Gas vs Diesel (I've read the FAQs!!)
Hello to All, We *still* have the Thor Jazz in my sig, and it's still a going concern, but the wife is up for a change and "we" are wondering if a Class A would fit the bill. Many of our trips are ...
Forum Discussion
I can give 2 recent examples of a gasser and a DP climbing the Grapevine.
21,000 LB gasser 35.5' 8.1 ltr Vortec engine on a Worhorse chassis. 62 mph climbing the Grapevine (GV). Due to front engine a lot of fan noise from the cooling fans. Calculated 7.2 - 7.8 mpg.
32,500 LB DP 40' 400HP Cummins on a Spartan chassis. The 6 speed Allison restricted me to 50 mph all the way to the top of the GV. No fan noise. Calculated 7.2 mpg. Eisenhower pass going west towards Grand Junction 50 mph on all grades.
The big difference is the air ride of the DP vs the sprung suspension of the gasser. There's also at lot less noise when climbing, on straight roads both were equal with regards to the noise factor.
Last but not least is the Engine Brake on the DP. Going down the GV in the gasser it was a constant management of transmission and brakes. Going down in the DP I only had to apply the brakes once on that last straight stretch to the bottom.
Seating in either one is usually limited to the driver and navigator. Other passengers will have to sit or law down on a couch. In some coaches the dinette will have seat belts which would allow the passenger to sit in the dinette.
We've had a 19' fifth wheel a 32' and 35.5' gasser and now the DP. This will be our last coach as we haven't seen anything that we like better.
21,000 LB gasser 35.5' 8.1 ltr Vortec engine on a Worhorse chassis. 62 mph climbing the Grapevine (GV). Due to front engine a lot of fan noise from the cooling fans. Calculated 7.2 - 7.8 mpg.
32,500 LB DP 40' 400HP Cummins on a Spartan chassis. The 6 speed Allison restricted me to 50 mph all the way to the top of the GV. No fan noise. Calculated 7.2 mpg. Eisenhower pass going west towards Grand Junction 50 mph on all grades.
The big difference is the air ride of the DP vs the sprung suspension of the gasser. There's also at lot less noise when climbing, on straight roads both were equal with regards to the noise factor.
Last but not least is the Engine Brake on the DP. Going down the GV in the gasser it was a constant management of transmission and brakes. Going down in the DP I only had to apply the brakes once on that last straight stretch to the bottom.
Seating in either one is usually limited to the driver and navigator. Other passengers will have to sit or law down on a couch. In some coaches the dinette will have seat belts which would allow the passenger to sit in the dinette.
We've had a 19' fifth wheel a 32' and 35.5' gasser and now the DP. This will be our last coach as we haven't seen anything that we like better.
