Class C purchasing help - input welcome

SRockwood wrote:
Ah, roger that. Scratch the tank idea then! :)

Reliability wise, with all the smog equipment and super-ultra-high fuel pressures a modern diesel is saddled with, I'd say the reliability is a wash between the two, and not likely to be a concern for most motorhome users unless you're talking about renting it out. After you factor in repair cost and availability of parts, the gas is ahead from a downtime and cost standpoint. I think the primary motivator for a modern diesel is in the power department, not in the reliability department. Just too many things to go wrong with a Common Rail diesel with 20k+ psi fuel pressures and injectors, DPF, EGR, urea injection and VNT turbos.

Resale value is definitely higher with a diesel, but if you buy mildly used, the hit isn't so bad. Having just bought a lightly used model, a 2011 31' Class C gas with slide is going to be in the $30-50k range, with most around the $40k mark. A 2001 31' Class C gas with slide is going to be in the $15-35k range, with most around the $25k mark. Not terrible considering the 10 year delta and the fact that most companies won't finance something older than a 2007. Hell, most anything 2007 and newer is about the same price, with a steep drop-off once it gets past the no finance zone.

we have seen some hiccups with our Duramax, most appear to be related to all the smog **** we have to run here in the Republik of Kalifornia. Having said that, i can run 70 MPG down i5 towing 10k+ of Toy Hauler with the motor flatlining at about 1500 RPM. When we need to go over the multiple hills, he bumps up to 2500 RPM. My old gas truck hauling much less weight was banging up against the rev limiter trying to get over the same hills.

moral to that story - more engine (aka diesel) is good for me

we will never rent this, and if i buy right this time, hope to hold on for a while (5-10y).

thanks for the information!