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dennislanier's avatar
dennislanier
Explorer
Aug 26, 2013

Fuel mileage diesel vs gas

I have seen some information on another forum that there is only about 1 to 2 miles per gallon increase in mileage for a diesel versus the V10 Ford. Does that seem to be the consensus? With the extra cost of diesel fuel these days, what is the major advantage for a Super C with diesel engine? I suppose if you travel a lot in the mountains it might make a difference. Someone please enlighten me.
  • I have used both the v-10 and several diesels. At least In pickups at least I think 2 to 4 is more like it. But that's JMHO. Each type has there place. I love my diesel. But my next truck may be a gas.
  • break it down to....cents per mile (to include maintenance and replacement costs)
  • A Super C, with a V10... yup, let's head to the mountains and see where you end up in the slow lane. Sure, you will coast along near the coast and manage to make most grades, but if you plan to get out there in the hills, expect power to drop, except for turbo boosted engines, and already MPG has fallen..

    But, if you want to run only a few thousand miles a year, your V10 is really a good engine and you will be happy with the $$$ saved.
  • 1-2 MPG is about right. Even in the pickups. When the 6.4L powerstroke was in the pickups, it got pretty much the same as the V10, and at sea level at least the V10 could out pull it, just had to spin faster to do it.
  • In my personal experience and readings over the past 40+ years, diesel engines have generally delivered slightly better MPG vs. a gasoline engine. However, nobody buys a turbo diesel engine powered truck or RV just for the MPG advantgage. Trucks & RV's with turbo diesel engines are purchased for the huge performance and longevity improvement over gasoline engines. People who operate turbo diesel engines usually don't get rid of their turbo diesel powered trucks & RV's because their engines blow up. They get rid of them because they finally get tired or bored with them after 10+ years or 700K miles of use and simply want something newer! You can buy a diesel for long term heavy duty use ONCE, or a gasser more than once. Gasoline enginies in trucks and RV's have their place. Let your pocket book and need for longevity be your guide.

    JMHO.

    Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)
  • Hitch hiking across Canada in 1970, I got a lift on a big Mayflower van. I asked the driver/owner why his tractor was gas powered. He said he had a diesel last time and it lasted way too long! With gas power he could wear it out in three years and always have a nice, new cab with all the latest features.
  • If you are comparing a diesel super C to a gasser on an E series (or other van based RV) you are comparing apples to nuclear submarines. They are different animals completely.