We have a 2007 Georgetown 350DS Bunk Model that has been a great Motorhome. We have had a few issues with it but nothing major. We really enjoy it but I would like to upgrade in the near future. My question is we only go out maybe 3-4 weeks per year total use so not sure it would even be worth upgrading. But I know as things get older they seem to just keep having more and more issues. Trying to avoid that but then again it's probably cheaper to repair than to have a $700per month vehicle payment for 20 years. Ouch. That's what I figure a new Class A Gas motorhome would cost me per month. Not sure how accurate that is as I haven't really looked into it that much.. Right now our payment is about $400per month. We didn't put anything down and borrowed the entire amount and even the taxes and license on our Motorhome we bought used. I don't even know if we could sell it so none of this might even matter. IOne of my friends has an older 2002 DP and loves it. I don't dare drive it because everyone I talk to says once you drive a DP you will never want a gasser again. Why is this. Seems like everything about a DP is more expensive like Fuel (Well not anymore but was a few years ago) Maintenance etc. I do hear that they are alot quieter than a gasser though. I know in mine sometimes it can be hard to even talk to the passenger in the seat next to the drivers cause the motors are so noisy. And they just don't seem like they are insulated very well. Are diesels any better? I don't have any experience with them. Maybe with the newer model gas coaches they are better insulated from the motors and the weather. Any thoughts on this subject?

Diesel are quite because the engine is in the back. I have heard some folks here say they have gone back to gasser. It boils down to budget and how much you will use it. My old class a was a gasser, it sure was noisy and under power. That did not bother me. My current setup is worse and I hate it. I thought about getting a diesel truck, but I really don't want the repair bill. So, I am keeping my setup for now.

A DP is a better ride, its a much quieter ride, its a more expensive up keep ride. I' have a 2001 DP and have no interest in trading for a later model gas or diesel. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

hershey wrote:A DP is a better ride, its a much quieter ride, its a more expensive up keep ride. I' have a 2001 DP and have no interest in trading for a later model gas or diesel. If it aint broke, don't fix it.X2 +

We bought a DP. Several things played in to that. We had a $20K budget, wanted a really nice quality interior, and I hate the sound of a wound-up gas engine near me.For that budget, we got full body paint, a diesel generator, a good-sized shower (pet peeve), ceramic toilet, 8-bag suspension, ceramic tile in kitchen and bath, nice cabinetry, pleasing fabrics, twin ACs, and everything working properly.The gas coaches in that price range, though newer, had really ugly fabrics, cheap hardware, and things inside falling apart. Oh, and a couple of showers that the 6'0" of me literally could not stand up straight in. So many gas coaches just look so cheap and impermanent inside.No regrets, no plans to change.Matt B

A diesel is much more fuel efficient and the trade off is higher priced fuel. As a rule, fuels are sold by their BTU content (more heat value, more horsepower)..also a diesel creates more torque. I am running an 8.3 Cummins C series and according to the Cummins support people, it is very rare to have to put a wrench on the engine in the first 400,000 miles. People are concerned with oil changes being expensive because the diesels hold so much more oil but Cummins recommends changing oil and filter every 15,000 miles. In my book, its an even trade on maintenance costs but overall the diesel is the way to go. Another thing to take into consideration is the transmission behind the engine. You will only find an Allison automatic behind the diesel and they are idiot proof and are the most reliable transmission on the market. A diesel will also have an air compressor mounted on it to operate air brakes. Air brakes are a wonderful thing. I think you need to drive a diesel pusher and see how you like it. 99% of the people will never look back at a gasser.

Older DP or Newer Gas Class A? What would you do and why?

Rickieblue
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
A diesel is much more fuel efficient and the trade off is higher priced fuel. As a rule, fuels are sold by their BTU content (more heat value, more horsepower)..also a diesel creates more torque. I am running an 8.3 Cummins C series and according to the Cummins support people, it is very rare to have to put a wrench on the engine in the first 400,000 miles. People are concerned with oil changes being expensive because the diesels hold so much more oil but Cummins recommends changing oil and filter every 15,000 miles. In my book, its an even trade on maintenance costs but overall the diesel is the way to go. Another thing to take into consideration is the transmission behind the engine. You will only find an Allison automatic behind the diesel and they are idiot proof and are the most reliable transmission on the market. A diesel will also have an air compressor mounted on it to operate air brakes. Air brakes are a wonderful thing. I think you need to drive a diesel pusher and see how you like it. 99% of the people will never look back at a gasser.
oldmattb
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
We bought a DP. Several things played in to that. We had a $20K budget, wanted a really nice quality interior, and I hate the sound of a wound-up gas engine near me.

For that budget, we got full body paint, a diesel generator, a good-sized shower (pet peeve), ceramic toilet, 8-bag suspension, ceramic tile in kitchen and bath, nice cabinetry, pleasing fabrics, twin ACs, and everything working properly.

The gas coaches in that price range, though newer, had really ugly fabrics, cheap hardware, and things inside falling apart. Oh, and a couple of showers that the 6'0" of me literally could not stand up straight in. So many gas coaches just look so cheap and impermanent inside.

No regrets, no plans to change.

Matt B
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
hershey wrote:
A DP is a better ride, its a much quieter ride, its a more expensive up keep ride.
I' have a 2001 DP and have no interest in trading for a later model gas or diesel. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

X2 +
hershey
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
A DP is a better ride, its a much quieter ride, its a more expensive up keep ride.
I' have a 2001 DP and have no interest in trading for a later model gas or diesel. If it aint broke, don't fix it.
ugh
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
Diesel are quite because the engine is in the back. I have heard some folks here say they have gone back to gasser. It boils down to budget and how much you will use it. My old class a was a gasser, it sure was noisy and under power. That did not bother me. My current setup is worse and I hate it. I thought about getting a diesel truck, but I really don't want the repair bill. So, I am keeping my setup for now.

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