Went to an RV Show Yesterday
Hello all I have two questions for you today ?? Went to an RV show yesterday to specifically sit in and get a feel for the Sunseeker 3010ds. It’s an awesome floorplan both with the slides ope...
Forum Discussion
Hi 6ofus,
The Jayco Seneca's I was thinking about are Class C's, sometimes known as "Super C's". The new Seneca's are really on steroids, but the older mid-2000 models were a step up from the E-450 chassis rigs. Here's an example of what I was thinking: 2006 Jayco Seneca 33SS. Here's a link to other 2006 Seneca flooplans. Just to show you what was available. Many of the rigs came with the duramax diesel instead of the 8.1L gas engine.
I'm just mentioning these as there are some out there for a decent price and they offer the larger Class C floorplans on a chassis that can generally handle the weight.
Jayco's are generally a fairly well respected manufacturer. Why didn't we get one when we were looking? Because Jayco didn't release the Seneca line until after we purchased our Class A, otherwise, we probably would've given one some serious consideration.
A problem with the weight capacities you listed is that I'm guessing they include the unloaded weight on the vehicle front axle. Seeing as you really can't pack anything on the front axle, this capacity is mostly unusable, though they DO include it in the overall carrying capacity. So, those numbers you quoted are most likely 500 or so pounds OVER what you can actually load in the rig to keep the rear axle within it's limits. Meaning those numbers become 1600 lbs. and 1300 lbs., respectively. For 6 people, that isn't much at all. To make matters worse, any weight put behind the rear axle leverages weight off the front axle and adds it to the rear axle. The net effect is the front axle is usually no where near it's limit while the rear axle is near or over it's limit quite easily. There have even been posts on these forums over the years of some rigs in which the rear axle capacity was exceeded just loaded up with fuels.
Not trying to scare you, just make sure you understand how the weight limits are spec'd and to understand that the manufacturers of these rigs (and most dealers selling them) pretty much assume buyers are clueless. This is DEFINITELY a BUYER BEWARE process.
I am of the opinion that with careful shopping, one can be much better served buying an older, quality rig rather than a newer rig which has more bells & whistles, but not the same build quality. For example, I expect to have our rig for another 5-10 years, but when it's time for it's replacement, I'm going to be looking for a 15-20 year old, well cared for high-end diesel pusher. Basically I'll be getting a $500k+ rig for under $100k. Financing older rigs, if necessary, can be a bit more challenging, however.
I also agree with SideCarFlip that simple is better.
Good Luck in your search.
~Rick
The Jayco Seneca's I was thinking about are Class C's, sometimes known as "Super C's". The new Seneca's are really on steroids, but the older mid-2000 models were a step up from the E-450 chassis rigs. Here's an example of what I was thinking: 2006 Jayco Seneca 33SS. Here's a link to other 2006 Seneca flooplans. Just to show you what was available. Many of the rigs came with the duramax diesel instead of the 8.1L gas engine.
I'm just mentioning these as there are some out there for a decent price and they offer the larger Class C floorplans on a chassis that can generally handle the weight.
Jayco's are generally a fairly well respected manufacturer. Why didn't we get one when we were looking? Because Jayco didn't release the Seneca line until after we purchased our Class A, otherwise, we probably would've given one some serious consideration.
A problem with the weight capacities you listed is that I'm guessing they include the unloaded weight on the vehicle front axle. Seeing as you really can't pack anything on the front axle, this capacity is mostly unusable, though they DO include it in the overall carrying capacity. So, those numbers you quoted are most likely 500 or so pounds OVER what you can actually load in the rig to keep the rear axle within it's limits. Meaning those numbers become 1600 lbs. and 1300 lbs., respectively. For 6 people, that isn't much at all. To make matters worse, any weight put behind the rear axle leverages weight off the front axle and adds it to the rear axle. The net effect is the front axle is usually no where near it's limit while the rear axle is near or over it's limit quite easily. There have even been posts on these forums over the years of some rigs in which the rear axle capacity was exceeded just loaded up with fuels.
Not trying to scare you, just make sure you understand how the weight limits are spec'd and to understand that the manufacturers of these rigs (and most dealers selling them) pretty much assume buyers are clueless. This is DEFINITELY a BUYER BEWARE process.
I am of the opinion that with careful shopping, one can be much better served buying an older, quality rig rather than a newer rig which has more bells & whistles, but not the same build quality. For example, I expect to have our rig for another 5-10 years, but when it's time for it's replacement, I'm going to be looking for a 15-20 year old, well cared for high-end diesel pusher. Basically I'll be getting a $500k+ rig for under $100k. Financing older rigs, if necessary, can be a bit more challenging, however.
I also agree with SideCarFlip that simple is better.
Good Luck in your search.
~Rick
