1973 Argosy from Mels

[mels]

I am a new member 10 minutes to be exact.
I have been the proud owner of a 1973 Argosy 29 FT for 5 years now. I have not had the time or money to do anything but store it.
I had a couple of guys help me move it last week.
The front sides got dented in and the dark, fiberglass window, (I quess it is a rock guard) got dinged and cracked.
How hard are these to find and does anyone know what kind of money we are talking?
Can the alunimum be repaired? Some one said no.
I must find space in two days for this trailer.
I have placed a classified on Craig's List. Help me fix it up and have usage
privileges. The interior was trashed before receiving, so my salvation was it was a nice hull.
I live in the Seattle area.
As you can imagine, I am sick about this latest damage.
Mels

[Kevin245]

Welcome Mels,

To answer your question, yes the damage can be repaired. Many parts such as panels and rock guards are still available but some are more expensive than others.

One other thing to consider. Since most Argy's are painted some owners simply fill in the dents before having the shell painted.

Good luck with this,

Kevin

[TG Twinkie]

Welcome
Take a look at www.InlandRv.com . they are not cheap, but I think it will fit.

[mels]

Dear TG,
Thanks for the info.
Since the rock guard and the panels are not my largest difficulties right now, I appreciate the information and will look into it later.
Right now, I am looking for a place to store my Airstream until I either can give it more attention or if things go like they have,
I'll end up pulling it to the deserts of our country and live in it.
It needs to be washed and I am afraid to do anything else besides take it to the local car wash and spraying her down.
My friend who owns a body shop says use, Simply Green, but I don't know.
I read somewhere you could srtip it of it's natural coating.
Like a antique table or something.
I spent my whole life saving to own an Airstream, only to store it outdoors for the past five years, unable to do anything but pay the space.
I collect vintage cars as well, and belong to The local Cadillac Club, so finding this site gives me real hope I can find my place in the Airstream Trailer world.
I appreciate your information very much.
I feel like I have found a family.
Mels

[TG Twinkie]

Are you going to clean the outside or the inside with Simple Green? I used it straight out of the bottle to clean the vinyl coated aluminum on the inside of my Argosy. It worked GREAT!. I worked in small areas, set the nozzle on the bottle to FOAM. With a bucket of clean warm water I wiped it off before going to the next area using one of those micro fiber cloths. It only took seconds to losen the grease and grime of 26 years. It took about 6 hours total to do the entire interior of my 26' Argosy. Inside the cabinets, under the bunks and all. The inside looks like it is new.
I saw no ill effects (ie vinyl did not come lose or appear to melt or anything like that)
Make sure the windows are open when you do it, the inside I mean. There will be a definate smell of the SG, but after a few days, even with the trailer closed up, the smell will dissapate.
Good Luck!

[TG Twinkie]

OOOPs! It was 36 years of grease and grime.

[Gkiesel]

Mels, Hope you found a place for your argosy. Remeber why you bought it. To have fun and go places. Wash that old paint with anything you want. You can't hurt it at this point. Simple green works great. Get the wheel bearings greased and put some tires on it so it's road worthy. Use it as a metal tent until you can find the time or money to fix it up. Unless you have lots of time and a decent budget do things in small steps. Make sure it's safe and road worthy first. Then tackle the various systems one at a time so you don't break the bank. I restored our 76 Argosy over a period of many years as time and money allowed. But I tried to keep it road worthy so I could use it a few times a year to remind myself why I was doing this. Good Luck. George

[MAVERICK]

Just finishing a 73 22ft Argosy. It is worth the effort but even with all appliances working and facing most of which you are prepared to do with this one we have spent nearly $11,000 over the original purchase price. Its going to have new foam and upholstery, extensive body work and paint,(Wembleton white) new lexon covers, rebuilt front gaucho 60's style. and new curtains as per original. I am so glad we kept it to original spec's inside and out. Will post pics of restoration and finished when I get the time. Good Luck.