A rear garage offers room for relaxing and stowing recreational equipment, enhancing the livability that permeates this 41-foot wide-body towable RV.
By Mark Quasius, F333630
December 2023
Jayco’s Seismic premium fifth-wheel toy hauler and its sibling, the Seismic Luxury Series, enable RVers to take adventure on the road. Both incorporate the same construction features and quality, although the Seismic begins at a price point about $30,000 less than the slightly more upscale model. The Seismic 403 described here is a triple-slideout floor plan with a 13-foot rear garage area and the capability to sleep seven.
Farmhouse-style décor is used throughout the Seismic, including the galley and living area.
The 2024 Seismic 403 has an overall length of 41 feet 6 inches and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 16,500 pounds. With an unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) of 13,260 pounds, it provides a 3,240-pound cargo carrying capacity, which should be more than sufficient to carry your gear.
All Seismic toy haulers are built with a 102-inch wide-body frame consisting of 12-inch I-beam main rails, regardless of size or axle count. Standard equipment includes 17.5-inch 16-ply Uniroyal H-rated tires, alloy wheels, and a six-point hydraulic leveling system. Dexter axles are equipped with 4,000-pound leaf springs, wet-bolt fasteners, bronze bushings, Nev-R-Adjust self-adjusting electric brakes, E-Z Lube hubs, ABS, and tow assist. A Rota-Flex king pin finishes off the well-built undercarriage, which facilitates towing and also provides a durable long-life chassis.
CONSTRUCTION
Production begins with a steel floor substructure topped with 5/8-inch plywood and filled with spun-glass insulation and Astrofoil reflective insulation. The fiberglass sidewalls are framed with aluminum structural members and vacuum-bonded with 2-inch block foam, rather than just being pinch-rolled. Two layers of formaldehyde-free spun-glass insulation is also used in the roof, along with more Astrofoil. The walkable 3/8-inch plywood roof is built using the Magnum Truss system and is covered with an Alpha roof system, which features one-piece construction for added durability and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Basement cargo compartments and the RV’s underbelly are fully enclosed and heated. The Seismic was tested in a freeze chamber with its water tanks full, enduring temperatures from zero to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and back to zero degrees over a 24-hour period. The results showed the Seismic is a four-season RV capable of keeping occupants warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather.
EXTERIOR
The fiberglass front cap is fully painted and clear coated and is outfitted with LED lighting. Galvanized-steel wheel wells protect the body from damage in the event of a tire blowout. A folding ladder provides access to the roof. LED lighting is used throughout the exterior, including Jayco’s patented JaySMART (Safety Markers and Reverse Travel) lighting. The 20-foot-wide side patio is paired with an electric patio awning that is also equipped with LED lighting.
The rear garage can be set up with sofas or transformed into a bedroom; a loft provides additional sleeping or storage space.
GARAGE
Of course, a toy hauler wouldn’t be a toy hauler without a garage. The Seismic 403’s garage is a full 13 feet deep. D-rings are mounted into the Tuff-Ply rubberized floor to secure cargo while in transit. Once everything has been unloaded, the area can be converted to a bedroom or entertainment area. A combination of queen beds or sofas can be configured in this area, with some pieces lowered from the ceiling via a HappiJac power lift. The sofas incorporate comfortable backrest bolsters that may remind you of those in the back seat of a Mustang, although you’ll know you’re not in a car when you look around the Seismic’s cavernous garage.
A loft over the garage, which is accessible from the main living area, provides extra storage space for gear or bedding or can be used as additional sleeping space.
The counterbalanced loading ramp can be raised to a horizontal position and used as a rear patio. To set this up, a ramp patio kit and exterior steps can be deployed. A power awning extends over this second patio area, which is also equipped with high-intensity LED ramp lighting.
The garage also includes prep for a washer and dryer, an addition that allows for easy laundry cleanup after a day of riding in the dirt or mud. An adjacent half bath prevents users from tracking dirt into the living area.
The bedroom features a king-size bed.
MORE INTERIOR FEATURES
The review unit’s main living area, finished in a farmhouse-style decor, makes a comfortable place to relax after a day of exploring. The 40-inch LED smart TV, mounted in an entertainment center, can be viewed from the galley or sofa; a Bluetooth stereo/DVD player with four speakers is included as well. An electric fireplace finishes off this area.
The galley island holds a deep stainless-steel sink with a large overhead faucet and pull-out sprayer. A three-burner cooktop and oven are built into a counter, with a microwave oven directly above. The galley also is outfitted with a 17-cubic-foot 12-volt refrigerator and a pantry.
