Jayco Seneca HD: Luxury in a Class C

The 2005 Jayco Seneca HD with a diesel engine—one of a new breed of powerful and luxurious Class C motorhomes—is receiving an enthusiastic response from dealers and the public.

“I’ve been with Jayco for 13 years,” said marketing director Sid Johnson, “and I’ve never seen a product generate so much interest from new customers. The interest is intense.”

New chassis choices from automakers have enabled Jayco and other manufacturers to begin building bigger and better-equipped Class C models. The result is that many buyers no longer have to move up to a large Class A motorhome to get the features they want.

Jayco builds the Seneca HD on a Chevy Kodiak chassis with a Duramax 6.6-liter, 300-horsepower engine and a five-speed Allison automatic transmission.

Part of the appeal of the Seneca is its drivability, enhanced by a 53-degree turning radius. Johnson said drivers who are intimidated by the prospect of getting behind the wheel of a big Class A motorhome feel more comfortable maneuvering a Class C.

Another attraction is the diesel engine, with its reputation for economy and durability.

The Seneca comes with a hefty cargo-carrying capacity with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 22,000 pounds. (The GVWR is the maximum permitted load, counting the weight of the vehicle and all equipment, cargo and passengers.)

Jayco builds two versions of the Seneca, a 34-foot model with a double slideout, and a 35-foot model with a triple slideout. The Seneca has exterior baggage doors of the type found on Class A motorhomes. The pass-through basement storage provides lots of room to store golf clubs and other items without cluttering the interior.

The Seneca is loaded with standard features, including an Onan diesel generator with 50-amp service, automatic hydraulic leveling jacks, a remote-controlled patio awning from Carefree of Colorado, and a keyless entry system.

Johnson said Jayco decided to build into the motorhome many standard features that are usually offered only as options. “Most of the things we made standard are already ordered by customers anyway,” Johnson said, so it just made sense to include them. He added that making the items standard simplifies the manufacturing process and enhances quality control.

A few luxury features remain optional. The customer value package includes a back-up camera and monitor, home theater system with Dolby digital sound from recessed ceiling speakers, an exterior entertainment center, and a portable outside gas grill.

The standard entertainment system includes a 27-inch flat screen television that is mounted above the cab so it can be viewed from anywhere in the living and kitchen areas of the coach. There is also a pullout bunk above the cab for extra sleeping space.

The kitchen includes Corian-edged countertops, maple cabinetry, a three-burner range, an 8-cubic-foot double-door refrigerator, a microwave oven and a water purification system.

The bedroom at the rear of the coach has a queen bed with a pillow-top mattress, day/night shades, large wardrobes and extra storage space.

The cab of the Seneca offers driver and passenger air bags, recliner seats, an AM/FM/CD stereo system, factory air conditioning, cruise control and power locks and windows. Safety advantages include a sloped hood that lets the driver see objects as close as 13 feet from the front bumper.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the typically equipped Seneca ranges from $127,500 to $132,500.

For more information, contact Jayco, P.O. Box 460, Middlebury, IN 46540. Phone (800) RV-JAYCO or see www.jayco.com. Jayco Seneca motorhomes can be seen at Watts RV Center, 22401 88th Ave. S., Kent, Washington (Phone: 800-477-7026; Web site: www.wattsrv.com), and Roberson RV Center, Hawthorne and Mission, Salem, Oregon (Phone: 800-333-3631; Web site: www.RobersonRV.net)