We started with a gas class C and the experience is similar.
Class A gas have: Spring suspension, shorter fuel range (80 gallon fuel tank vs 100 - 150 on a diesel) , and depending on the manufacturer can be very loud. It depends on how long you travel away from hookups. There is no question that diesel engines last longer.
Class A gas pros:
- Lots of floor plans available
- Lots of inventory
- Lower initial cost
- May have disc brakes
- Lots of floor plans available
Class A gas cons:
- Poor towing capacity typically no more than 5,000#
- Very loud inside depending on floor and doghouse insulation
- Longer rear overhang (be careful getting fuel)
- More frequent service than diesel
- Service centers are typically only at Ford Truck and motorhome shops that have limited hours of operation
- Harsher ride with spring suspension (Lots of squeaks and rattles)
- Coach systems are not as integrated
- May need suspension and or steering upgrades depending on the manufacturer. (Safe T Plus, Roadmaster Reflex Steering stabilizer, etc.)
- Lower fuel economy less than 10 MPG is common 5 - 8 is very common in older units (Worse if towing a toad)
- Shorter range typically 300 - 500 miles
- Smaller tanks (80 gallon fuel is common, 30 - 80 gallon fresh water, 40 or less gallon grey and black, 10 - 30 gallons of propane)
Class A diesel pusher benefits:
- Quiet ride with almost no engine noise
- Soft stable ride due to full air suspension
- Typically have well integrated coach systems
- Automatic Generator start (depends on year)
- Panoramic front view
- Very quiet diesel generator (1800 RPM vs. 3600 RPM)
- Excellent turning radius for the size of the coach (a 33’ DP will usually have a 208” wheelbase and a 55 degree wheel cut and can turn around in a standard street)
- Fantastic, fuel capacity (Typically starts at 90 Gallons and goes up to 200 gallons of diesel depending on chassis) gives a realistic range of 1,000 miles on flat ground.
- Excellent water tank capacity – typically starting at 90 gallons and ending up at about 150 gallons
- Other tanks are also usually larger
- Well integrated coach systems
- More living space for a given coach size
- Engine exhaust braking system (Pac Brake, variable vane turbo or other great system) These types of brake systems can hold a coach and toad on a long down grade without using the service brakes
- Usually any truck diesel shop can work on them and many are open 24x7
- Chassis and drivetrain last a very long time
- Long service intervals
- Better manufacturer support
- Have tow ratings starting at 5,000# to 50,000#, depending on coach some very inexpensive units have tow ratings of 10,000#
- Large battery banks (4 large house batteries and 2 chassis batteries)
- Large residential refrigerator (less common on older units)
- Heated wet bay
- Neatly run wiring (Some high end well made gas coaches have neatly run wiring)
- Weight ratings starting at about 26,000 GVWR up to 55,000# GVWR with a tag axle with GCWR ratings of 30,000 up to 80,000
- Better fuel economy for similar sized units
Class A diesel pusher cons:
- Limited inventory
- Higher initial cost
- Higher cost per hour for service
- Typically more complex due to better integrated systems
- Limited floor plans (I only found a few floor plans that had bunk beds and a 10,000# tow rating)
The best thing to do is to drive both on a LONG test drive including up a steep hill(s). A DP with air ride will be very quiet compared to a gas coach. There are people on forums that will state that you can exceed the GCWR or GVWR and you can't. Buy the size of coach you need.
