Buy a 2013 v10 MH or 2007 c-7 300hp?

Get the diesel and you have zero warranty, on everything. Get the 2013 Gas unit and you have a warranty on everything.
You will not wear out either engine, so forget about mileage. If you read the forum very much, you will find that both diesels and gassers can have problems, so a warranty is important. You will also find that an extended warranty for a vehicle that is 6 years old is almost useless. The difference in total fuel costs and fuel mileage is so even that it is not worth mentioning.
Pick the floor plan that suits your needs. If you plan on towing a vehicle less than 5000 pounds, both will work just fine.
I've had DP's and gassers and right now I have a gasser. I put 15,000-20,000 miles per year on my coach and feel that it is the best choice for the way that we travel now.

Let me see if I got this comparison straight:

With the diesel pusher, you're giving up having a new unit with full warranty, accepting six years of use, wear and tear on everything (coach, appliances, chassis/drivetrain, etc.), and taking on a drivetrain and chassis that costs more to own and maintain.

On top of that, and more important: You're accepting a floor plan that you (and most importantly, your wife) does not like as much as the gasser unit. The floorplan thing is significant, as you'll find out.

Oh, and don't forget, also with the DP, you may be required to get an extra endorsement on your driver's license or a different class of license in order to drive it. You will not with the gasser.

..All of that, just to have a quieter, better riding unit with a little more power when on the road? Sorry, I'm not seeing it.

I don't see where the better ride and power when on the road is worth giving up so many other things! Especially considering, like already said, most people spend waaaay more time parked than on the road, so the better floorplan carries much more 'weight' than ride quality.

My vote is for the gasser. They have come a loooooong way with the chassis, engine that gas MHs are now built on (Ford F53 V10 and 5 speed tranny). They handle and drive much better than they did several years ago.

Anyway, good luck whatever you chose. Probably best thing to do is test drive both, spend some time in both, and decide for yourself what is best for you and what you want, like. Just keep in mind, like already said: You're going to spend lots more time parked than on the road, so floorplan is really important.

Either one is fine and I'm sure there are exceptions out there, but for the most part the DP will give you a heavier chassis, better ride and is quieter. The heavier chassis will typically be equipped with items like air ride suspension, larger fuel and water tanks, more slides, tile flooring, etc. All this makes the drive more comfortable and makes the RV feel more like home when you're "camped." Also, if you can maintain a gas vehicle, you can maintain a diesel (just larger parts and more fluids). You do need a floor plan that works for you and probably can find that in either type of rig.

Regarding the theory that you need to drive a zillion miles a year to justify the diesel, I don't necessarily agree. We only average about 4k miles/yr and do not see any negatives with the diesel. Good luck with your search.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy
CAT C7

One thing not mentioned is with the V-10 you're getting a full warranty, most likely 12 months on the coach and 3 years or more on the Ford Chassis. Don't believe everything you hear about depreciation, I purchased a new Winnebago in 2011 and sold it this year for $6,000.00 less than I paid for it and I've done this several times over the years. When you sell a two year old unit, there is very little competition out there and buyers are most likely going to compare your price to a new one and you still have the balance of the chassis warranty as a selling point. If you're not trading in another RV there are a lot of deals out there on 2013 units now that the the 2014 models are coming out.

Nick

Like most have said, floorplane is very important. I've had both, and right now I'm back in a Gas motorhome. Don't believe that a diesel rides better then a gas motorhome..........it depends. The 4 bag roadmaster (which I have owned) rides much worse then my current gas motorhome. I've recently done some suspension upgrades and the ride in my gas motorhome is almost on par with the best riding diesel pusher...not quite there, but close. Noise level is higher in the gas motorhomes........especially when going up a grade, but in cruise, it's just a barely noticable background noise. Personally, i'd never buy a new motorhome, it's just to big of a hit when you drive it off the lot. Costs are higher in a DP....and parts are expensive. Diesel costs more the gaa, but overall fuel expenses probably won't be that much different in the two. Look hard at the floorplans, drive them both, and then make a decision.
Brian

You've only given yourself 2 choices. There could be more diesels that have more desirable floor plans.

My opinion about DPs, really has absolutely nothing to do with the engine its self. New gas engines have plenty of power and plenty of longevity. The real reason to look at a DP has to do with the fact that normally a DP means that the rest of the coach construction is heavier, and higher quality. It also usually means a better handling chassis. So it really is the other associated things that go along with a DP, not so much the engine it self.

With that in mind, you also need to be very careful, because not all DPs are created equal. The above opinion is making assumptions based on what is typically true, not necessarily what is universally true.

workhardplayharder wrote:
#1
floor plan that works.
#2
Lots of miles-diesel
short trips, weekend usage-gas

I concur!

We have a 15 Year Old Diesel that We absolutely love . The cost of maintaining her is not much more than Than the Gas powered unit that We previously owned.

Actually in the nearly five years that We have owned her our out of pocket expense has been less than the gasser was over the same distance travelled.

If You only plan to use Your Rig for Short ,weekend type trips and maybe a couple of weeks holiday, I think that a Gasser is the better choice.

If You plant to travel in excess of 10 thousand miles each year seriously consider a gently used Diesel.

There are lots of choices, pick something that You both like !

#1
floor plan that works.
#2
Lots of miles-diesel
short trips, weekend usage-gas

In my opinion the floor plan is very important. Not just looks, but, layout! You're going to be living, eating, cooking etc. in very close quarters. My experience has been that the little annoyances become a real PITA after a while. I'm sure there are things that you wouldn't put up with at home. Kinda like having the washing machine in the kitchen and the dryer in another room, it would wear on you after awhile and your dream home would lose some of its luster. Same in a motorhome. There are always going to be little things over time, but, the immediate things get worse, at least to me. "I can live with that", becomes a major headache after a few trips or even days.

That said, a diesel is very nice to have, they drive better, ride better, quieter, engines last longer, better fuel mileage, the list goes on.

I was fortunate enough to get everything I wanted in a floor plan on a diesel chassis. But, I wouldn't have sacrificed the layout I wanted just to get a diesel.

Others will chime in and hopefully you'll get some help with your decision. It ain't easy!!

There really is more to the RV than just the engine...all things being equal, DW usually has the final say:B
I'll assume that these two RVs are basically priced the same. Seems like they are asking a lot for a 6 year old diesel? Or, are comparing apples and oranges.

You are giving up 6 years on the appliances, tires, and other things within the coach, to get an engine that will cost you more to operate.
Yes, the diesel will get better mileage, but the difference in cost of fuel, will pretty much offset any savings you might have thought about.
The V-10 is a very good engine, with a proven track record, and as mentioned, should have no problems for your needs.

You may want to be a bit more specific as to what the two coaches are....people may have opinions on them too......but take those opinions with a grain of salt:)

My guess, you'll enjoy either one.:)