Re: [A/S] Argosy on Ebay

[snakefarmer@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi Jim,
It is in fact a trailer.  Look very carefully at the pictures of the 
tongue.  You will see the yoke type tongue which is the pulling 
tongue.  To the right of it you will note a rod about the size of a 
broomstick with yet another ball on the hitch.  This is the steering 
tongue.  This ingenius arrangement operates a conventional drag link 
arrangement, as on a straight axle truck.  When the towing vehicle 
turns, it causes the front steering on the trailer to be activated to 
turn in the direction that the towing vehicle turns.  Consequently, 
it backs and behaves as a trailer, not like a wagon.

It was in fact a factory test mule.  Consequently, no interior was 
required to test the concept.  As a matter of fact it would have 
gotten in the way of the engineers/cameras riding inside and looking 
in the plexiglas windows in the front wheel tubs.

Its history & use are described in short detail below:

Watson front wheel steer system with plexiglas windows in top of 
front wheel tubs for filming steering action.  Steers like a car, not 
a wagon!  Zero tongue weight on tow vehicle.

No interior -- ever,  4 wheel electric brakes, factory interior 
lining.  No vents or holes.  Original paint, tires, signage, etc.  
Rear tires show heavy wear from full power broadsliding through 
slalom course during testing at Transportation Reasearch Center.  
Amateur video of testing goes with trailer, very dramatic!  

Don Watson, brother of Indy car great A.J. Watson, invented and 
developed the front steer system and was subsequently placed under 2 
year development contract with Airstream.  Testing was successfully 
completed at TRC.  At this point, WR Grace purchased Airstream and 
all R & D was cancelled.  

I hope this helps.  Any more info you need or want, just holler.  
I'll give you all I know.