Safari has built a reputation on delivering luxury at an affordable price, serving a host of owners who are known for a fun loving, go-anywhere, do-anything attitude. And the dynamic lineup for model year 2006 has cemented that reputation. We invite you to take another good look at the pride of Safari.
2006 Trek
In the Class A coach market, there is a specific niche where motorcoach enthusiasts like the spacious Class A configuration, but they are reluctant to deal with the 30-foot plus lengths that these motorhomes typically offer. That's where the Safari Trek comes in. The Trek offers three different floorplans in a luxury gasoline-powered Class A that can be enjoyed in lengths of 27, 28 or 29 feet, with floorplans that feature two slideouts.
Safari achieves a downsized Class A without livability compromises through a unique, patented sleeping system called the Electro-MajicT bed, which eliminates the need for a bedroom. The bed stays stowed against the ceiling of the salon until it's time for bed. Then, touch a button and it's lowered to sleep height. It's important to note that even with the bed stowed against the ceiling, there is an amazing floor-to-ceiling height of 74 inches. And should an afternoon nap be in order, the sleeper sofa that sits directly below the bed is immediately available, as are two lounge chairs and a utility table. This is an ingenious configuration!
The Safari Trek was introduced in 1991, but Monaco Coach Corporation has not been resting on its laurels or on its strong track record. The list of all-new features and the list of optional features now available as standards are impressive.
To begin with, new for 2006 is the Ford chassis that comes equipped with a 6.8L 3-valve V-10 gasoline engine. It features electronic fuel injection and the 5-speed TorqShift automatic transmission, with overdrive and a tow/haul mode. The GVWR on this Ford chassis is 20,500 pounds. It develops 362 horsepower and yields 457 lbs./ft. torque. This unit is capable of towing 5,000 pounds, which means that toys, trailers and toads can be accommodated without a second thought. And as before, the Safari Trek is also available on two different Workhorse platforms, one that has a GVWR of 18,000 pounds and one with a GVWR of 20,700 pounds.
There are a couple of new exterior features for 2006 that update the exterior appearance of the Trek. The roof is now a peaked one-piece fiberglass structure that has residential-style fiberglass insulation. The baggage doors on the cargo bays now feature side hinges that make accessing cargo even easier. And for 2006, the Trek aficionado now has the option of including front-mounted chrome power/heated remote control exterior side mirrors.
With a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of about $115,000, the Safari Trek offers excellent value. Examples include its steel cage cockpit construction, smooth high-gloss gel-coat fiberglass exterior walls and yes, every Trek comes with deluxe full-body paint. For protection, the Trek is also fully undercoated. This is a coach that can also be tailored to a customer's unique tastes. Options such as a driver-side door (with electric window), power sun visors and a three-camera rear vision system are but a few that can be enjoyed.
Individual lifestyle demands can also be accommodated. Appointments like a large two or four-door refrigerator (with ice maker); a digital satellite system, home theater systems and plank flooring can be enjoyed. Fifty-amp service with an Energy Management System; a 2,000 Watt inverter with two additional house batteries that provides an uninterruptible 110-volt power supply for stand-alone camping and a 5.5 kW genset, are also on the list of options.
If the idea of enjoying the amenities of a Class A motorcoach lifestyle appeals to you; if being able to navigate though urban settings with ease and arrive at a destination in a beautiful coach also appeal to you, the 2006 Safari Trek merits serious consideration.
2006 Simba
This surprising hit to the Safari motorhome line is now in its third year of production and changes to the 2006 model have really helped improve an already nice ride.
In case you didn't know, the Simba is a gasoline powered Class A motorhome available in lengths between 30 and 37 feet, with the option of a Ford or Workhorse chassis. All units come standard with a 75-gallon fuel tank, 60 gallons of fresh water storage and a fully automatic leveling system.
The exterior is attractive with a choice of three paint schemes that can be replaced with optional full body paint on the 33 - 37 length models. Changes to the 2006 Simba exterior include a single piece fiberglass roof, smooth sidewalls and a one-piece windshield. Standard equipment includes chrome power heated mirrors, side hinge bay doors, and storage compartments designed to hold fishing poles, golf clubs and skis. Other standard exterior features are awnings on the living area and bedroom slideouts, lights in outside storage bays and attractive chrome inserts around the taillights.
The entry door is located between the living area and galley and comes equipped with lighting in the step well, a sturdy handrail and step storage. The inside of the Simba is just as attractive as the exterior. The cockpit dash is two-toned with an instrument panel that displays easy to reference gauges. There is a workstation and a comfortable armrest with a cup holder on the passenger side. The cockpit also includes an attractive center console, and a 24-inch flatscreen television is nicely recessed into the overhead cabinet.
