Is it true that diesel is a cushier ride than gassers? And does it get better gas mileage? Does it climb hills better and do better going downhill as well?Thanks for your help in advance!

As a DP owner, IMHO:1. DPs ride better because of their air suspension. I don't think many / any gas MHs have air suspension.2. DPs are quieter when driving because the engine is in the rear.3. When running the generator in very hot weather for the A/C at night, the A/C is in the front and the main bedroom is in the rear - quieter.4. The gasser may get slightly better mileage, but not by much. In general you're working the gasser engine a lot harder than a diesel works, but the diesel is usually in a heavier MH.5. Also, because the DP has more weight you won't get pushed around in the wind or by trucks as much.6. For going up hill, the diesel will do better, but the gasser will surely get you there.7. For going down hill, I much prefer the diesel due the retarder or jake brake and the air brakes. I've been on downgrades like coming into the Tetons from Idaho that I wouldn't wanted to have done without a retarder and air brakes.8. Don't worry about fuel consumption. If there's a two mile per gal difference on 6,000 miles per year, what's that really costing you?Bill

Assuming two identical coaches one with gas & on with diesel of the same HP...The diesel will win on MPG (but cost more up front and cost more per gal)...net cost isn't greatly different. The Gas engine will be fine but will rev higher to make it's rated HP (no concern just a bit of noise). If you drive few miles, the gas will likely be a little cheaper. If you do a lot of miles, diesel likely will be a little cheaper. Unless you are doing a crazy number of miles, expect the rest of the MH to age out before either engine type wears out.The problem with this comparison is there aren't a lot of MH's where you can get everything identical except for the fuel source. Diesel MH's tend to target a more affluent market as they are more expensive but usually the whole coach is typically upgraded. - Diesels often add an exhaust brake and have a turbo which means they keep full power at altitude and can limit speed on along downhill runs better but you pay for that. - Often they come as Diesel Pushers built on motor coach chassises which give a nicer ride. You could outfit them with a gas engine but when you get into the $500k range, the extra $10-20k for the diesel doesn't matter much, so no one would get the gas option...net result is they don't offer it.Basically, it's comparing apples and oranges and the fuel source is only on small part.

already a couple of good answers to your question. I'll also add a couple other reasons that we prefer our DP to our previous gas motorhome - the ability to refuel at the big trucker lanes instead of trying to squeeze in and out of gas stations (more or less a problem depending upon where in the country you travel) and the DP has a much higher cargo carrying capacity than our gas coach had. We were almost overloaded on the front axle on the gasser before we even put anything into the outside pass through storage. On the gasser with the engine in the front, the front axle maxed out very quickly.

Trackrig wrote:As a DP owner, IMHO:1. DPs ride better because of their air suspension. I don't think many / any gas MHs have air suspension.2. DPs are quieter when driving because the engine is in the rear.3. When running the generator in very hot weather for the A/C at night, the A/C is in the front and the main bedroom is in the rear - quieter.4. The gasser may get slightly better mileage, but not by much. In general you're working the gasser engine a lot harder than a diesel works, but the diesel is usually in a heavier MH.5. Also, because the DP has more weight you won't get pushed around in the wind or by trucks as much.6. For going up hill, the diesel will do better, but the gasser will surely get you there.7. For going down hill, I much prefer the diesel due the retarder or jake brake and the air brakes. I've been on downgrades like coming into the Tetons from Idaho that I wouldn't wanted to have done without a retarder and air brakes.8. Don't worry about fuel consumption. If there's a two mile per gal difference on 6,000 miles per year, what's that really costing you?BillX2But I would add, the gas coaches are lighter and more affected by the condition of the road surface.Some do not have independent front suspension, and will wonder when the road is rutted.

Since we spend ~95% of our time living in our Class A rather than driving it, the floor plan and "livability" are more important to us than the power, ride, and handling in selecting a coach. We did own a DP for a short time, but the floor plan just wasn't a good fit for us and the softer ride, etc., weren't enough to make up for that. Two gassers later and we're still happy with our choices. Now we're in our mid-70's, and likely won't be making another change before we hang up the keys.

Gas vs diesel class A questions | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

FloridaRosebud
Explorer
Oct 25, 2018
Solo wrote:
As has already been covered, I concur about driving experiences. One of the big differences for us other than the diesel vs. gas discussion so far is that our DP has residential quality plumbing, heating and fixtures as many do when looking in the upper range of a manufactures line. Aqua Hot, residential appliances, non-gravity-flushing toilets, residential sinks/fixtures, etc. We live in our motorcoach and so the driving and living are equally important. For us, the driving experience is just one part of the differences. Is a DP better? Depends upon your needs/wants. It costs to play.

