Forum Discussion

Chief10Beers's avatar
Chief10Beers
Explorer
Sep 13, 2017

New here. Looking at a 1996 Safari?

Hello, I am currently looking at the Safari Serengeti. It is 40' with a Cat Motor and Allison Tranny. It has 55,000 Original Miles. It is beyond Great shape inside and out. Just starting to read about Safari as I am new to Motorhomes. I see that they were bought out by Monoco, and that Many Safari owners were dissatisfied with that. Are Parts available? I don't want Buyers Regrets. I can get it for under $30,000. Went to see it today and was very impressed, but the Parts thing has Me worried. Any thoughts? This unit sold for 180,000 plus 20 years ago. Could this be a Deal or a Lemmon? Thanks in advance for any helpful replies.
  • Before giving any money look for water leaks from the outside. These can cause major damage.
    Google fiberglass delamination.
    Delamination shows up as bubbles or ripples in the exterior skin.
    After you have checked with a flashlight if necessary CHECK AGAIN
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Safari made a nice coach but the price is close to $10K over what it's worth... For $30K you should be able to find a 2000 DP with 1-2 slides that will NOT have the following:

    If it has the Velvett Ride I would pass as parts for it are hard to come by. If it has the 8 airbag Magnum then parts are much easier to find and gives a much better ride/handling.
    I am not a fan for the middle entrance door.
    May have air over hydraulic disk brakes...have the recalls been completed?
    The generator is probably not a enclosed Onan Quite Diesel. Crank the generator and lay in the bed and decide if you could get to sleep.

    Keep looking and you've come to a good place for info.
  • I will address a mistake, above
    Safari coaches are Not fiberglass composite laminate construct
    They are Alu skin on a welded tubular frame
    I have never seen one delam, it can't, the outside skin is riveted to the welded square tube cabin structure frame, below the belt line / floor/frame is all stainless steel, including the compartment doors
    The end caps and roof are fiberglass

    This 95 Safari Sahara we have, is front entry
    While preferred by some, i prefer the mid entry, while front entry is find FOR driving, mid entry is better when parked some place and staying in the coach going in and out with the dog, bringing in groceries , greeting people at the door etc

    Imo mid entry, with a driver's door, is the perfect combination
    Unfortunately Safari did not have drivers does