Truck Camper Owner Considering Super C - Questions

[usmcshepherd]

Hello all,

I've been a member for over 6 years but have always been on the Truck Camper part of this site as we have owned 3 TCs over the years. That said we are considering getting a Super C (Jayco Seneca or similar type unit with bunks) so we could travel longer and in greater comfort especially for the kids. We've looked at Class A's but I keep going back to the Super C/ M2 chassis. That said we've never had one so I have a few questions I thought I might be able to get some questions too from the experts here:

1. Is it possible to tow a half ton pickup? (We have a beautiful new Tundra that would make a great run around especially for my family anyway!)
2. If you can tow a half ton pickup would it be best to tow it directly off the Super C or carrying it on a trailer? (My initial thought would be I would rather put the Tundra on a trailer vice pulling it directly so as to save wear and tear on the truck).
3. Does anyone see the benefit to installing solar panels on the roof of a Super C since you have a 8k generator? (We currently have two panels on our TC and love it but I am seeing more and more of these units as having induction ranges which I would assume would require shore power or generator so not sure how valuable solar would be).
4. How do these units drive compared to class As? Most people drive Class A's in this range so it leaves me wondering why the Super C over the same sized class A.

Thanks for any and all help.
MGuns

[deepdoc1]

I have a 2006 32' Bigfoot based on the Kodiak C5500 Duramax Allison platform. It is rated to tow 10,000 lb, and I've towed a 2008 Buick Enclave across country for 3 years now, using a Blue Ox tow bar setup, with no problems. Insurance is around $800/yr. DW can move from cab to coach while underway with no problems. Every rig you can get will have trade offs, pluses and minuses. I wanted a four-season rated rig, and have never regretted my choice, even though I admit to a healthy dose of envy when I see a Renegade Ikon parked a few spots away.... I suggest you spend some time with a good dealer and test drive a few types of rig to find out what you like or don't like.

I just had 4 solar panels installed on my Bigfoot, and upgraded to 6 six-volt batteries, and it works very well. Getting a beefier inverter installed in a couple of weeks, so I'll not need to run my generator to charge batteries very often, only when I need air conditioner or microwave.

You probably already know to check with Toyota regarding towing your truck. Having a trailer to deal with just adds one more thing to trip over when you're camping. Best luck with your hunting.

[cajundrag]

Butch50 wrote:
I'm not cajundrag but I have a Nexus Ghost 36DS and to answer your question, yes you can turn on you rear view camera anytime you want. You just go to the menu and select camera and it well stay on rear view as long as you want. I usually leave mine on most of the time when towing as I use my portable Garmin for nav. Even when I have the camera on I can still listen to my sirius radio.

Thanks Butch, havent tried but I thought it should.

Gary LeBoeuf

[Butch50]

I'm not cajundrag but I have a Nexus Ghost 36DS and to answer your question, yes you can turn on you rear view camera anytime you want. You just go to the menu and select camera and it well stay on rear view as long as you want. I usually leave mine on most of the time when towing as I use my portable Garmin for nav. Even when I have the camera on I can still listen to my sirius radio.

[cajundrag]

Explorer1016 wrote:
do you have the ability to turn on the rear camera while driving down the road?
I had one of the Ford upfitter switches wired into my camera so I can turn it on anytime I need to or want to. I have a Kenwood head unit though, not factory.

Haven't tried to see if there is that option on the control screen. Will look.

[Explorer1016]

do you have the ability to turn on the rear camera while driving down the road?
I had one of the Ford upfitter switches wired into my camera so I can turn it on anytime I need to or want to. I have a Kenwood head unit though, not factory.

[cajundrag]

Certainly some diesel engine noise in the cab when driving down the road. Doesn't bother me really. With side view cameras installed for those blind spots, bluetooth phone, navigation etc. It's a pleasure to drive, now towing the trailer we are longer than we were used to, but we'll get used to that. No real modifications yet, had them install a quick connect butane line on the butane tank. Gotta fix up that line mount, just because of my own preferances. But needed that being Cajun for those crayfish boils when on the road. 😉 They will modify pretty much however you want to suit your needs. So far so good.

[Explorer1016]

cajundrag wrote:
I would guess it's all depends on your needs. We went with a Nexus 35SC and have been very happy with the Coach. It has enough towing capacity for us. When pullin our trailer I barely feel it back there. Plenty enough room for us and the kiddo's and the price was right. Now I would love to have one of the high end Super C's out there, but you gotta play within you own personal window. This fits the bill for us, do your homework and find whats fit's your own window...... As long as your happy with what you select, you have hit the mark......

Hi Cajundrag,

Nice picture. We drove the Nexus late summer while visiting the plant. As a matter of fact, the one we test drove looked just like yours. Have you made any modifications to your yet? We noticed it was noisy in the cab and I susbect that was due to not much sound deadoning insulation. Just curious.

