DAMAGE FOUND: Airstream Argosy Renovation
Today we’re addressing some damage on our 1979 Airstream Argosy. This renovation is a BIG project, but our desire for RV Living makes it doable.
We’re Kyle & Olivia, a young couple traveling the country full time in our vintage camper. We hit the road in September of 2015, with the goal to live a minimal lifestyle and connect with the world around us. We hope our experiences can inform and inspire others to pursue a life of passion and adventure. Join the Vibe Tribe as we discover the joys and obstacles of RV life!
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Are you in Fairhope AL or PA?
Hey guys…this is Arnold (Arn_) McMillen…love the videos and watching the work your doing. An AWESOME job and I can't wait to see the Argosy done!!! Olivia, you are an awesome wife and not afraid to help Kyle and all he does. You guys are a great team.
You can open up the channels with the shell on with a low profile hydraulic ram wedge from Harbor freight about $200.
Be very aware that aluminum doesn't bend in the same way steel does. If it has bent once it will need softening before you can bend it back without a high probability of breaking the aluminum. Also, the subfloor and "C" channel will want to be secured to the frame before the body is lowered back down. Ideally, the "C" channel should be removed from the body and bad sections repaired/replaced before wrapping it around the subfloor edges and securing the combined assembly to the frame.
Projects are always fun. My best advice is to just make a decision. The worst that can happen is that you screw it up. Destruction is the fun part! Make sure you're up to date on you tetanus shot.
I'm assuming that the frame rails are made of steel. I once had a boat trailer that showed signs of rust like I see on your frame rails. It looked okay but I gave it the hammer test and punched a lot of holes through it! I just opted for a brand new trailer. Good luck.
I deleted my post about the rust, I am sorry if I offended you two in some way. My intentions was not to offend. Doug
One thing you could do besides using marine grade plywood is to seal by soaking the edges of the plywood in Marine Tex epoxy all the way out past the slot it goes in under to body of the trailer. That channel collapsed because the wood gave out or wasn't there.
I am sure you are working to get prepared for the next step in lifting your shell off and are doing your research on "how to"… but just to mention…when we did ours, my husband created a support system inside to keep the shell from twisting, etc. with 2 x 4's and when lifting, raised it a small amount at a time until it could be supported and the frame rolled out from underneath. You are working outside, so whatever you support your shell with be sure it won't blow over if you have wind. You are making progress! It is a major turning point when you get to start making repairs and putting it back together! Fun to watch your progress! Keep up the hard work!
I would suggest marking the inside edge of the shell on the frame, measure the overlap after removing the shell. It will help in lining up later.
Hi, Olivia and Kyle My husband is a retired school teacher and Iam work at a college with plans to retire in a year and then hitting the road. Donāt plan to full time yet ,we love our house to much just a little part timing for now. We joined you just before the Argosy renovations. What a great job you both are doing with it. Keep up the good work canāt wait to see it trasformed. I heard you were wanting to buy a large tool box. A little tip. Look for a large plastic container to organize the large things and may be one or two smaller ones for the small items. Plastic draws are great for screws. And it will all be cheaper. We had pop ups all our lifeās and used rubber maid bins for our kids clothes every one there own bin. And they can be reuse.
Congrats on 25k!
All right! Let's do this! Excited to come see it in person TOMORROW!! š š š
You might want to mark the middle of the cross members of the frame on the outside to help Line up the shell when putting it back on . Great job keep up the good work .
Put the markings on the frame also, then you know exactly where everything goes back.
You two are doing a great job! Iām just wondering if you would want to mark the frame in the front and the back as well. That way it will be squared on the frame on all sides when you put it back down. Just a thought.
Your method looks great. You could also use cardboard a 1×2 and create a story stick that duplicates you marking along the perimeter as an additional record of the replacement locations. Especially if anything covers up your parts.
Half the time involved in renovating an Airstream is spent thinking and planning. A good plan can save lots of time and energy. Looks like you are doing a good job in this respect.
Stay Strong! You kids are a great example of teamwork and encouragement.
Wonderful job you guys can't wait to see the next video
Blessings are always around the corner. You are certainly blessed!
Really a great service to all of us to show us the detail and step by step of your renovation project. Thanks guys!
The way you are documenting your progress is going to be so helpful for others interested in a similar reno. Looking good!
What software are you using to do your layout?
don't take last points if contact off between frame and she'll until ready to lift. shell would be susceptible to movement /collapse due to wind or possibly just stepping inside rv
When putting back together will you be retapping rivets or bolts!
So cool that you got that bed, what a blessing! Lots of progress made…keep up the good work!
Wow, lot of work however when done you will have built a home to spec and will last many years and triple the value
Hi Kyle… minor suggestion… it looks like you are using the jacks directly in contactĀ supporting the shell… you may wish to use a block/pc of wood between these… that would spread the weight of the shell over a larger area and help to avoid any indentations that the jacks may cause from higher pressure contact points.Ā Keep up the good work.Ā billy
Be sure to save all the remod bloopers. One could be a entire video of Kyle bleeps. lol Crack that whip Liv! River hugs.
Another hurdle cleared! Now on to the next! You're doing a great job.
I didn't realize how huge this project was. I know it will be awesome when you are finished.
Woooow!!! Things have come a long way since 1983 engineering skool. Here I was suggesting yall make cardboard cut-out to scale using an engineers ruler to place stuff. Ha!!!
I saw where you were on the computer using a layout/design program!!! What is it called and what all can you do with a program like that???!!!
You guys are doing amazing work
Are you folks going to sandblast the frame and shell?
At 1:51 āthe lookā hahaha
I wonder if using your new drill with a 1/4" cobalt bit could help you to create a way to mark your shell alignment to the frame? Perhaps drill a few holes now in key locations down through the shell into the "c" channel and into the frame. Mark the holes with your sharpie. Line those holes up again when reattaching the shell. Finish up by plugging the holes with silicone after reassembly.
You folks are doing great. The damage to the floor channel could have happened while you were towing it home without the floor in it.
Did you measure the width of the old floor? Meaning from inside the c channel to inside the c channel on the other side before you unbolt it from the frame. Was curious if the old floor was the same width all the way along through the middle of the trailer. Might be smart to write down the old floor width before you remove the remaining bolts and lift the shell off the frame. You probably have already done this. Just thinking of your reassembly and mistakes I have made in the past by not having enough old measurements. Its great fun watching your channel. Thanks for the interesting content.