Interior height has been increased to 84 inches on the 2006 Simba. Carpeting is padded and flooring is laminate tile. Fluorescent lights are installed in the ceiling and halogen lights are located under the overhead cabinets. Oak cabinetry includes a woven insert on all the upper cabinet doors, which can also be added to the refrigerator door as an option.
The 2006 Simba is powered through 30-amps, but 50-amps can be added as an option. The coach comes with a 5.5kW gas generator, two six-volt house batteries and a redesigned monitor panel located in the hallway. One roof air conditioning system comes standard, but a second can be added as an option if you've upgraded to 50-amp service.
The galley features a solid surface countertop, mirrored backsplash, stainless steel sink and a chrome pull out faucet. A skylight is positioned over the sink. All floorplans come with a booth dinette, which can be exchanged for an optional freestanding round dinette table and two chairs.
Bedroom layout in the 2006 Simba is dependent on vehicle length, but all are designed with a slide room that is 30 inches deep. The 37PBD model has windows installed on each side of the bed, providing a perfect breeze to a warm summer afternoon. There is also a scenic window on the rear wall. The bed is a standard queen size with overhead reading lights and separate nightstands.
The Simba is gaining the reputation among the RV crowd of being a motorhome that can hold its own on the road as well as in a campground. Backed by a solid customer support system and membership into the Safari family helps to make the 2006 Simba a good choice for anyone interested in a Class A gasoline powered motorhome.
2006 Cheetah
Exclusivity is a nice feature in motorhomes - one the 2006 Cheetah offers by way of an optional suspension package only available to this particular model. The technical explanation of the elite suspension system is that heavy-duty Koni shocks on the front and rear axles combine with larger front airbags that are equipped with an auxiliary air tank to join with the standard sway bar in creating a smooth, comfortable ride. In other words, this suspension package makes the Cheetah drive like a dream.
As with the Simba, the interior height of the 2006 Cheetah has been increased to 84-inches, a feature that can make standing inside the motorhome a lot more comfortable for RVers of any height. There are five new floorplans, ranging from 34 to 40 feet.
Additional refinements to the 2006 Cheetah include a one-piece front windshield, auto controlled exhaust fan with built-in rain sensor, armless front door awning, and a one-piece roof. Some of last year's options that have been moved to this year's standard line-up are polished aluminum wheels, power sun visors, alder hardwood cabinets and a stainless steel four-door refrigerator.
Built on a Roadmaster Raised Rail Chassis, the Cheetah comes with a 90-gallon fuel tank, fuel/water separator, 160-amp alternator and an aluminum rear mounted radiator with charge air cooler. Standard systems that help operate and maintain the Cheetah include manual remote air tank drains, automatic traction control, exhaust brake, a transmission temp gauge, remote transmission fill and an engine block heater.
This is not the coach to buy if you crave anonymity. The Cheetah comes with stunning deluxe full body paint, side hinge baggage doors, chrome power heated remote mirrors and a full length Safari mud flap.
The Cheetah's interior lends an air of luxury with designer carpeting, solid surface countertops, decorative inlay on the kitchen backsplash, and satin nickel lighting. A 24-inch stereo color television in the cockpit overhead is standard, but a 27-inch flatscreen LCD can be selected as an option.
Part of the enjoyment of traveling in a motorhome is having the choice to eat in, and the Cheetah offers a galley that's comfortable to use regardless of where your cooking skills may lie. Solid surface sink and stovetop covers come standard to help expand countertop space.
In some models, the bedroom features a French style door instead of a sliding pocket door, which is an excellent sound barrier for anyone in search of a quiet room to get some rest. The queen-sized bed installed curbside faces a wall-cabinet with built in television on the roadside. The room is rich with storage, and satin nickel halogen lights with dimmer controls under the overhead cabinets.
The 2006 Cheetah is plumbed for a washer/dryer system, which is optional, but something you should strongly consider, because the only thing worse than doing laundry on vacation is spending hours jockeying for machine time at a public facility. With your own system on board at least you can sit by the campfire while drying a load.
An Energy Management System and 2,000-watt inverter comes standard, and a 60-watt solar panel can be added as an option. Battery power is provided through four six-volt house batteries, and two 12-volt heavy-duty batteries on the chassis. The 50-amp 120-volt distribution panel, power cord and 60-amp electronic 12-volt power converter are standard features. The Cheetah also comes standard with an Onan 8.0kW quiet diesel generator.
While finding the answer to all your RV needs inside an affordable motorhome isn't restricted to the Cheetah, it's a feature that doesn't come along very often.
Whether it's the 2006 Trek, Simba or Cheetah, if you are in the market for a good-looking motorhome that has what it takes to make your RV dream come true, take a closer look at the Safari lineup. You'll be pleasantly surprised. |
