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Old 07-13-2013, 02:17 PM   #1
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Seneca Toyhauler?

I've been trying to find a good toyhauler motorhome, and after not finding much in the world of Class A's, I became aware of the Seneca. I would be looking for one at least a few years old, a diesel model. I'd be very happy to get any opinions on the Seneca toyhauler, or even just the Seneca in general.

Thanks in advance,
Eric
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Old 07-15-2013, 11:51 AM   #2
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Hey Eric,

I looked at the Seneca too, before getting my Outlaw. I found the Toyhauler floorplan was only produced for a fews years and all I found were on a GMC/Chevy MDT (TopKick/Kodiak) cab chassis (now discontinued).

There is one at MHSRV currently: Used Jayco Seneca for sale in Alvarado TX | 2008 Jayco Seneca Diesel Toy Hauler W/Slide Used RV for Sale Class C For Sale from Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado Texas
Whooops - It is Sold

Those with the 6.6L Duramax Diesel came with a chevy 5 speed (not Allison), and Jayco did not "step" the chassis in the rear, so they had a lift gate to load the garage instead of a ramp...this is a considerable increase in weight on the rear axle.

The prices were on the higher end of the range for that length of RV, but for that price, you got a Diesel MDT. The tow capacity "should" be better than a Class A...I would expect.

Best of luck!
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Old 07-15-2013, 02:22 PM   #3
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You mentioned that you didn't find much in the way of class A toy haulers. Have you looked at Newmar's Canyon Star class A toy hauler? I recently did a road test and magazine article for RV Magazine on one and was quite impressed.
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Old 07-16-2013, 07:24 AM   #4
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Scarab008 and Cruzer---thanks for your input! I actually did start out looking at the Newmar Canyon Star toyhauler (and considered the Outlaw also), but was a little concerned that it was not a diesel. I know that Newmar has a very good reputation. I'd like to see that review for RV magazine---is it available online? I'll try tracking it down.

Thx!
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Old 07-16-2013, 07:28 AM   #5
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Cruzer---in your test was there a tow vehicle involved? That's one issue I had with the gas engine. I am thinking, however, that the yet-to-be-released Elio 3-wheeler might make for a good toad, and it is supposedly only something like 800 pounds
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Old 07-16-2013, 08:16 AM   #6
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It was in the Winter 2012 issue, which was on the stands January 2013. It may be on the website at www.rvmagonline.com though. They are slow to put the print ads onto the website lately. Mainly because my editor is heavily involved as a tech consultant on that Brett Michaels "Rock my RV" show on the Travel Channel so he is a bit behind trying to cover both bases.

I didn't have a tow vehicle at the time but performanace is typical to any gasser class A. The Ford pulls a tow vehicle just fine but it does have to work more than a diesel. The problem with diesel pusher toy haulers is that the engine, transmission, and cooling package are at the rear of the coach. You really need a front engine chassis in order to make room for a rear garage. Newmar did offer a diesel toy hauler for a while that was built on Spartan's mid-engine chassis (also used by Travel Supreme) which made that possible. But it wasn't a big seller so no longer made.

I was impressed with the Canyon Star overall, not just with the toy hauler aspect, but with the overall build quality. I have to admit that if I were in the market for a class A gasser, a Canyon Star would be the one I would buy.
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Old 07-16-2013, 09:46 AM   #7
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http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/clas...rs-130973.html

Just to invite your attention to this thread.

If buying new, then the Thor Outlaw's (37LS and 37MD) and the Newmar Canyon Star 3920 are the only Class A toyhaulers available - new.

Both are on the Ford 26K LB F53 chassis and have several similarities, but different floorplans to make the choice clear to most. Towing a car is easy 4 down or on a dolly with these RV's - but max tow capacity is limited by the Class III hitch on both mfgt.

Since you are looking at the Seneca then maybe buying used could work...there were Diesel chassis offered in the Outlaw (Freightliner front engine - FRED) and the Newmar AllStar (mid-engine Spartan).

The Outlaw also came with the gas Workhorse W24 for many years and the 8.1L V8 was, and still is a torque monster that tows with little effort.

The Canyon Star 3920 is really rather new - starting the model run in 2011, so there are just less on the road than Outlaw's and no Diesel's was ever offered.

When the discussion starts getting into the Gas vs. Diesel argument, I will default to what Cruizer said - the engine just can't be behind the rear axle in a Toyhauler.

Best of luck in your search for that perfect Toyhauler
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Old 07-16-2013, 10:06 AM   #8
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Since you're already looking at the Jayco Seneca, you might want to consider other Super C toyhaulers as well such as those units on a Freightliner M2 truck chassis manufactured by Dynamax and others. These are pricey when new, but you might be able to locate a clean used unit for a reasonable price.

Rusty
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Old 09-24-2013, 12:26 AM   #9
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Jayco Seneca

Quote:
Originally Posted by ericdiehl View Post
I've been trying to find a good toyhauler motorhome, and after not finding much in the world of Class A's, I became aware of the Seneca. I would be looking for one at least a few years old, a diesel model. I'd be very happy to get any opinions on the Seneca toyhauler, or even just the Seneca in general.

Thanks in advance,
Eric
I've owned a 2006 Seneca toyhauler for 2 years, Duramax diesel, lots of power going through mountians in Oregon, it has a tow package but I never towed
i'm selling this vehicle in early 2014, buying a home and too big to park on property.
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Old 09-24-2013, 03:49 AM   #10
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I believe that Thor has started to produce it's Outlaw toyhauler in a Super C configuration with the Ford 550 diesel up front. I recently saw one of these advertised.
With the demand for one-piece toyhaulers on the rise perhaps more manufacturers will sit up and notice a place in the market for this configuration.
Ideally an HDT front, like an M2 or M112, supported by a heavier frame around 40' would be popular. You just can't beat a class 6 or class 8 front diesel package.
It's certainly the direction I would like to be headed.
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Old 09-24-2013, 11:24 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogtales View Post
I believe that Thor has started to produce it's Outlaw toyhauler in a Super C configuration with the Ford 550 diesel up front. I recently saw one of these advertised.
With the demand for one-piece toyhaulers on the rise perhaps more manufacturers will sit up and notice a place in the market for this configuration.
Ideally an HDT front, like an M2 or M112, supported by a heavier frame around 40' would be popular. You just can't beat a class 6 or class 8 front diesel package.
It's certainly the direction I would like to be headed.
Could you post a link to the ad you mention?

Thor has advertised 2 new Class C models to be offered on F550 Cab/Chassis...
2014 Four Winds Super C Motorhomes by Thor Motor Coach
2014 Chateau Super C RV by Thor Motor Coach
...but a Toy Hauler was not an offered floor plan, that I can find.

Thanks
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Old 09-25-2013, 06:12 AM   #12
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Performance RV
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Damon Outlaw Super C 35SG For Sale
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Old 09-25-2013, 06:25 AM   #13
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Damon Outlaw Super C 35SG For Sale

I would like to see this design produced with a class 6 or 8 front end by some of the other manufacturers, other than a custom build.

Anyone else?
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Old 10-09-2016, 09:55 AM   #14
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Class c toy hauler

Eric, I ran across this thread doing a search for a Seneca. I'm curious if you bought one. I am looking for a class c toy hauler right now. I was told by someone who has a Four Winds Fun Mover with the same chassis on it, that it does not support the weight she was hauling. She had a studio in the garage, and that is also my plan. Used Class C toy haulers are sure hard to find.
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