So we had a bumper pull toyhauler (3 years), then a 35' 5th wheel toyhauler (3) years, and are now looking at Class A. We usually take a summer vacation that we go on a road trim and put about 3,000 miles on in a week or so. Lots of driving, but recently we have had my mother in law move in with us to help her out with some cancer battles and she goes with us everywhere, so the long trips are challenging with bathroom breaks. It is the four of us, Wife, 13 year old son, mother in law, and our standard poodle. I wanted to go straight to diesel for the power, for the exhaust brake, and the 10k tow rating on most. I tow the 5th wheel with a 3500 ram SRW, and I have owned Ford diesels since 2010, so familiar with the maintenance. I am in looking in the used market, but the diesels are still very expensive. Due to the family situation we are also looking for something with bunks for privacy and they seem to be more popular in the gas class A units. So cons with gas:No exhaust brake, less power, less longevity of the motor, less tow rating, and from what I see, the units seem cheaply made (smaller ac units, smaller generators, non residential fridge, less water storage, less gas storage) probably mostly to cut weight. Obviously there is lots of gas units out there though, so want some feedback, how do they do? did you want to upgrade to the diesel right away? if you like the gas one, do you only do short trips? How are they in the mountains coming down and going up grades? We are looking for feedback on units 35-40' long. Sorry for the long story, and I know there is a million opinions, but I need to start somewhere.

I have owned both and wish I had started with Diesel. The ride is exceptional as compared to the gasser with the air ride suspension. The engine noise is like night and day also. Many more amenities and the maintenance cost goes up, but only about $300/year. I know things that break will be more $$$ but so far so good.

Driving in the mountains with a gasser is not a problem. Gassers have intake manifold vacuum to help with going down grades.From your post, it looks like you have little choice but to purchase a diesel MH. I suspect you won't find a gas MH that has the cargo carrying capacity you'll need and the towing capacity.Hopefully you'll hit a jackpot close to home and pay cash for a nice diesel pusher.Richard

I have had both gas and DPs. My first observation is why suffer 3000 miles in a week with a weakened MIL?That intinerary is torture in either gas or DP. I used to do those types of trips and eventually I figured out that we were driving PAST perfectly nice vacation spots that other people drive TO. JMHO. DP s are a LOT more expensive to maintain and repair. As far as longevity of diesel over gas, today’s V10 is a reliable drivetrain easily good for 100K miles. As far as power, my CAT C7 DP gets passed up long grades by V10s. After all they gave more HP. The 2016 up six speed has downhill breaking. Not as good as a PAC brake but ok I hear. Drive both. DP drive better but you pay a price. Maybe not required if you don’t drive more than week or two a year. I’ll say this, we half time, stay more than drive, but much of our northern interstates really suck. A DP doesn’t make those roads smooth. They just suck a little less

Thanks for the replies, as for the long trips, I hear your point, it is due to seeing my parents and sights at the same time, but point taken. Maybe changing our vacation style might be something to consider too, honestly didn’t think about that, just thinking how to accommodate our present style.

Modern fuel injected gas engines will outlast the rest of the RV. I would not make longevity a deciding point.

Class A, gas or diesel | Good Sam Community

ChrisColeman
Explorer
Feb 19, 2020
If you plan to drive your RV a lot (more than 6,000 miles/year), then diesel RVs will be recommended. engines have a long life and will outlast gas engines. It's obvious that these diesel pushers are more expensive than their gas counterparts. However, with the longer engine life, diesel motorhomes will definitely get higher resale value. A diesel engine can be also driven for longer periods of time between maintenance. Besides, the increased torque in diesels means much more power! Not only are these engines more powerful, they’re located in the back which clear the issue of having the heat from the cab or the engine noise to deal with up front.
Cider
Explorer
Feb 17, 2020
LeonaandLisa - FWIW: This was posted yesterday on another RV forum and pretty much sums up your question about maintenance / cost:

