Safari Motorcoach www.safarimotorcoach.com continues to look outside the box and see new opportunities.  Such is the case with all-new Safari Simba RD (rear diesel) that challenges the competition with a rear diesel that offers exceptional value and quality at an base MSRP price point of about $152,000. Exhibiting excellent curb appeal, the Simba RD is available in six floor plans and four lengths (34’ up to 39’).  It can be enjoyed with two, three or four slide-out rooms.  Photographs below are "lived in" - look the way it will when you are traveling, not when the coach is in the showroom.

The Simba RD permits those who first join the Simba Family at an entry level gasoline price point, to stay in the Simba family and move up to more sophisticated and elegant coaches when a change in coach lifestyle dictates.  The things that make the Simba RD unique demand explanation.

To begin with the Simba RD is built on a Monaco Coach Corporation’s Roadmaster Chassis, www.roadmasterchassis.com a raised rail chassis with four large air bags that together with a Bilstein shock absorber package, yield excellence in ride and handling.  This Roadmaster  makes it possible to tune the ride specifically to the end-users preferences.  The coach enthusiast come empowered with the ability to initiate adjustments to each air bag to achieve a desired set of performance characteristics.  The adjustments can be made at one of the Safari Service Centers that lace the country, or by the coach enthusiast communicating via cell phone with a Safari Service technician.  It is that simple. 

The Roadmaster Chassis design also provides the structure and integrity around which the side bays/compartments are mounted.  It creates balanced locations for holding tank placement.  Each Roadmaster Chassis is engineered for each floor plan, length of each coach and the number and locations of each slide-out room.

Another significant difference is the diesel engine the Simba RD comes standard with.  It’s a Caterpillar 7.2L turbo charged diesel engine www.cat.com develops 330 horsepower and yields 860 ft. lbs of torque. And because the engine of choice is the 330 hp Caterpillar diesel, the Simba RD also includes as standard the MH3000 6-speed Allison Transmission.  The fact that this is not a 5-speed motor coach makes a huge difference in over the road performance!  This unit also comes equipped with an exhaust brake.

As with all Safari products the house portion of the coach is also unique.  After creating a cockpit cage of welded tubular steel, Safari takes full advantage of the patented AlumaFrame Construction that provides a well insulated, rugged infrastructure with less weight.  AlumaFrame Construction employs intersecting members of C-channel aluminum that at the point where members intersect, they are also welded.  The five layer walls include a grid type pattern (created by the structural cross members) in which residential style fiberglass insulation is cut to fit and placed. A layer or foam insulation prevents temperature differences between the inside and outside from migrating through the structural members.  A vapor barrier is added, with luan backed gel coat fiberglass placed on the exterior and wall panel placed on the interior.  The roof is a similar type nine layer structure that features a single piece molded fiberglass top. The floor features a four layer structure that incorporates welded aluminum tubular members with cut-to-fit foam insulation inserted in the grid. Structurewood™ is used to create the interior floor, with a 3-ply poly underbelly added to prevent dust and moisture from getting inside.

The exterior bays provide mega amounts of pass-through storage.  Every Simba RD comes with full body paint and graphics (five layers of hand rubbed Diamont paint and clear coat dressing on the top). Safari uses a single, one-piece windshield that’s precludes the view outside from being obstructed.

The uncomplicated and very clean lines displayed by the dash and instrumentation cluster are immediately user friendly.  Through human factors engineering the design of this dash yields huge dividends for the driver.  The power adjustable heated mirrors provide good side coach visuals, while the backup monitor keeps the driver informed about what is taking place at the rear of the coach.  The cockpit seats are power adjustable.  The adjustable steering wheel includes a tilt/telescoping function.  

This first generation front door bus style diesel pusher coach is offered in multiple floor plans for Safari knows that “one size does not fit all. “  Their 34’ 10” coach comes with dual slide-outs.  Three, 37‘10”coaches that can be equipped with either two or four slide-outs are offered.  The 38‘10” coach is offered with two slide-outs, while the 39‘10” is available with three slide-outs.  All models come with a 28,000 pound GVWR and can tow 7,000 pounds.  All are 100.5” wide and have an interior height of 84”.

Standard equipment includes dual 13.5 BTU ducted roof air conditioners.  Toasty warm air from the electronic ignition forced air furnace is delivered via in-floor ducting.  A 12-volt heater winterizes the gray and waste holding tanks while a heat pad protects the fresh water tank.  Windows throughout are dual pane.  Topper and a patio awning are standard as a 6.0kW diesel auxiliary generator.  Options can include heat pumps, a 2000 watt inverter, automatic patio awning and an 8.0kW diesel auxiliary generator.

Interior wood choices include Oak, Newport Cherry and Champaign Select wood finishes, with two all new décor packages being offered.  A host of options can include but are not limited to a Select Comfort Bed, OptimalLeather Euro-Recliner (with heat/massage), tile runner (entry to the galley), four door refrigerator with icemaker;  a central vacuum system with multiple plug in locations, home theatre surround sound; digital satellite dish and an exterior entertainment system.

A 24” television with DVD, microwave convection oven, 3-burner cook-top and day/night shades are standard. Some models include a freestanding dinette with chairs, a love seat, barrel chair and a wall hugger sofa/sleeper.  Every coach is prepped for a digital satellite system and comes with an exterior gas line hook-up for LP accessories.  The driver will appreciate the standard automatic traction control and power sun visors.  Every unit comes pre-wired for a supplemental braking system and a 4-pin or 7-pin electrical connector for the 7,000 pound hitch receiver.                  

Happy Traveling and Happy New Year