Safari Trek Motorhome
There was as well an exceptionally high build quality that used a riveted aluminum outer skin in lieu of the more popular tin or fiberglass, real hardwood cabinetry, and a small bus like design that made the Trek easy to drive and maneuver.
Legend has it that Mat Perlot felt there were many young drivers who wanted a smaller RV with the same quality of the larger, higher priced units.
[3] After studying some of the space saving features of the Class C coaches like the overhead bunk, Perlot conceived of a pull down mechanical bed which would be tucked away in the ceiling when not in use.
This innovation in the Class A motorhome allowed for the elimination of a separate rear bedroom and opened up space in the living quarters while maintaining a small 24 foot length.
Though designed for short term weekend use with its novel bed and small footprint, a surprising number of people started using the Trek full-time and for extended time periods.
In keeping with the Safari name, the artistic Dame family was contracted to paint animal and nature themed murals which were one of a kind pieces of art.
The Electro-Majic Bed which was previously positioned to the front of the coach over the captain chairs, was now moved a few feet aft towards the living quarters.
A very rare and limited number of Chevrolet P72 chassis rear engine diesel pushers were made coupled to an Allison Transmission.
With the wider width end caps, widened radiator grill and contoured skirt doors, the Trek now had a more luxurious exterior look and interior feel.
The ad copy of this period highlighted the fact that these were smaller, more nimble motorhomes for hard to access campgrounds and narrow roads.
The 1999/2000 Safari Trek kept the same chassis specs, now labeled "workhorse" and floor plans as the prior year, yet there were some exterior changes made.
There was now a new "Designer" interior package with upgraded kitchen counter tops, inlaid carpet, pleated shades, and ultra-leather cab seats.
This model year's sales brochure emphasizes the new custom fabrics and luxury interior amenities available in the "Designer" package, however, the Trek still leads with it being a small size Class A coach as its greatest asset.
Some believe that SMC had expanded too rapidly coupled with poor strategic decisions and acquisitions such as bankrupt Beaver Coach Corporation that soon led to SMC′s own financial deterioration and distraction from their original success with the Trek line.
The cockpit dashboard has a complete redesign, a splash of many new interior and exterior colors, a plethora of new options and floor plans, and the introduction of a Ford chassis for a 30-foot model.
From a marketing and product perspective, the 2003 Trek is a radical departure from SMC′s original roots as the "small coach with a big attitude" considering that three inches of external width was gained in this model year.
The 2003 brochure copy again makes no mention of the Trek as being "small" as in years past and rightfully re-labels the 24 series to 26 which reflects the coach's actual 26 foot plus length.
The Trek has now morphed into a luxurious motorhome with the only thing remaining from its early inception is the Electro-Majic Bed concept now called "HappiJac" and the Dame murals.
The original Trek had the appeal of a lower price point for customers wishing to purchase a Class A recreational vehicle of a high-quality build.
Navistar International which by now owned the workhorse chassis upon which many recreational vehicles were being manufactured, purchased the Monaco Coach assets including the Trek brand.
