Afraid to make the leap to diesel

chefalan1 wrote:
Prior owner of class c Jamboree and clas a Allegro 30' gas in 90's. Racing motorcycles every weekend for 10 months a year. Know the drawbacks of gas type class a. Very knowledgeable on gas engines and systems but know nothing about diesel. Retire in 2017, travel 6 months a year at least. Truly wish to have used diesel for ride, towing power and just plain comfort. Struggling with finding the courage to buy the diesel with little knowledge other than reading on such an engine. I know there has to be many others that went through this decision. We have been reading for at least a year all info we can find both pro and con. So far, we both want a diesel but very weary about hitting the road in 2017 with no mechanical abilities for this engine in an emergency. Have broken down on other trips with gas type and able to replace belts and hoses to get started again. Help a wannabee newbie make that leap for a diesel.

Well Sir,
I didn't bother reading all the other posts/answers to your inquiry. But, to me, first off, you're over thinking this. Sure, going from a gas coach to a diesel one is, definitely different, without a doubt. But, You're not buying the Space Shuttle, you're buying another motor home, with a diesel engine in it instead of a gas engine. The engines both have belts, a water pump, oil, water, and a few other similarities.

Yep, they do operate differently but, they both get you down the road. We've owned all of them, Class Cs, As in both gas and diesel. Your chassis in a diesel will have some differences too. Namely air ride and brakes. You're a mechanical type so, it really won't be something you're totally out in left field on. I'd bet you'll pickup most of the logistics of how things work, in less than a month, you'll be quite knowledgable about all of it.

There are some on here that have been "owning" (not necessarily knowing) a diesel for years and are clueless 'cause they never bother to learn.

I could go on about some of the primary differences but, in reality, if I were you and the wife, I'd simply go out and test drive a few. Get a feel for what you're thinking about and want to see and feel. Listen to your surroundings as you test drive them. See how they handle, stop, accelerate, corner, load and more. There will be some, but not too much, difference in handling of shorter ones, i.e. 32'-34' vs say, 40'-42'. Obviously, the longer, the heavier, the longer turning radius's, more loading, more GVWR, LARGER ENGINES, larger tires (more cost) and more.

And, if you delve into say, an '08-'09 or later, you'll be messing around in the ones with DEF & DPF stuff. That's items that many on here are leary of and they kind of stay away from. In the beginning, those newer diesels had some issues but, like all things, that stuff get's ironed out and, for the most part, they're pretty much trouble free now.

But, you'd really behoove yourself and your wife by simply go drive one or two, or ten. Then, you can make some INFORMED decisions. You can read 'till you go blind, but, nothing suffices more than actual experience and or, testing and living. Good luck.
Scott