[cajundrag]

I would guess it's all depends on your needs. We went with a Nexus 35SC and have been very happy with the Coach. It has enough towing capacity for us. When pullin our trailer I barely feel it back there. Plenty enough room for us and the kiddo's and the price was right. Now I would love to have one of the high end Super C's out there, but you gotta play within you own personal window. This fits the bill for us, do your homework and find whats fit's your own window...... As long as your happy with what you select, you have hit the mark......

[Sagebrush]

Yeah, but you can't tow much without being overloaded. The truck conversions are mainly for people who want to tow fairly heavy in comfort. The Super C is usually at the max without a trailer.

I saw an old Showhauler in FL with very low miles, about 38' OAL with tandem axles. Nice little compact twin screw. That would handle a heavy trailer easily. I have take my toys with me, so I always like the heavy duty rigs. I've been looking hard at the older pre 2007 toters, but a truck conversion in the C layout is very tempting. The models with the cab cut out and super slide are decent. I found I don't need so much space, spend most of my time outside anyway. I'm 6'-4" tall though, so shower room and full length beds are important to me. Can't go too small. 🙂

[sullivanclan]

It may be too late in speaking up. But we just sold our truck and TC last year and purchased a class C motorhome. I have several friends with the Super C, which I would love. But they told me when you go from a class C to a Super C, you are in the motorhome chapter when it comes to costs, motorhome tires, fuel, maintenance and specialized mechanical skills. The class C is more vehicle/pick up truck like. We love our move from the TC to a Class C Jayco. We also flat tow our jeep, or trailer it as well. And yes, Solar is the way to go. Wish you the best.

[John_S_]

I would get the motorhome. So much better to make the journey part of the adventure and much easier to setup for quick overnight. I had a class a for 16 years and now am going to a class c on the dodge 5500 chassis. If I wanted bigger I would look very closely at the super c on the class 8truck. It is so much more versatile and you could tow your dodge with it if it is four wheel drive.

[Sagebrush]

This is an old thread, but the reason to choose a Super C is mostly for the floor plans in a more roomy size. Like a normal C class you can have more sleeping areas, some have a bed over the cab, 2 sofa beds and a booth that can sleep adults. Some are better than others like all types.

Then you have the Class 8 truck conversions, those are primarily desirable for people who tow large loads. A class 8 with two rear axles can easily handle a stacker trailer with two cars and whatever else you like to haul. Its a good option for hauling a Jeep and a PWC trailer inside plus a motorcycle up in the front attic.

They can come with quad slides and big over the cab beds. Some offer extra height ceilings so an adult can use the bed over the cab or that area can be used for storage etc. I personally prefer the cut out type, better entry into the driver's seat or flip down the bed and park two kids up there.

If your going for a truck cab, then why not get one with real towing ability? But, they do drive like trucks, shift like trucks etc. A nice sized all around Class 8 to me is 38' overall with a single rear axle, nice flexible unit if your not towing a huge trailer. And the 38' size will keep you under 65', easier to maneuver! You can easily pull 10K like its not back there. You can tow a 20' stacker trailer (24'-6" OAL)with a full size car and toys on the lift and still not over load the rear axle. Plus if your load puts more than 20K on the rear you can go with a twin screw, but you give up storage and add 4 more tires. Either way, a Class 8 will handle a full size truck as a toad because most have over 1550 in torque and 12 speeds or more. On the used market some have 515 hp Detroits with 13 speeds and Volvo offers 435, 475, 500, 600 hp etc with their 12 speed transmission.

The nice truck conversions have solid wood doors, real tile floors, 200 gallon water tanks and many different holding tank set ups. Optima had 150/150 with 200 plus fresh. You can stuff in lots of weight when you have 58K GVWR or more. Most Super C's I looked at were maxed out just with a normal load of stuff inside, the big issue was the weak engines and light duty autos. I would go with a strong Class A with a big engine and go for one with a 12K, 15K hitch etc. Or a Class 8 conversion if you need to tow more than that. Better to have too much truck than not enough.

You can tow a few full size trucks 4 down now, like the current F-150 trucks. I can pull my Dodge 3500 4x4 DRW as a toad if I wanted, but its really not practical. I prefer a CRV, Wrangler or maybe a Ford Expedition behind a motorhome. Pickup trucks are a long, but I have thought about pulling a truck and using the bed for a motorcycle. So many options out there. My next rig will be 38' or less, I'm tired of huge rigs myself.

I like Class C or Truck Conversion style of floor plans now, its nice having more sleeping areas IMO. Some can't live without the big Class A windows, thankfully we have options. By our 4th or so RV most still keep trying different layouts. 🙂

[DrewE]

usmcshepherd wrote:
We have never had a motorhome of any kind (A, B, C) so one of the reasons we have done the TC and 5th Wheel option was the noise we imagined going down the road in an A, B or C and hearing all the pots and pans rattling around...is this really an issue?

