Looking for info on Older Alpines

[skp_member]

Hello Group.

I have been reading past posts and think I have the floorplans figured out. Seems like from '98 to '05 they changed very little. More fluff and stuff.

We presently have a '96 Safari, 3540, 300 CAT. We are fulltimmers. We want to stay with a solid wood interior coach, but since Monaco bought Safari, it is now just anouther vinyl wrap Monaco.

Since '98 was the first year for coaches, and we all know there is a learning curve to getting things right, what years should I avoid, or maybe not avoid, just inspect more closely? I have read about the roof cracking problems on early coaches.

Does Alpine have the window "snaking" problem as did Safari? I understand they used a different brand of windows than SE-GI.

We will be looking for a front door, kitchen slide, one couch, hopefully the computer desk option already in, and maybe a bedroom closet slide. We would be able to afford a '98-'02 rig.

On the bedroom closet slide coach is the engine available from under the bed? On my Safari, I can step into the engine compartment and get to everything.

The factory returned my call today from yesterday and they are going to send me what they have on brochures from '98 to '03. I downloaded '04-'07.

I will appreciate any insight the group may have. We are in Texas and have only found a used '05 on the net. (5 hours north of us). Thus we have not been able to look at any used Alpines.

Thanks Jim Brooks
'96 Safari 3540, 300 CAT, 53K miles

[skp_member]

Hello Group.

I have been reading past posts and think I have the floorplans figured out. Seems like from '98 to '05 they changed very little. More fluff and stuff.

We presently have a '96 Safari, 3540, 300 CAT. We are fulltimmers. We want to stay with a solid wood interior coach, but since Monaco bought Safari, it is now just anouther vinyl wrap Monaco.

Since '98 was the first year for coaches, and we all know there is a learning curve to getting things right, what years should I avoid, or maybe not avoid, just inspect more closely? I have read about the roof cracking problems on early coaches.

Does Alpine have the window "snaking" problem as did Safari? I understand they used a different brand of windows than SE-GI.

We will be looking for a front door, kitchen slide, one couch, hopefully the computer desk option already in, and maybe a bedroom closet slide. We would be able to afford a '98-'02 rig.

On the bedroom closet slide coach is the engine available from under the bed? On my Safari, I can step into the engine compartment and get to everything.

The factory returned my call today from yesterday and they are going to send me what they have on brochures from '98 to '03. I downloaded '04-'07.

I will appreciate any insight the group may have. We are in Texas and have only found a used '05 on the net. (5 hours north of us). Thus we have not been able to look at any used Alpines.

Thanks Jim Brooks
'96 Safari 3540, 300 CAT, 53K miles

[takepride]

We have been very happy with our '03 front door 40' triple slide 400 ISL. The '03's seem to have missed the various problems some of the newer and older coaches had. The floorplan is great. I'm surprised the '08 ditched the triple slide, I prefer it to a quad. The patio space is preserved and we have windows, windows, windows! It also has the largest bedroom space of any floor plan and the bed/bath suite is very open.

The computer desk with recliner and opposing couch, residential refer, clear shower surround and stackable washer and dryer make this coach extremely livable. We are going to add the dishwasher and ditch the oven. The convection microwave works great. To top it off, it has loads of storage.

WRV sent me a new copy of the '03 brochure at no cost. Check it out!

But most of all, the ride is incredible. Nothing drives like an Alpine!

[RVRONINPA]

Skip
I don't currently have any used but if you decide what you want let me know I'll keep my eyes and ears open. also if thers anything else I can do to help don't hesitate to let me know. Ron

[Mike & Mike]

Jim,

To get to the 2002 and 2003 online brochures, go to:

http://www.wrv.com/downloads/03_AlpineCoach.pdf http://www.wrv.com/downloads/03_AlpineCoach.pdf

http://www.wrv.com/downloads/02_AlpineCoach.pdf http://www.wrv.com/downloads/02_AlpineCoach.pdf

Enjoy!

[Kip Barker]

Hi Jim,

The 36' and 40' floor plans have a driver's side kitchen and couch in the slide.

The 38' floor plans have a curb side Kitchen (not in slide), and the dinette and couch are in the slide on the driver's side.

All 36' floor plans and the 38' 2 slide floor plans, have the engine under the bed. You can lift the bed and access the engine.

Good luck,
Kip Barker
I-5 Uhlmann RV
Washington Alpine Coach Dealer

[Dale777]

skp_member

Check out these links for a list of 1998-2002 Alpine Coaches:
http://www.rvsearch.com/findrv/index.cfm/a-s/orderBy-pu...eyword-/vehicle_id-/

http://www.rvsearch.com/findrv/index.cfm/a-s/orderBy-pu...-48/search_btn.y-16/

There are 10 of them. They all include pictures.