BitWriter
Chula Vista, CA
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Joined: 07/26/2008
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After many months of searching and debating, my wife and I ordered a 2009 Jayco Seneca HD 34SS through RVDirect in April of 2008.
We decided to upgrade our motor home because we believe that upgrading our home would be too risky. We already own a nice home but our 2002 Coachman Mirada 300QB was getting a bit cramped. We are looking forward to picking up our new Jayco Seneca.
Join us as we drive 1734 miles in our Coachman Mirada from Chula Vista, CA to Des Moines, IA and back in our new Jayco Seneca. We do not know what to expect other than it will be hot and uncomfortable boon docking along the way. Unable to make vacation plans around this, our trip will be a minimalist voyage there and back because we were not given a hard date for the pick up.
We will add to this message thread as we prepare for the trip, make the trip, pick up the new RV and drive back. We look forward to your comments and questions regarding our trip and experiences.
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TexGeorgiaBoy
Fort Worth Texas
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Joined: 12/04/2002
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I lived in Chula Vista when I was in the Navy years ago. Very nice town.
Boy, you bought from a dealer close to home didn't you? Your going to love the Seneca. We just bought a 2008 a couple months back and have had zero trouble so far and really like the Kodiak and diesel power. We tow a jeep and it handles fine.
Stop in Cracker Barrel or Walmart's and spend the night. Run the power plant and a/c just don't put all the rooms out unless your parked next to a curb and it won't stick out where someone could hit it. Keep the fuel tank full and the power plant will run all night on a few gallons is all. If the fuel tank gets below 1/4 left it will shut off to keep you from getting stranded.
Good luck with your trip and new Seneca. Keep us posted! Tex
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Gene in NE
Omaha
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Joined: 09/15/2003
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Bitwriter - Take the Northern route (I-15, I-70, I-76, I-80), it has been cool this summer. As "TexGeorgiaBoy" mentions run the generator till about 10:00 PM and then it usually has been cool enough to sleep. Buy yourself a Road Atlas from Wal-Mart that shows all their stores. Hope you got a good deal, I'm jealous.
2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy
Gene
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MichaeleH
Fort Lauderdale,FL
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Joined: 10/04/2007
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Let the journey begin. Good Luck with the break in and have fun. 
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bsshelby
Paducah, KY, USA
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Joined: 04/11/2004
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I purchased a Jayco from Des Moines RV last year. Very nice folks! I would however recommend that you take some short drives around the area to check for immediate fixes that need to be made before you leave for home.
Good Luck!
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BitWriter
Chula Vista, CA
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Thank you all for the encouragement! My wife and I really appreciate your replies. We are looking forward to the trip. Gene in NE, I'm going to look into the route you suggested. Your directions were nearly identical to those provided by Mapquest; though, Mapquest recommended taking I-70 directly to Des Moines.
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Gene in NE
Omaha
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BitWriter - Both I-70 and I-80 are long and boring (what can I say?). However, we just returned from Oklahoma and it was darn hot there and on the way back through Kansas. So far, Nebraska has been a little cooler.
Take "bsshelby" advice on sticking around Des Moines for a while. Try to camp overnight at their lot so you can push all the buttons and twist all the knobs. That chassis can drive wonderful if correctly aligned, more than one new owner had to take the rig in to a medium duty Chevy garage and have the front re-aligned.
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BitWriter
Chula Vista, CA
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Gene in NE, good advice, thank you. In fact, my Coachman had a problem with the alignment on the day I picked it up. It wasn't a big deal because I was only driving it a few miles home but I did have to take it in to get fixed. I got it fixed before I took it out on its first trip. I should say that the Ford V10 chassis has been great. I took care of it between trips and it never let me down. Now that I've said that, I've probably jinxed myself. I still have one more trip to make in it.
We are staying at Timberline RV in Waukee Sunday and Monday night. The hope, is we will be able to hit the road next Tuesday morning after spending a full day going through the coach. The dealer has assured me that should there be any mechanical problems, they will do everything possible to get us a service appointment the same day. I believe that would be an extreme situation; otherwise, I would much rather take the coach to a GM authorized repair facility near my home.
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G7ARYM
MISSION VIEJO
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Joined: 03/22/2007
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Don’t worry about the heat during your drive home. For the two of us the dash air of the 34SS is more than enough to cool the front. For 2 days at 105+ during our hottest trip last Aug to Kansas we never turned the fan speed above 1 and most of the time the cold knob was up off the coldest setting. I did turn the fan up to 2 and aimed the vents to the center when DW was doing a 1000 piece puzzle on the dinette. Never needed the roof air while in motion but it works well on the gen at a rest stop for lunch. Since the front AC is ducted to the back we close the door to the front and enjoy a cool bedroom without the noise from the bedroom AC. It hurts to sit here with it parked waiting patiently until our next trip.
Also, don't worry about the effect of hot weather on the motor. We pull a small car on a dolly and the most I have seen the water temp needle move was about 2 needle widths to the right. That was when it was over 100 and under full throttle climbing east on I-40 for a few miles in AZ. It never even moved that far going south at mid day up the I-5 grapevine, again, foot on the floor all the way to the top.
Enjoy the drive.
* This post was
edited 07/28/08 05:35pm by G7ARYM *
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BitWriter
Chula Vista, CA
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Preparations are getting more hectic with our depture for Des Moines looming this Friday. We have our insurance for the new rig and we just made our first payment. Needless to say this has been a very expensive month.
I have finished putting together music and reading for the road. I like country classics and bluegrass when I'm driving. My wife prefers top 40's country, though I'm not opposed it. Next, gathering victuals for this trip will pose a unique challenge but more about that on my next posting.
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