Gas Class A

Two biggest issues I have with a Class A gasser

1: Cargo Carrying Capacity (All the junk you bring with you) Mine was LESS THAN 1000 pounds

2: Towing: The hitch receiver was rated for 5,000 but after I substracted the GVW (not max but scaled) of the Motor home from the Max CGVW (Combined gross vehcle weight) i was only left with 4,000 for the towed.

Most Big D's have much mroe capacity in both areas.

Noise... Well this old farm boy loves the sound of a big engine working.

We have been in a gas Class A for 6 years of traveling; living 1/2 of that time in the motorhome. For us, and many, the primary concern is comfort in the living mode. Floor plan that fits your needs and wants is most important.
Yup, the gasser is noisier up front. Handling is generally better in the DP, but not always. Most gassers handling can be improved to satify the driver/occupants.
I think the gas/diesel thing is about "want" no so much need. Depends on how much travleing (miles) you intend to do. There is lots of information out there on this gas vs. diesel discussion.
We started in a 32 ft. Winnebago and are now in a 38 ft.Tiffin Open Road. Very happy with the floor plan and comfort level.

Trackrig wrote:
The reasons I have a DP - items you don't get on gasser
1. The engine is in the rear so it's a lot quieter up front when driving
2. With the engine in the rear, the generator is up front so it's a lot quieter in the rear bedroom if you need to run it at night
3. With the engine in the rear, you don't have to crawl over the engine to get to the driver's seat
4. The seats are generally more comfortable in a DP
5. Air brakes
6. The retarder to help slow you down

Bill

In all fairness to someone who wants a complete list about a DP:
7. Not every repair shop can work on a DP. Most any mechanic knows his way around a gas engine.
8. If repairs are needed they will be much more expensive.
9. You cannot go in to Autozone, etc and get the basic parts like an air filter, oil filter, etc.
10. Diesel fuel is more expensive.

I have had both and I think you need to find a floor plan you like first, and then decide how much you intend to travel. If it involves going from one location to another, and then sit there for months, then you might want to decide if the additional cost for a DP is worth it. You have lots of decisions to make and facts to consider with any RV purchase. Good luck with your search.

A couple years back my DW finally had enough of the "chucking", rough ride that our 1ton dually pulling a 35'5th wheel could give.

We went looking for a MH, a gas one was within budget. We found a nice 29' one that we thought fit the bill. The ride was ok, the seats were not the best but very do able. The engine noise was a little over bearing at times. Nothing that we could not get used to. On the down side that we never even thought about was storage! Being used to the large 5er the gasser had no storage neither inside or out. For weekend use it was great but for long trips not so much.

After the first year we realized we made a size mistake. So off we go looking for larger MH's. Thats when we found an older 37'DP in excellent shape. The ride so much better, its easier for DW to get up and move around when rig is in motion.

Everything that "tracking" had to say was correct. I will add think hard about how you want to use the MH. Do not get two short of a unit, as the change from toy hauler to mh is a big one.

Good Luck you have a big decission to make

The reasons I have a DP - items you don't get on gasser
1. The engine is in the rear so it's a lot quieter up front when driving
2. With the engine in the rear, the generator is up front so it's a lot quieter in the rear bedroom if you need to run it at night
3. With the engine in the rear, you don't have to crawl over the engine to get to the driver's seat
4. The seats are generally more comfortable in a DP
5. Air brakes
6. The retarder to help slow you down

Bill