1998 Safari Trek Pathfinder

[retired lpn]

Are there any folks out there with this motor home? Are they turbo diesel? Is this 6.3 Vortec Chevy powerful enough to go thru the mountains? Please give me some feedback. Is the dropdown bed really useful and hand?
Thanks

[George Schweikle]

Hi and welcome to IRV2. In addition to this great forum, you will find extensive information on "Trek Tracks". The forum for Safari Trek owners. No cost to join, but you do have to register. Highly recommended!

http://www.nwtfc.com/forum/active.asp

1998 Treks came with gas or diesel engines. The Chevrolet Vortec gas engine is 7.4 Liters. The Turbo Diesel is 6.5 (Chevrolet had a 6.2L non-turbo earlier but this wasn't used in Treks). Pathmaker is an accessory package. Our current Trek has the gas 7.4, and we tow a car trailer with overall weight of 5000lb. This slows us down on hills, but is easily drive-able. Without the trailer, we don't slow down as much, but you can't drive these things like a car.

We find the "Magic Bed" useful. There is a wealth of bed information on Trek Tracks.

Originally Posted by retired lpn

Are there any folks out there with this motor home? Are they turbo diesel? Is this 6.3 Vortec Chevy powerful enough to go thru the mountains? Please give me some feedback. Is the dropdown bed really useful and hand?
Thanks

[retired lpn]

thank for your information. We are already looking for a Safari to buy. We have to sell our our motorhome first.

[vsheetz]

Trek Tracks is indeed a wealth of information and a great group. We had a 1995 2830 Trek with the Diesel engine. Towed a 5000 lb Jeep over much of the western U.S. Slow going up 6% grades, but got us there just fine. Easy on fuel at 10-12 mpg.

The P30 chassis has some things to check. The steering bell cranks wear out and cause the coach to be difficult to keep in lane and require constant steering input correction. Best fix is aftermarket replacement bell cranks from Super Steer - they have needle bearings instead of bushings. Another item is to ensure the front suspension air bags are good and inflated to 60-80 psi. An aftermarket improvement are heavier front springs that negate the need for the air bags.

[1ciderdog]

I had two Safari Treks, a 91 and a 97. Both were good vehicles but didn't care for the GM diesel in the 97. Do look up the NWTFC a good social group as well as a great source of trek info.