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2011 Senecas?

Yahoo Message Number: 5140
It seems that Senecas are no longer listed on Jayco's website for the 2011 model year. I thought it was coming back on the freightliner chassis?

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5141
The NEW 2011 Senecas on the Frieghtliner M2 chassis will be available in late November or early December, according to Jayco sales rep I spoke with today.

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5143
Craig
You thinking about getting one? :D
Best
Ron Hall

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5145
Ron....no just interested in what's new. Anyway, I just got my Seneca outfitted the way I want it. :-)

Craig

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5147
I'm surprised that they would create a vehicle that has less horsepower and torque than our units. I'm sure all of us agree having more power and torque during our trips is key.




Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5150
Stupid question what is the hp and torque. I have an 06 DM also. I don't answer a lot but I read most of the emails. Very educational.

Paul

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5151
Ron, just got home as I mentioned in my PM to you. One item in the mail was the RV Gazette (Cdn pub). It has an article on new GM Heavy Duty Trucks. Was a misnomer. The author was talking about a heavy duty Sierra and Silverado - far from being heavy duty trucks.

BUT, what the article did comment on was the Duramax available in these trucks. For 2011 they have 397 HP and 765 lb ft of torque. Pity GM pulled the plug on the MD Trucks.

Don

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5152
Do you have a special engine in your Kodiak. GM has had only two Duramax engines for the MD truck. LRX 300 hp, 520 torque. LYE 330 hp, 620 torque. While the horse power is not as high. 660 torque is a good increase.
Best
Ron Hall

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5153
Ron, I have a 35GS with twin turbos, if that helps. If not I can look in the owners manual.

Paul

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5154
Yes, I'd say have a look in the manual. I think twin turbos would have to be a non-factory upgrade. I googled and the kits for twin turbos seem to run about $4500.

Don

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5155
I have the 330/620 plus I have a very light tune that gives me 63/112 at the rear wheels. With this combination I do great in the hills and pulling my rig at the maxed out weight of over 26,000lbs. Even though the torque is more in the 2011 if you look at the other super c's they have a much bigger horsepower to torque ratio. I guess I was expecting around 400 horsepower with 800-900 torque. If you look at the new duramax engine it's hitting 397 horses with 765 torque.




Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5157
Tim, I suspect Jayco's answer would be [ Paul, are you reading this? :) ] "if that is what you want we have a good unit for you - the Embark."

My concern is that for our use both the Embark and the new Seneca are going to be too expensive and bigger than we require. If we wanted something that size we'd have stayed with our 40 ft 10 in. Ambassador that had a fabulous floorplan with a den at the back, 4 slides, a huge belly for storage and a price tag in excess of tghe Embark. The ISC was highly adequate for power - but of course most would say, "well, I'd really prefer the ISL's 400+ HP and 1200 torque (or whatever it is now).

Don

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5158
Hey guys, be patient I'm not real good with the engines and ect. I've no special mods on my motor home. This is our third summer we have used it and we usually leave in May and return sometime in September. Deer season starts in October. We've camped in all but about 3 to 4 state and had no problems except those self inflected. This is my first DM and it seems to use about a quart of oil every thousand miles or so. Dealer says this is normal. This is not my first diesel, but the first that uses oil, my power stroke has never had this problem and has over 130,000 miles.

I found the table project very interesting, my wife and I discussed removing the table and installing another recliner and using travel trays to eat off of. Our table is just a junk catcher. I really enjoy your posts. thanks for listening. Another thing we discussed was removing the couch and extending the kitchen counter. We don't use the couch very much also. Is this doable or just pure crap.

Paul

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5159
Paul, the Paul I was referring to in my next note was NOT you. It was Paul Gardner of Jayco.

On oil consumption there is a fairy tale about the 8.1 needing a quart every 1000 or LESS. This is DriVer's tale on iRV2. Well, we get our oil changed annually and the max we've driven between changes has been just over 5,000 miles - and did not have to add any oil. This seems to be highly individual with the engines, which makes me wonder about about how they are built since one would not expect to see such variability.

Don

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5160
Don

I agree with what your saying, we buy our units because their not so big but not so small either. I would say they are just right. My point was that if they continued to stay with a Kodiak chassis with the new Duramax then you would have 397/795. This would be a great upgrade.




Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5162
Don Leslie wrote:

Quote
On oil consumption there is a fairy tale about the 8.1 needing a quart
every 1000 or LESS. This is DriVer's tale on iRV2. Well, we get our oil
changed annually and the max we've driven between changes has been just
over 5,000 miles - and did not have to add any oil.

