Help ! Looking at a Trek Safari and have a few questions

[luberhill]

I am looking at a 1998 Trek with 60k miles,,,454 engine, with headers, upgraded steering device all new brakes and tires....questions and concerns,,,,
The windows have the seal creeping issue,,,,what is the best most cost effective repair ??

The roof seems like a 1 sheet plastic,,,doesn't seem bonded to the underlying plywood,,,,normal ??

Also the carpet looks like 1998 carpet,,how hard to tear it up and put a good vinyl or pergo or something down ??

Thx

Price is 15k FIRM...

I tried posting this on Trek Tracks but that site sucks,,,they move the post and bury it 4 pages back under 91 others,,I will get NO useful responses,,,,

[Chopperbob]

OK, I give up, You win!

[rgatijnet1]

Chopperbob wrote:
One more thing those safety pins are a way to keep
it from falling when not being used. Not when it is in
the down position. When it is being lowered or raised
it is indeed possible to fall! Be careful with a system that
has not been upgraded. If you don't believe me all you have
to do is read the Trek site!

The same bed locks move to the lowered position and prevent the bed from falling when being used. Having owned TWO Treks I do know about the system and how the locks work.

[Chopperbob]

One more thing those safety pins are a way to keep
it from falling when not being used. Not when it is in
the down position. When it is being lowered or raised
it is indeed possible to fall! Be careful with a system that
has not been upgraded. If you don't believe me all you have
to do is read the Trek site!

[Chopperbob]

Not so, the bed motor mounts are attached with
One quarter by twenty threads two little bolts.
Over the course of using the system for 18 yrs
those small bolts wear out! The replacements are
5/16 bolts much stronger. Do you really want to take
a chance of having the bed fall? Very difficult fix
after that happens. Why not prevent that from happening?

[rgatijnet1]

The Trek bed should have "locks" available that are used when driving and when sleeping. This will prevent the bed from ever falling down. The bed motors and mounts usually ONLY have a problem if someone tries to lift more than the bed itself, like a child in the bed, or if they do not release the motor activate switch after the bed has gotten to the top or bottom of it's travel.
Checking the service records will tell you about anything that may need maintenance. 50,000 miles is not much to worry about if the necessary service was all kept up to date.

[Chopperbob]

These are high end coaches. Yes headers very good.
Service records very good. Steering add on many, some
people like them, there was one on ours. It keeps the
wheels straight in case of a blowout. Be sure and ask
about bed motor mount upgrade. Its possible for the
bed to actually fall down with you in it. Fix is cheap
DIY the info is on the trek site. Front springs make it drive
Straight and safely. Air bags are junk. They always leak.
Plus when your on the road you have to look for air. Shocks
at that mileage probably. Replace with good ones. We used
Kyb I think. Also look at the rod ends. Cheap to replace.
Thats why I say at 50,000 lots of stuff is worn out.
With all the unknowns you should have it inspected
by a expert.

[luberhill]

Chopperbob wrote:
On a coach this old and complex I think you need to
concentrate on basic mech issues instead of
(finish ) items. Does it offer a complete maintainence
history? A 50,000 mi tune up is not cheap.
Trans service, Brakes OK? Does it have a cracked
ex manifold? The roof I think is aluminum. I was
able to walk on ours so working up on it is OK.
Lots of this stuff is on the Trek site. Much is diy.
If you can do this stuff go for it if not probably
not a good deal. We sold ours in 2014 for $17.000
But that's what we paid plus many,many upgrades
At 50,000 they need quite a bit of maintence.
Good luck.

He has all the paper work,,,all service was done,,,tranny service, all new brakes and 2 wheel clys,,,,all new tires,,,,you think its aluminum under the plastic roof ??,,,it has headers so no ex manifold cracks,,,,has some upgraded steering thing...

[Chopperbob]

On a coach this old and complex I think you need to
concentrate on basic mech issues instead of
(finish ) items. Does it offer a complete maintainence
history? A 50,000 mi tune up is not cheap.
Trans service, Brakes OK? Does it have a cracked
ex manifold? The roof I think is aluminum. I was
able to walk on ours so working up on it is OK.
Lots of this stuff is on the Trek site. Much is diy.
If you can do this stuff go for it if not probably
not a good deal. We sold ours in 2014 for $17.000
But that's what we paid plus many,many upgrades
At 50,000 they need quite a bit of maintence.
Good luck.

[rgatijnet1]

The headers are a good thing since stock manifolds are next to impossible to get for the RV application if they developer a crack.

[luberhill]

Chopperbob wrote:
One more thing. The headers are a big deal. Its common to see cracked manifolds which is $800 minimum. Also the stock
muffler is very restrictive and causes lots of heat which causes
the cracking. It needs a 3" muffler installed .On ours I installed
extra ducting for cooling the manifolds.

so headers are good or bad ???

[Chopperbob]

One more thing. Check the front springs. If they are blue that's good. If it has the stock springs and air bags that's junk. Over the years lots of these have been upgraded to the upgraded springs. It really does effect the handling.

[Chopperbob]

One more thing. The headers are a big deal. Its common to see cracked manifolds which is $800 minimum. Also the stock
muffler is very restrictive and causes lots of heat which causes
the cracking. It needs a 3" muffler installed .On ours I installed
extra ducting for cooling the manifolds.

[Chopperbob]

I have lots of experience with these. In my opinion
the bed hardware is critical. You need to ask if it has been upgraded. The motor mounts fail. Also I did coat the roof with Bus Kote. Worked well.
Bed motor mount info is on the Trek site but it's hard to find.
We also ditched the carpet replaced with oak.
They are very well made coaches I don't like the beds though.

[rgatijnet1]

What you are looking for is a website that tells how to repair fogged RV windows. It is basically the same process.
Here are some: Window repair
Window repair #2
Window repair #3