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Seneca Weights & Suspension

Yahoo Message Number: 165
We had the Seneca (34SS) weighed during our last trip. We also
experienced some steering quirks. On a straight road the ride is
great and the steering is fine. However, on curves, especially at
highway speeds, the steering feels too light and occasionally produces
sudden yaw movements.

The total weight with typical (for us) gear, 3/4 fuel, 1/3 water and
5/8 propane, 2 occupants, 3 small dogs and a towbar attached was:

TOTAL = 19,820. LF = 3060 RF = 3100 LR = 6660 RR = 6760

Now, based on numerous load/inflation charts including Goodyear and
the Tire & Rim Association, the 95 psi indicated on the Kodiak label
and 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 with
room to spare for safety. What tire pressures are you running with
similar weights?

Regarding steering and suspension, the front of our rig is carrying
about 32% of the total weight which seems too light. Moving cargo
will not change the % very much. Since the rear suspension is
carrying 68% of the load it is no wonder the rear of the MH is lower
than the front. This front to rear ratio is also probably
responsible, to some extent, for the occasional quirky steering moments.

I'm wondering if lowering the tire pressures a bit and adding helper
springs or air bags to the rear would improve handling and steering.
Anybody have experience in these areas? Also, would adding helper
springs or air bags cause a rougher ride? Is one better than the other?

Thanks in advance,
Paul

Re: Seneca Weights & Suspension

Reply #1
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)?

Don

kemper_mm wrote:

Re: Seneca Weights & Suspension

Reply #2
Yahoo Message Number: 168
Donald A. Leslie wrote:
Quote
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)?

Don

kemper_mm wrote:

We had the Seneca (34SS) weighed during our last trip. We also
experienced some steering quirks. On a straight road the ride is
great and the steering is fine. However, on curves, especially at
highway speeds, the steering feels too light and occasionally produces
sudden yaw movements.

The total weight with typical (for us) gear, 3/4 fuel, 1/3 water and
5/8 propane, 2 occupants, 3 small dogs and a towbar attached was:

TOTAL = 19,820. LF = 3060 RF = 3100 LR = 6660 RR = 6760

Now, based on numerous load/inflation charts including Goodyear and
the Tire & Rim Association, the 95 psi indicated on the Kodiak label
and 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 with
room to spare for safety. What tire pressures are you running with
similar weights?

Regarding steering and suspension, the front of our rig is carrying
about 32% of the total weight which seems too light. Moving cargo
will not change the % very much. Since the rear suspension is
carrying 68% of the load it is no wonder the rear of the MH is lower
than the front. This front to rear ratio is also probably
responsible, to some extent, for the occasional quirky steering moments.

I'm wondering if lowering the tire pressures a bit and adding helper
springs or air bags to the rear would improve handling and steering.
Anybody have experience in these areas? Also, would adding helper
springs or air bags cause a rougher ride? Is one better than the other?

Thanks in advance,
Paul

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Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.1/1051 - Release Date: 10/5/2007 12:27 PM

Don,

Yes, those are the gross ratings of our 2007 Seneca 34SS. I will have
to extrapolate the numbers for full fuel, propane and water tanks to get
the worst case scenario. I'll be going to the storage lot in a day or
two and will look up the UVW numbers.

Paul

Re: Seneca Weights & Suspension

Reply #3
Yahoo Message Number: 179
Paul Kemper wrote:
Quote
Donald A. Leslie wrote:

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)?

Don

kemper_mm wrote:

We had the Seneca (34SS) weighed during our last trip. We also
experienced some steering quirks. On a straight road the ride is
great and the steering is fine. However, on curves, especially at
highway speeds, the steering feels too light and occasionally produces
sudden yaw movements.

The total weight with typical (for us) gear, 3/4 fuel, 1/3 water and
5/8 propane, 2 occupants, 3 small dogs and a towbar attached was:

TOTAL = 19,820. LF = 3060 RF = 3100 LR = 6660 RR = 6760

Now, based on numerous load/inflation charts including Goodyear and
the Tire & Rim Association, the 95 psi indicated on the Kodiak label
and 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 with
room to spare for safety. What tire pressures are you running with
similar weights?

Regarding steering and suspension, the front of our rig is carrying
about 32% of the total weight which seems too light. Moving cargo
will not change the % very much. Since the rear suspension is
carrying 68% of the load it is no wonder the rear of the MH is lower
than the front. This front to rear ratio is also probably
responsible, to some extent, for the occasional quirky steering
moments.

I'm wondering if lowering the tire pressures a bit and adding helper
springs or air bags to the rear would improve handling and steering.
Anybody have experience in these areas? Also, would adding helper
springs 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 PM

Don,

Yes, those are the gross ratings of our 2007 Seneca 34SS. I will have
to extrapolate the numbers for full fuel, propane and water tanks to get
the worst case scenario. I'll be going to the storage lot in a day or
two and will look up the UVW numbers.

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 PM

Don,

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 put
more weight on the front suspension.

Paul