Safari 30 bunkhouse owners club!

[R&SZinser]

I spent the day "tweaking" our Equal-I-Zer Hitch and remembered a few more issues:

• The license plate light cover is rusted and pitted
• All the screws for the clearance lights are rusted

Both problems probably related to the fact that our trailer sat on a dealer lot for over a year. Manufactured Aug 04, bought May 06.

• We had the same problem as AZStreamer with the sawdust falling from the radio compartment onto the dinette. I'm going to remove the entire radio to fix the wiring & will install an XM Satellite radio & probably an iPod doc (wish she would make up her mind ). While I'm in there I'll vacuum out all the sawdust.

Anyone else have the metal valve stems on their tires that make it difficult to check air pressure & air up? I can barely get an angled pressure gauge to fit.

Agree with other posters about the great floorplan for a family (2 Adults, 1 Kid, 2 big dogs, & a cat) but it seems that Airstream / Thor could go a bit father towards making Airstream the primer travel trailer brand.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by SafariSS

I have a 05 model, made in late 04, bought new in mid 06! I was waiting to buy one until AS was going to offer a SE version which they said they were going to do. When I found out that they had discontinued this model I frantically called the factory for a list of nationwide inventory that remained. My wife and I were crazy about the storage and floorplan of this model from the get go.

I found one with the LS package, queen size lower bunk, sound system upgrade. I really wanted the skylight and couch or gaucho but no luck.

...
RSP - Houston Tx

Yeah, we delayed purchase for a full year because I sent an inquiry to the factory in mid-05 re: SE in the 30' and they told me it was coming in the late summer, early fall. In the fall, the same customer outreach person told me it would be end of the year. Then she told me it would be end of January or early February. When there was no news of it in the forums I wrote an e-mail back to her in late March and got no response. I wrote an e-mail to their general information e-mail address including the entire string of e-mails I had received and my inquiries and the response I got was that the decision to discontinue the 30' model had been made.

We were fortunate enough to find an '06 with the midnight sun interior we wanted with both the sofa and convection microwave oven we wanted. We didn't get the audio/video upgrade, which is the way I would have ordered it, and we didn't get the skylight. I'm glad we didn't get the skylight. Everybody that has one has told me they let in a lot of heat and we really haven't found we need it with the fantastic fan in the kitchen area and the lighter walls.

I installed a 20" LCD and a combination VCR/DVD player and feel I got more service than the 15" LCD would have given us. I used an Omnimount arm with the Airstream mounting backplate and mounted the TV so that it can swing around to the bedroom. We are big movie fans so when the kids go to bed, my wife and I will either sit outside for a short while or watch a movie in bed or watch the news in bed. It does, however, take up the entire doorway to the bedroom so once the movie starts, we are kind of a captive audience.

We feel truly blessed that we have had so few problems with our Airstream. Right now the only warranty issue is one of the latches that holds the access panel under the sofa sticks in the open position and the panel will fall open on occasion. I plan on mailing it to the dealer and asking him to mail me a replacement.

We have been very diligent about drying the toilet platform where the shower leaked after each shower. We also have a small folding step stool that we got at camping world for our younger son to use to reach the toilet and we keep it in front of the toilet to rest our feet on while seated on the toilet rather than rest our feet on the platform. I know this is a pleasant image, but I think this helps protect the front edge of the laminate and helps keep it from coming loose.

[bobby]

Hello Safari 30' Owners! We own one too, but have yet to use it. Ours is at the dealer in Michigan and we will get it down here (Virginia) around the end of March. Then we'll start taking it out on the weekends to get used to it and troubleshoot the various items you all have mentioned.

By the end of summer we will be taking off for a year-long trip around the country. The house will be sold by then and the 30' will be our home! We are new to Airstreams and trailering, so it's all a big, fat jump into the unknown. We're looking forward to it! (Ignorance is bliss...)

Thanks to all of you for your insights and advice. We will gladly contribute soon enough.

I don't own one but enjoy reading the thread, How about some pictures to show the layout and changes you talk about.

[rluhr]

Sounds like most of us would have bought the Special Edition if they'd ever come out with it. Like some of you, I asked about it but by the time I asked the decision had been made to kill the floorplan entirely. I can see why they killed it, because the trailer was pretty steep at $52k - $59k (list price) for the target market (families). But you do have to wonder if it would have done better if it were introduced only in SE trim.

By the way, my understanding is that there are only about four of these Safari 30 units left over on dealer lots at present. I'm parked at Roger Williams Airstream in Weatherford TX tonight and I see they have one here (a 2005). If anyone is lurking on this list and thinking about snagging one, better move soon! I don't think Airstream will be making another two bedroom trailer anytime soon!

one of the latches that holds the access panel under the sofa sticks in the open position and the panel will fall open on occasion.

Yeah, and you might want to pick up a few of the black plastic latches for the future. We've found that in frequent use they fail occasionally. It's a simple matter to replace one with a screwdriver, but of course you need to have the part on hand.

The skylight is nice on a cloudy day but not a big deal in my opinion. It doesn't just let heat in. I notice the cold coming through on a night like tonight (25 degrees!), too.

We had the same problem as AZStreamer with the sawdust falling from the radio compartment onto the dinette.

We had that issue as well. Eventually it stops ... months later.

AZStreamin: I'll post more about the front compartment leak if we get to it during this round of service. I think the cause is simply misalignment of the compartment door.

A tire kicked up a rock that knocked off the fresh water drain tap between the axles.

