theoldwizard1 wrote:
Emission control on light and medium duty diesel engines will make you cry ! They rob fuel economy and power and are as hard to repair when broken as any modern gasoline engine. Add in the cost of diesel engine fluid (DEF), higher cost of diesel at most truck stops and the expensive cost of those oil and filter changes, I don't know why anyone would buy a diesel vehicle these days IF they purchase a gasoline one that that had adequate power.
Ummm... what? Modern diesels have more power than ever before in class 2 and 3 trucks. My Ram has 385 hp and 850 lbs ft of torque. That's far from a truck that is robbed of power.
Stock fuel economy is about as high as it ever was in the "glory days" of diesels. Empty I can get 22 mpg on the highway. Towing I get about 12. That's pretty darn good. I doubt an early 90's or 2000's diesel is much better than that...
DEF is a couple of dollars a year, hardly worth complaining about.
Yes, oil changes are more expensive but less frequent.
Fuel filters are an added expense, but again we are talking about $100 a year.
OP, I have no dog in the fight. The last class C I drove was an older carbureted GM. That hardly compares to the newer gas engine options that are available. I would suggest that gas is likely to be a cheaper and more plentiful option amongst class C RV's. I'm sure a gas engine will pull just fine on 95% of the roads in the USA, but might struggle on 5% (or less) of the roads you encounter. You can either overbuy and get a diesel, or let the gas engine wind up and settle for a slightly slower ride to the top of the mountain on occasion.
I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. I would spend more time worrying about the condition of the rig, the layout and the price. Good luck!
