I am researching in order to purchase a class A motor home. We will be full timing and workamping. I am trying to decide between gas and diesel I have heard that a diesel that sits for some time may have problems with leaking seals and so forth. We may be parked for a month or two at a time and want to know if this is a real concern. Do other people run your diesel on a weekly basis or not worry about it.

A month or two, particularly in a dry climate is not an issue.Do NOT start the engine unless you can drive at least 25 highway miles-- long enough to get the OIL (not just coolant) up to operating temperature.

If full timing the diesel will be the only way to go as it will have more storage room to put all your "stuff"

Azbob01 wrote: I have heard that a diesel that sits for some time may have problems with leaking seals and so forth. Shhh!...don't tell that to the farmers who leave their equipment sit all winter without ever starting them.....:WA month or two won't hurt a diesel. What will is if you start them for short periods of time and/or let them idle. If you are going to 'exercize' them, take them out for about a 30-45 minute drive to warm everything up. If we are sitting for any length of time, I simply bundle her up and let her sit. Exercise the genset with a load monthly, cover your tires or use Aerospace 303, and you're free to enjoy life. Make sure your fuel tank is full so condensation doesn't form inside the tank. When ready to hit the road again, add a bottle of Diesel 911 or similar to the fuel tank, put in your Willie Nelson CD, and you're "On the Road Again".....:B...Dennis

I just went through the same decision making. I chose a new 37ft gas unit. I'm retired so I move slowly and stay about a month when we stop. I know I will move a little slower up the mountains but that's ok with me. I have friends with DP's and I know they spend a lot on initial cost and maintenance. Everyone is right when they say they are quieter, ride smoother, maybe get better mileage, but when we are stopped I can't tell the the difference. In today's gas units they have more power then the old 454 ci engines and they have more storage outside. You have to decide what fits your needs, floor plans, and what fits comfortable in your budget. Good luck with your search.

It depends on what you plan on doing what will work the best. I don't plan on driving huge miles, don't need to pull large loads and don't need more additional storage than I get with a gasser. To me the extra initial cost for diesel unit and additional cost for fuel could not be justified with my intended use. Others would never own a gasser. Check the cost and floor plans and go with what works for you. Good Luck!

Newbie looking for info | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

BobandShaz
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
Almost a dollar per gallon here (New Mexico)
tahiti16
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
rr2254545 wrote:
RudysWorld wrote:
It depends on what you plan on doing what will work the best. I don't plan on driving huge miles, don't need to pull large loads and don't need more additional storage than I get with a gasser. To me the extra initial cost for diesel unit and additional cost for fuel could not be justified with my intended use. Others would never own a gasser. Check the cost and floor plans and go with what works for you. Good Luck!

No added cost for fuel - if you do the math

Actually my fuel cost per mile computed given current Oregon pricing is .05 per mile less on my diesel vs my 2008 Ford V10 gasser, the price is 20% more per gallon but I am getting 33% better fuel economy 7 vs 9.3 mpg now

Don't come south our price difference is more like $.40-.65 per gallon!:E
RFCN2
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
AzBob - Buy what you like best. Take a bunch for a drive. Be sure to take a longer drive up a large upgrade in a gasser. I have had both a class A gas and diesel. Both gas and diesel motors are very reliable these days and I would not worry in the slightest about letting either sit for a month.

I personally liked both of my motorhomes. But the diesel pusher is a kick to drive. I look forward to doing it. With the gas one, not so much. But drive both and then you decide.
mpierce
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
I am the farmer mentioned above! LOL I have diesel equipment that sits for 10 months at a time. I try to keep the batteries charged. I just get on, and start them up!

If you do want to run the engine, run it for at least an hour, with a load if possible, fast idle for sure. Make sure it gets up to full operating temp for a while, or you cause more problems than you prevent.
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
We are parked for three months or more every year in southern Mexico. As said above, advice from Cummins and Allison: Don't start it unless you are going to drive it far enough for engine AND transmission oil to get up to operating temp.

The Onan diesel generator however MUST be run at least 30 minutes, an hour is better, at 50% load or more once month.
Azbob01
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
Thanks everyone for the great help. I appreciate it. Can't wait to get on the road.
rr2254545
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
RudysWorld wrote:
It depends on what you plan on doing what will work the best. I don't plan on driving huge miles, don't need to pull large loads and don't need more additional storage than I get with a gasser. To me the extra initial cost for diesel unit and additional cost for fuel could not be justified with my intended use. Others would never own a gasser. Check the cost and floor plans and go with what works for you. Good Luck!

No added cost for fuel - if you do the math

Actually my fuel cost per mile computed given current Oregon pricing is .05 per mile less on my diesel vs my 2008 Ford V10 gasser, the price is 20% more per gallon but I am getting 33% better fuel economy 7 vs 9.3 mpg now
BobandShaz
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
Floorplan I think would be important also
John_Wayne
Explorer II
Feb 23, 2014
They use to say if you drove over 10,000 miles a year to go diesel if not go gas.
RudysWorld
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
It depends on what you plan on doing what will work the best. I don't plan on driving huge miles, don't need to pull large loads and don't need more additional storage than I get with a gasser. To me the extra initial cost for diesel unit and additional cost for fuel could not be justified with my intended use. Others would never own a gasser. Check the cost and floor plans and go with what works for you. Good Luck!