Upgrade to Gas or Diesel Class A?

Schnabel wrote:
So we are currently on Motorhome #4, a 1999 Itasca Suncruiser purchsed used in 2006.
Overall we have been happy with the RV, but looking to go a bit newer to bridge to the final "retirement" coach in about 10 years.
I have my eye on 2 motorhomes, both of which would suit our needs well from a layout standpoint. One is a 2005 Pace Arrow 37ft (Workhorse chassis) and the other is a Holiday Rambler Ambassador 38Ft (Freightliner chassis with 330HP engine).
I assume the Pace Arrow will drive and handle very similar to my Suncruiser, but I have never driven a Diesel Pusher so I'm curious what people with experience in both would pick. Selling price for the Ambassador is about $15K more which seems very reasonable.
So the main questions I have:
1.- Is the ride quality and noise significantly better in the Diesel given the rear engine and air bag suspension? Michigan roads are awful and the Suncruiser often feels like it will just implode on bad pavement.
2.- Is maintenance cost a real concern? I have had no issues with the Ford chassis/engine on my Suncruiser and I do my own oil changes, so maintenance of the powertrain has been minimal cost.
Appreciate any thoughts.

Since you do your own maintenance, the costs for labor will be the same, but the cost for materials will be much higher for the DP than the Workhorse 8.1 engine. Most normal 8.1 maintenance items can be picked up at Autozone.
There are some here who have said, and I guess the actually believe, that gas coaches need the oil changed every 3000 miles. That is ignorance on their part about a gas engine. They seem to think that ONLY diesel engines can have an oil analysis, which is false. Oil changes for a gas engine can be extended just like a diesel engine for as long as necessary, based on the oil analysis results.
There are also some that think that the Workhorse 8.1 engine cannot climb hills with a DP. Again, pure fantasy. With the lower gear ratio in the differenctial that comes on the WH chassis, it will climb hills with any diesel, from my own experience in the Western mountains, and then with the overdrive of the Allison transmission you are also able to get close to, if not better mileage than some diesel engines. I have owned both gas and diesel motor homes and most of what some people are claiming are based on some old gas coaches, and not the WH chassis that you are talking about.
In reality, both engines will last longer than you will and the drivetrain on both will perform well. If something does break on either chassis, you can expect the diesel parts to be much more expensive than the WH chassis. A radiator for the Freightliner may cost $5000 and a radiator for the WH may be around $1000.
You will spend much more time parked and enjoying the interior of your coach than you will driving it. The interior layout/suitability should be your primary concern. When driving the DP will be quieter from engine noise, but the wind noise is about the same, from my own experience. The gas engine will be louder on a long hill climb, which from my own experience out West amounts to less than 5% of the time. The rest of the time you are just cruising along and the engine noise on a WH is negligible. Interior quality and furniture is about the same on both coaches, with the HR being a Monaco product. If there is only a $15K difference, I have to figure that the HR is much older than the Pace Arrow. This means that the HR furniture is older as well as the other systems like the AC, electronics, water pumps, water heater, etc. These items are readily available for either coach but you have to assume that the newer systems will last longer. The $15K difference in price would probably cover the costs for ALL maintenance on the WH chassis for life. It is a sturdy chassis that needs minimal care to last a long time.
It is your choice but I would still place floor plan suitability at the top of my list and the power plant down a few notches.