Choosing Gasoline or Diesel Powered?
I realize that this is a long thread but if you are pondering the Gasoline versus a Diesel based on power consideration or are wondering about adding an after market performance enhancing kit to a Gas...
Forum Discussion
jdubya, You hit the nail on the head on my concerns about earlier model gassers. I would be very careful if an engine swap had occurred in a coach I was looking at due to the slight, but important differences between truck and car engines.
Remember the fiasco when GMC created the car diesel from a 350cid gasser block? I also remember the early gen front wheel drive cars (Toronado) with high failure rates. I love the 73-78 GMC "bullet" chassis, with the dual axle rear, but, it is front wheel drive, plus the carbureted 454, which means low fuel mileage, and questionable reliability. (Might buy one anyway, as a project, or local lake runner.)
I drove buses for Trailways,Greyhound,and a couple of regionals before leaving the workforcs, so I know busses pretty well. Diesel maintenance does not scare me, and honestly, I think the costs of maintenance if done by the owner will be a wash due to maintenance frequency differences. (Also, I got a son-in-law who is a diesel mechanic for the oil patch.)
I know the reliability factor for converted Greyhounds is big, as those coaches were designed to be million-milers. Consumer grade dp's, I don't know.
Most of the RV's I'm looking at have the 460 Ford, or the 454 Chevy. If I see a carburetor, I run. TBI? I am nervous, fuel injected, I will consider it.
Remember, I have a HARD cap of 15,000 for buying the RV. So, 88-98 is the sweet spot for my price range from what I've seen so for. This will mean no extended warranty for my rig, as Good Sam won't cover anything older than a 99.
I've spent whole nights reading the forums, bouncing around hither and yon, and the diesel/gasser debate rages strongly. I'm not rich, don't plan on being wealthy, and therefore, won't be trading up every few years. Whatever I get will be mine for 5-10 years before replacement.
That's why I am looking very hard at the two diesel pushers in my price range. Both are by Beaver, which I have never heard about. decent floor plans, and both use the Cat 250hp engines. Now, I've also seen GMC 4104 conversions coming close to my budget lately, with the 4 speed crash box, and the Detroit diesel.
The ONLY reason I still look at gassers, is price. If I find a well maintained gasser for significantly less than 15k, I may go there, otherwise, I will keep looking for diesel, or start to give fivers a harder look.
The selling point for the fiver/TT is my tow vehicle is my toad, and I'm not stranded at the park. My Pinto Wagon is not a good candidate for a toad, so I have to figure in the cost of a towable in my price figures.
Keep the comments flowing. I AM reading them, and researching. As I am a VERY outgoing person, I may hit a few campgrounds, and hit some folks up on their choices, too. Nothing better than a face to face talk to impart knowledge, in my book. :)
Remember the fiasco when GMC created the car diesel from a 350cid gasser block? I also remember the early gen front wheel drive cars (Toronado) with high failure rates. I love the 73-78 GMC "bullet" chassis, with the dual axle rear, but, it is front wheel drive, plus the carbureted 454, which means low fuel mileage, and questionable reliability. (Might buy one anyway, as a project, or local lake runner.)
I drove buses for Trailways,Greyhound,and a couple of regionals before leaving the workforcs, so I know busses pretty well. Diesel maintenance does not scare me, and honestly, I think the costs of maintenance if done by the owner will be a wash due to maintenance frequency differences. (Also, I got a son-in-law who is a diesel mechanic for the oil patch.)
I know the reliability factor for converted Greyhounds is big, as those coaches were designed to be million-milers. Consumer grade dp's, I don't know.
Most of the RV's I'm looking at have the 460 Ford, or the 454 Chevy. If I see a carburetor, I run. TBI? I am nervous, fuel injected, I will consider it.
Remember, I have a HARD cap of 15,000 for buying the RV. So, 88-98 is the sweet spot for my price range from what I've seen so for. This will mean no extended warranty for my rig, as Good Sam won't cover anything older than a 99.
I've spent whole nights reading the forums, bouncing around hither and yon, and the diesel/gasser debate rages strongly. I'm not rich, don't plan on being wealthy, and therefore, won't be trading up every few years. Whatever I get will be mine for 5-10 years before replacement.
That's why I am looking very hard at the two diesel pushers in my price range. Both are by Beaver, which I have never heard about. decent floor plans, and both use the Cat 250hp engines. Now, I've also seen GMC 4104 conversions coming close to my budget lately, with the 4 speed crash box, and the Detroit diesel.
The ONLY reason I still look at gassers, is price. If I find a well maintained gasser for significantly less than 15k, I may go there, otherwise, I will keep looking for diesel, or start to give fivers a harder look.
The selling point for the fiver/TT is my tow vehicle is my toad, and I'm not stranded at the park. My Pinto Wagon is not a good candidate for a toad, so I have to figure in the cost of a towable in my price figures.
Keep the comments flowing. I AM reading them, and researching. As I am a VERY outgoing person, I may hit a few campgrounds, and hit some folks up on their choices, too. Nothing better than a face to face talk to impart knowledge, in my book. :)