Opposite the galley is the SuperSofa, offering heat and massage that will make your back feel great after a hard day riding the trails. The flooring throughout the living area, including the slideouts, features residential-grade vinyl. All drawers utilize 75-pound full-extension ball-bearing guides.
In the front of the RV, a hardwood safety rail accompanies the steps that lead to the upper deck, where the bathroom and bedroom are located. Immediately to the left is the master bath, which is equipped with a vanity that incorporates a recessed sink; a walk-in shower enclosure with glass doors; and a porcelain foot-flush toilet. The bedroom features a 72-inch-by-80-inch king bed with gas struts that facilitate access to storage below. The bedroom slideout holds a wardrobe and dresser.
UTILITIES
The Seismic accommodates two 30-pound propane tanks, which power the 35,000-Btu furnace and 16-gallon propane/electric water heater, as well as the galley stove. All heat ducting is foam insulated and located in the floor for improved airflow when compared to ducting that’s routed to cabinet toe spaces. The 50-amp electric service with a removable power cord is augmented by a 6,000-watt CARB-certified generator. The Seismic is prewired for an inverter as well. A pair of 15,000-Btu air conditioners are ducted via Jayco’s HELIX cooling system; this system features a specialized dual duct design and directional, closeable A/C vents. One A/C unit is located in the bedroom while the second is in the main living area. The RV is also prewired for an optional third 15,000-Btu air conditioner in the garage area.
The front of the unit holds the RV’s full bath.
The Seismic is available with two optional solar packages for off-grid camping. The Overlander 2 package includes two 200-watt roof-mounted solar panels, a 30-amp charge controller, and an 1,800-watt inverter. It’s a $1,943 option that will give you a bit of free energy when camping. For those who really want power for heavier use, the Overlander 4 package includes four 200-watt solar panels, a 60-amp controller, a 3,000-watt inverter, two 100-amp-hour lithium-phosphate heated batteries, and soft-start modules for both the main and bedroom air conditioners. It also includes a steel battery enclosure, an energy management system, battery monitor, and roof prewire for additional panels. It’s a $14,093 option but packs a lot of punch for extended dry camping.
A fuel station is located in a compartment beneath the garage. Its 30-gallon fuel tank and pump can be used to refuel ATVs, motorcycles, or other recreational equipment.
FINAL IMPRESSIONS
It’s understandable why the Seismic is a popular toy hauler in this price range. Jayco designers did a great job of removing some of the bells and whistles of the Seismic Luxury series while still retaining what is important in the unit. The Seismic is solidly built, boasts attractive decor, is filled with amenities, and has plenty of room. Really, it’s a high-end fifth-wheel that just happens to have a garage. And that garage can be used as an entertainment area or bedroom as well; plus, it affords easy access to the rear patio. If you want an RV that can carry your toys but still enable you to live in comfort and enjoy the benefits of modern technology, the Seismic is a good choice.
SPECIFICATIONS | JAYCO SEISMIC
MANUFACTURER
Jayco Inc., P.O. Box 460, Middlebury, IN 46540; www.jayco.com; (574) 825-5861
MODEL
Seismic
FLOOR PLAN
403
EXTERIOR LENGTH
41 feet 6 inches
EXTERIOR WIDTH
102 inches
EXTERIOR HEIGHT
13 feet 3 inches (with A/C)
INTERIOR HEIGHT
main area — 8 feet 3 inches;
upper deck — 6 feet 4 inches
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
16,500 pounds
UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT (UVW)
13,260 pounds
HITCH WEIGHT
2,990 pounds
CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY (CCC)
3,240 pounds
TIRES
217/75R 17.5 H on custom aluminum wheels
BRAKES
Nev-R-Adjust self-adjusting electric
HOLDING TANKS
fresh water — 106 gallons;
black water — 87 gallons;
gray water — 87 gallons
PROPANE CAPACITY
60 pounds; (2) 30-pound tanks
WATER HEATER
16 gallons, propane/electric; direct-spark ignition
ELECTRICAL SERVICE
50 amps
HEATING SYSTEM
35,000-Btu furnace
AIR CONDITIONING
(2) 15,000-Btu; third 15,000-Btu A/C in garage, optional
REFRIGERATOR
17-cubic-foot 12-volt
WARRANTY
2 years limited;
3 years limited structural
MANUFACTURER’S BASE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$ 18,486