As the title says we are in the market for a new RV. We keep going back and forth Super C or Class A, gas or diesel. I don't want to start a big debate on such, just have some general questions on drivable RV'sCurrently we are in the works of getting a Super C. Went and test drove a 2018 Jayco Seneca 37K. We like that floorpan, holding tank capacities etc... It was the first time driving a Super C, (or any motorhome) for me and I must admit, I was a little disappointed by the power and acceleration. I guess I was expecting a bit more performance. Before you flame me, I know it is not a race car and it is big, really big, and heavy. Just thought the diesel would give a little more, but hard to determine on a 30 minute test drive. Hard to compare apples to apples when all these motorhomes, roads, grades etc. are so different in nature.It was also the first time for the wife riding in the back of one, and to say the least she was not impressed with the ride. Shake, rattle and roll. She said it was not a very pleasant ride, and we started to second guess ourselves, again. My question I guess (well there are many) is do ALL motorhome RV's sway, rattle and the like? It was a pretty noisy ride. Not sure it it is Seneca related or general to ALL motorhomes.

The short answer, IMO, is yes to some degree. Different chassis ride differently. Among DP even though they all use airbag suspension there are different manufactures and they all seem to do things a little different which changes the right to different extends. A class A will ride different than a class C. Quality of materials and the way they are screwed together in the house part of motorhome makes a difference too.It would be best for you and your wife to just go out and drive different motorhomes. That will give you a prospective on what to expect in motorhome travel.Good Luck and good hunting.Paul

Yes and no. Depends on so many variables like road conditions and manufacturing quality and parts tolerances. A lot of it you can find and fix with a little ingenuity. Not much you can do about bad roads except avoid them. Our Navion started out with some rattles when we drove it on some terrible concrete roads. We'll find them and fix them as we figure out the rest of the rig.Our little MB 3L diesel pulls very well for a small engine. I was surprised at how well it works in a 5 ton vehicle.

Thanks for the replies. Im sure like with any NEW thing, you notice all of the nuances with it. As time goes on, we get used to them and tune them out. I expect that is what many have done and probably don't even notice the shake, rattle and roll of their motorhomes.My issue with a test drive is comparable to trying on a new pair of shoes in the store. Hard to tell how they will "fit" in just a 5 minute test. However, a new pair of shoes don't cost in upwards of $150K-$200k.

In my mind the Super C's are like big trucks. They have basic truck parts and in a service situation they fit the truck. Most likely a Ford F550 chassis.Now the Class A rigs.. they are a bit more unique. They give you a flat floorplan and put your front window right in the view when you are parked. Their front seats turn around and form part of the living room when you need it. But they have their own parts, unlike just a Ford or a Chevvy Part.So, buying new, if you can, go for the open format up front, but try to find a rig that others really like because you will want to change in the future.Buying used, don't buy the oddball because it seems like a good deal. Get what others would want and get it early when it's for sale because someone else will want it. good luck, mike

If you and your spouse had ridden in your trailer you’d see some shake, rattle and roll. These are wooden and/or aluminum boxes that we pull everywhere...asphalt, dirt, rocks etc.

Buying New RV | Good Sam Community

1SG
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
The short answer, IMO, is yes to some degree. Different chassis ride differently. Among DP even though they all use airbag suspension there are different manufactures and they all seem to do things a little different which changes the right to different extends. A class A will ride different than a class C.

Quality of materials and the way they are screwed together in the house part of motorhome makes a difference too.

It would be best for you and your wife to just go out and drive different motorhomes. That will give you a prospective on what to expect in motorhome travel.

Good Luck and good hunting.

Paul
MDKMDK
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
Yes and no. Depends on so many variables like road conditions and manufacturing quality and parts tolerances. A lot of it you can find and fix with a little ingenuity. Not much you can do about bad roads except avoid them.
Our Navion started out with some rattles when we drove it on some terrible concrete roads. We'll find them and fix them as we figure out the rest of the rig.
Our little MB 3L diesel pulls very well for a small engine. I was surprised at how well it works in a 5 ton vehicle.
Roo
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
Thanks for the replies. Im sure like with any NEW thing, you notice all of the nuances with it. As time goes on, we get used to them and tune them out. I expect that is what many have done and probably don't even notice the shake, rattle and roll of their motorhomes.

