Seneca Weights & Suspension October 05, 2007, 01:37:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 165We had the Seneca (34SS) weighed during our last trip. We alsoexperienced some steering quirks. On a straight road the ride isgreat and the steering is fine. However, on curves, especially athighway speeds, the steering feels too light and occasionally producessudden yaw movements.The total weight with typical (for us) gear, 3/4 fuel, 1/3 water and5/8 propane, 2 occupants, 3 small dogs and a towbar attached was:TOTAL = 19,820. LF = 3060 RF = 3100 LR = 6660 RR = 6760Now, based on numerous load/inflation charts including Goodyear andthe Tire & Rim Association, the 95 psi indicated on the Kodiak labeland Jayco's data appears to be rather high for these weights.Something in the 85 to 90 psi range looks like it would be ok withroom to spare for safety. What tire pressures are you running withsimilar weights?Regarding steering and suspension, the front of our rig is carryingabout 32% of the total weight which seems too light. Moving cargowill not change the % very much. Since the rear suspension iscarrying 68% of the load it is no wonder the rear of the MH is lowerthan the front. This front to rear ratio is also probablyresponsible, to some extent, for the occasional quirky steering moments.I'm wondering if lowering the tire pressures a bit and adding helpersprings or air bags to the rear would improve handling and steering.Anybody have experience in these areas? Also, would adding helpersprings or air bags cause a rougher ride? Is one better than the other?Thanks in advance, Paul Quote Selected
Re: Seneca Weights & Suspension Reply #1 – October 05, 2007, 04:50:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 167 Paul, those weights look a lot better than I expected. What year is your Seneca? Is the GAWR for the front 8,000 lbs and 15,000 for the rear and GVWR 22,000? If that is the case you have a good cushion and lots of leeway in front and back without having to worry about where you store things.What does the unloaded vehicle weight say on the weight label in the MH (mine is on the door under the kitchen sink)?Donkemper_mm wrote: Quote Selected
Re: Seneca Weights & Suspension Reply #2 – October 05, 2007, 08:14:27 pm Yahoo Message Number: 168Donald A. Leslie wrote:QuotePaul, those weights look a lot better than I expected. What year isyour Seneca? Is the GAWR for the front 8,000 lbs and 15,000 for therear and GVWR 22,000? If that is the case you have a good cushion andlots of leeway in front and back without having to worry about whereyou store things.What does the unloaded vehicle weight say on the weight label in theMH (mine is on the door under the kitchen sink)?Donkemper_mm wrote:We had the Seneca (34SS) weighed during our last trip. We alsoexperienced some steering quirks. On a straight road the ride isgreat and the steering is fine. However, on curves, especially athighway speeds, the steering feels too light and occasionally producessudden yaw movements.The total weight with typical (for us) gear, 3/4 fuel, 1/3 water and5/8 propane, 2 occupants, 3 small dogs and a towbar attached was:TOTAL = 19,820. LF = 3060 RF = 3100 LR = 6660 RR = 6760Now, based on numerous load/inflation charts including Goodyear andthe Tire & Rim Association, the 95 psi indicated on the Kodiak labeland Jayco's data appears to be rather high for these weights.Something in the 85 to 90 psi range looks like it would be ok withroom to spare for safety. What tire pressures are you running withsimilar weights?Regarding steering and suspension, the front of our rig is carryingabout 32% of the total weight which seems too light. Moving cargowill not change the % very much. Since the rear suspension iscarrying 68% of the load it is no wonder the rear of the MH is lowerthan the front. This front to rear ratio is also probablyresponsible, to some extent, for the occasional quirky steering moments.I'm wondering if lowering the tire pressures a bit and adding helpersprings or air bags to the rear would improve handling and steering.Anybody have experience in these areas? Also, would adding helpersprings or air bags cause a rougher ride? Is one better than the other?Thanks in advance, PaulNo virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.1/1051 - Release Date: 10/5/2007 12:27 PMDon, Yes, those are the gross ratings of our 2007 Seneca 34SS. I will haveto extrapolate the numbers for full fuel, propane and water tanks to getthe worst case scenario. I'll be going to the storage lot in a day ortwo and will look up the UVW numbers.Paul Quote Selected
Re: Seneca Weights & Suspension Reply #3 – October 09, 2007, 04:28:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 179Paul Kemper wrote:QuoteDonald A. Leslie wrote:Paul, those weights look a lot better than I expected. What year isyour Seneca? Is the GAWR for the front 8,000 lbs and 15,000 for therear and GVWR 22,000? If that is the case you have a good cushion andlots of leeway in front and back without having to worry about whereyou store things.What does the unloaded vehicle weight say on the weight label in theMH (mine is on the door under the kitchen sink)?Donkemper_mm wrote:We had the Seneca (34SS) weighed during our last trip. We alsoexperienced some steering quirks. On a straight road the ride isgreat and the steering is fine. However, on curves, especially athighway speeds, the steering feels too light and occasionally producessudden yaw movements.The total weight with typical (for us) gear, 3/4 fuel, 1/3 water and5/8 propane, 2 occupants, 3 small dogs and a towbar attached was:TOTAL = 19,820. LF = 3060 RF = 3100 LR = 6660 RR = 6760Now, based on numerous load/inflation charts including Goodyear andthe Tire & Rim Association, the 95 psi indicated on the Kodiak labeland Jayco's data appears to be rather high for these weights.Something in the 85 to 90 psi range looks like it would be ok withroom to spare for safety. What tire pressures are you running withsimilar weights?Regarding steering and suspension, the front of our rig is carryingabout 32% of the total weight which seems too light. Moving cargowill not change the % very much. Since the rear suspension iscarrying 68% of the load it is no wonder the rear of the MH is lowerthan the front. This front to rear ratio is also probablyresponsible, to some extent, for the occasional quirky steeringmoments.I'm wondering if lowering the tire pressures a bit and adding helpersprings or air bags to the rear would improve handling and steering.Anybody have experience in these areas? Also, would adding helpersprings or air bags cause a rougher ride? Is one better than the other?Thanks in advance, Paul --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.1/1051 - Release Date:10/5/2007 12:27 PMDon, Yes, those are the gross ratings of our 2007 Seneca 34SS. I will haveto extrapolate the numbers for full fuel, propane and water tanks to getthe worst case scenario. I'll be going to the storage lot in a day ortwo and will look up the UVW numbers.PaulNo virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.1/1051 - Release Date: 10/5/2007 12:27 PMDon, The label on ours indicates a UVW of 18,691lbs. which includes fuel, engine oil & coolant. I've just re-distributed the load a little to putmore weight on the front suspension.Paul Quote Selected