Same here. I run Mobile synthetic and change it every 5000 miles and
have yet to need to add between changes. That's crossing the Rockies
towing the 4000 lb Vue and we've done that twice. Just got back from
upstate NY in the mountains and still no usage. I've just crossed 20K
miles and am about to do the next oil change. Not even half a qt low.

Take care,
Greg

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5163
Tim
The Kodiak's have never had the same HP and Torque that the pickups have. They have always been the detuned 300 or 330 hp engines for durability.
Best
Ron Hall

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5170
The good news would be if the power upgrade is something that could be easily retro-fitted to our older DM engines.

George

Re: 2011 Senecas?

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5174
To get the power up to the newer settings is not hard. Just add a tuner and a couple of other mods and you can have a 500 hp monster. The real problem is with the Allison trans. The 5 speeds had weak clutches between 4th and 5th gears. 6 speeds had better clutches but not up to the task of 500 hp and 800 torque. A custom trans and torque converter build capable of handling this kind of power is over $4000.
If you have not added a programmer to your Dmax engine yet. You will surprised how much of an improvement just 40-60 hp and 100 to 150 ft lbs of torque will make in performance. Diablosport Predator, PPE or a EFI Live custom tune will all work well. Be aware that adding a programmer to a engine still under warranty may void it.
Best
Ron Hall

Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5183
Ron . . . As much as I would like more HP and torque, changing the Duramax engine's factory tuning with an aftermarket device really worries me if it doesn't have G.M.'s blessings. My '07 Duramax comes with a 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty ($100 deduct after 2yr). I imagine many of us on the forum are still in warranty.

G.M. has had some major engine failures due to "over-powering." They have issued TSB's to dealers specifically on how to determine whether Duramax failures are due to "over-powering" tuning. Here's a quote from G.M., "When premature wear and breakdown is encountered due to an aftermarket power-up device, it has some very specific characteristics to the internal engine components. The following list will assist in identifying these characteristics as you tear down the engine."

Here's a copy of the GM TSB showing (with photos) how GM tecs can differentiate between normal and over-power failures with the Duramax: http://tinyurl.com/38dntyp


George



Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5188
I use the PPE tuner and set for only 60 HP upgrade and the difference is amazing. I can reprogram back to orginal GM specs if I need to have the engine serviced by GM. Dane

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #25 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5189
Thanks . . . This will make it easier to keep in my files. I think some of these problems come from guys who get greedy and go for the most horsepower they can get AND turn up the speed limiter. When you look at the problems, they're generally related to heat.

George


Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #27 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5191
Its all about EGT's (exhaust gas temperature). Best to have a EGT gauge even on a stock engine.
Best
Ron Hall

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #28 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5194
My son works at a Chevrolet dealer and they come across many customers that install programers, have an engine failure, then remove the device before the service and swear they weren't using a programmer. What I have learned, some programmers overwrite or reset certain areas in the factory control unit that is a tell tale sign that the factory settings were altered.

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #29 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5195
my best friend is the chief mechanic at our GM dealership and he says the PPE does not alter anything if you set back to GM specs. Dane

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #31 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5200
Your friend is right. Some of the power-up devices can also set the ECM back to the factory settings. In fact, the factory bulletin we were discussing http://tinyurl.com/38dntyp specifically tells the technicians that their GM TECH 2 Scanners may not tell whether a tuning change had been made, then switched back. That's why they ask their mechanics to look for a series of specific failure issues that over-powering may cause--and not rely on reading the ECM.

George


Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #32 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5205
What about the new engines. I have a 2008 MoHo with a 2007 Chassis / motor - so it has the particulate filter / burner mechanism etc.

Is there a tuner I can run on this engine? Actually the thing goes like a banshee stock and not much causes it to slow down.

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #33 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5206
You should have the LMM - Duramax. There are gadgets to turn up the power, but if it "goes like a banshee," why change--at least while it is under warranty?

This engine in the Kodiak came with a couple HP/TQ options (LRX - 300hp/520 torque), (LYE - 330hp/620 torque). My Seneca has the LYE. You may already have the increased HP/TQ version. Here's a link describing the Duramax LMM engine: http://tinyurl.com/27z9pub

George



Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #34 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5210
I just wanted to mention a couple of things based on my personal experience with my RV. I tune because I want the additional horsepower and torque in the hills only. The tune I use is a tow tune that provides me with only 63 additional horsepower at the rear wheels. Most tuners you see give you numbers at the flywheel not the rear wheels. So my 90 horsepower/160 torque tune is really 63 horsepower/112 torque at the rear wheels. It works great and I can go up the hills and get out of the trucker lane. If you have ever gotten ready for a trip loaded with fuel, water and your dingy, and everything else you bring on the trip like clothes, food etc. This is the time you need to weigh yourself. I did and I was quite surprised when I came in at a whopping 27,350. The additional horsepower and torque gets my but up the hill at a very reasonable speed. Everywhere else I just want the additional mileage. I was able to get 2 more miles per gallon using my PPE tuner. PPE claims and so does everyone else who sells PPE tuners that you can go back to stock without a trace. They are very easy to do and you can change a tune or go back to stock literally in minutes.

