Forum Discussion

brandonrv's avatar
brandonrv
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014

Want to upgrade - Is diesel worth it?

I'm looking into upgrading in the relative near future. I have an entry level Winnie that's good for what it is, but I'd like more.

I really like the look and features of allegros, but I don't want a long coach. I'm wanting to stay around the 33' range.

The open road 31SA is freaking sweet in my opinion. I just love the layout exact length I want great bedroom space etc..

But on the other hand they have the breeze 32BR. Right in line with the size. Doesn't have as much bedroom space but has the drop down TV and seemingly decent enough closet space.

Doesn't have that sweet L-shaped couch, but lots of cool features and pretty large shower which I like.


They are similarly priced at the dealership near me. In fact I may be able to get the breeze a little cheaper since it's a 2014 and the open road is 2015.


So some trade offs I have to consider and was hoping someone who has had to make similar choices could chime in. The open road 31SA is like my dream layout/size. But it's gas where as the breeze is a decent layout, but not exactly what I wanted. But it's diesel which means probably better mileage, takes less gas to run on generator, little quieter generator(maybe), better towing

Also wouldn't have to worry about putting miles on it quite as much maybe a little better value retention.


Is that a worth while trade off? Would you rather go with your dream layout or a functional layout with a better engine?
Class A
  • KarenS144's avatar
    KarenS144
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    Getting in on this a bit late but we have spent the last 7 months deciding if we should sell our gasser and jump to a diesel. It makes no real sense for us to do so if all we were looking at was size. Our G'town 280 had everything we needed and plenty of room BUT... the motor in the front was hot & noisy. The holding tanks while good sized weren't large enough to stay "off grid" as long as we would like.

    We looked at an Allegro RED at an RV show this spring and fell in love. We were all over one until I did some more research and learned their carrying capacity was sorely lacking. There just wasn't going to be much left after water, food, gear, dogs, their food & gear and towing a Jeep.

    Then we latched onto the Ventana LE. Thought we'd found a great deal but it was a 2013 which did not have Comfort Drive so we X-ed it off the list. I looked every night on every online sale site, searched dealer inventories, called dealers and left a description of what we wanted: a 2011 Ventana 3433. It took months but we found her on Craigslist for heaven's sake!! We're supposed to pick her up next week from a private seller and we can't wait.

    In just the short time we drove it, the difference in the handling, noise, "feel" is amazing. It's 6' longer & way heavier but is much easier to control.

    Diesels have our vote!

    ooops.... I need to change my signature!
  • willald's avatar
    willald
    Explorer II
    Jul 02, 2014
    Mr.Mark wrote:
    Every coach (class A, B and C), 5th wheel and TT will find a home that will be perfect for that family. As they say in the car business, there is a butt for every seat.


    Yep, that pretty much sums it up, Mark.

    Will
  • Mr_Mark1's avatar
    Mr_Mark1
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2014
    I agree, every coach is a compromise no matter what level you are looking at, even the high end.

    Every coach (class A, B and C), 5th wheel and TT will find a home that will be perfect for that family. As they say in the car business, there is a butt for every seat.

    MM.
  • John_S_'s avatar
    John_S_
    Explorer II
    Jul 02, 2014
    Well sinking money into a depreciating assets is done by what you can afford. All the units sink in value every year but the beauty of a strong diesel is that it will way outlast a gasser. How many early 90s gas motorhomes are running with the original motor or transmission. There are more older Foretravels on the road then recent by a long shot. They are early 90s and running to Alaska and cross country and get gobo milage. I have 159k on mine now. Oh and you would hate my resonator as it will add noise to my diesel smell.
  • willald's avatar
    willald
    Explorer II
    Jul 02, 2014
    Big Katuna wrote:
    I challenge the "Gotta have the perfect layout" argument. Really? You can't live with a compromise or two?


