2003 Safari 25

[Melvin P. Thorpe]

Thanks for the imput about travel weight. I have always considered that GVW was the max and few really loaded it at max. How has the queen bed been, would you still get that configuration?

[jcanavera]

Interestingly enough I just browsed the A/S website and found that for 2003, the Safari will only be produced in one length, 25'. Looks like they also have changed the cabinet finishes and handles...possibly a counter top color also.

Sort of a shame since the 27' model, while not having the dinnette feature, did provide additional storage space in the form of an extra center closet and pantry next to the refrigerator.

If the 27' Safari wasn't available I wouldn't have an A/S today. Especially in light of the only alternative (new build) is a 28' Classic which weighs another 1,500 lbs. and carrys a list price almost 20K higher than the Safari.

For those of you on the fence for a new 27' Safari, you better get one of the 2002's before the're gone.

Jack

[Melvin P. Thorpe]

Just saw a new 2003 25C. Really nice, really expensive. Why does it always work out that way!! Is the Dual Cam good enough or should I get the Hensley? The Dodge QuadCab has a pretty long wheelbase and I just ordered new high end 17" tires and Air Lift load levelers. A bit too much trailer for the Truck since it comes in at the GVWR that my truck is rated for but I'll have to live with it 'till the lease is up.

[jcanavera]

Melvin,
The dual cam is an excellent setup and should suffice. If you have the $$ you can consider the Hensley. I'm using the dual cam and I'm very happy with the performance. I'm towing with a Chevy Express passenger van, and like your truck, it has a pretty big wheelbase.

The biggest issue with the dual cam is the mounting of some brackets which for some, hits in the area of the gas bottle shelf.

Jack

[fdx753]

Melvin,

I am not sure of what your wheel base is, but to give you an idea mine is 139". I use the dual cam WDH/Sway and it performs famously. Jack has a point about mounting the spring bar brackets. I think maybe Airstream must have measured everything out before buiding the 25 ft'r. My brackets attach exactly behind the LP bottles bracket so that the spring bars ride right in the cam where they were designed.

Have fun,
Brian
WBCCI 5167

[Pahaska]

I just installed the HP Dual-Cam on my 25' Classic yesterday. I haven't towed with it yet; in fact, I haven't made the final adjustment because the storage yard was so busy yesterday that I would have had trouble circulating. I would have asked someone to move had I been going on a trip, but I simply wanted to circle the yard and park in the middle where I would have been in everyone's way while I tightened down the bars. I'll do the final adjustment bit tomorrow.

Some comments:[list=1][*]The HP Dual-Cam is beautiful. All cast and/or machined bronze and hell-built for stout. Compared with a friction bar at $100+, the HO at $145 is a bargain. Even the plates for the chain attachments are impressive.[*]Be real careful drilling for the screws. I pulled some big sparks from a wire in the frame that I never expected to be there.[*]I was going to use my old friction bar, but my new 1000# bars had the integrated cam, so I said, "What the heck" and splurged for the HP.[*]The trailer pulled perfectly well with the friction bar for the 400 miles I have oput on so far. [/list=1]

[zoeb nj]

hi--I just found a nice 25' 2003 locally--I'm trying to figure out the fair value--it looks like they were $40,000 originally? So is $23,000 a good deal or should i try to get it down--this is for someone else--I'm helping them buy it.

thanks, Zoe

[richinny]

RV Price Guide – Official NADA Recreational Vehicle pricing information – NADAGuides.com

[zoeb nj]

thanks for posting the link to NADA, Ricky--sorry to be such a dolt--I'm used to ferreting out info on the old ASs where there's no price standards!

[richinny]

well now you're a former dolt

there are threads here about pricing and condition that will help even more in defining the value.

[Safari-Rick]

Here's the "official" ratings straight from Dodge.com/towing:

With 3.55 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 6300 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6700 lbs
Payload [i] = 1662 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5038 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2847 lbs/2847 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 3700 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 11500 lbs

With 3.92 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 7300 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6700 lbs
Payload [i] = 1662 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5038 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2847 lbs/2847 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 3700 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 12500 lbs

Now, for some personal experience. I have as you can see by my profile a 2005 Safari. Up to a few weeks ago I was pulling it for almost two years with a 2005 Dodge Dakota SLT Quad with 4.7L V8. Oh by the way, it wasn't stock either, as the stock engine was not strong enough despite what the ASdodge Dealer might tell you. I had a cat-back system, computer chip, 180 degree thermostat and the tow package. and my towing capabilities were 7000#.

We never filled up the potable water tank or went anywhere with the trailer filled up. Couldn't even load to full capacity the bed of the truck as the truck constantly ran hot. Couldn't use the A/C which was "hell" trying to go through the desert or hills. Went to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite last year and blew the exhaust manifold and had to have a few bolts extracted from the block. Thank goodness the truck was under warranty.

So, to make a long story short, I now have a 2007 Dodge 6.7L Diesel with Automatic trans. Yea it's overkill but, I can go anywhere WITH the A/C on, the bed fully loaded and then some! Oh, I get better mileage then I was getting on the Dakota too! Oh, and the 6.7 puts out 50% less noise then the 5.9 or other brands.

As for the "Hemi" it's great too, but the gas mileage sucks! both w/wo towing.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.