Help for a newbie?

[76Argosy28Motor]

My wife and I recently bought a 1976 Argosy 28 motor home and we have no previous RV experience. Making things tougher, this RV came with no maintenance manual, owner's manual, or original documentation of any kind. Can anyone tell me how to get originals or reproductions?

[Cmore12]

My wife and I were newbies last year. In the rookie forum (whatever), I found an old interesting thread where someone asked for the ten things you wished you'd have been told on day one. WOW! After a lot of cutting, pasting, and editing, I've got a 13 page document. Yours for the asking.
Yes, finding manuals online is valuable (imperative, actually), but there are some great You Tube tutorials to help decipher. (Especially electrical.) I poured over my furnace manual at 3 AM before I found the answer was in the thermostat manual. Your learning curve is pretty steep right now. Keep it up and keep asking us. The more you know the better you'll feel.
We haven't quit smiling with this new adventure. You're in for a treat.

[1985air345]

76Argosy28MotorHome wrote:
Thanks. I tried that, and was surprised to find that Airstream doesn't offer repair handbooks or owner's manuals for their motor homes prior to 1979. So no luck there!

I have a 1977 Argosy 20' motorhome. Welcome to the club! Airforums.com does have a section dedicated to Argosy motorhomes.

These units were in fact made by Airstream and were the predecessors to the Airstream branded motorhomes.

Airstream does have reprints of the original Argosy owner's manuals. They don't always list the manuals available listed on their web page. You can also find PDF versions on eBay from various sellers.

Your Argosy is on a Chevy P-30 truck chassis. The chassis VIN likely has a 1975 year since the chassis was made and then shipped to Airstream.

Here is a link to my Argosy motorhome page.

[darsben]

Matt_Colie wrote:
Greg,

When you find out who made the chassis, get all the information you can and be sure to get the maintenance up to date. The biggest issue will be that all the rubber parts are too old to be trusted. This doesn't just mean tires (they may be aged out as well), but all the belts and hoses - even the rubber brake lines may be aged out.

The appliances are the simple part. But search and collect what data you can. You will be very hard pressed to get electrical and plumbing data for the house part, so, you should start your own book. Remember, if you didn't do it, you don't know it has ever been done. The other thing to do is start a maintenance log and record everything you do.

Other than that, your big worry should be the water leaks that will destroy the wood structure and interior parts.

A coach this age can be rewarding and reliable. I do know what I am talking about. We put 11,000+ miles on our 40yo coach this year and expect to do better next year.

Matt

Seems to be a Chevy P30 chassis

[ALBQ]

Just as a suggestion- Check on local rv clubs. Join and you will find many other members who will be more than happy to assist you and offer(free) advise. By the way a smart move joining RV.Net. You can get tons of info here::::::

[Matt_Colie]

Greg,

When you find out who made the chassis, get all the information you can and be sure to get the maintenance up to date. The biggest issue will be that all the rubber parts are too old to be trusted. This doesn't just mean tires (they may be aged out as well), but all the belts and hoses - even the rubber brake lines may be aged out.

The appliances are the simple part. But search and collect what data you can. You will be very hard pressed to get electrical and plumbing data for the house part, so, you should start your own book. Remember, if you didn't do it, you don't know it has ever been done. The other thing to do is start a maintenance log and record everything you do.

Other than that, your big worry should be the water leaks that will destroy the wood structure and interior parts.

A coach this age can be rewarding and reliable. I do know what I am talking about. We put 11,000+ miles on our 40yo coach this year and expect to do better next year.

Matt

[Canadian_Rainbi]

Welcome to the forum and RVing in general. You have a fun and entertaining future ahead of you. Everyone of us started out newbies and everyone of us still have things to learn.

Look for something like this at RV stores or from Amazon. It contains a lot of basic information.

Also start a logbook/note book to keep track of issues as they come up and are solved.

[76Argosy28Motor]

thank you to everyone that's been replying.
It's much appreciated!

[klm]

Depending on your level of "clueless" about rv house systems - consider hiring a mobile tec to come to your location - be up front with him when you are talking to him - they generally charge for coming and then an hourly rate - could be money well spent. Take notes or even video all the info - for sure you will forget some of it - nice to have reference when you are scratching your head at a cg and wonder "how does this work?" good luck

[memgrove]

Go to www.airforums. (you get the rest) the forums there will have all the answers you will ever need.

[oldmattb]

Mandalay Parr wrote:
Go to a campground, stay a week and ask your neighbors to help you. Everyone is always so willing.

OP, if you are new to RVs, you may not understand that the above statement was probably offered with sincerity. Campers are very helpful, though they at times seem like pigeons waiting for bread crumbs.

Matt B

[darsben]

A little further digging and I found the page below. There is a blurb for Airstream manuals and a phone number. I have no other info except what is on the page
Try here

[76Argosy28Motor]

Thanks for the punch list!

[76Argosy28Motor]

Thanks. I tried that, and was surprised to find that Airstream doesn't offer repair handbooks or owner's manuals for their motor homes prior to 1979. So no luck there!

[ScottnSherrie]

My punch list having been a total newbie ten years ago.

1. Get a copy of The RV Maintenance and Repair Manual by Bob Livingston
2. On an RV that old, thoroughly inspect and replace as needed all hoses and belts.
3. Carry a complete set of belts and the tools needed to replace them.
4. It is almost guaranteed the chassis was built by someone else, like Ford or Chevy. Try to find a chassis ID plate. On mine there is one on the upper radiator support and another on the front axle.
5. Camp in your own driveway or backyard for a weekend.
6. And finally, that shore power cord may look kind of like a 220V dryer outlet, but is a 30 amp 110V RV outlet.