Old motorhomes are undoubtedly one of the riskier purchases you can make, especially for a vehicle you potentially intend to drive to the ends of the Earth. The risk grows larger the longer one of these behemoths is allowed to sit, and given how many of them are set aside as soon as an unforeseen repair materializes, there are plenty of abandoned motorhomes to choose from at a given time. That’s why finding out this 1994 Safari RV Sahara Edition here on eBay is still a runner after being given to a donation center is fairly remarkable; who gives away a good working RV? Bidding is at $4,150 with no reserve.
This eBay account is one of my favorite pages, always loaded up with an assortment of vehicles I’m amazed to see have been donated. There’s limited information out there as to what constitutes a “Safari” edition motorhome, but I have to believe it has something to do with special cosmetics and equipment upgrades. Check out the gigantic rock guard on the back of the RV – there’s some of your special equipment right there! The motorhome also features what looks like a fairly epic mural on the back of the body, and why not? The seller notes the mileage as being 78,364 and that it was last registered in October 2020, so it kept on the road up until fairly recently.
Now, the tell-tale signs of how a motorhome has been looked after have less to do with the exterior and everything to do with the interior. From here, I see clean appliances, nice wood trim, and full blinds on the windows. If this motorhome hasn’t been in use, it wasn’t sidelined for long. The seller reports that the generator still works (they never do on forgotten motorhomes!) and that one of the two air conditioning units does not function. With a good battery and good tires, this motorhome is in better shape than I’d say more than 50 percent of the rigs still sitting in someone’s driveway and not at a local donation center.
When you go on a quick Google to see other similar motorhomes for sale, they’re pretty consistently listed with an asking price in the mid-20s or higher. Perhaps there’s good reason for the active bidding, especially if this represents a bit of a bargain in the RV world. The listing notes it is 36 feet long, so plan accordingly if you need to have this home on wheels transported to your home. I am a big advocate for transporting projects of unknown healthy, but I’m guessing motorhome enthusiasts have to seriously weigh whether the cost of a tow is worth not having to drive a behemoth of unknown integrity a few hours home. Would you be bidding on this donated RV if you were in the market for one?
“We’re the Millers”, gol dang, that was a funny movie and I bet quite accurate too. These, I read, had a 300 Caterpillar motor, a wise choice as moving a box in a 40 mph headwind will make anyone nervous. Side wind, forgetaboutit. These are called “pushers”, referring to the rear engine, rear drive, and looks to be a nice unit. I’m sure it’s a nightmare underneath, and RV stuff is worse than classic car parts. Being a Cat motor and Allison automatic, fuel mileage is in the teens, and I bet rolls right along. It’s the right size and a Cat motor, nice unit.
You’d have “no regrats” if you bought this!!!
Worked on lots of these through the years. Most of this size and vintage ran a Cummins 5.9, hooked up to an Allison automatic. They were set for 195 hp which was good for downhill with a good tailwind. I used to pull the pumps off them and recalibrate them to 235 hp. Very few complaints. Of course I have a problem with taking a behemoth on a vacation; I keep thinking about the nice hotels you can stay in and the steak dinners you can eat for the cost of one of these…
SMC Safari Motor Coach
Custom mfg their own chassis for that one , i used to have a 95 Sahara, Cummins 5.9 Liter, owned it 8yrs went from Calif to Indiana and back on a 5 month trip, we took a lot of trips , racked up a lot miles, made a lot of memories
Safari is the manufacturer and Sahara is the model. This one is not particularly luxurious, but the build quality of Safaris quite good overall. This one is a Cummins.
On the right forum that will sell it a heart beat it’s older but Clean. And it has a Cummins engine in it.
well it’s not getting flipped, I get to pick it up tomorrow
It has or had a roof leak evident by the staining the ware and tare on the table and cabinets show it was probably lived in instead of just a get away rig. You will have to get it inspected for dry rot in the areas of the leak but otherwise nice coach
I own a ’93 Safari Serengeti, same color! This was the absolute state-of-the-art top quality rig in the 1990s. All of the woodwork is solid hardwood, no veneer crap. The chassis is by Oshkosh. Mine has the 8.3 L Cummins. Gets 10 miles per gallon! I have owned mine since 2019, has been to both ends of I 75. Would drive it anywhere.
My wife and I decided a long time ago that an RV is a horrible purchase, at least if you buy brand new. Just the interest on the purchase price could buy all the motel rooms and meals that we would ever use in a given year. Also, those are a lot easier to find then a camp ground that accepts RVs. If this could be bought for under five grand and it could be made to run, might be a cheap way to live in college for someone, that is if you can find someplace to park it for months on end. I doubt the college administration is going to be too hip on the idea of it sitting in one of their parking lots.
I remember a guy just out of the Army came to Baylor and he purchased an old RV that was in pretty decent shape. He lived in it for the 4 years he was at Baylor, just off campus, but on university land that wasn’t being used. We younger guys thought this was truly cool, so did a few of the coeds.
Look at the pictures in the ebay ad. It has had extensive roof water leaks. Run away. It will be full of mold and rot. Once the roof starts leaking it affects everything, even the floor. The picture of the slide shows damage there as well. I repeat, run away.
The true trick to buying an older coach is buying a quality mad coach such as this Safari. I have a 1989 Beaver, another top of the line coach and we go everywhere in it. New or old, you have to work on one, or have someone to do so. Your basically driving a house so issues not only mechanical arise, but plumbing, electrical and structural also occur.
I once heard what has turned out to be a pretty true statement about RV’s. There are two types of RV, those that leak, and those that will leak.
Well I’m the guy that bought it, well see how much of a nightmare it is.
Sold for 11K
I bought my ’93 Serengeti in 2019. No regrets! If you ever need to talk through something, I might be able to help.
went for $eleven, 2. Like it, the 12v turbo, hope it’s an allison too. I’d cut it off at the rear axel but aint sure what’s there (want the 4 burner and stand up shower). Too late AND a dollar short. Hope they enjoy !