[A/S] Re: I pulled the Arogsy home today!

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings Lou!

Welcome to the world of Vintage Argosy ownership!

Since I am not sure which Vintage or Model your Argosy is, I can't 
say with great certainty whether the water line may not be 
original.  In some of the Argosy coaches, the water line ran along 
an interior wall and was hidden by an angled wood or composite 
molding.  In my '78 Minuet 6.0 Metre, the main water supply from the 
front mounted tank runs along the streetside wall at floor level and 
is hidden by a factory molding.  I purchased the coach from the 
original owner and he confirmed that the coach came from the factory 
with that arrangement.
> 
> 2. The walls are sticky with tar from smoking. All of you have 
given 
> several really good ideas. I am going to try a few of them out 
> tomorrow.
> 
> 3. The brakes do not seem to be functioning. I have heard that you 
> need to have the battery installed for this to work. Is this true?
> I bought it without a battery.
> 
While you don't need the battery for your trailer brakes to function 
as a prior response indicated, you will need a functioning battery 
to provide for operation of your breakaway switch that is required 
safety equipment in most if not all states.

I suspect that you may be experiencing a classic problem when a 
Vintage Airstream or Argosy is towed by a tow vehicle wired to the 
modern wiring standard that is in conflict with the wiring pattern 
used by Vintage Airstreams and Argosys.  My Minuet 6.0 Metre 
presented some of the same symptoms that you have described as its 
umbilical cord had never been rewired to the modern standard.  The 
link below identifies the color coding used by Airstream for 1966 
through 1981 coaches (this was the schematic used for my '78 Minuet):

http://www.airstream.com/airstream/product_line/customer_service/docs/7wayplug1966-81.pdf


The easiest method of addressing this situation is to buy a new 
Bargman connector to match your tow vehicle and insert the wires 
into the modern standard (being sure to follow the function rather 
than colors of the wires as they are attached to the new plug).  The 
current wiring standard used in most late model tow vheicles is 
shown in the link below:

http://www.marksrv.com/wiring.htm

Using this information the Argosy matches up with the modern 
standard as follows:

     Modern White (Common Ground) = Argosy White
     Modern Blue (Brakes) = Argosy Yellow
     Modern Green (Tail & Running Lights) = Argosy Green
     Modern Black (Charge Line) = Argosy Blue
     Modern Red (Left Turn & Stop) = Argosy Red
     Modern Brown (Right Turn & Stop) = Argosy Brown
     Modern Yellow (Backup Lights) = Argosy Black


> 4. I have a "grounding" problem with the wiring for the turn 
> signals, running lights, etc... The lights inside work fine but
> the hook-up to the tow vehicle only worked once I scraped off a
> bare metal spot on the frame of the trailer.
> 
I suspect that you may solve this problem if you check to be sure 
that your umbilical cord connector is wired to the moder stanard as 
the tow vehicle that you used likely was wired.

> 5. The guy I bought her from had bought new 30# propane tanks with 
> the new adapter on them but the regulator still has the old
> adpater fitting. The lines from the regulator are stiff and should
> really be replaced regardless.
> 
When you replace the pigtails for your LP tanks, you will find that 
you can choose between the old style (they will work with the new 
valves but require a wrench to remove and install tanks when they 
are refilled) or new style pigtails that can be removed or tightened 
by hand - - I wish that I had known about these when I had the 
Overlander updated as it is so much easier with the new style 
pigtails that I specified when the Minuet was updated.

> 6. The drapes need to be replaced and I have to get some of
> the "T" and "G" clips for the new ones.
> 
The clips are standard Kirsch hardware pieces that are often 
available from a number of different sources.  RV stores often stock 
these clips and it doesn't necessarily need to be an Airstream 
dealer (an Airstream dealer is likely the best source in many 
cases).  I also had good luck finding them through a friend who 
works for an interior design firm.

> 7. All of the Airstream-specific weather stripping aroung every 
> window show be replaced. They are all dry rotting.
> 
Most of the gaskets and weather stripping material can be purchased 
through your Airstream dealer.  Inland RV in California also offers 
much of the weatherproofing material via their website as well as 
mail order.

> 8. The furniture DEFINITELY needs reupholstering. Not only is it 
> getting thread-bare but these people that owned her were not the 
> best housekeepers. There are strange stains and smells eminating 
> from the upholstery. :-|
> 
There are a number of shops springing up across the country doing 
interior restoration work if this is a project that you decide to 
farm-out.  One of the oldest, and the one who has done the interior 
restoration/refurbishment on both my Overlander and Minuet, is 
Fowler Interiors of Symsonia, Kentucky.  Arlene and Henry Fowler 
have been revamping Airstream interiors for the better part of 
twenty years.  They handled the complete project from cleaning to 
refinishing walls, ceilings, cabinetry; installing new drapes and 
mini-blinds, foam and upholstery, tambours (in the Minuet), and 
floor coverings.
 
> 9. The outside has rust and peeling paint on the galvanzed steel 
> nose cone and tail cone. I think I should have this painted. I saw 
> one of the member's posts with a link to his restoration progress
> on the exact same Argosy. I was wondering what that set him back?
> I know the paint is the last thing I should do because it has to
> be made road-worthy first.
> 
While I haven't had the work completed yet, I have consulted three 
reputable body shops in my area about repainting my Minuet.  In each 
case, I reminded the owner that the coach had a combination of 
galvanized steel domes on each end with the balance of the body 
being aluminum.  I also requested a two-tone paint job matching the 
original color scheme.  The outcome was estimates that ran from a 
low of $115.00 per lineal foot to $175.00 per lineal foot (measuring 
from tip of tongue to outside edge of rear bumper).  Approximates 
the cost of having my Overlander polished and Plasticoated, but the 
anticipated life expectancy of the repaint is thought to be several 
times the life expectancy of the Plasticoat/Polish job on the 
Overlander.

> 10. The tail light bar across the back has some of the screws that 
> are stripped out of the taillights. I had to completely remove one 
> of the tail light covers before we left this morning our else I 
> would have lost it on the road. I have no idea how I am going to
> get this reassembled.
> 
> 11. The tail light bar across the back in starting to crack around 
> the tail lights. Right in the corners where the tail light covers 
> mount you can see some deterioration on the tail light bar. I will 
> have to put up pictures so you guys can see what I am talking 
about.
> 
This is a rather commong problem with the material that was used in 
this particular trim component.  The body shops that I consulted 
about my repaint suggested that the trim piece could be repaired 
using similar products to what is used in the repair of plastic 
components in the bumper surronds on modern automobiles.

> 12. It has the ZipDee awnings but I am sure that they will need
> the fabric replaced on them. It has the one big one a and a small
> window  awning on the back bathroom's window. Any ideas on how I 
> can replace this myself?
> 
ZipDee is one of the most Vintage Friendly Vendors out there.  They 
seem to happily support their products regardless of age.  I am sure 
that you will have no problem purchasing any fabric or repair parts 
for your awnings.  You can get in touch with ZipDee through the 
following link:

http://www.zipdeeinc.com/

You will also likely find that your closest Airstream dealer should 
be able to assist you in acquiring ZipDee parts as well.

Good luck with your Argosy!

Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 
VORTEC/4.10 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 
Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)