Here is one of the most important things to remember whether your tuning your rig or not. I will say that every diesel mechanic that I have talk to will say the same thing, if you have a diesel invest in a Pyrometer. If you have ever gone up a hill loaded for a trip and towing and your foot is all the way down, your EGT's have to be getting high. My buddy at RV.net has a Pyrometer on his Seneca without tuning and when he is going up hills he is around 1375. Keep in mind you do not want to go over 1400. The challenge is how do you really know how high your getting without a Pyrometer. I'm not trying to create fear just awareness. I was able to purchase two good looking guages at Summit Racing, the Tranny Temp and Pyro that match and had them both installed for $175. Normally I do these things myself but I did not want to tap into the manifold and mess up. Its a great investment that will give you piece of mind when your on your trips.

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #35 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5213
I have the same engine as you and I use the PPE tuner that you can set either 60, 90 or 120 but I use the 60 and that is plenty,
Dane

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #36 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5218
Which PPE Produect / model? How does it effect your particulate filter and burn-off?

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #37 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5219
If your interested go to Grimm Performance

www.grimmperformance.com

Ask for Kirk and let him know you spoke with Tim Garver and see if he will give you a deal. They have probably the best pricing on this product. It's less expensive than the PPE web site. The product is for Kodiak/Topkick and just match you year.




Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #38 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5220
I think part of it is my coach is on 19.5K#s chassis and loaded with everything is 19.6K#s (water/fuel etc etc etc.) plus my tow car full of crap 3k#s so I seem to be at 22.3K #s total GCW

I am lighter than the heavier Senecas - why I did not buy a 36SS (bunkhouse) that is 38' long and bough the Dutchhmen 34H (bunkhouse) and is 34'2" long Plus the Dutchmen is full height inside as I found the Senecas claustrophobic.

Up the Cajon / Grapevine etc. I am just fine. My only issue is when towing and having to legally stay in the right two lanes and getting stuck behind slow moving trucks.

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #39 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5224
Victor, I'm curious. Where do you legally have to stay in the right two lanes.

I assume that you believe you are driving a "truck" rather than a "car." My Kodiak is licensed as a car (guess it goes back to the California "house car" days) and I don't have to adhere to any truck speed limits or lane restrictions. As a matter of practice where it comes to safety and convenience of others I do stick to the right. My Tahoe is licensed as a car but my previous toad, a Colorado, was licensed as a truck.

Don



Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #40 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5228
It has nothing to do with car/truck/side of vehicle - the key issue in Calfornia and most states is that WHEN PULLING A TRAILER [ANYTHING IN TOW] YOU MUST STAY IN THE RIGHT TWO LANES.

That is my pet peeve seeing these jackasses in overloaded toyhaulers going 80 in the left lanes.

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #41 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5229
Is that really the case with "most states" Vic? We take I-75 from Michigan to FLA every year on have never seen a right land restriction when towing in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia or Florida. When we had one of our DPs and went to Gaffney and we came home via N & S Carolina, Virginia, W Virg, Penn and NY and never noticed it there either. Also went through NY, Mass, NH and Maine to a rally and never saw such requirement. Maybe it is just in the "west" that it exists - or have I been driving blind?

I was aware you had a 55 MPH towing limit in CA and a 40 ft length limit before having to get an upgraded license (our Ambassador came with a CHIP video informing us of the requirement - and then saying if we were from out of state and could drive our rig with our license in our home state/province we could drive it in CA). As I recall from one trip planning effort (never went though) if you are over 40 ft you cannot travel on a lot of roads.

Don

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #42 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5243
Quote
That is my pet peeve seeing these jackasses in overloaded toyhaulers going 80 in the left lanes.

Saw one of these Jack Asses yesterday on the north 55 in orange IN THE CARPOOL LANE .. another no-no in CA.

In CA, they don't post that you can't be in the left lanes, you have to read the towing laws in the DMV book or online. They only post as others have said..... all vehicles when towing are 55.

Re: Duramax Upgrade Issues. Overpower Issues

Reply #43 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5248
It does not effect anything at all except power. Call PPE and tell them you have a Kodiak 5500 RV and they will build you a unit and ship within a couple of days. I got mine for under around 300 but do not know what they are now. Real easy to program and you will be pleasantly surprised at the results. Dane