Choosing Gasoline or Diesel Powered?

Lets grant that the DP rides smoother and can tow more. It may get a few more mpg but diesel fuel costs at least 10% more per gallon which negates any advantage there. A fully equiped 38' gasser will cost about half what a 38' DP costs. The newer DPs will typically have ceramic tile and granite counter tops, and usually better quality all wood cabinets, generally nicer interiors because of the higher weight carrying capacity. My gasser has big slides, king size bed, double sink vanity, onan gen, auto awning, big double frig, w/d hook ups, a second half bath, 3 flat screen tvs, surround sound system, lots of hanging closet space, lots of dresser drawers and lovely full body paint and fiber glass roof, side and rear cameras and roomy kitchen with plenty of storage and counter top space. In short, it is a very comfortable spacious floor plan with all the creature comforts of home. Is a smoother quieter ride, more hp for the mountains out west and a little more snob appeal worth almost double the price (if buying brand new)? Not for me. I have the tile and granite and large swimming pool at home. I spend only a few months of the year on the road. I paid cash for my 2012 coach, and could have done the samefor a DP, so cost was not the primary consideration. What it boils down to is how much are you going to use your unit, and how much will you loose in depreciation a few years down the road. These thing do not appreciate in value like real estate does. Whatever you buy, it will be worth substantially less when you decide to sell or trade it. Just like a car, the choice depends on how big and fancy you need to satisfy your personnal wants and needs. There also is a huge difference between a full timer vs the average rv owner who uses his unit 6 to 8000 miles and a few weeks per year. No one choice is perfect for all. And there will always be those who will need a million dollar plus Prevost for their infrequent trips to a Nascar race, etc. For me the choice of a fully equiped 38' gasser that cost about half that of a fully equiped DP was an easy one. But then I like my Ford Fusion hybrid just fine, while some of my buddies have to have BMW's etc. As a retired engineer I still do a cost/effectiveness analysis on every big ticket item I buy. Except for my 43' twin diesel Trawler, which has absolutely no justification other than the fun of using it. Its a big hole in the water that I pour way more money into than a 43' DP would cost. You pick your toys and you pays you money!!! My wife says thank god he doesn't like to fly. :)