Am I making a mistake in only looking at Diesels

ScottG wrote:
Are you going to tow a car behind if?
If so then go diesel.

I think I will need to tow when my RV adventures become longer than week at a time.

A 30 or 35ft Class C is probably too big for grocery shopping or visiting the local sights.

I'm thinking I would park at the RV site, then use a small car or jeep for local driving.

I've seen the Ford 6.8L V10. It's impressive.
So is the 6.7 Turbo Diesel (with exhaust braking).
I would also like at least a 5 speed automatic (6 speed preferable).

Are you going to tow a car behind if?
If so then go diesel.

Fastback, are you saying I would get better MPG and performance from a Gas engine? That's not been my previous experience from the engines I've worked with.

Darsben1, I'm only looking at Used. I can't afford what I want in New. Current budget is around $65K to 70K (RV only) but seems to be creeping up.
Age wise I'm 57. No kids.
My plans are to retire completely in a few years and travel and explore the US. I have some friends that did the "50 states tour" (over a period of a couple of years) and loved it. So wife and I want to do that.
I'll be full-time retired, but I don;t think I would be in the RV more than a few weeks at time before returning home. But to tour the west coast may take more time. That would at the far end of the tour when we build up more experience. We would start out with some in-State RVing.
I will need to bring a tow-behind.
I have not owned an RV before. My last camping days where a pickup with slide-in camper. But we are too old for that level of camping.
Also, I want to be able to drive routes like the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline drive - so need power for mountains.

What do you think?

1320Fastback wrote:
I would say it would only be a mistake if you plan to pack heavy, need decent MPG and mountain performance matter to you personally to go with a gas motor.

Gas will certainly be quieter, smoother, easier to fill up on the road, be cheaper to buy.

X2
And be cheaper to repair and be able to find repair shops while on the road that will be willing to fix it. Was one of my main reasons for going gas was to know I could pull into any repair shop and not be turned away.

Not to many will take in a DP MH. You will end up only having your manufacturer/dealership to turn to for repairs and leaving your MH for days if not weeks for repairs.

Ford's V10 pulls just fine going up the grades has power to spare even when towing a toad.

Yes.

Are you thinking new? or used?
What is your age?
What are your plans with the motor home?
full time?
part time?
couple of trips a year?
Towing a vehicle behind?
Have you ever owned an RV before

All these are factors to determine if diesel or gas is best suited to your needs

I would say it would only be a mistake if you plan to pack heavy, need decent MPG and mountain performance matter to you personally to go with a gas motor.

Gas will certainly be queiter, smoother, easier to fill up on the road, be cheaper to buy.

CountryB wrote:

Am I making a mistake to skip over buying a Gas powered Class C motorhome?

In my opinion, yes.

I think that other things are MUCH more important that what kind of fuel the engine burns.

For one thing, you can share a gas tank with a small gas generator.....where I don't think a diesel would be any advantage, or indeed not even available.

And I'm pretty sure I've seen reports that the fuel mileage isn't that much different in this kind of an application.

And diesel fuel is a bit MORE expensive than regular gas these days.