Coach Road Noise

freestoneangler wrote:
I'd like to hear from those on the forum who have owned both DP's and gas coaches and how much difference their is in noise level while on the road. Certainly makes sense that having a rear engine would be quieter, but are gas engines really annoying...particularly when going uphill under load?
Thanks,
Bill

A DP is going to be quitter but with the money saved on a gasser you can sound proof the front, seal up the small holes around the steering link in floor, and spend more time traveling with the money saved, maybe even go on a European vacation and still have money left over..

:C;)

Previously had a gas MH with a Chev 454 and P30 chassis. Not too noisy, or I thought so.
Then drove a diesel pusher with CAT on a Magnum chassis. A world of difference! DP much quiter under all driving conditions, especially climbing hills. You can have a conversation using normal voice at any throttle. The unit is as quite as a luxury automobile, maybe quiter?
If you do not want to buy a DP, DON'T drive one!

RudysWorld wrote:
Gassers are noisy, but I have gotten used to it. I would be much noisier screaming while watching the additional money leave my pocket for a diesel. Pick your poison.

haha that sure sums it up for me too my newer gasser is not very noisy and sound level difference should not be why one should chose a dp vs a gasser. lots of valid reasons to prefer a dp, but noise level is trivial and hardly worth the additional cost. yes a good dp is a better overall coach than a gasser. but since i only use my coach a few weeks of the year it didn't make sense to pay way more. anything close to full timer would probably easily justify the higher cost of a dp.

This RV decision has been difficult and my wife and I have been seemingly going in circles trying to figure out what will fit us best. We were pretty certain a 5th wheel was the route, but now back to class A's...and diesel or gas, length, trying to stay under $50K. We had a Tioga Class C years ago and I recall it was a bit noisy on the road...ok for short trips, but suspect that would get annoying for long travels. All the responses are helpful; always good to hear from those who have practical experience.

I agree with "most" of the above posts.....IMO financing for fun is OK provided you do not over extend yourself and the DP is worth every penny, but that was not your question. Our first rig (97 F53 chassis with a 460 V8) was terribly loud, especially up a hill and as pointed out above extremely hot. Based on my observations newer gassers are significantly quieter, but still not anywhere near as quiet as a DP. Also different manufacturers use various levels of insulation which has a significant impact on cockpit noise.

When I first started driving a DP I was a little uncomfortable not getting any audio feedback from the engine. Driving sport cars and pickup trucks I've become familiar with hearing the engine and based on those sounds I know if something is wrong. Driving the DP I can barely hear the engine with the window open and not at all with it closed. The loss of that sense felt strange to me initially, but something I was able to get over quickly. :)

I recommend you drive both before you decide. Good luck.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

I have a 97 Pace....F53/460.....Ive had 3 gas MHs...this is the hottest most god awful noisy machine EVER....!!! If you can pay cash for a DP id do it.... never finance for fun...
Ive done the sound deadening thing to really no avail.... Aboard aircraft carriers for 11 years I had a lot of noise always so this can annoy me even with hampered hearing.

I have a gasser and find it very easy to have conversation even at 4000 RPM. At highway speed, usally turning 2200 rpm, can't here the engine at all. The wand on the kitchen blind is a bit noisy though.

I've had both and the new gassers are pretty quiet due to better sound insulation. The DP's definitely have less engine noise.
Road noise from tires and wind noise is present in both coaches, unless you can afford one of the really high end Prevost type chassis RV's that have inflatable door seals, etc, to minimize all noise coming from the outside.

Gassers are noisy, but I have gotten used to it. I would be much noisier screaming while watching the additional money leave my pocket for a diesel. Pick your poison.

We had a 1994 Itasca Passage with a 454, couldn't hardly have a conversation do to the engine noise. Engine heat was a problem also. Couldn't come close to being comfortable during the hot summers.
We now have a 1997 CC Allure with the 8.3 L Cummins in the rear. Such an improvement is hard t put in words.

Other gassers may not be like ours was, but that is my experience.