Today I came across a 1998 Safari Sahara 3044, with Cat 300 hp engine that looks very good. We’ve been looking at 36 to 40-foot motorhomes, but his little 32-foot model would seem to work very well for us in terms of floor plan and space.There are lots of things for me to check out yet about it, but it looks like a very good fit for our purposes.Are there any special issues I should be aware of, or special things I should check on this brand/model? Any known problems with Safari Sahara coaches of this era? Anything else I should know?If anyone has one, I would love to ask some specific questions about capacities, etc., since I have been unable to find a brochure on-line.Thanks!Wayne

Made by the same people that made mine.

we have a 1995 Safari Sahara 34ft Cummins dieselwe love the floor plan and the qualitycheck out the Safari owners users group on Yahoolots of info there, including some PDf downloads of Brochures not sure which years

OP here.I've heard of problems with weight distribution and handling on Safaris of this era generally. And in response to this thread I got one PM regarding that.Any thoughts on handling and ride? Maybe that deserves another thread.Wayne

I understand that the shorter wheel base DPs can cause a rocking sensation while driving down the road. The weight of the engine effects overall weight distribution on the shorter chassis's. I've been told that's one of the reasons they're so few.

To short, 37 feet is minimal length, 40 feet is best

Safari Sahara 3044, 300hp Cat | Good Sam Community

Cottontop
Explorer
May 22, 2014
Made by the same people that made mine.
MrWizard
Moderator
May 22, 2014
we have a 1995 Safari Sahara 34ft Cummins diesel
we love the floor plan and the quality

check out the Safari owners users group on Yahoo

lots of info there, including some PDf downloads of Brochures not sure which years
Empty_Nest__Soo
Explorer
May 22, 2014
OP here.

I've heard of problems with weight distribution and handling on Safaris of this era generally. And in response to this thread I got one PM regarding that.

Any thoughts on handling and ride? Maybe that deserves another thread.

Wayne
Roman_Duck
Explorer
May 23, 2014
I understand that the shorter wheel base DPs can cause a rocking sensation while driving down the road. The weight of the engine effects overall weight distribution on the shorter chassis's. I've been told that's one of the reasons they're so few.
donsuefuggrwe
Explorer
May 23, 2014
To short, 37 feet is minimal length, 40 feet is best
gswcgi
Explorer
May 23, 2014
I own a 2003 36' Safari Cheetah DP. I am the original owner & have been to the factory in Coburg, OR many times. The rig you are considering was built by the former Safari owners before Monaco took over Safari in 200/2001 at which time Safaris were built on the Monaco chassis. I have been told by some Monaco factory techs that many of the pre-Monaco Safari coaches have weight balancing issues affecting their road handling and ride-ability. These issues were apparently due to weight imbalance design. If these issues are in fact true I don't know what can be done to correct them.
MrWizard
Moderator
May 23, 2014
we don't have any rocking

IMO weight distribution is very good
diesel fuel up front centered behind front axle
fresh water centerd behind fuel tank but inside the basement
black and grey at rear of basement centered
propane forward of rear axle and centered, behind basement

problem only occurs IF you load your cargo "lopsided"
JohnQ
Explorer
May 25, 2014
Sounds like I have the Serengeti in that year, a M-4044 - 40 footer, angled kitchen wall, and seperate "Throng Room." I would suggest that you go to either Yahoo Safari Websites (Safari Friends or Safari Coaches). In the Files Section is probably the very BEST & downloaded Used Motorhome CheckList. Extremely Good Insurance. also be aware that most Coaches (Used) are way over priced due to sellers not understanding KBB/NADA correctly.
neldo
Explorer
May 21, 2015
I have a 1998 3044 that has a large plate welded in the front frame 12inches x 35 inches x 8 inches. I drove the unit from atlantic to pacific in 5 days and it handled like a dream. I would take this anywhere.
FIRE_UP
Explorer
May 21, 2015
donsuefuggrwe wrote:
To short, 37 feet is minimal length, 40 feet is best

Well Sir,
Not sure if you're referring to ALL motor homes in that length category but, ours is the Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT and, I can tell you that, for 22,000 miles that we've put on it since we took ownership, it rides like a dream. No porposing, no wandering, no ill handling effects what so ever and, that includes the time of over 8,000 miles with a Hydralift on the back, carrying a 900 lb. Honda GL 1800 Goldwing.

Scott