front. If any part brakes the nearest autoparts store will do.

[Aage]

Wow, you certianly don't do things by half, Twinkie. Who would have known that the old Suburban was a lot newer than it looks!

[mrmossyone]

It's cool.

[SNOBORDJON]

Hi fellow Argosy owners! I just bought a 72 Argosy 24', over memorial day weekend. I love it already, but could use some help finding resources...ie owners manual, etc. Any Ideas?

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by bkahler

By hippies or for hippies

Brad

being a hippie, I now feel I should own one... Here is a cool one owned by my good friend Don...

Yes, that is Vintage Thunder.

[Silverhobby]

The front and rear wrap around windows on the rear bedroom models have a unique look. 30 A pictured

[biggoofball]

Originally Posted by SNOBORDJON

Hi fellow Argosy owners! I just bought a 72 Argosy 24', over memorial day weekend. I love it already, but could use some help finding resources...ie owners manual, etc. Any Ideas?

Welcome!! 1972 does not have a manual that I can find, nor could the previous owner. I have a 1973 manual for my 72 that seems close enough. I see them on ebay now and then. For other info, just keep asking questions here. No one has gotten tired of all of my questions yet (at least they haven't said so ).

[dbtolman]

Were there not some Argosy units built with a fiberglass body?

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by dbtolman

Were there not some Argosy units built with a fiberglass body?

There were some fiberglass SquareStreams built. jimmini is the forums expert on SquareStreams.

[overlander64]

Originally Posted by dbtolman

Were there not some Argosy units built with a fiberglass body?

There have been "rumors" of fiberglass Argosys during the first generation, but none have been confirmed. In fact, Argosy plant employees during the first generation have confirmed that first generation coaches were aluminum with galvanized steel endcaps. The second generation Argosys pre-dated the "Square-Streams", and were the test-bed for the "Square-Stream" concept. I have not had the opportunity to do much research on the Square-Argosy, so will not comment on their construction beyond the shape.

Kevin

[juel]

Thank heaven for those steel end caps in an ice storm. The Airstream suffered some big dents, the Argosy did not.

[jimmini]

For info on the 1986-1989 Argosy squarestream please go to SQUARESTREAM under the Airstream trailer forums,at the bottom of the forums page.There is info about the Argosy in the Squarestream History and some Argosy Squarestream sales brochures showen.