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Old 01-19-2014, 06:19 PM   #1
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Flooring in Argosy

I just ‘rescued’ a really nice ’77 Argosy Minuet, 20 ft., that had been sitting in the woods for the past 4 years. Well, rescued at a very low price.

But it is in good overall condition. I was surprised to find an aluminum floor under the carpet. Is that normal flooring for Argosy?

I want to put in wood flooring. Is it possible? Floating floor?
Or would you stick with carpet over the aluminum floor?
I'd love to hear advice.

Also, how would you ever know if there were soft spots in the floor since all you can see is the aluminum? It doesn't feel spongy anywhere, but you can't see.

Thanks in advance.
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Old 01-19-2014, 06:36 PM   #2
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Yep, sounds like you got a rare trailer there. They were only made for a short time back in the '70's. That floor will still be there on Dooms' Day. One of Airstream's better ideas, IMO. Wish I had it in mine. Wish they had put them in all future trailers.

If you want a wooden floor, maybe try the floating type over the aluminum (the same type you would use inside your house).

Let us know how it turns out and show us some picture.

Jim
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Old 01-19-2014, 07:46 PM   #3
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I have a 78 minuet 6.0 with the same floor. I put a floating snap together laminate in mine. TIP: the aluminum floor is actually foam sandwiched between a top and bottom aluminum sheet with cross members about every 4 feet, measuring from front to back. I laid the floor and noticed these are high spots when i walked over them. So I took it out, used the thin foam underlayment for the floating floor....cutting out a 2 inch wide strip, where the cross members are, then reinstalled it. It is much less noticeable.
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Old 01-19-2014, 08:08 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TMT View Post
I just ‘rescued’ a really nice ’77 Argosy Minuet, 20 ft., that had been sitting in the woods for the past 4 years. Well, rescued at a very low price.

But it is in good overall condition. I was surprised to find an aluminum floor under the carpet. Is that normal flooring for Argosy?

I want to put in wood flooring. Is it possible? Floating floor?
Or would you stick with carpet over the aluminum floor?
I'd love to hear advice.

Also, how would you ever know if there were soft spots in the floor since all you can see is the aluminum? It doesn't feel spongy anywhere, but you can't see.

Thanks in advance.
To answer your other questions, the minuets were made in 77, 78, and 79. The 6.0 the 6.7 and the 7.3. I believe that most if not all of the 6.0's had the aluminum floors. Some of the 6.7's and few of the 7.3's. I believe that all other Argosy's had wood floors. But I'm sure someo
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Old 01-19-2014, 08:20 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tiger View Post
I have a 78 minuet 6.0 with the same floor. I put a floating snap together laminate in mine. TIP: the aluminum floor is actually foam sandwiched between a top and bottom aluminum sheet with cross members about every 4 feet, measuring from front to back. I laid the floor and noticed these are high spots when i walked over them. So I took it out, used the thin foam underlayment for the floating floor....cutting out a 2 inch wide strip, where the cross members are, then reinstalled it. It is much less noticeable.
I have found the same high and low spots. I was concerned the low spots were "bad" spots. But now I believe they are normal, and the high spots are the cross members.
Whew! Good to know.
I love the layout of this baby. Feels very comfortable.
Thanks for the help.
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Old 01-19-2014, 08:25 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim & Susan View Post
Yep, sounds like you got a rare trailer there. They were only made for a short time back in the '70's. That floor will still be there on Dooms' Day. One of Airstream's better ideas, IMO. Wish I had it in mine. Wish they had put them in all future trailers.

If you want a wooden floor, maybe try the floating type over the aluminum (the same type you would use inside your house).

Let us know how it turns out and show us some picture.

Jim
Thanks for your comments. This is a sweet little unit.
I have a '66 Overlander that I put wood floors in. So I was very surprised when I found the aluminum floors. Sounds workable.
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Old 01-19-2014, 11:24 PM   #7
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Flooring in Argosy

Greetings TMT!

Quote:
Originally Posted by TMT View Post
I just ‘rescued’ a really nice ’77 Argosy Minuet, 20 ft., that had been sitting in the woods for the past 4 years. Well, rescued at a very low price.

But it is in good overall condition. I was surprised to find an aluminum floor under the carpet. Is that normal flooring for Argosy?
Yes, composite aluminum floors were part of most 1977 through 1979 6.0 Metre Minuets. They weren't in every 6.0 Metre Minute, but most did come equipped with the composite aluminum subfloors . . . . part of the reason that carpet was the standard finish floor covering.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TMT View Post
I want to put in wood flooring. Is it possible? Floating floor?
Or would you stick with carpet over the aluminum floor?
I'd love to hear advice.
It has been several years since Fowler RV Interiors in Symsonia, KY restored the interior of my Minuet. At that time, we selected Armstrong Laminate floors (the variety with attached underlayment fabric) along with Armstrong's Quiet Step Underlayment . . . the "double" underlayment helped to cushion the rivet joints so they didn't produce problems with the overall quality of the installation. It has been more than six years, and the installation still looks like new, and I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Armstrong Laminate with Quiet Step Underlayment again.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TMT View Post
Also, how would you ever know if there were soft spots in the floor since all you can see is the aluminum? It doesn't feel spongy anywhere, but you can't see..
It is quite unusual for the aluminum composite to fail unless it has seen very harsh treatment. Generally, the problem encountered is some "sway" between the the frame cross members . . . in coaches where this has been a problem, members have often opened up the bellypan and added additional cross member reinforcements. My Minuet had some sway between the crossmembers, but it wasn't serious enough to require surgery to repair . . . the additional Quiet Step Underlayment helped to bridge the sway, and it has not been a problem in the six plus years since the restoration was completed.

Good luck with your project!

Kevin
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Old 01-20-2014, 06:24 AM   #8
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It's good to hear the positives about these floors.
I appreciate all the responses and I'm more excited every time I read a reply to know I just got a special Argosy. I'll post some pictures later today. I think it's in great shape. Thanks.
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Old 01-20-2014, 04:45 PM   #9
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Argosy Minuet

Photos as promised. I think it looks great for sitting in the woods for the past 4 years.
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Old 01-20-2014, 08:46 PM   #10
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Mel, I love the Argys. Gotta get one. We saw a beauty this past fall at a rally that had been fully restored and repainted. Susan will kill me if I drag another one home tho.

That counter top is just like the one in our '73 Overlander (long since removed).. We didn't like the color.

Now that you have it home and on a hard surface, crawl around underneath and look at the frame around the axle. That first picture looks like maybe the sheet aluminum is bowed out a bit above the axle on the curb side. Maybe just an artifact of the photo, may be nothing to worry about at all. Could be a problem with the frame in that area.....or could be nothing at all. Not trying to worry you unnecessarily, just something to check on.

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Old 01-23-2014, 09:50 AM   #11
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I am in the midst of restoring a 6.7. You have a great little trailer. I would check your axle out. Mine was sitting about the same way and was in need of a new axle which I recently picked up from Andy at Inland. A modern axle is a must in my opinion if you will be using it.

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Old 02-16-2014, 08:44 AM   #12
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Nice unit you have there. I am interested in putting wood laminate in our '77 Argosy 24' too. It has been put away for the winter, so I won't bring it out until May. Keep us abreast on your "project".
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Old 02-16-2014, 09:26 AM   #13
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Will certainly include pictures when we start.
Believe it or not, we native Floridians have been cold lately, (go ahead and laugh)
and not accomplishing much! Piddling at other jobs.
But will get to flooring soon! Thanks.
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