I am really surprised by the comments I'm getting as I expected to hear nothing but encouragement about moving to a motorhome as they're all that!! So far it seems like most are saying to stay with a TC or 5th wheel?

In my (not super) C, there's little rattling on smooth roads. On moderately bumpy roads, the silverware rattles around. On really bumpy roads, the pots, pans, plates, and most everything else will rattle to some extent.

There are a few squeaks, a good many of which I've gotten rid of.

I would hope you get whatever RV works well for you, whether it's a trailer or a motorhome or a truck camper or a private varnish rail car. I am quite fond of my class C; it meets my needs and wants very nicely and at a price (used) I was willing to pay. It is indeed very convenient to have the house and the driving/riding compartments be the same, rather than having to go outside and back in to get to the fridge or bathroom. I also appreciate having the driver's door (unlike many class A's), particularly when maneuvering into campsites or around gas stations when it's needful to get out and look...for me, sometimes it takes a fair few times getting out and looking.

[jdshep1]

RichNewcome wrote:
usmcshepherd
I have had maybe 8-9 diesel pushers. I invented the Tru-Center steering stabilizer because my first DP handled so bad in the wind. In 2015 I returned to RVing after 2 years off and I bought a 2015 Seneca TS. The ride was very good, the Seneca was the easiest to drive RV I had owned. It tracked best had a great ride and was near as quite as most DP's, not all, not a provost or a signature or a navigator, but for sure close to the entry level units in the $250-$300K range.
I loved the Seneca, but it was a big rig, 40 foot long, 13'4 high and 28000 pounds, so after 15000 miles and two summers I sold my Seneca and bought a new Winnebago Aspect 30j. I bought the Seneca because I wanted the truck part to be reliable and it was as i had almost zero issues. It was just too big for my present usage. The wife and I are travelers, not campers, we now travel from casino to casino, or from BBQ to BBQ. The Seneca made us park far away. I do not like to pull a dingy, so a 32 foot 30J aspect is my downsizing effort. I may end up with a dingy again as it is very hard to see much without one. Our must have list was: a walk around bed we can use without putting out slides, a good size shower and bath, a couch and dinette and a factory built chassis and cab. I did look at many options including sprinters. Most were overloaded with only tanks full and the interiors were just too small. The winnebago brand I have known for 40 plus years and today some models do get strong reviews. My Seneca listed for $240K and I purchased for $165K and sold two years later for $144K. The new Aspect listed for $137.5K and I paid $92K for the new 2016. Used units were not a lot cheaper. I got delivered from Florida Jan 2017 so i have no idea what I have bought. I plan on adding steering stabilizer front and rear sway bars even before my first ride. The Seneca needed nothing, but even with air ride I expect the adds i have picked will be well worth their cost on the Aspect.
In 1978 my first RV was a 24 foot Leprechaun class C on a Ford van chassis after that a 26 foot GMC and later many DP's including (2) Prevosts conversions. Now at 72 years old we are going back to the beginning with a B+ on a Ford E-450 van chassis. I am hopeful we can keep having fun traveling in RV's for years to come. I love to drive, the wife loves to play penny slots so now we see America again by way of the casinos.
For me the journey is the goal, and the stops are just windows to the world. I love the view out the windshield so much I try not to drive at night in fear I will miss something. I encourage everyone who can make it happen to spend as much time as possible discovering America and Canada in a RV of some type.

You ask why most people prefer a Class A over a Super C of similar size. I had a smaller (33')DP and traded for a similar sized Super C Nexus 32SC. Like most comparisons there are trade-offs. For me the Super C pros are;
- A massive engine and body structure in front of me instead of a short area of fiberglass
- Less worry about a flying stone hitting a huge windshield (happened a couple of times)
- Several things are easier to reach while driving, i.e. sunvisor, things on the dash
- Like having the cab door for easier exit
- Seems more natural having the steer wheels out in front instead of under or slightly behind me
- The road seems wider since I am sitting closer to it
- The rig seems narrower since the cab portion is not as wide
(Those 2 characteristics lets my wife feel confident enough to drive it)
- Feel less concern over possible breakdowns since more truck repair places would welcome me
- Biggest was the over-cab sleeping area for the grandkids. No climbing over a pulled out couch.

On the con side;
- The ride seems harsh compared to the air suspension. The Jayco Seneca just has rear air bags. I feel confident that it wouldn't compare favorably to full air suspension.
- The engine noise level is greater than the DP
- The usable inside space is reduced as much as the engine hood length

I really liked the Jayco Seneca, however my RV garage, is only 40' long. (I wasn't the original owner)

I agree with Hank85713 about the ability for passengers to utilize facilities while in motion. Often I drive from breakfast to lunch with no stops. During that time my will go to the bathroom 3-4 times plus getting me water or snacks. Add a couple more passengers and more potential stops are avoided.

Everyone's wants, utilizations, and financial justifications are different. My $.02 worth is, if you want a Super C, get a Super C.