[VAC] Construction differences '74 Argosy - '69 Safari

["Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All,

Replacement of both the bathroom floor  and much of the floor up front of
the '69 Safari gave me insight into how the unit was constructed.  Both
front and rear have angle iron that extends upward inside the monocoque and
is held with several rows of rivets.  The base of the angle iron bends to
the inside of the monocoque and immediately under the aluminum "U" base of
the monocoque and above the  3/4 inch thick floor.  The sandwich Aluminum
"U", angle iron, flooring, and frame is pinched together with what appears
to be special rivets.  The bolts that are visible along the same joint are
only holding the floor to the frame.  This is the only area where the
monocoque is attached directly to the frame.  Only the floor is bolted to
the ends of the outriggers.  The monocoque base is sheet metal screwed to
the floor in all other areas.

Different years may have used different means of attaching the monocoque in
the front and rear to the frame.  For those working on  a '69 Safari, this
construction makes replacement of floor section very difficult for the front
and rear.  And easy for all other areas.

The '74 Argosy uses a different hold down system.  The 1/8 inch steel plate
is still riveted to the inside of the monocoque up front with two rows of
rivets.  However, the plate extends straight down to the bottom of the "A"
frame rails and is welded in place.  The 1/2 inch floor under the front
monocoque is easily removed and replaced as only sheet metal screws hold it
in place.  There are other self tapping bolts through the frame to hold the
floor in place prior to installation of the shell; however, these are well
inside the monocoque perimeter.

The rear of the '74 Argosy does not have a steel angle or other metal
fastening.  I haven't opened all of the floor to replace the rot; however,
the rear seems to be held in position with a bolt through the monocoque base
and into the frame rail.

The floor is clinched between the base of the monocoque and the ends of the
outrigger with bolts, unlike the '69 Safari.  Yet, sheet metal screws are
still used along the perimeter to hold the floor against the base of the
monocoque.

Again, this makes replacement of the floor much simpler than with the Safari
where the sandwich is riveted together.

I still find it necessary to open the inner skin of the monocoque to gain
access to the fasteners while replacing floor sections.  Unless this is
done, the base of the monocoque is free to move about.

The construction I found on the '74 Argosy might be similar to Airstream
after '69?

Hope this information aids someone's restoration project.

                  '69 Safari, '74 Argosy, Joy