1973 Argosy 20'

[DryFly]

Just picked up our first Airstream/Argosy. 1973 20', in pretty good shape. We'll be doing some repair work this winter and will probably make a couple of short hops to Central Wa.
We're towing this with a 2011 Honda Ridgeline. I purchased it about 180 miles away from where we live and it towed beautifully. No swaying issues at all.
I'm pleased this forum has so many members, and look forward to all sorts of helpful advice.

Dale

[Ag&Au]

Welcome to the forums.
That's a very nice looking trailer. I know you will enjoy it.

Ken

[rogerdodger]

Welcome to the forum. Nice Argosy!

[idroba]

I love the 20' Argosy. My favorite trailer (don't tell anyone and make them harder to find).

[cbcnm]

was that the one on cl in portland? i would have been mighty interested in it if i had room for another. i hear that model is the bomb. and it looked to be in pretty good shape.

[DryFly]

Originally Posted by cbcnm

was that the one on cl in portland? i would have been mighty interested in it if i had room for another. i hear that model is the bomb. and it looked to be in pretty good shape.

Yes, that's the one. The gentleman that owned it had purchased it from a friend and then re-built the brakes, packed the bearings, put on new tanks and a few other things. He had spent a lot of time and effort making sure it was safe and fully functional before putting it on the market. When I went to look at it and buy it, he spent well over an hour walking me through everything. By the time he was done I don't think there was anything he hadn't covered. For being almost 40 years old the trailer is in very good shape. I think we got lucky on this one.

[mandolindave]

If it has the original fridge, keep an eye out for leakage (Greenish/gold) coming from the pipes in the rear of the fridge. The ammonia gas is dangerous. At forty years, the fridge is about at the end of it's career.

[DryFly]

Originally Posted by mandolindave

If it has the original fridge, keep an eye out for leakage (Greenish/gold) coming from the pipes in the rear of the fridge. The ammonia gas is dangerous. At forty years, the fridge is about at the end of it's career.

Thanks for the warning. All the appliances were replaced in about 1998, so we're good to go.

My wife just pointed out that the manufacturer's tag on the front of the trailer states date of manufacture as September 1972, but the title says 1973. I've changed my profile information.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by DryFly

Thanks for the warning. All the appliances were replaced in about 1998, so we're good to go.

My wife just pointed out that the manufacturer's tag on the front of the trailer states date of manufacture as September 1972, but the title says 1973. I've changed my profile information.

That is model year verses build year.
Example you can buy 2013s off the lots now, without time travel that means the 2013s you can buy now were built in 2012.

[overlander64]

Greetings Dale!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Argosy ownership!

Originally Posted by DryFly

Just picked up our first Airstream/Argosy. 1973 20', in pretty good shape. We'll be doing some repair work this winter and will probably make a couple of short hops to Central Wa.
We're towing this with a 2011 Honda Ridgeline. I purchased it about 180 miles away from where we live and it towed beautifully. No swaying issues at all.
I'm pleased this forum has so many members, and look forward to all sorts of helpful advice.

Dale

The Argosy 20 has a wonderful open and "airy" floorplan. The Argosy 20 floorplan transitioned to the 6.0 Metre Minuet in 1977. I am sure that you will enjoy the compact yet efficient layout of the coach.

The one suggestion that I would make is to consider a rock guard for the front deep-wrap wing windows. While Argosy didn't offer rock guards, when the deep wrap wing windows transitioned to the Airstream line, rock guards became available. Your OEM deep wrap wing windows are clear glass while the only replacements available today are Solar Gray Tinted. The three-piece (standard body . . . not wide-body) rock guard fits standard Argosy travel trailers without modification (modification is, however, required for the center section on Minuets) . . . the rock guard costs about what one broken wing window would cost to replace.

Good luck with your Argosy 20!

Kevin