Safari or Monaco

wolfe10 wrote:
You are in the Houston area.

PPL is a good place to shop-- both on their website and in person. Salesmen don't hassle you and you can take your time in looking at different coaches.

They currently show 108 diesel coaches: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/diesel-motorhomes.php

They don't hassle you?! You've just said the magic words my friend! Thanks for the info. Maybe we'll make a trip down there and see what kind of things we can't live without.

I have a 2003 Safari Cheetah, 36' with a CAT 3126E. Monaco bought Safari around 2,000. They changed the chassis and suspension systems dramatically after they bought Safari. Pre 2,000 Safaris had some suspension issues mostly involving weight distribution and ride. We love our 2003 Safari, it is well made and has been issue free.

You are in the Houston area.

PPL is a good place to shop-- both on their website and in person. Salesmen don't hassle you and you can take your time in looking at different coaches.

They currently show 108 diesel coaches: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/diesel-motorhomes.php

Argosy24 wrote:
Along with the engine/tranny there can be a lot of problems with older motor homes. Some you can live with, some not so easily. I've got a 1990 Holiday Rambler and really like it. But it does require a lot of knowledge and maintenance to keep everything going. If you can do it and like to do it, no big deal. If I would have paid for everything that's been done over the years it would probably cost more than I paid for the motor home.

I guess you pay one way or the other, but sometimes problems can be real trip killers.

Understood. This is where I am with the Dolphin. I've paid to have a few things done, but only out of either lack of time or lack of desire to actually tackle the project. I just had the roof replaced and as much as I'd like to say I think I could have done it myself, that's a lot of work. I've repaired the generator, fixed some plumbing leaks, tracked down some wiring issues, installed a new converter/inverter, replaced the TV, installed surround sound, fixed the Kwikee steps (Taurus window motor turns out) sourced wiper parts, roof vents... the list is endless. But it's fun. I do enjoy doing those kinds of things and I think that's why the older coaches appeal to me.

That and I'm cheap. I've accepted that fact now. :)

I've looked at a couple of Beavers and as much as the school boy inside me wants to be able to joke about having a Beaver to camp in, they're not easy to find and they're holding their values very well too. I won't delete them from the list though. I'll keep looking.

Another bonus of these coaches I'm considering... fiberglass roofs, aluminum or fiberglass sides...things like that are desirable to me.

You might also look at Beaver in the time frame. Lot in common with the Safari and they made some very niece coaches.

Along with the engine/tranny there can be a lot of problems with older motor homes. Some you can live with, some not so easily. I've got a 1990 Holiday Rambler and really like it. But it does require a lot of knowledge and maintenance to keep everything going. If you can do it and like to do it, no big deal. If I would have paid for everything that's been done over the years it would probably cost more than I paid for the motor home.

I guess you pay one way or the other, but sometimes problems can be real trip killers.

Either Cummins B or C (C preferable) or Caterpillar 3126 would be fine.

Much prefer the 6 speed Allison.

Particularly in the earlier range you posted, there are other, what I would consider less desirable drivetrains.

wolfe10 wrote:
Irrespective of brand, that time frame saw some real changes in diesel drivetrains, particularly the move from 4 speed to the current Allison 6 speed transmissions.

So, I would suggest posting the engine/transmission and also chassis of prospective coaches.

From the looking I've been doing, most are equipped with the Cummins 8.3 but a very few have been CAT powered. I don't have any particular coaches picked out, just a general knowledge of "this is the floor plan and model coach" we want. I would have no qualms about people offering up the wisdom about which engine/tranny combination would be a better choice. I figure we're likely about a year out on pulling the trigger on something like this. We just put a roof on the Dolphin and we're taking her to Branson next month. I've got lots more time to research but those two models have the thumbs up of approval from the DW.

Irrespective of brand, that time frame saw some real changes in diesel drivetrains, particularly the move from 4 speed to the current Allison 6 speed transmissions.

So, I would suggest posting the engine/transmission and also chassis of prospective coaches.