Can we discuss pros & cons re gas or diesel? We're still looking at Bs. Some are gas, some diesel. We don't like the higher $/gal of diesel because it would offset any real savings from the higher mpg rvs for trips. Anyone here with a diesel that has also owned a gas? Would you share the comparison?

There are not a lot of comparable vans to give you a true comparison.When the Ford Transit is available from an RV fitter, you might draws some comparisons to similar units on the Sprinter platform.I suspect they will be about equal in fuel economy, and in performance in the mountains due to the Ford's turbo engine. Up front cost, the gasser should be less. For ongoing maintenance, the diesel should be a bit more.My Travato is not really comparable because it's completely different from a Sprinter. My upfront cost was about 1/2 many of the models, the mpg is the same and the performance is about the same except climbing big mountains. But it's a lot less van in many ways which you can read about in the forums. Suits me fine though - I'm a weekender and short trip taker on the east coast.There are lots of points of contention, I'm sure, and others will chime in. I would certainly prefer a diesel if I was going to be planning on traveling so much I expected hundreds of thousands of miles. Or if I wanted a fairly heavy B with great towing capacity to boot. Really, you need to consider how you plan to use your rig to make the decision on gas or diesel.Good luck!

RayUSMC wrote:Can we discuss pros & cons re gas or diesel?:)It's been done about a thousand times. Have you tried to search for similar threads.I always think I will do this when one of these threads pop-up so now I have. :) Below is a comparison (rough) of cost for 1K miles and 120K miles (how many miles we have driven in our LTV) using our diesel mileage and what I think I have gathered from this forum to be a high average for comparable gas RVs. Not precise but good enough to start an argument. Each can draw their own conclusions.

The price of diesel fluctuates differently then the price of gas. I have paid as much as 30 cents a gallon more for diesel over the posted price for a gallon of supreme to 10 cents less then the posted price for a gallon of regular. Even when diesel is more expensive then gas I still like the trade off for the 22+ mpg. Currently I am paying less for diesel then I am for gas in my car. I recommend buying what you like when the opportunity presents itself. Gas or diesel are less important than ownership and use!

Here in San Diego diesel has been the same or lower than gas (regular)for more than a year.My 2003 Pleasure-way Excel TD, 8 cyclinder, got 11-12 mpg. The tank was 26 (?) gal. (can't recall right now.)My 2006 Pleasure-way TS Sprinter, inline 5, has been getting 22.5 mpg consistently. It has a 26 gal tank.So I get twice the miles per gallon with the Sprinter than I got with the gasser. The biggest benefit for me is that I get 600 miles per tank which allows me to take heretofore unexplored routes without worrying about how far I am from the next gas station.

I have always been more concerned about reliability and access to service (in places I intend to be) than the gas vs diesel decision.

Gas or diesel? | Good Sam Community

132 Replies

Davydd
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
davegvg wrote:

Advanced RV puts diesel gensets in non cab chassis class B's

I previously mentioned I don't recall Advanced RV putting a diesel generator in a Sprinter van. Can you cite a specific example? Advanced RV does custom work, to a degree, for their customers and it might be possible they did a one off for a customer and they only build on Sprinter 170" wheelbase vans. Their base standard is to use diesel powered heating and on demand hot water, but that is not using a generator. Their main emphasis of late has been their ecOasis system of solar, multi-battery banks, second under hood alternator and large inverter charger to eliminate propane and generator.
avanti
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
Arizona Kid wrote:
Let's try this one more time.
RIVA definitions.
"Class B: Commonly called van campers, Type B Motorhomes are built using automotive manufactured van or panel-truck shells. Van campers drive more like the family car, but offer the comforts and conveniences of home on the road."

"Class C: Type C Motorhomes are built on an automotive van frame with a wider body section attached to the original cab section. Many Type C Motorhomes are easily recognizable by the over-the-cab area that is often an optional sleeping area. Amenities are similar to those in conventional motorhomes." (This is commonly referred to as a cut-away chassis.)

For it to be a Class B it has to start as a Van.
A B+ is just a marketing term for a Class C with no over the cab sleeping area. A cab over is not a definitive characteristic.of a Class C.

Are you implying that we should believe RVIA over WIKIPEDIA? How DARE you?! :W
wincrasher65
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
28 x 15 x 23 is a BIG box to try to fit under a van. So if someone is opting for that, then they are giving up battery space or tank space under the van.
Arizona_Kid
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
Let's try this one more time.
RIVA definitions.
"Class B: Commonly called van campers, Type B Motorhomes are built using automotive manufactured van or panel-truck shells. Van campers drive more like the family car, but offer the comforts and conveniences of home on the road."

"Class C: Type C Motorhomes are built on an automotive van frame with a wider body section attached to the original cab section. Many Type C Motorhomes are easily recognizable by the over-the-cab area that is often an optional sleeping area. Amenities are similar to those in conventional motorhomes." (This is commonly referred to as a cut-away chassis.)

For it to be a Class B it has to start as a Van.
A B+ is just a marketing term for a Class C with no over the cab sleeping area. A cab over is not a definitive characteristic.of a Class C.

Want to read more go to the RIVA Consumer Site.

I'm done!
davegvg
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
I can find a few definitions that include a cut away but all have a cab over as the defining characteristic of a C class.

Seems some people call the winnie unit and cut way units a B+

Either way- diesel still wins over gas.

UD
davegvg
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
Not according to this definition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_recreational_vehicles#Class_C_motorhome

Class C uses truck chassis no mention of "cut away" chassis is used that I can see and a cab over is included.

Are there any third party definitions that match yours?

UD
Arizona_Kid
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
A Class B starts out as a van, a Class C starts out as a cut-away chassis. If an RV is built on a cut-away chassis, like the View, it's a Class C.
Just because some ads call it a Class B doesn't mean it's true, just a sales technique.
Sprinter, Promaster, and the new Ford Transit are, or will be available on both a cut-way, for Class C's, and a van for Class B's.
So, again, a Class C is built on a "cut-away" chassis, doesn't matter what size, weight, or if it has a cab over.
davegvg
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
avanti wrote:
davegvg wrote:

Isn't a Sprinter a van?

Last I checked a sprinter was indeed a van.

C usually have cab overs and are built on truck or vans...

Not all Sprinters are vans. The Sprinter Cs are build on the Sprinter cab/chassis. Not vans at all.

Doesn't exactly qualify as a "truck chassis" which is what a class C is based on.

My 3500 despite being a dually isn't the equivalent of a 3/4 ton chassis.

Advanced RV puts diesel gensets in non cab chassis class B's

Class C's have cab overs correct?

Why does RV trader and others - show Sprinter cab chassis in Class Bs?

UD
avanti
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
davegvg wrote:

Isn't a Sprinter a van?

Last I checked a sprinter was indeed a van.

C usually have cab overs and are built on truck or vans...

Not all Sprinters are vans. The Sprinter Cs are build on the Sprinter cab/chassis. Not vans at all.
davegvg
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
My Roadtrek wrote:
davegvg wrote:
Heres a winnie with one as well.

http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2015-Winnebago-View-112404975

You just have to check the right boxes.

UD

This is the Class B forum, examples like the View are Class C's.
Show me a Class B up-fitter that offers
a diesel gen-set. If you don't know the difference between a small Class C and a Class B do a search on this forum.

.

Its built on a sprinter van chassis and I just did.

Isn't a Sprinter a van?

Last I checked a sprinter was indeed a van.

C usually have cab overs and are built on truck or vans...

Most sprinters conversions show up in RV trader under b and C class.

UD

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Gas or diesel?

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