We are starting to look at moving up from our TT to an A class.Have been shying away from diesel coaches for a couple of reasons, 1 cost and 2 is possibly an incorrect thought. I have always been under the impression that diesel engines like to be worked, so how good is it for the engines in these coaches when they only get run on say a dozen trips from spring till fall and then parked for the winter? For that matter how well do gas coaches fair? We live in Southern Ontario, similar weather to New York state or Michigan.Found a unit at a nearby dealer that is at the upper limit of our budget and has a 360hp CAT. Unit is an 2008 Gulf StreamAny info is appreciatedThanksDoug

While it's always better to run them, I don't think not running necessarily causes any harm either. If you go to the southern Arizona area and look in larger RV storage lots, you'll see most of the license plates on the class As are not from Arizona. They belong to all of the snowbirds that come down for the winter. Some of them drive to particular RV park and then park them for the winter. Others (like us) get in them and go, never spending more than 3 - 4 nights all winter in the same area.Unhook both sets of batteries when you park it for the winter, put them on a trickle charger if you can, winterize it and wait for next spring to roll around. Go for it.Bill

Much of the diesel equipment in Alaska gets shut down in the fall, they set all winter and get started in the spring, then work all summer. They've been doing it for years with no major problems. diesel fuel will not turn bad just by setting. Short tripping is not a harmful practice, as long as the trip is not a 5 minute warm up. 90% of wear on any engine is 5 minutes after start.

I was told by my RV parts guy(very knowledgeable man) to stay far away from gulf stream. He says their product is ok, but their customer service is complete garbage. Diesel engines can sit for long periods of time and will not cause problems. Gas engines can sit too, but the fuel will go bad over a shorter time period. I would go diesel, but keep looking.

My dad left his 40 ft Eagle bus conversion with 8/92 Detroit Diesel in my back pasture for 3 yrs and then put in 2 new 8D batteries. It cranked about 5 crankshaft revolutions before it started!!

All engines are better off being used regularly and running long enough to get up to full operating temperature.The reason to go diesel is because you have a load that a gas engine can't handle. If you want a 40' MH that can tow a 10,000lb trailer, you are likely looking at a diesel as your only option. A modern gas engine will likely outlive the coach based on your suggested usage.The one catch is if you go for the really big high end coaches, they won't give you a gas engine option.

Diesel engine question | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

cmeade
Explorer
Jul 30, 2015
My dad left his 40 ft Eagle bus conversion with 8/92 Detroit Diesel in my back pasture for 3 yrs and then put in 2 new 8D batteries. It cranked about 5 crankshaft revolutions before it started!!
glamisorbust
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2015
I was told by my RV parts guy(very knowledgeable man) to stay far away from gulf stream. He says their product is ok, but their customer service is complete garbage.

Diesel engines can sit for long periods of time and will not cause problems. Gas engines can sit too, but the fuel will go bad over a shorter time period. I would go diesel, but keep looking.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Jul 30, 2015
Much of the diesel equipment in Alaska gets shut down in the fall, they set all winter and get started in the spring, then work all summer. They've been doing it for years with no major problems. diesel fuel will not turn bad just by setting.

Short tripping is not a harmful practice, as long as the trip is not a 5 minute warm up. 90% of wear on any engine is 5 minutes after start.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2015
While it's always better to run them, I don't think not running necessarily causes any harm either. If you go to the southern Arizona area and look in larger RV storage lots, you'll see most of the license plates on the class As are not from Arizona. They belong to all of the snowbirds that come down for the winter. Some of them drive to particular RV park and then park them for the winter. Others (like us) get in them and go, never spending more than 3 - 4 nights all winter in the same area.

Unhook both sets of batteries when you park it for the winter, put them on a trickle charger if you can, winterize it and wait for next spring to roll around. Go for it.

Bill

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Diesel engine question

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