Given choice gas or diesel powered fill time coach

Well said Cloud Dancer. Sometimes I think fondly about the days we tent camped, but the SO is not in favor so it ain't happening. Our preferences in campsites led to what's right for us, and everyone else should do the same. These threads always make for interesting discussions, but it's like asking people what's their favorite shoe. Some want hiking boots, some want running shoes. Or expensive Italian dress shoes for $500? ;)

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Buy the floorplan and features you like best regardless of how the coach is powered. You'll be spending a lot more time living in it than you will driving it.

Totally disagree. Full-timers carry a lot of weight. That and the vehicle towed greatly affects what you buy. Think SAFETY.

Floorplan would not be our major requirement. Pick a good manufacturer and good carrying capacity and THEN choose the floorplan from what they have to offer.

We would never buy gas if we went over 36'.

Yes, oil changes on a DP are more expensive but then, you don't have to do it as often as a gas.

Right now diesel is way less than gas.

If you're planning to do mountains a diesel will let you feel more comfortable doing it - both with power and braking.

Ductape wrote:
Not all of us use our bank balance to determine what we drive. We buy what we like. We like NFS CG.

I've read many claims that a larger unit won't limit where you go, but oddly we don't see them there. ;)

Our toad is a 4x4 SUV. For us, camping is taking our camping gear, in our 4x4, and go camping. Our big motorhome is not for camping. Now, sometimes we will boondock in it, but we use the ONAN Quiet Diesel generator, so that we can have all the comforts of home.
It's no secret, we all like different lifestyles. But, sometimes we can't afford the lifestyle that we really want. I know I can't.

Not all of us use our bank balance to determine what we drive. We buy what we like. We like NFS CG.

I've read many claims that a larger unit won't limit where you go, but oddly we don't see them there. ;)

It's all about what you can afford. The answer to the gas vs diesel (regarding the subject question) is obvious. Heck, when we decided to try fulltiming, I would've thrown rocks at my Dutch Star diesel pusher (I really wanted a 45 ft Newell). Insufficient funds has always held me back.

The gas/diesel dispute has been going like that for a Century.
For few years gasoline engine made sense when diesel fuel was the most expensive fuel available.
Now in CA driving my 5-ton dually with diesel cost less in fuel than driving wagon on Premium.
It is hard to calculate side by side as the same Class A with diesel or gasoline engine don't exist, but roughly diesel engine save about 30% of fuel per volume.
At present time regular cost in CA about 25% more -what makes gasoline engine about 60% more expensive to drive.
In another words if you spend monthly $1000 to fill up diesel, you will spend $1600 to fill up comparable gasoline and you still get there later.
It is your money.

I like reading all the posts, it seems most folks like what they have. I have owned both, I like the gas model. Diesel cost more to buy, maintain, fuel is more. All the reasons stated for the diesel are true, quieter , more power, etc. More to go wrong with also, turbo go out $$$$, injectors$$$, air bags$$$. Diesels are great but they like to be driven, not to mention the fuel additive for today's diesels. I fulltime and move around monthly, the gas unit works perfect for me. Low cost and maint. I like. It cranks and runs much like a ford truck. Mine is 37ft and I tow a car. The power of the v10 is good, I may not keep up with diesel on hills but I get there. I think either is fine, buy what works best for your budget, and travel plans.

Any MH with Aqua-Hot and Air Leveling. The addition of a Tag axle will make it a dream driving.

Dutch_12078 wrote:

Bruce Brown wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Buy the floorplan and features you like best regardless of how the coach is powered. You'll be spending a lot more time living in it than you will driving it.

Don't take this the wrong way but it's apparent you've never owned a diesel.

While a gas coach is wonderful, I cannot think of even one advantage it has over a diesel.

Even when not driving, typically the build materials are a touch above a gasser - not a knock on a gasser, there is just more chassis under the diesel to handle the weight so they can use heavier materials.

Also the basement storage of a diesel is something a gasser just can't do. And full timing storage is always at a premium.

Now get to the driving side of the discussion.

Years ago we were warned by friends DO NOT DRIVE A DIESEL PUSHER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SIGN THE PAPERS. They were right.

You would be wrong, Bruce, I have owned an Allegro Bay DP, and yes it did ride and drive better than the gassers I've owned and currently own. A DP doesn't necessarily "live" better than a gasser though, if it doesn't have a floorplan that fits you. I don't care how often you move, you'll still spend more time living in it than you will driving it. Note that I did NOT say a gasser was necessarily a better choice than a DP, just that the power plant should not be the overriding decision maker for an RV that spends most of its time sitting still.

The Allegro Bay DP was a very nice entry level DP, but it had a small engine and a straight rail chassis. While it offered decent storage, it sure didn't have what a raised rail chassis offers.

The Kountry Star Newmar offered around that time frame (last Allegro Bay DP I could find was a '00) built on the same chassis with the same engine, and the same straight rail limitations. Had the Kountry Star fit the budget a little better back then we probably would have chosen that over our Dutch Star gasser. Our current Kountry Star shares nothing except the name of the earlier one.

Having said that, I agree with you to a point. I certainly wouldn't buy a DP with a crappy floorplan just to have a DP, but I also wouldn't buy a gasser just because it had an awesome floorplan.

There are only so many square feet available and only so many variations of floorplans. I would first choose the diesel part, then find a floorplan I liked.

dezolen wrote:

Wimsey wrote:
We have had 2 DP and the fact that we can carry on a conversation in a normal tone of voice because the engine is in the rear means a lot! Yes we pay more for servicing when it comes to oil changes, etc. but we wouldn't change that ride for anything!

Obviously you have driven in a modern day gas coach.
Try sleeping in the bedroom of your DP while it's being driven down the road

Better yet try sleeping at night with the generator running under your pillow. I tried and really didn't like it.

So I got the Diesel, Just carries more and is more to my style.

I can understand that Many will have no issue with the Gas unit but if you are asking my opinion simple -- the Diesel just makes me Smile.


:B :B :B