350 HP ICE vs. 350 HP Diesel?
OK, newbie here and aspiring RV'er. What comments can be made about the advantages/disadvantages of a 350 HP internal combustion engine vs. a 350 HP diesel engine in a class A camper (assuming all oth...
Forum Discussion
In the Feb 2014 Motor Trend magazine they gave road test info on two Dodge pick-ups. One with the hemi gas engine and one with the Cummings diesel.
The hemi was 410HP and 429 lb-ft torque. The Cummings diesel was 385 HP and 850 lb-ft torque. Basically the diesel had twice the torque as the Hemi. So how did they compare?
Quarter mile empty acceleration 16.5sec @86mph for the hemi and 17.1sec @82mpg for the diesel.
Yes, but with twice the torque, the diesel has to have the advantage when under a load, right? They then did the quarter mile while towing. The results were:
22.5sec @ 64.2mph for the hemi. The diesel came in at 26sec @ 54.5mph or significantly slower.
Now the load rating for the diesel is such that it can tow a lot more than the gas engine pick-up, but given similar loads, the gas engine performed better, in spite of having 1/2 the torque.
As one that has had both, all I will say is that both engines will get your coach and toad to the top of the hill. There will always be the usual arguments about which one will last longer, but the instances where an RV owner has worn out the engine, before the coach, is non-existant. Both engines can and do fail from lack of maintenance, failed components, and from poor operating practices. Not from mileage.
Buy the coach that has the floor plan that works the best for you and don't agonize over the engine.
The hemi was 410HP and 429 lb-ft torque. The Cummings diesel was 385 HP and 850 lb-ft torque. Basically the diesel had twice the torque as the Hemi. So how did they compare?
Quarter mile empty acceleration 16.5sec @86mph for the hemi and 17.1sec @82mpg for the diesel.
Yes, but with twice the torque, the diesel has to have the advantage when under a load, right? They then did the quarter mile while towing. The results were:
22.5sec @ 64.2mph for the hemi. The diesel came in at 26sec @ 54.5mph or significantly slower.
Now the load rating for the diesel is such that it can tow a lot more than the gas engine pick-up, but given similar loads, the gas engine performed better, in spite of having 1/2 the torque.
As one that has had both, all I will say is that both engines will get your coach and toad to the top of the hill. There will always be the usual arguments about which one will last longer, but the instances where an RV owner has worn out the engine, before the coach, is non-existant. Both engines can and do fail from lack of maintenance, failed components, and from poor operating practices. Not from mileage.
Buy the coach that has the floor plan that works the best for you and don't agonize over the engine.