My issue with a test drive is comparable to trying on a new pair of shoes in the store. Hard to tell how they will "fit" in just a 5 minute test. However, a new pair of shoes don't cost in upwards of $150K-$200k.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
In my mind the Super C's are like big trucks. They have basic truck parts and in a service situation they fit the truck. Most likely a Ford F550 chassis.

Now the Class A rigs.. they are a bit more unique. They give you a flat floorplan and put your front window right in the view when you are parked. Their front seats turn around and form part of the living room when you need it.

But they have their own parts, unlike just a Ford or a Chevvy Part.

So, buying new, if you can, go for the open format up front, but try to find a rig that others really like because you will want to change in the future.

Buying used, don't buy the oddball because it seems like a good deal. Get what others would want and get it early when it's for sale because someone else will want it.

good luck,
mike
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2018
If you and your spouse had ridden in your trailer you’d see some shake, rattle and roll. These are wooden and/or aluminum boxes that we pull everywhere...asphalt, dirt, rocks etc.
MDKMDK
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
Roo wrote:
Thanks for the replies. Im sure like with any NEW thing, you notice all of the nuances with it. As time goes on, we get used to them and tune them out. I expect that is what many have done and probably don't even notice the shake, rattle and roll of their motorhomes.

My issue with a test drive is comparable to trying on a new pair of shoes in the store. Hard to tell how they will "fit" in just a 5 minute test. However, a new pair of shoes don't cost in upwards of $150K-$200k.

Actually you're right. Often you start to block the noises out after an hour or so on the road. Your mind does its own "noise suppression".
Test drives aren't going to give you much more than a first impression. Like dating and marriage?
Good luck with it. :B
Roo
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
MDKMDK wrote:
Roo wrote:
Thanks for the replies. Im sure like with any NEW thing, you notice all of the nuances with it. As time goes on, we get used to them and tune them out. I expect that is what many have done and probably don't even notice the shake, rattle and roll of their motorhomes.

My issue with a test drive is comparable to trying on a new pair of shoes in the store. Hard to tell how they will "fit" in just a 5 minute test. However, a new pair of shoes don't cost in upwards of $150K-$200k.

Actually you're right. Often you start to block the noises out after an hour or so on the road. Your mind does its own "noise suppression".
Test drives aren't going to give you much more than a first impression. Like dating and marriage?
Good luck with it. :B

Funny thing is, that is exactly what we did on our short test drive. Only difference was the wife was sitting up front and salesman was sitting towards the back (really just back and between the 2 seats), but we both blocked out the shake, rattle and roll. Once we got out of town and off the surface streets, the ride wasn't bad on the highway. At highway speeds, I did noticed the wind noise, but I equated it to when the wind is blowing hard outside and and you are sitting in the house, you still hear the wind noise but just in reverse in this case.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 09, 2018
You need to drive some Class A's to compare differences. I can truthfully say our 40' Class A Newmar had no rattles. It was extremely tight and no sway. It was only a baby at 370hp compared to the ones now but had plenty of power on the biggest mountain grades in the West. Also, the one you drove was empty. Fill it up and it will ride differently.
Roo
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
2gypsies wrote:
You need to drive some Class A's to compare differences. I can truthfully say our 40' Class A Newmar had no rattles. It was extremely tight and no sway. It was only a baby at 370hp compared to the ones now but had plenty of power on the biggest mountain grades in the West. Also, the one you drove was empty. Fill it up and it will ride differently.

Kind of my thinking exactly. Even was telling the wife the same.
jplante4
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2018
Artum Snowbird wrote:
In my mind the Super C's are like big trucks. They have basic truck parts and in a service situation they fit the truck. Most likely a Ford F550 chassis.

Actually the Seneca is on a Freightliner box truck chassis.

OP
You're not going to get the same acceleration in a diesel that you get from gas. In addition, the diesel is going to be governed at some low RPM (relative to gas) and will be shifting sooner. This is where a good tranny (Allison) helps you out.

I looked at the specs and this rig is 360 HP for a 29,000 chassis. This seems a little low, but is about the same HP/LB as most gassers. Where you're going to notice the diesel is pulling hills.

My 23 year old Sahara rattles on some days and is quiet as a church mouse on others. Our engine is in the back and the front is pleasant even with the squeaks.

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