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12-30-2017, 04:09 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Rancho Murieta, CA
Posts: 130
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Safari Trek/Workhorse
We are seriously considering purchasing a 2004 Trek in good condition with 50k miles. We have a Class C now and my wife does not really fit in the co-pilot seat (6’ not heavy).
Questions
Any experience with the Trek?
8.1, not familiar since have the Ford 6.9. Any problems or positives?
Any experience with 5 star on the motor?
Any issues with the bed?
Thanks
__________________
2010 Newmar Bay Star 2901
Jeep Grand Cherokee in tow
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12-30-2017, 05:04 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Madison, MS
Posts: 10,560
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Do you know if the Workhorse chassis is a W series or is it the P32? The W series will have an Allison 5 speed tranny, whereas the P32 will have a GM 4 speed and most likely will also have a J71 AAPB, both of which would cause me to look elsewhere.
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12-30-2017, 05:10 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,000
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We have put 189,000 miles on our two Safari Treks, and would buy a newer one in a heartbeat. These were fairly high-end units in their day and have more features and better construction than an entry level anything. Trek owners are extremely loyal, the Trek forum is the best place for all sorts of related information, and plenty of prospective buyers visit Login
1. The Chevrolet 8.1 is a great engine. Lower revving, so quieter than a Ford and the Trek you are considering may have an Allison transmission
2. I think the 5-Star tune is for Fords only?. There are other tuning upgrades for the 8.1
3. The only issue with the retractable bed is whether you can accept the (very) slight inconvenience in return for the increased floor space
4. Also, a while back there was a brake recall on some Workhorse chassis. Do your diligence to see if this affected the Trek you are considering
Edit, Determine if the unit you are considering has the "Autopark" parking brake system. While this has been vigorously maligned, the system can be trouble free if you take the time to learn about and maintain it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCal27
We are seriously considering purchasing a 2004 Trek in good condition with 50k miles. We have a Class C now and my wife does not really fit in the co-pilot seat (6’ not heavy).
Questions
Any experience with the Trek?
8.1, not familiar since have the Ford 6.9. Any problems or positives?
Any experience with 5 star on the motor?
Any issues with the bed?
Thanks
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__________________
George Schweikle Lexington, KY
2005 Safari (Monaco)Trek 28RB2, Workhorse W20, 8.1, Allison 1000 5 spd, UltraPower engine & tranny, Track bars & sway bars, KONI FSD, FMCA 190830, Safari Int'l. chapter. 1999 Safari Trek 2830, 1995 Safari Trek 2430, 1983 Winnebago Chieftain, 1976 Midas Mini
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12-30-2017, 05:12 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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We had a 95' 28' Safari Trek for several years.
Different chassis drivetrain that what you are looking at - ours was GM diesel on a Chevy P30 chassis. The GM engine / WH chassis in yours is very good - reliable and plenty of power. The 5 Star Tune is typically not needed. Its most often applied to Ford v10 chassis and improves shifting.
The sleeping arrangement is not for everyone, but if it works for you it actually works out very well. The goodness is a very large bath and the living area of a much larger coach in a compact package. Quality cabinets, construction , etc. Treks were not inexpensive coaches to buy new.
One of the best assets to any Trek owner is the Trektracks forum. A huge repository of tribal knowledge from a very helpful group of Trek owners.
If a Trek works for you, go for it.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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12-31-2017, 09:52 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Rancho Murieta, CA
Posts: 130
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Thanks everyone it is very helpful. I have admit that I’m more confused then when I started. Reading specs in Trek of that year it could have a w or p chassis and most likely the Allison tranny on the 29 rbs. However, the seller thinks it is a 4 speed. Is there an easy way to check visually? There is a lot of tail out there, but our Class C 31’ also had it. Yep the bed might be a challenge.
__________________
2010 Newmar Bay Star 2901
Jeep Grand Cherokee in tow
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12-31-2017, 10:35 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Madison, MS
Posts: 10,560
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCal27
Thanks everyone it is very helpful. I have admit that I’m more confused then when I started. Reading specs in Trek of that year it could have a w or p chassis and most likely the Allison tranny on the 29 rbs. However, the seller thinks it is a 4 speed. Is there an easy way to check visually? There is a lot of tail out there, but our Class C 31’ also had it. Yep the bed might be a challenge.
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YES. Look at the front axle. If it is a "solid" or "I beam" straight axle then it is a W series chassis. If you see an "independent" front with coil springs and airbags inside the coils, then you have a P32.
Also, if the sixth character of the chassis vin # is a "3" OR a "5", then it is a P32 chassis. If the sixth character is a "6", then you have a W series with the Allison tranny.
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12-31-2017, 11:23 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,975
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Make sure realistically the bed set up is going to work for you. Coming from a class C you might be familiar with making and unmaking the bed daily to be able to use the rig. I know on my class C to be able to have any place to sit I had to get up and take down the bed.
I had considered the floor plan you are looking at outside of the daily bed shuffle there is the getting up at least once in the night to go to the bathroom. Being 6' tall how fun will climbing under the bed or over the other person is that going to be. Im only 5' tall and wasn't feeling up to the challenge. lol The safari setup works for a lot of people. Just make sure its right for you.
I didn't realize this until on a longer trip in our rig that at 5' short there is not enough legroom in the passenger seat. The dash goes almost to the floor and not really able to stretch out. I don't remember what the dash looks like on the gas safaris. I had more room in our class C.
__________________
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 38R
Proud Navy Mom
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12-31-2017, 11:36 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,000
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Our 1999 2830 has a long overhang and had some side-to-side sway, but the addition of a Track bar (Panhard bar) reduced this considerably. Your previous 31 ft. class C may have been more affected by side wind and passing trucks than the Trek.
Suggest you have the seller lower the bed so you can "practice" entry and exit. For us, the benefits of the retractable bed far outweigh any negatives, but you need to verify this for yourself.
And, don't forget to visit the trektraxs forum Login
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCal27
Thanks everyone it is very helpful. I have admit that I’m more confused then when I started. Reading specs in Trek of that year it could have a w or p chassis and most likely the Allison tranny on the 29 rbs. However, the seller thinks it is a 4 speed. Is there an easy way to check visually? There is a lot of tail out there, but our Class C 31’ also had it. Yep the bed might be a challenge.
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__________________
George Schweikle Lexington, KY
2005 Safari (Monaco)Trek 28RB2, Workhorse W20, 8.1, Allison 1000 5 spd, UltraPower engine & tranny, Track bars & sway bars, KONI FSD, FMCA 190830, Safari Int'l. chapter. 1999 Safari Trek 2830, 1995 Safari Trek 2430, 1983 Winnebago Chieftain, 1976 Midas Mini
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12-31-2017, 11:57 AM
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#9
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 56,012
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Hi !  Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!
Can't help with the question but wanted to say hello! Keep her between the ditches!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless! 
Happy New Year!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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