First time used buyer, any specific advice js appreciated!

[JeffCarol]

Hello all, I am a retired helicopter mechanic from the USMC. I say this hoping a maintenance background will be useful as I am looking to buy a 1995 Safari Ivory, 300 HP Cummins.

The coach seems very well maintained with new tires and brakes all around. Everything is functional and I see no evidence of Mickey Mouse maintenance.

I am new to RVing so I have been voraciously reading everything I can find regarding inspection and maintenance.

It seems like we are buying an antique compared to most of the coaches many of you are discussing but we need to stay in our pay grade. Is there any specific areas to scrutinize that only experience would teach.

Please share some wisdom if you will folks!

[wolfe10]

mike brez wrote:
Here is one on eBay that looks pretty clean.

No, the Detroit Diesel 4 stroke 8.2 liter V8 would not be on my short list. Poor power, poor MPG and poor longevity compared with other engines by Caterpillar and Cummins.

[mike_brez]

Here is one on eBay that looks pretty clean.

[happy-2]

Don't forget to get up on the roof and check all seams and seals for cracks,and tears in the roof material.

[10forty2]

garymunson wrote:
Age of tires is VERY important. MHs frequently are found with tires that obviously have little miles on them but can be 10 years old+. The seller will proudly proclaim NEW TIRES! Myself, I don't like trusting any tire over about 6 years old. Blowouts on anything heavy isn't something you want to experience.

This x25.... I found out the hard way that tire date codes are the ONLY effective way to determine the age of the tires. Don't trust the owner's recollection of how long ago they bought the tires or that there are only a few hundred miles on them. Verify it yourself.

[jplante4]

There's a Safari Yahoo group you can get some info from. Also this forum

Click

Brett Wolfe (user name wolfe10) pops in here every once in a while and is very knowledgeable about Safaris.

MelS on iRV2.com has a 95 Sahara.

I believe the Ivory has the Blue Streak chassis, which means you have Velvet Ride (BF Goodrich Torsilastic Suspension). These are problematic as far as ride and ride height go, but there are after market fixes for the issues.

Safari is a well built coach and we searched for ours for a while. If it's in decent shape, don't let it go. The Ivory was the top of the Safari line in 1995. As far as the age goes, I will put a 20 year old pre-Monaco Safari against a 10 year old Monaco any day. We looked at both when we were shopping for bus #2.

Although CAT doesn't make over-the-road engines anymore, they still make the same engine for construction equipment, so parts aren't a problem. There are CAT shops that will work on the engine, and most Cummins shops can do the PM on CAT engines.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

Jerry

[mike_brez]

Just in case you find another in one of these years.Trailing arms

[garymunson]

Age of tires is VERY important. MHs frequently are found with tires that obviously have little miles on them but can be 10 years old+. The seller will proudly proclaim NEW TIRES! Myself, I don't like trusting any tire over about 6 years old. Blowouts on anything heavy isn't something you want to experience.

[JeffCarol]

Thank you folks, I am grateful for the wisdom from those who have already learned some expensive lessons! I look forward to any further ideas. Very Useful!

[Rollnhome]

Possibly get a well recommended Mobil mechanic to check out the RV appliances, electrical, etc. Worth an hour or so of his time. Also pull up a car fax report.

[ksg5000]

Consider pressure testing the rig -- doesn't cost much and should expose actual or potential leak issues - big issue in used rigs.

In general your rig is broken down into two basic items Truck/Bus and RV stuff. Most RV outfits are capable of inspecting the RV stuff (fridge, converter/inverter/slides etc) - since your new you might consider calling around and asking how much they charge for an inspection. The Truck/Bus side of things is another matter - I personally would not trust RV guy and would prefer legitimate mechanic.

[1BryNelson]

Treat it just like a copter you've never seen before and have just been told to make it airworthy.
In one of that vintage you need to crawl under with a flashlight look for unusal wear of everything, bright metal usually trouble underneath. I would check as much of frame as possible looking for any signs of damage, cracking or especially of past repairs. The outside front to back top to bottom. Look for proper roof maintenence, seals around any protrusions through the exterior skin.
Propane storage and delivery to points of use. Hugh safety issue. A cracked propane line is not good, I traced all mine visually as much as possible before I bought.
Interior others have addressed, make sure everything works, spend a day in it, pull all draws out and look behind for evidence of past structural repairs also.
Remember, if you can't find anything wrong; dig deeper. Get past any cosmetics someone may have done to hide past damage.
Good luck brother, I understand staying in paygrade, prior USN E6.

[fcooper]

With your background, checking out the mechanical areas should not be a problem.

I found one link with a little info...and it has a link to a safari group on yahoo that might help. Look in the 5th post.
Thread about safari

Hopefully, Wolfe10 will see your post and join in. He has a lot of knowledge about the Safari coach.

As already posted, very important to look for water (leak) damage. Easily the most destructive force to attack an rv ouside of a wreck.

Good luck.

Fred

[midnightsadie]

X2 search for water marks, find them ? RUN.

[n7bsn]

If there is mold, mildew, rotten wood, anything like that. Walk away there are rigs that are sound.
No 'deal" is good enough for a beginer to have to rebuild the rig.