I've heard of that happening on a lot of newer trailers. Airstream has since introduced a small metal shield that protects the drain tap from rocks. Our Safari 30 has it.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by rluhr

I've heard of that happening on a lot of newer trailers. Airstream has since introduced a small metal shield that protects the drain tap from rocks. Our Safari 30 has it.

I can't remember if ours has it or not. I seem to remember there is a metal flange there, but not sure if it is the same thing you are talking about. I'll have to look this weekend when there is daylight while I'm home. Still get dark before I get home.

[Amsterdamer]

Last One?

Edwalds, the Milwaukee Wisconsin dealer still has a new 2005 30’ bunk. It has chairs instead of the sofa.

[rluhr]

I have been told by the factory that the following quantities of Safari 30 bunkhouses were built:

2005 models: 72

2006 models: 6

So, 78 units overall ... making them slightly less rare than I thought, but still not highly common. We've got about eight of them represented here on the thread. It would be great to hear from more owners!

[Rick Gillis]

78 units may be a large build (in AS terms), however since they have been discontinued we now own a unique piece of Airstream history. Airstream dealers may have had a hard time selling the remaining inventory however I suspect that when we begin to put our trailers on the resale market (after the children are gone and we need to downsize to a 28) they will be sold quickly and for less depreciation than other more common floor plans.

A question for the masses: Couch or chairs, and why?

My wife wanted a couch installed before we picked up the unit. I thought we should try the chairs out before making a decision. With only one weekend of use before she was put away for the winter, it is too early for us to make a decision. I like the fold out table and storage areas – I don’t like the fact the chairs seem to magically move while on the road.

[Minnie's Mate]

Rich, are you sure about the 05 being the earliest model? I am sure we began looking at them as '04 models in the summer of '04 and there was one on the local dealer's lot here in the Atlanta area. I remember because we initially wanted the Amarillo interior and that was discontinued with the '04 model year. Also, we had researched a good long while before deciding to buy and then delayed while waiting for the SE model.

It is possible that we were looking at an early '05 build or at an '04 labeled as an '05 being sold as '05. You know ours is an '06 and it is a 75th anniversary unit and Airstream is still marketing the '07's as 75th anniversary units so there is no telling what they called the first units. I have noticed that unlike the auto industry, Airstream's model year delineation is quite fluid.

[Amsterdamer]

We haven’t had an opportunity to use our 30’ BH yet but the couch will make a quick and easy bed for our teenager. The girls get the bunks. This way the dinette doesn't have to be put up and down. Our last SOB trailer had four bunks up front and slept 8 total (4 bunks dinette, couch, queen bed). The AS 30’ BH has the highest sleeping capacity of any (6 comfortably with the couch, 2 bunks, dinette, queen bed). Unfortunately, I think new AS’s are financially out of reach for most family campers, thus the shortage of family floorplans.

I’ll also take it to the races (F1, Indy) , where I’ve had up to eight sleeping in my previous SOB.

[AZstreamin]

Originally Posted by rluhr

I have been told by the factory that the following quantities of Safari 30 bunkhouses were built:

2005 models: 72

2006 models: 6

This is good info thank you.. Interesting how they stopped the run cold in 2006. Minnie's Mate what is your build date? Rich what is your build date? And others?.. I'm curious to see if there is groupings of problems based upon build dates.

Originally Posted by Rick Gillis

A question for the masses: Couch or chairs, and why?

We have the chairs and I really like them. They are relatively comfortable and the extra table is very handy. You can have 6 adults eating dinner together and everyone has a comfortable seat. I enjoy cooking in the galley the layout works well for a small space. The extra table and seating allows you to invite others over to eat and drink wine . We've found it provides a little more flexibility for our needs. When our second child is born I'll likely leave the chairs at home and put his portable crib in its place.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by Rick Gillis

A question for the masses: Couch or chairs, and why?

We wanted the sofa because we are big movie buffs and knew that when it rained we would want to be inside watching a movie. I have a bad back and I knew the chairs would not be comfortable for very long at a time. With two kids, we figured we could all pile up on the sofa in a more lounging way, at least while the kids were small, and watch TV.

Even with our oldest being 9, almost 10, he will sit at the dinette most of the time and the rest of us will pile up on the sofa. When the kids have gone to bed, my wife and I will cuddle on the sofa while watching TV when not watching from bed. We couldn't do this with the two chairs.

We have a "stick" type vacuum (actually the first small silver up-right died during the Can Opener Rally and we had to replace it with a stick vac) and my wife uses it a lot. It and the broom fit nicely under the sofa and is easily accessed via the front panel...the one that occasionally falls down thanks to the latch that sticks.

The one downside I see to the sofa is that there might have been a corner next to the refrigerator behind one of the chairs to place a trash can. There is no room for one anywhere near the kitchen so we have a stainless steel one just inside the door. I don't like it being the first thing you see when you open the door, but that's the only place we could think to put one of any size. We did get a half-round one to go with the Airstream's curves, though, and that makes it a little easier to get around.

Our build date was 01/06. Some time ago there was a theory that units built in the dead of winter when the demand was low and factory floor could take more time to assemble would have a fewer number of problems and those built in the spring and early summer and then again in the fall (gearing up for RV shows) would have more problems because of hastily put together trailers. I don't know if there is any correlation, but it kind of makes sense.

[Minnie's Mate]

Hey Rich, it might be nice to see an article in Airstream Life on the late, great 30' Safari. What do you think? Maybe we could track down some more of those other of the 78 owners for interviews if you put out a call for input in a small blurb in AL.