Gas or Diesel?? which is better

soren wrote:
I've owned both. IMHO, the "horrible handling and ride" of a gasser, is a silly, and over dramatized claim.

I agree. I am very happy with the handing and ride of my gasser.

This same age old discussion...over, and over, and over, and over....gas vs diesel.

Buy what makes you happy. Other opinions don't matter.

I've owned both. IMHO, the "horrible handling and ride" of a gasser, is a silly, and over dramatized claim. The lack of an exhaust brake is also a non-event. If you use the transmission properly, on any of the Ford gas chassis built built in the last 15 years, you can decend the biggest mountains in North America with both feet on the floor. As in cold brakes, and no drama at the bottom of the grade. For me it all came down to cost to own, and operate, and one issue that many successfully ignore, depreciation. I bought a pristine seven year old gasser for a third of what it cost new. It costs a tiny fraction of what my diesel did to maintain, fuel costs are not that different give the cost difference between the fuels, and it already lost a massive amount in depreciation before I bought it. I will drive it until it's nearly worthless. In the four years since I bought it, it ended up costing less that just the horrible depreciation losses suffered by a few friends, who just had to have shiny new rigs, both gas and diesel.

The gas vs. diesel debate will continue as long as there is gas and diesel! LOL!

Now, getting to the propane, we didn't want propane on the coach. So, when we had the '08 Dynasty built, we had them make it all electric. The Liberty is made all electric from the factory.

My biggest concern is propane is more likely to explode than diesel if given the same leak. When we rented, trying to find a station that also offered propane was problematic. That was in 2005 and 2006, maybe there are more stations around (in California).

Our heater on the Dynasty and Liberty are both diesel fired (also an electric heat option). Buying one fuel makes it a lot easier to me.

Safe travels,
MM.

Greetings all. I'm a newbie on the forum, but on my 3rd RV in 22 years. Started out with a 25' travel trailer in 1996 I used for work and leisure. I sold that about 15 years ago. About 4 years ago I found a need for another RV since I was traveling for work. I thought of getting a trailer again, but wound up with a 1999 Bounder 30E with a Ford Triton V10. The gas class A only made a few trips in the Florida Gulf Coast and Florida Central area. However, between the noise, the vibrations and the rough handling, I knew I would need to move up to a DP one day. That day came 2 weeks ago when I traded in the Bounder on a 2004 Gulf Stream Crescendo 36 foot with a CAT C7 300 hp motor. Driving from Orlando to Tampa in the gas Bounder and then back from Tampa to Orlando in the diesel Crescendo was a 500% difference in ride and handling. Air suspension, air brakes and the engine in the rear is the only way for me. This is the retirement RV when I go into retirement in a few years. Caterpillars are expensive to own and maintain. I know that having owned a 35' Sports Fisherman in Miami Beach 15 years ago, which had twin turbo CAT 3270s - the big marine V8 engines. However, for dependability and durability the Caterpillar website lists the C7 engine as having a 1/2 million mile lifespan before any major repairs as long as the owner performs routine maintenance. This was the deal clincher in trading in the gas class A for the diesel class A. Happy trails.

Bill.Satellite wrote:

mowermech wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

cruz-in wrote:
Oh and (one item I have not seen mentioned) I would rather sleep and live with 75 gallons of Diesel under me vice 75 gallons of gas! Big difference in explosive potential.

So many RV’s blow up because of all that propane and gasoline in them, I can’t believe the government doesn’t just outlaw them completely!

Where’s Ralph Nader when you need him?

:S

My RV carries 75 gallons of gasoline and 40 gallons of propane. It hasn't exploded yet. I don't anticipate that it will any time soon.
An explosion would likely be caused by the rig being on fire, and (hopefully) if that happens we will be far away, sitting on the ground, watching.
Edit: Come to think of it, of the few motorhomes I have seen sitting alongside the highway, burned, most have been diesel pushers. I wonder why?

40 Gallons of propane? You have a 200# (ish) tank in your RV? I have seen 100# (about 24 gallons) rail mounted tanks (big, long, heavy) but I haven't seen one that large.

Mine is 38 gallons. I think pretty standard on a pusher.

WW

mowermech wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

cruz-in wrote:
Oh and (one item I have not seen mentioned) I would rather sleep and live with 75 gallons of Diesel under me vice 75 gallons of gas! Big difference in explosive potential.

So many RV’s blow up because of all that propane and gasoline in them, I can’t believe the government doesn’t just outlaw them completely!

Where’s Ralph Nader when you need him?

:S

My RV carries 75 gallons of gasoline and 40 gallons of propane. It hasn't exploded yet. I don't anticipate that it will any time soon.
An explosion would likely be caused by the rig being on fire, and (hopefully) if that happens we will be far away, sitting on the ground, watching.
Edit: Come to think of it, of the few motorhomes I have seen sitting alongside the highway, burned, most have been diesel pushers. I wonder why?

40 Gallons of propane? You have a 200# (ish) tank in your RV? I have seen 100# (about 24 gallons) rail mounted tanks (big, long, heavy) but I haven't seen one that large.

cruz-in wrote:
I think air brakes and air ride are more important than type gas/diesel.

IMHO, the huge advantage diesel has is the exhaust brake. Ours truly makes mountain driving a pleasure.

Oh and (one item I have not seen mentioned) I would rather sleep and live with 75 gallons of Diesel under me vice 75 gallons of gas! Big difference in explosive potential.

Speaking of the need for Ralph Nader laws , No diesel RV should be sold without an Exhaust Brake system. Safety and control coming down steep grades and less ware and tear on your brakes get my vote!

JaxDad wrote:

cruz-in wrote:
Oh and (one item I have not seen mentioned) I would rather sleep and live with 75 gallons of Diesel under me vice 75 gallons of gas! Big difference in explosive potential.

So many RV’s blow up because of all that propane and gasoline in them, I can’t believe the government doesn’t just outlaw them completely!

Where’s Ralph Nader when you need him?

:S

My RV carries 75 gallons of gasoline and 40 gallons of propane. It hasn't exploded yet. I don't anticipate that it will any time soon.
An explosion would likely be caused by the rig being on fire, and (hopefully) if that happens we will be far away, sitting on the ground, watching.
Edit: Come to think of it, of the few motorhomes I have seen sitting alongside the highway, burned, most have been diesel pushers. I wonder why?

cruz-in wrote:
Oh and (one item I have not seen mentioned) I would rather sleep and live with 75 gallons of Diesel under me vice 75 gallons of gas! Big difference in explosive potential.

So many RV’s blow up because of all that propane and gasoline in them, I can’t believe the government doesn’t just outlaw them completely!

Where’s Ralph Nader when you need him?

:S