Looking at the Safari Trek

Over the years on my numerous trips to the States I would look in at a RV Dealer and catch up on what was the latest in RV's of all sorts.

One Motor home stood out in the fact that it had "everything" fitted (as did most) but it had the feature that it was only 24 feet long and that was a major fact in the country of 40 foot RV's.

This was the Trek pathfinder model 2430. they also made them in Diesel which was a attraction considering I would consider taking it to Europe. My memory of Europe and petrol was the impression that each time I filled up the 4x4 that was pulling the Caravan I thought I was buying the oil well!!

So I entered the words "Safari + Trek" and was offered trips to Africa!....then I added another word (what it was I have forgotten) and was presented with quite a assortment of new and near new Trek's. Also found a site of a couple who ended up with a lemon call Trek. I think this "Lemon" is relevant as one always needs to ask "what is the worst thing that can happen" and this must be IT. If you can handle all of this then buy one! Their troubles made rather scary reading....put me off the Chev Diesels...

Then I found a site that people could do reviews of M/H's that they owned.... found a three who had bought Trek's so sent emails off to them to see how they faired. The reply's came back fast...

... I have the gas model and the air cleaner is located back of the right front wheel. Hard rain results in a soaked air filter and a replacement (or at least dry) filter. I've not replaced it myself yet but marveled at the contortions of a tech to get to the filter w/o removing the wheel. Of course, there is no spare tire with the rig and no lug wrench (would you say "spanner"??) so removing wheels is not possible unless you have invested in the appropriate tools.

I have replaced the CB antenna three times now... I don't tow although I plan to soon. Gas mileage is good (8-9mpg). Speaking of gas, one problem we had immediately was the gas fill line. We have a 97 model (28 ft). Gas fill is located by the entrance door; however, the fill line originally ran uphill. In order to fuel up the coach we had to raise the passenger side with the jacks to pump in the gas. This was "fixed" by the dealer but the problem still occurs occasionally.

All this considered, I'd buy another Trek (not new and never from XXXXXX)
The design is superb. The fit and finish is generally well above Wxxxxxxo type products. Our bathroom is huge and the
galley space is great. The company needs a swift kick in the ass about customer service and tech support (most simply claim ignorance). The folks on that website must have been full-timers; they surely put lots of miles on the coach. Mine is parked 8 months of the year and used steadily for 2.5 months in the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall.
I have only owned the Trek for about 6 months but we love everything about it except for the power climbing some of the mountains here. My engine and chassis are very different from the Chevy described on the web page. My engine and drive train are Isuzu - very reliable and solid. it is actually a truck chassis and is, as far as I can tell, very solid. I have had no engine or mechanical problems (other than a broken cable on my dash air conditioner). The fit and finish of the interior is wonderful and it looks like it is less than a year old.

Dale DeRemer is a retiring college professor who has written 5 books ranging from "Aircraft Systems for Pilots" to "Global Navigation". At the moment he is spending a lot of re time, trying to understand fulltiming, and learning in depth about his Safari Trek Coach. He's offered to share his
expertise with our readers who may have an interest Trek.
deremer@aero.und.edu

I purchased a 2002 2430 in California last month. The next day I noticed that my instrument cluster was metric. I called workhorse, they checked my coach I.D. # and found that Monaco had ordered this coach with the metric 49 state emissions for Canadian delivery. I can not legaly register it in CA. So far, Monaco says "tough".
Help.Thanks, Bill

The reason why I decided on Trek. We have friends that have had different units during the last 25 years, with the new one having everything we need. But, within 6 months had sold it and looked for another unit. During that 25 years they went though about 14-15 units, from Class B to Class C and trailers. When they bought their Isuzu chassis Trek they again said it had everything they needed. After having had it for over 2 years they still had it. What better recommendation could I have. They still have it 2 1/2 years later and are still happy and content except for the hard truck ride from the solid truck axle.

We have had our 1999 Safari Trek 2480, 6.5 diesel model since Mar. 2000. I wasn't intending to buy new, but the salesman convince me that the price they were charging was like used, and it was. It had been used for demo purposes and never sold. The salesman, Bill Young, was extremely helpful and was able to get many of the warranty problems corrected when others at the dealership were not helpful. Since then he has retired and the Steve Austin has closed his shop in Irvine, CA.

It has not been all positive or negative. The power thing was a problem until about 14,500 miles. Then it appeared it was suddenly broken in or whatever. Either I have gotten used to it or the break-in was attributable. I usually tow a Chevrolet Geo Tracker that I don't even know is there. Only a slight difference in speed on 5-6% grades. I am able to maintain speeds minimums of 35 MPH on the Grapevine or Cajon Passes. Still not the 50 MPH I would like, but still OK by me. My mileage started at about 9.0 to 9.3 MPG. Since the 14,500 mile mark we now are getting 10.9 to 11.3 MPG, even towing. My first thought was that I had a tune-up, but hadn't.

My major complaint from the on-set was steering. Wandering all over the road making me work as I never intended to do again. Put on Safety Plus and Henderson rear Stabilizer bar, with some improvement. Complained to the Chevrolet dealers, three of them, but the last one found the idler arm bearing were worn and replace them, under warranty. Since then, I am not bother with the steering concerns any more.

I also had an occasional problem with sewer gas in the coach. Tried everything from extra through cleaning and most all chemicals available, to checking out the vent pipe. Called Safari tech service and got one of their better techs. He suggested I take it to Giant RV in Upland and have them call him. They found the vent pipe from the black water tank to the rear of the lav was OK, but from there it had a negative flow. When ever liquid got in that negative area it stopped the gas flow to the outside. So we got the smell in the coach. That appears to be corrected now.

My thought is that Safari needed better quality control at that time, both at the factory and the dealers shops. Quality control costs money, but not nearly as much as the bad mouthing a dissatisfied customer can loose them in future sales and market share. Hopefully Monaco will improve that area so new owners don't have experience the problems of the past. This is probably not a reasonable expectation though.

Chuck Williamson

I have had many other problems that I have found easier to fix myself rather the dealer.
We still like it and the enjoyment of it is even getting better.