Wheels_78
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I'm traveling to look at two A class motorhomes next week.
A very clean 91 safari serengeti 37' with a cummins 8.3 and a sun-bleached 94 rexhall aerbus 33'with a 5.9. There's a MARKED difference in price between them, as you would expect.
I've been trying to find information about where these two units fit on the quality scale. I've gathered that the rexhall of that era is regarded as a very respectable mid-level RV, but I can't find much information on where the safari slots in.
The NADA given new list prices of the RVs seem to indicate there was a very substantial difference in the value of the two coaches new.
Can I get some opinions on what's probably the better coach for long term ownership?
Obviously the serengeti is a lot more pretty, but I'm trying to keep that out of it and base a decision on if I'd be getting a substantially greater amount of quality and longevity to correspond with the larger investment.
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artkt
Nenana, Alaska
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I don't know about the Rexhall's overall quality, but the 8.3 will have almost twice the pulling power as the 5.9. The Safari's of that vintage had welded aluminium frames for the sides and roof, aluminium sides, fiberglas roofs, stainless steel bay doors, and were generally built like a tank. The Magnum chassis that the Safari used was extremly well built, with heavy duty componets, and a torsion suspension like the Silver Eagle bus. (Continental Trailways) When you see them in person, you will see the difference.
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RFCN2
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Wheels 78 - As far as I know the only source for quality levels of the thousands of different motor home models is the RV consumer group. Go to their web site and buy the reports on those two models. Does not cost a lot.
RFCN2
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Wheels_78
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artk, thanks for the opinion, exactly what I'm looking for.
RFCN2, a google search for the organization you mention turns up a website that offers reviews, it appears, for nothing older than 2000.
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RFCN2
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Wheels 78 - I used to have a disk that went back to 1990. So I know they did earlier than 2000. Call them. They are in WA State. I have called them a couple of times and they are very easy to work with.
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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On any coach that is 20 years old any difference is going to be made by the care and maintenance it was given. A 20 year old abused Prevost could be a lot worse than a well maintained Bounder of the same age. I have very little confidence in the RV group because they never look at the MHs they rate, only their spec sheets, and then decide how good they are.
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Wheels_78
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Thanks bsinmich, I don't have much faith in an organization that sells opinions either. Just wanted to point out that RFCN2 was pitching something that's not even offered for sale.
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Wheels_78
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Oh, and I purchased the safari!
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wallynm
Los Alamos NM
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IMHO you got the correct one.
Wheels_78 wrote:Oh, and I purchased the safari!
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RFCN2
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I would much rather pay for an accurate opinion than get a free one that is not correct. In no way am I saying free opinions given on this site are not correct. I like using this site and always try to be accurate. I take exception to calling my statements about the RVCG "pitching". I have nothing to gain by recommending the single best source of information I could find when I was looking for a class A. And to correct the comments made on this thread, they do examine RVs for their ratings. If you would take the time to read a few of their dozens of free commentaries in their web site that would become obvious.
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