Gas vs. diesel

we got maybe 7 MPG with our 31' Tioga.


we have a 1998 Holiday Rambler Endeavor and get 10.

But, we go FOREVER on a tank of gas. LOVE the fact that we can go a long ways without having to fuel up. It's more expensive for diesel, but it's a toss up I think with the mileage going up.

The thread is not even 24 hours old & page 3 already. Must be winter. I'll bite.

My answer is, it depends. If I was a weekend warrior doing short hop trips to the local CG I guess I be happy with gas. I am not. I usually do something over 15,000 trailer miles a year. I figure on $2500-$3000 a year on truck maintenance including the oil & filter changes. It gets nothing but the best. Over the years the bulk of maintenance has had nothing to do with being diesel. Biggest engine replacement part has been a radiator. The rest has been stuff like steering bushings, tires etc.

There is no real better. It depends on the application.

OK, from above post -- I never was good at math, but you get the idea. Divide the number of miles you get per gallon into the cost per gallon and determine exactly how much you are paying for fuel per mile gas, or diesel, or propane even. (Some vehicles run on propane .. not very common, but they do ... Schwan's trucks comes to mind immediately!


Then weigh all the other issues everyone else identified and then decide which is better for you, gas or diesel.

But random say one vehicle gets 15 mpg diesel, and the other gets 20 miles per gallon gas, you still need to figure the cost per mile, based upon the cost of the fuel.

Comment on the above two posts. My father-in-law's brother is a farmer, farms something like 1000 acres property he owns and tenant farms for others. The trucks he owns which transports the corn-beans-wheat from the field to the elevator are Ford 500's (gas). Now there's some "load" on the back of those trucks. They don't go fast, but they sure do move the load! They're fun to drive too!

Led 67 wrote:
OK here I go into the merde'...From personal experience being an OO why do you think the majority of class 8 trucks are diesel, Power, for towing and hill climbing with heavy loads you really need torque to pull and climb. Flatland running with speedbump hills, not so much.


Simply put it is your choice and decision to make however I encourage you to listen to other people and their opinions and choices and also do plenty of research before making an investment into a tow vehicle.
Good Luck

You really can't make a blanket statement like that. Aside from the fact it's misleading, in many, many cases it's just flat out wrong.

Case in point, my own class C motorhome, it's got a 460 in it which produces 245 hp and 400 ft/lbs of torque.

In the same year the 7.3 powerstroke produced just 210 hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque.

However, because a diesel makes peak torque at low rpm, and peak hp at high rpm, it's an either / or, not both situation. In this case, peak torque is at about 2,000 rpm where the hp is only about 170 at that point.

If you`re talking about the newer diesels (in the last couple of years), skip them and go gas. there is no way I wasn't the issues the new diesels have! yes they have more and bigger problems than the diesels from before 2010!

Right now I would go gas. my 02 V-10 has no problem towing 9200lbs. even though it gets mid 7`s towing, I know I`m going to get to my destination without issues.

And then there is the sound of a diesel, it just puts a grin on your face. Kinda like the difference between a Honda and a Harley, there is nothing like the sound of a Harley and there is nothing like the sound of a diesel. Pure Power.

OK here I go into the merde'...From personal experience being an OO why do you think the majority of class 8 trucks are diesel, Power, for towing and hill climbing with heavy loads you really need torque to pull and climb. Flatland running with speedbump hills, not so much.
Diesel engines will with proper maintenance last 2 to 3 times longer than a gasoline engine however the maintenance and repair cost can be higher due to the fact that they are deisel. Gasoline engines are cheaper to operate and repair however with a shorter lifespan from the engine.
Simply put it is your choice and decision to make however I encourage you to listen to other people and their opinions and choices and also do plenty of research before making an investment into a tow vehicle.
Good Luck


OK Dodge Guy made a very valid point as to post 2010 deisel engines with the emissions package are,IMO, choked down.

One of the best parts of driving a diesel truck is being able to stop at truck stops for fuel where my rig is so easily maneuverable.
Oh and finding fuel has NEVER been a problem in the 25+ years I've been RVing with one.

3.70 divided by 14 equals 0.264
3.20 divided by 34 equals 0.941

Actually 3.20/34 = 0.0941

When 80% of the gas stations do not pump diesel it makes trip planning very different than would be true if the RV or tow vehicle engine burns gas.

May be a regional thing but other than CT I've never had an issue finding diesel at most any gas station.


Diesel is nothing more than a tool. Gas or Diesel it's a matter of the right tool for the job. While a tire wrench (gas) might get the job done on a small tire, a pneumatic impact wrench (diesel) sure makes it a quick job on a large tire.

Pick the right tool for the right job. It's not just economics.

robsouth wrote:
Diesel is more expensive to own, operate, and maintain. But to me, you get what you pay for. I choose diesel.

Agree completely except for the last part. Having a Hummer to drive around town is a complete waste of money and same applies to diesel when it is not really needed.

Tow a 15,000 lb. or heavier trailer and the extra torque and benefits of the exhaust braking are worth the extra cost. Tow a 8,000 lb. trailer or carry a camper and the diesel is not needed at all but 4.10 gears become much more important with a gas engine.

When 80% of the gas stations do not pump diesel it makes trip planning very different than would be true if the RV or tow vehicle engine burns gas.