Hi, we are just starting our full timing journey. We have been sitting in the same park basically for a year waiting for our house to sell.We finally have a contract-so we are thinking about the future. We are 60 and 61. We have 2004 dodge diesel 1 ton and 39 ft 2010 heartland landmark. Eventually we will want/need a class a. This week we have met 2 couples in their 80's needing to get away from rving. The 2000 zanzibar was owned by this couple since it was a year old. Needs a couch. 300 cat and tons of cabinetry upgrades. Would offer maybe $30,000. The 1997 American eagle has 325 Cummins with 147,000 miles. It will come with 2006 subaru Forrester and maybe around $42,000. Any advice on what to stay away from? We are going backwards on years...will parts be available? Will maintenance cost us a fortune? Are we nuts for even considering something this old? Ideas and opinions are very much appreciated. Sorry about paragraphs...on my phone!

What suspension on the Zanzibar-- air or torsilastic?

Hubby thinks air, but that is one of the things we need to learn about :-)

Well as far as dollars and cents. The American Eagle makes sense. You are getting a good engine "Cummins" (I wont argue on the better engine here-I will just say we dont get too much repairs on either engine, but IMHO the Cummins seems to have more "pep" than the Cat has. And I drive a bunch of Class As every day) ---- Not to mention you get a Subbie to dinghy tow for a small amount.As far as reliability, well both are old enough now that the "first year fall aparts" has already happened. It will be hard to get parts for either at this stage. We also get very few repairs on either brand unit. Both are pretty solid.Now, look for water damage (possible prior roof damage). Open the slides and look at both outside corners on the bottom (floor) of the slides. That is where most water damage shows first. If the corners are real soft--pass it by! Slide out structure repair is very common, time consuming, and costly. --- Then look at the roof itself. If a roof needs replaced, it can cost from $5k up to $25k (but can be done to look "better than new". --- Finally take time inside each unit. Test all appliances on LP and A/C. Appliances can also be very expensive. Finally run the generator under a load.Now if one unit checks out better than the other, buy that one! If they both check out good, buy the one you like better!

I don't think either one will bee hard to get parts forEverything engine, trans, etc..is of the shelf bus or truck parts, except the "torsilistic" suspensionAnd it's ALL heavier and costs more than the parts on your current tow vehicleWe have a 1995 Safari , with Cummins engineFront brakes pads, rotors, calipers, labor total $1378Two new front tires $800Rear brakes pads, calipers, one rear seal, NO rotors $1178 Yes diesels can be expensiveI will say. That things last a lot longer, we have had this RV almost five years, and last brake service was several years BEFORE we got itI know the tires were about 7 years oldIt's a matter of being prepared to pay the larger sums knowing, it won't happen again for a few years

1997 American Eagle vs 2000 Safari Zanzibar | Good Sam Community

John_Joey
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
Thank you both for the education. Who says old dogs can't learn new tricks ;)
Sully2
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
Go with the Eagle!
FormerBoater
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
Laman wrote:
I really like my 98 Eagle a good solid DP that was high end for its time. I know nothing about the Zanzibar so no help there.

I would caution that on the Eagle if it has a Spartan Mountain Master chassis you need to find out if the front ball joints have been replaced. This is a very common issue and is a about a $2500 repair job. Get underneath and if the rubber boots are torn or in bad shape include that fact in your offer.

On an engine with that many miles I would want to see some maintenance records. Mine has 104000 and purrs like a kitten.

More good news, the 97 was a solid front axle...no IFS...no ball joints.

Like Lamen I am very pleased with my 98 Eagle...solid as a rock and excellent factory support from American Coach and Spartan!
Two_Jayhawks
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
John&Joey wrote:
wolfe10 wrote:
What suspension on the Zanzibar-- air or torsilastic?

Educate me on why? I'm assuming the later is a plus? Thanks.

I have torsilastic and I would steer clear. Fine coach, chassis, suspension, however the replacement parts are not available any longer. I needed new rear suspension last year and was able to find new replacement left over from Monaco's OE stash. Felt VERY lucky as next option would be to convert to air springs and that would have been painful $$$.
wolfe10
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
B.F. Goodrich made the Torsilastic Suspension (aka Velvet Ride) at their Aerospace Division in Jacksonville FL.

They sold that division over a decade ago. Lord Corp who bought it scrapped that part of production-- i.e. there are no parts available with OE quality control. There is a company in Mexico who recently started offering replacement parts-- I have no idea as to quality.

The Safari rendition of the Torsilastic suspension left a lot to be desired, leading to a whole cottage industry of aftermarket parts to improve ride and handling. http://www.pioneermetalworks.com/ was the best of them. Sadly, with the passing of the owner, Ralph Andrews, focus on RV suspensions has wained. Ralph designed and sold a number of aftermarket products that improved ride and handling, including: track bars, radius rods, double shock mounts, etc.

A significant issue on Torsilastic suspension coaches is RIDE HEIGHT. As with any diesel pusher, ride height, particularly in the rear is critical. The very short driveshaft found on diesel pushers is not very tolerant to out of spec drive line angles. Once all the ride height adjustment shims have been removed, efforts to restore proper ride height can get very expensive.
jplante4
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2015
Which one has the better layout? As you know from being in your Landmark for a year, the layout is paramount when full timing.

We like the space in our Safari Sahara. I really like that it's not just another paper bag bus. The Magnum chassis is overbuilt for a 35. We have the "ElliptiRide" (leaf spring) suspension, which was an option in 1996. The other chassis option was the "Velvet Ride" or Torsillastic. I haven't driven it enough miles to say whether it's good or not.

FWIW, that CAT can be upgraded to 330 HP.

This thread has a lot of info on the Magnum chassis differences.

Clicky
John_Joey
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
wolfe10 wrote:
What suspension on the Zanzibar-- air or torsilastic?

Educate me on why? I'm assuming the later is a plus? Thanks.
Laman
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
I really like my 98 Eagle a good solid DP that was high end for its time. I know nothing about the Zanzibar so no help there.

I would caution that on the Eagle if it has a Spartan Mountain Master chassis you need to find out if the front ball joints have been replaced. This is a very common issue and is a about a $2500 repair job. Get underneath and if the rubber boots are torn or in bad shape include that fact in your offer.

On an engine with that many miles I would want to see some maintenance records. Mine has 104000 and purrs like a kitten.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jan 19, 2015
How long is it going to take to sell the 2010 heartland landmark? How long can you afford to own two RVs that go down in value every month? I'm not a fan of dealers but with a trade they solve a lot of problems at a cost.
What's the hurry in switching? Granted there is no way I'd go back to a 5er. At your young age and with the sale of the house I'd be looking at something a little newer with more slides... so neither.
mike_brez
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
Eagle

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