    I agree. Can't you live with a compromise, and live with a coach that doesn't have 500 horsepower, and might slow down a little bit when climbing huge mountains out west? And, a compromise that means it won't be totally silent when climbing hills, and might not handle like a dream liner jumbo jet? Especially when that compromise will save you more $$ than most people spend on a house?!

    yes, *I* am used to living with various compromises, and always have. I'm willing to live with a coach that doesn't have air suspension, doesn't have obscene 'overkill' for horsepower. That 'compromise' allows me to enjoy RVing without having to sink more $$ into a depreciating asset than we spent on our house, and without having to own a rig that is obnoxiously loud, and stinks to high heaven. That compromise also means I have a window on the back wall, and don't have to have a coach that looks like a charter or school bus. :)

    I agree, Katuna, we all need to be willing to make compromises. ;)

    Will
  • mci7's avatar
    mci7
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2014
    Its ust a matter of taste, I started with a VW Camper Van, wow!, finaly got into the MCI7 bus conversion, after 20 years, bought a 6 yr old coach for $195,000 and love the ISM500, Aqua Hot and all the comfys that go with it. Problem my clock is runing fast, am 72.5 and have zero regrets. This coach will be my last unless there is a reason to change, can not picture that.
    Smile
    Dave M Yes have enjoyed the kerosene at airports for years too.
  • Big_Katuna's avatar
    Big_Katuna
    Explorer II
    Jul 01, 2014
    I challenge the "Gotta have the perfect layout" argument. Really? You can't live with a compromise or two?

    I grew up camping in every RV imaginable from converted bread truck to converted van, to several Class C's and A's, gas and DP, have had several myself. And throw in a pop up.

    Had fun in every one of them. At 60, my requirements are inside plumbing, a comfortable place to sit and sleep, a TV, fridge and running water. AC TOO.

    The only one I really disliked was the 26' Class A no slides when we had two 60 pound Standard Poodles that liked to stretch out.

    You could not walk or cook.

    We have a DP now but I am hearing the modern gas A's are way way better than the 90's versions we had.

    Get one you like and don't look back.
  • koda55's avatar
    koda55
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2014
    I was always told that floor plan is the most important thing to consider first. We have only had 2 class A. One gas and one diesel. The first was a 35 ft gas with 3 slides. Two were in the bedroom and one in the living area. It had the Ford 310 hp. It would go anywhere that we wanted to go. It had no problem going up the mountains on I77 or I81. We now have a 41 ft with 4 slides and a 400 ISL Cummins engine. The gas had everything in it that we wanted at the time. It served us well for four years. During this time we made a list of everything we wanted in our next class A. We found the diesel was better suited for what we do. We average about 8500 miles per year. I, as well as others, can give you our opinions, but as you know, only you can decide.
  • phnguyk's avatar
    phnguyk
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2014
    JimM68 wrote:
    Yes, I did read this all....

    And for Mr. Will, if all there was was gas motorhomes, we'd be sleeping in hotels!

    Our first v10 gasser was a horrible thing. underpowered, too noisy on a straight downhill to carry on a conversation, well beyond scary on any uphill. In the west, it was a fairly normal occurance to off load the children, dogs, and wife to drive the toad over the pass while I hunched down in the drivers seat of the beast, foot to the floor, and said my prayers till she crested the grade. And then dropped it into first, and prayed to the brake pedal while she screamed down the hill...

    Dayum, gives me the shakes just to think about it.

    I love my DP. I love the smooth quiet ride. I love the air suspension, air brakes, and engine brake. I love driving with one hand, totally relaxed, anjoying the view out that big class A windshield.

    I flatout don't care what she cost. I don't care what fuel cost. I don't care what an oil change cost. I'ma just cruising in my DP....



    What year was your gasser? 2006 and up?
  • phnguyk's avatar
    phnguyk
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2014
    dieselmaniac wrote:
    If your retired and want to live 1/2 your days in the MH,have a comfortable ride that's very quite,want to have a 40-45 ft unit +be able to have the rating to tow heavy loads safely, have above average heating and cooling systems,dish washers, high quality throughout etc etc etc then by all means you only have a diesel as a choice
    NOW if your still working,weekend RVing and just want a nice Rv to part time through life then you would have to be nuts to spend the 200+ on a decent diesel pusher. sure you can buy old 2001,1996,1997 1994 underpowered beater pushers but lets compare apples to apples,Todays higher end gassers are far far superior to any of the aforementioned diesels.



    Perfect!

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