Well put....this is the important part..."Depends upon your needs/wants. It costs to play". I like that...:B
Solo
Explorer
Oct 25, 2018
As has already been covered, I concur about driving experiences. One of the big differences for us other than the diesel vs. gas discussion so far is that our DP has residential quality plumbing, heating and fixtures as many do when looking in the upper range of a manufactures line. Aqua Hot, residential appliances, non-gravity-flushing toilets, residential sinks/fixtures, etc. We live in our motorcoach and so the driving and living are equally important. For us, the driving experience is just one part of the differences. Is a DP better? Depends upon your needs/wants. It costs to play.
wvabeer
Explorer
Oct 25, 2018
Is it true that diesel is a cushier ride than gassers? yes I have had 3 gas motor homes, 1 with air suspension. And does it get better gas mileage? Yes, it doesn't burn a drop of gas. HA HA ok fuel mileage is simliar. I've gotten from 5 to 9 mpg with gas, fuel 7 to 9. Does it climb hills better and do better going downhill as well? Mine is a 300 Cummins ,it handles mountains much better the any of the gas. Downhill is different the diesel has an engine brake so you shouldn't heat up you're brakes. Gas will get hot brakes if you aren't careful.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Oct 25, 2018
Someone said gas go up hills faster. Not true.

What determines how fast you go up hills is power to weight ratio.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2018
2gypsies wrote:
huntdooly wrote:
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Since we spend ~95% of our time living in our Class A rather than driving it, the floor plan and "livability" are more important to us than the power, ride, and handling in selecting a coach. We did own a DP for a short time, but the floor plan just wasn't a good fit for us and the softer ride, etc., weren't enough to make up for that. Two gassers later and we're still happy with our choices. Now we're in our mid-70's, and likely won't be making another change before we hang up the keys.

Great points to keep in mind!

I can never understand this comment about a floorplan being better than quality. What good is a floorplan if things around it fall apart? Choose a quality manufacturer and then choose one of the floorplans they offer.

Where did I say the floor plan is "better" than quality? Ride and handling to not indicate "quality". We haven't had anything "fall apart" in our coach yet, although I have had to restring a couple of day/night shades lately. The same type of shades used in many DP's...
Executive45
Explorer III
Oct 24, 2018
rr2254545 wrote:
Trackrig wrote:
As a DP owner, IMHO:/Snip?

3. When running the generator in very hot weather for the A/C at night, the A/C is in the front and the main bedroom is in the rear - quieter.

Bill

3 Not true My diesel has two a/c one front and back no difference between the gas and diesel - bigger boys have 3 airs and still not true

/snip/

I believe he meant the GENERATOR is in the front and the main bedroom is in the rear - quieter. Location of the A/C is irrelevant. The GENSET located up front makes for quieter sleeping at night while it's running.....Dennis
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Oct 24, 2018
huntdooly wrote:
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Since we spend ~95% of our time living in our Class A rather than driving it, the floor plan and "livability" are more important to us than the power, ride, and handling in selecting a coach. We did own a DP for a short time, but the floor plan just wasn't a good fit for us and the softer ride, etc., weren't enough to make up for that. Two gassers later and we're still happy with our choices. Now we're in our mid-70's, and likely won't be making another change before we hang up the keys.

Great points to keep in mind!

I can never understand this comment about a floorplan being better than quality. What good is a floorplan if things around it fall apart? Choose a quality manufacturer and then choose one of the floorplans they offer.
huntdooly
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2018
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Since we spend ~95% of our time living in our Class A rather than driving it, the floor plan and "livability" are more important to us than the power, ride, and handling in selecting a coach. We did own a DP for a short time, but the floor plan just wasn't a good fit for us and the softer ride, etc., weren't enough to make up for that. Two gassers later and we're still happy with our choices. Now we're in our mid-70's, and likely won't be making another change before we hang up the keys.

Great points to keep in mind!
huntdooly
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2018
Thanks so much, everyone!! Such good info here!! We started out looking at gassers, but then are pondering moving toward DPs now.
flyboykuao
Explorer
Oct 24, 2018
The posts above cover what I was going to say - I am very pleased that I picked a diesel pusher. For me the drive itself is half of the fun. The smooth ride, lack of noise, and lack of vibration make it feel like it is gliding over the road. Noise and vibration can impact my energy level over time. With the air suspension I am sitting high.

It was comments on sites like this that swayed my opinion - and I am grateful.