Safari Trek info

If you're not sure which forum to use, drop it here.
Post Reply
stuplich@ymail.com
Posts: 1146
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:51 am

Safari Trek info

Post by stuplich@ymail.com »

Here is some interesting Trek info, (copied from a recent post to the Trek Tracks forum by "Isaac, DeRidder, LA, 2002 Trek 2830 w/8").

[quote]
95-96 Treks were a bit different than other Chevy/Workhorse chassis Trek's as these were the first years on this chassis, and Safari was still working stuff out

97-00 Trek's body did not change much other than the move to the no rivet laminated Aluminum side wall (note gas 97 models may have either the 230 HP TBI 7.4L or the newer 290 HP MFI 7.4L engine)

98+ models received higher quality cabinet work with solid surface countertops etc. (this excludes the 2002 Trek "Sport", which was an en-cheapened offering post Monaco buyout, which came standard with 30 amp electrical, single pane windows, vinyl graphics, etc.)

There are few non-cosmetic differences between 98-00 Treks.

2001 -2002 were the slope nose years, some people like the look, others don't either way the slope nose does increase the greenhouse effect and slightly reduces front cabinet space, these also saw the location of the TV move from the drivers corner to front center. Mid 2001 the 8.1L 340HP Vortec engine was introduced, though still mated to the same 8L80E 4 speed transmission.

2001-2002 Treks are nearly identical (with the exception of the 02 getting an Aluminum roof vs the Filon roof all previous Treks had, and 2 part Aluminum sidewalls), though post summer 01 Monaco buyout did see some cost cutting measures introduced into the 2002 model line up, most of which involved turning some previously standard items into optional extras. For example up until 2002 Treks had a solid real plank wood floor in the kitchen, with carpet standard in the bathroom and dining area (wood being optional), 2002 introduced roll vinyl floor for kitchen bathroom, and dining room standard, this was installed before cabinet work, and walls were put up, making for a lower production cost. Though wood floors here for some or all of this area was still an optional upgrade. Another cost cutting measure on the 02 was that it was only offered in one base color scheme, with a choice between 3 accent colors, instead of 3 complete color schemes offered in previous years.

2003 was a one off design year, and a complete redesign by Monaco

2004-2007 were a different design, with notable changes each year.
[end of quote}
Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, mine since '01
250 hp 3126 Cat, MD3060 Allison
hjw
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2019 8:08 am

Re: Safari Trek info

Post by hjw »

I recall seeing an early Trek for sale with an Isuzu diesel engine. Was this an engine available with the workhorse chassis of was it based on an Isuzu truck chassis?

Hal
94 Serengeti Duo Door
8.3 Cummins 6 speed Allison trans
wolfe10
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:12 pm

Re: Safari Trek info

Post by wolfe10 »

hjw wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2020 2:14 pm I recall seeing an early Trek for sale with an Isuzu diesel engine. Was this an engine available with the workhorse chassis of was it based on an Isuzu truck chassis?

Hal
Isuzu truck chassis with 3.9 liter diesel.

The Chevy chassis that came in on later models offered either the 454 gas or 6.5 liter GM diesel.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
Moonwink
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 7:46 pm
Location: Near St Louis, MO

Re: Safari Trek info

Post by Moonwink »

hjw wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2020 2:14 pm I recall seeing an early Trek for sale with an Isuzu diesel engine. Was this an engine available with the workhorse chassis of was it based on an Isuzu truck chassis?

Hal
The Isuzu Trek was the original Trek. It began production in 1991 and ended after the 1993 model year. It was somewhat under-powered but has a very loyal and devoted group of owners supporting each other on Trek Tracks. You'll have to sign-up over there to learn more about them.
Don Ford
2004 Safari Trek 31SBD (F53/V10 20,500GVW)
'15 Malibu 2LT or '97 Aerostar MiniVan (Remco driveshaft disconnect) for Towed vehicles
BlueOx Aventa II Towbar - ReadyBrake Inertia Brake System
User avatar
Trekker01
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 7:07 pm
Location: Central Florida

Re: Safari Trek info

Post by Trekker01 »

Model years 1991-1994 were on the Isuzu NPR chassis with the 3.9L diesel. Model years 1995-early 1999 were on GM (Chevy) P-series chassis for the most part (a few Spartan pusher chassis models through the 1997 model year). Mid-1999 through 2002 were on Workhorse P-series chassis, with mid-2001 changing from the 454 to the 8.1L Vortec, with the 6.5TD optional. 2003 was the first year with slides, and required a heavier chassis, which Workhorse provided as a 20,700 GVWR chassis W-20 with the 8.1, or a Ford F53 20,500 GVWR and the V-10. The non-slide models remained on the Workhorse P-series chassis with the independent front suspension until that chassis was discontinued, but offered the W-series chassis optional as a big extra cost. After that Treks were built on the heavier chassis until discontinued.

SMC built all pre-2002 Treks and part of the 2002 model year. Monaco purchased Safari in the Fall of 2001 and continued the Safari line using the SMC designs through that model year. 2003 models (started summer 2002) were all Monaco designed. The first bankruptcy of Monaco in very early 2009 was the end of Safari and Beaver, and saw the first of three corporate changes of ownership, including a few years of Navistar and now the REV group. In very late 2014 Monaco executives decided to re-introduce the Trek as a 2016 model. Other than some cosmetic differences it was essentially a Fleetwood Flair from the forward end of the bedroom to the front cap. The ceiling stored bed was moved to the rear and was permanently attached to the wardrobe unit, which raised and lowered with the bed, so access to your clothes was impossible with the bed down. The wardrobe dropped down into the "TRec Trunk", which meant you had to empty the storage compartment below the raised wardrobe completely in order to lower the bed. Not many were made. It was discontinued within a few months and the CEO of Monaco left the company. The Trek community was not overly enthusiastic with the 2016 model.

If you own a Trek, or are interested in becoming an owner, join the Trek community at www.trektraxs.com and learn all about them. We have very knowledgable members there, some of which have been there since around 2002.
Gary
'98 Sahara 3006 300CAT
Member of SafariFriends since 2000
Post Reply