Diesel more sluggish than gas?
New to the site, so hello to everyone. Will be moving into the motor home world soon. I had pretty much settled on DP or large super C, but I've read several posts here where some folks said some di...
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...I know all the diesel owners will disagree, but as one thats driven both....I'm here to tell you, that YES, compared to a fuel injected V10 gas powered motorhome, diesel powered motorhomes are SLLLLLUUUUGGGGIIISSHH.
Last time I drove a diesel pusher Motorhome a year or two ago......I walked away totally unimpresed, and muuuuch happier with how my V10 powered gas Motorhome drives. And, this was NOT an underpowered diesel pusher, it had the Cummins ISL 380 hp/1100 ft-lb torque engine on a 39' coach (and was almost brand new, nothing wrong with it).
I walked away thinking....Man, is THIS what people swear is sooo great, and worth the extra $100k or more that you pay for it? I don't think so, haha.
Yep, I test drove a diesel pusher motorhome with checkbook in hand, and walked away, totally not interested in it. Soo, don't believe that thing about 'don't test drive a diesel pusher with a checkbook in your pocket'. :)
Here's the main reason why: When you need to get going quickly with a gasser motorhome, you step on the gas and yes, it gets loud, and it turns some RPMs. However, it gets MOVING. Has great throttle response. You do the same with a diesel powered Motorhome, it grunts, lugs and slooooowly gets up to speed. It can't downshift and get moving quicker like a gasser does, it just has to grunt and lug. Basically, the gasser has much, much better, quicker throttle response. I like that.
Oh, and coming down the hills? Put my Torqueshift tranny in tow/haul mode, it downshits, holds the rig to a comfortable speed very well, without hardly touching the brake. And it does so, without having to choke up the exhaust like diesels do. Gasser engines actually are able to provide that 'engine braking' just the way they are, using vacuum generated in the intake. Diesels cannot do that at all without adding a 'Jake Brake' that closes up the exhaust and slows it down with back pressure. They both accomplish the same thing, but I like the way a gasser engine does it better. Just seems like a more natural, easier, more trouble free way to do it.
Yes, several other aspects make the diesel pusher more attractive (quieter, more torque for climbing hills, can handle much more weight so more options amenities, often comes with air suspension and brakes, etc). However, strictly from a seat of the pants feel when driving.....I'll take my V10 gasser Motorhome over any diesel, any day of the week and twice on Sunday. And, keep a LOT more of my hard earned $$ in my pocket where it belongs. :)
Last time I drove a diesel pusher Motorhome a year or two ago......I walked away totally unimpresed, and muuuuch happier with how my V10 powered gas Motorhome drives. And, this was NOT an underpowered diesel pusher, it had the Cummins ISL 380 hp/1100 ft-lb torque engine on a 39' coach (and was almost brand new, nothing wrong with it).
I walked away thinking....Man, is THIS what people swear is sooo great, and worth the extra $100k or more that you pay for it? I don't think so, haha.
Yep, I test drove a diesel pusher motorhome with checkbook in hand, and walked away, totally not interested in it. Soo, don't believe that thing about 'don't test drive a diesel pusher with a checkbook in your pocket'. :)
Here's the main reason why: When you need to get going quickly with a gasser motorhome, you step on the gas and yes, it gets loud, and it turns some RPMs. However, it gets MOVING. Has great throttle response. You do the same with a diesel powered Motorhome, it grunts, lugs and slooooowly gets up to speed. It can't downshift and get moving quicker like a gasser does, it just has to grunt and lug. Basically, the gasser has much, much better, quicker throttle response. I like that.
Oh, and coming down the hills? Put my Torqueshift tranny in tow/haul mode, it downshits, holds the rig to a comfortable speed very well, without hardly touching the brake. And it does so, without having to choke up the exhaust like diesels do. Gasser engines actually are able to provide that 'engine braking' just the way they are, using vacuum generated in the intake. Diesels cannot do that at all without adding a 'Jake Brake' that closes up the exhaust and slows it down with back pressure. They both accomplish the same thing, but I like the way a gasser engine does it better. Just seems like a more natural, easier, more trouble free way to do it.
Yes, several other aspects make the diesel pusher more attractive (quieter, more torque for climbing hills, can handle much more weight so more options amenities, often comes with air suspension and brakes, etc). However, strictly from a seat of the pants feel when driving.....I'll take my V10 gasser Motorhome over any diesel, any day of the week and twice on Sunday. And, keep a LOT more of my hard earned $$ in my pocket where it belongs. :)