"Welcome to the world of owning and operating a motor home. There are two methods of recreation that are IMO more expensive, airplane and yacht.
I paid $2,600 to have the lift pump replaced. A bit over $3,000 to have the manifold replaced, both last year; OH, oil N filter(oil and fuel) changes for engine and genset was ~$500.
Did I mention traveling in a MH is the most expensive way? At our age however, it is the most convenient."
kmb1966
Explorer
Feb 17, 2020
I've had both, gas and diesel. Yes the diesel is quieter and rides a little bit better than my gas one did, but the only thing I got frustrated with the gas unit was that I couldn't get gasoline at the truck stop pumps. Seems new gas stations have the pumps situated where it is cumbersome to get in with a large gas motorhome, especially if towing also. So we tried to stick with Flying-J, but there are many areas where there is no F-J. My V10 acceleration on On-Ramps was much better than my Cat330 diesel. MPG on the V10 was around 7-8, on the Cat330 I get 6.5-7.5
I wouldn't hesitate going with a Gas, but just test drive it on bumpy and at highway speeds first.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Feb 17, 2020
Leonandlisa wrote:
Racklefratz wrote:
Leonandlisa wrote:
I need to start somewhere.
OK, start here: when was the last time you saw a semi-truck with a gas-powered tractor? There's good reason why over-the-road semis are all diesel powered.

Gassers are full of compromises. Handling, road stability, gross weight, basement capacity, ... yada, yada ... diesel coaches give you more of all of that.

Is diesel maintenance more expensive? Yes. But, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for - simple as that.

This is how I felt, but wanted to have my opinions backed up just in case I had the wrong opinion. I appreciate all the comments, so far the floor plan that we like is the Fleetwood discovery 40G. Now we are searching to find a used one.

I'd be more concerned with quality of build, rather than engine. you can put lipstick on a pig but ...........
bumpy
Leonandlisa
Explorer
Feb 17, 2020
Racklefratz wrote:
Leonandlisa wrote:
I need to start somewhere.
OK, start here: when was the last time you saw a semi-truck with a gas-powered tractor? There's good reason why over-the-road semis are all diesel powered.

Gassers are full of compromises. Handling, road stability, gross weight, basement capacity, ... yada, yada ... diesel coaches give you more of all of that.

Is diesel maintenance more expensive? Yes. But, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for - simple as that.

This is how I felt, but wanted to have my opinions backed up just in case I had the wrong opinion. I appreciate all the comments, so far the floor plan that we like is the Fleetwood discovery 40G. Now we are searching to find a used one.
Racklefratz
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2020
Leonandlisa wrote:
I need to start somewhere.
OK, start here: when was the last time you saw a semi-truck with a gas-powered tractor? There's good reason why over-the-road semis are all diesel powered.

Gassers are full of compromises. Handling, road stability, gross weight, basement capacity, ... yada, yada ... diesel coaches give you more of all of that.

Is diesel maintenance more expensive? Yes. But, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for - simple as that.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2020
$2-$3k every FIVE years maybe if you hire it done which I have to do these days.

Coolant change, Allison fluid change, power steering flush, air compressor filter/dessicant, differential, air filter and belts.
mike_brez
Explorer
Feb 16, 2020
2-3k a year for maintenance is bull $hit.
Cider
Explorer
Feb 16, 2020
ferndaleflyer wrote:
I agree on the cost of maintenence isn't as high as some maintain. Mine gets done once a year and is between $2-300 including filters, grease,andd everything else. But had a new radiator put in my old DP and the part from Freightliner was $1500 + installation. Fuel, if you want to ride you have to buy it and forget the cost my current DP got 9.25mpg on a 1400 mi trip to FL towing around 5000lb of trailer.......Good luck but years ago I had 2 gassers and don't know what I was thinking.

Not meaning to be augmentative at all here in my prior post. I am only relaying what was quoted to a customer (while I was there) on the cost of oil change and filters for a customer with a DP. Also, the radiator cost was from a fiend who had a coach with a side radiator that went south on him. I do agree with most posts that average annual cost seems to be in the $2 - $3000 range for most DP's. Just another deciding factor between gas and diesel. Both have their place and financial burdens.
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Feb 16, 2020
I agree on the cost of maintenence isn't as high as some maintain. Mine gets done once a year and is between $2-300 including filters, grease,andd everything else. But had a new radiator put in my old DP and the part from Freightliner was $1500 + installation. Fuel, if you want to ride you have to buy it and forget the cost my current DP got 9.25mpg on a 1400 mi trip to FL towing around 5000lb of trailer.......Good luck but years ago I had 2 gassers and don't know what I was thinking.