Young Traveler... Looking For His First Airstream!

[ckeysor]

Eric,

I live in Atlanta (Dunwoody) and would be glad to show you some of the things to look for in an older Airstream. I currently have a 1985 (not vintage, but getting there), but have also owned a 1978, 79 and 2004. My current 1985 is in process of renovation, but I can show you some of the things to watch for on a used airstream (rust on frame, plumbing and electric and shell issues).

With that said after owning a new Airstream I would never buy anything but used. They are simply full of character and charm. Email me at [security - email removed by mod] if I can be of help. By the way, you have found the best source of information on Airstreams at this site.

[dmac]

Hi Eric,

It sounds like you have a great adventure ahead of you. I believe you will need to get a small trailer, or upgrade your tow vehicle. You will be going a long way, including mountains. A V6 will be unbelievably weak towing a travel trailer on hills.

I rode a Kawasaki G-5 100cc dirtbike (also unbelievably weak) from Minnesota to Alaska and back during the summer of 1975. Back then the Alcan highway had 1,100 miles of dirt - each way. It rained a lot, turning it into 1,100 miles of mud. I was a foolish 19 year old college kid. I'm glad I did it.

Enjoy your opportunities for high adventure before you have a job, house, and other obligations. My next opportunity to get away for more than 2 weeks wont be for another ~10 years... when I retire.

[clancy_boy]

http://www.airforums.com/forum...-ga-29042.html

Eric - use the above link to a thread about a Rally this spring in North Georgia. Lots of Airstreams will be there and a great crowd of people. This will give you a chance to see and touch a large variety of years, sizes, types of Airstreams - talk to their owners, and if you go on Saturday - eat a great meal.

Mike

[EricFarewell]

You guys are great, thanks for the heads up on the Rally, the height, and your own trip!

I expect to possibly move up to a larger tow vehicle later this year... So I don't mind buying something at the edge of what I can pull now.

Those new Toyota Tundras look amazing :-)

[Silverhobby]

What a wonderful adventure you had on the trip to Alaska. Thanks for sharing it. I do hope you find the trailer of your dreams.

[Westfalia]

Originally Posted by EricFarewell

Been through Denver a plethora of times, spent a couple of months in
the mountains just outside of Evergreen.

Yeah, we seem to think so! Even with the growth we are experincing here, it is still such a small town feel. I grew up in a small town, so I should know!
Where in Evergreen did you live?

Good luck on your quest, I like that Argosy.

[rickandsandi]

Eric-

Two quick notes; I am 6'4" and the only problem I have ever had in an AS is going out the door. Now I have the bumper above the door. As for the Argosy, they are a great TT but the reason they are painted and not naked is that the end caps are steel and not aluminum.

Let us know when you get your new to you Airstream!

[Minnie's Mate]

Do come to the Springstream Rally and meet some Airstreams and Airstreamers. Good luck with your search.

[Mike McCrory]

Hi Eric, I am a new member as of today.
I see you are in Acworth,Ga. There is a small RV Sales center up Ga 400 off exit 13 @ Cumming that had a vintage 19' A/S that was being re-done.
My understanding is it is for sale. I do not know how much work was completed and if it is "ready to roll" or not. I do not have thier number but
the service center's # is 770-886-7529 ask for Roger. He can tell you if it is still there. Also, here is how I found ours: On Jul 4 I was riding my motorcycle thru the Nt Ga Mtns and stopped at the Top of Georgia Airstream park to see what was posted on thier board for sale and the one I wanted was sitting there. The park is just north of Helen before you go over the mtn.

[EricFarewell]

Thank you all for your continued kindness!
That Argosy sold the night that I contacted him!

Thus, the search continues.
I'm still leaning towards a 24' Airstream or so, as I may well purchase a
more sufficient tow vehicle at the same time I buy the trailer.

I'll be keeping you abreast of what happens!

I'm currently in South Florida... Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, and Lake Wales.
If you're nearby, or you know anyone with an AS for sale, let me know!

[Dawgfan]

These sites have several used AS trailers listed in Fla.

Airstream RV Source

RVUSA : The Place For New & Used RVs Class A Class B Dealers Manufacturers RV Parks and Forums

[overlander64]

Greetings EricFarewell!

Welcome to the Forums!

Originally Posted by EricFarewell

You guys are great, thanks for the heads up on the Rally, the height, and your own trip!

I expect to possibly move up to a larger tow vehicle later this year... So I don't mind buying something at the edge of what I can pull now.

Those new Toyota Tundras look amazing :-)

Something that I might add to what has been posted about the Argosy coaches, and particularly the Minuets, is that another side benefit of most 6.0 Metre (20') and some 6.7 Metre (22') coaches is the composite aluminum floor. With one of these coaches that has composite aluminum floors, you avoid one of the big worries -- flloor rot -- these floors pose only two issues -- one is the tendency to develop "low spots" if exposed to heavy foot traffic -- and floor covering options are rather limited (when I had the floors redone in my 6.0 Metre Minuet, the only practical choices were carpeting or laminate with a supplemental cushioned underlayment to compensate for the rivet lines). In addition to aluminum for the floors, the Minuets also utilize vinyl-clad aluminum for the construction of the cabinets so there is little wood to worry about rotting or degrading -- the vinyl-clad is nice enough that I didn't even realize that the cabinets in my Minuet were vinyl-clad aluminum until I was cleaning up the coach after purchase.

The Minuets are unbelievably maneuverable due to their narrower stance, yet due to their open interior layouts they still are quite liveable. I generally travel for six or more weeks each summer, and for the last two years the Minuet has proven its practicality, comfort, and most importantly its economy of operation (the coaches are narrower as well as a bit lower overall (interior ceiling heights are the same as other coaches, but the coaches tend to have a lowered ride height as they were designed for towing by the down-sized family cars of the late 1970s). Typically, my 6.0 Metre Minuet only reduces my fuel economy by about 1 MPG with the Suburban and just a bit less than a 2 MPG reduction with my Cadillac.

The Minuets are available in 6.0 Metre (20'), 6.7 Metre (22'), and 7.3 Metre (24'). The two shorter coaches are single axle while the longer coach is a tandem axle model. The 7.3 Metre coach is the only one of the three that has a "separate" bedroom area (center coach can have either a pull-out double or twin beds on opposite sides of the aisle). The two smaller coaches typically have either two lounges that convert into beds -- or one lounge and a front dinette both of which convert into beds.

I will admit to being a big fan of the Minuets. To me, they have among the brightest and most open interiors of any of the Airstream products of the late 1970s. The only coaches that I have been in that seem to have comparable amounts of window space in relation to coach size are the Airstream Caravanners (25' tandem axle models) that were considered to be somewhat of a specialized floorplan for rallying and caravanning.

Good luck with your search!

Kevin

[B4WEDI]

Pretty clean looking 20' Argosy on Ebay right now from your neck of the woods. Item # 1700 807 089 77

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by B4WEDI

Pretty clean looking 20' Argosy on Ebay right now from your neck of the woods. Item # 1700 807 089 77

That looks like one cherry Argosy from the pictures. The only thing I see that might need a touch up is the parkay flooring...and that isn't bad.

[EricFarewell]

VERY clean Argosy... I've been watching Ebay, may have to make a run up there :-)