Class A, gas or diesel

[Leonandlisa]

So we had a bumper pull toyhauler (3 years), then a 35' 5th wheel toyhauler (3) years, and are now looking at Class A. We usually take a summer vacation that we go on a road trim and put about 3,000 miles on in a week or so. Lots of driving, but recently we have had my mother in law move in with us to help her out with some cancer battles and she goes with us everywhere, so the long trips are challenging with bathroom breaks. It is the four of us, Wife, 13 year old son, mother in law, and our standard poodle.

I wanted to go straight to diesel for the power, for the exhaust brake, and the 10k tow rating on most. I tow the 5th wheel with a 3500 ram SRW, and I have owned Ford diesels since 2010, so familiar with the maintenance.

I am in looking in the used market, but the diesels are still very expensive. Due to the family situation we are also looking for something with bunks for privacy and they seem to be more popular in the gas class A units.

So cons with gas:

No exhaust brake, less power, less longevity of the motor, less tow rating, and from what I see, the units seem cheaply made (smaller ac units, smaller generators, non residential fridge, less water storage, less gas storage) probably mostly to cut weight.

Obviously there is lots of gas units out there though, so want some feedback, how do they do? did you want to upgrade to the diesel right away? if you like the gas one, do you only do short trips? How are they in the mountains coming down and going up grades?

We are looking for feedback on units 35-40' long.

Sorry for the long story, and I know there is a million opinions, but I need to start somewhere.

[ppine]

Bumpyroad wrote:
ego sells a lot of diesels, more so than need. and unless you buy a prevost, you are not top drawer anyhow.
bumpy

Performance and longevity are what sells most diesels. Economy sells some of them.

[ppine]

I would rather have a used diesel than a new gas engine rig.
On the West Coast diesel costs less than regular unleaded gas.

[Big_Katuna]

MPG is a red herring. If one only drives 3000-5000 a year , the difference in fuels costs between one RV and another are inconsequential.

[Bill_Satellite]

janstey58 wrote:

Bill_Satellite wrote:
When diesel cost $0.60 to $1.00 more per gallon you won't make up the difference in fuel economy.

Actually my old gasser MPG was between 4-7 MPG, and my current diesel is very consistent 10 MPG regardless of hills/wind, etc... And diesel is currently 25 cents higher than gas in my area, so I think I am ahead currently on fuel cost with my DP.

Great! Good for you. That's not the norm. I was talking about the average. If you leave "your area" you may be unpleasantly surprised by the difference. Here in GA gas is $2.07 and diesel is $2.67. In CA expect to see $3.10 vs. $3.60+.
Glad you are in a diesel bubble market but that's not the norm. If you don't believe me, download Gas Buddy and take a look around.

[Leonandlisa]

Thanks again everyone for your replies, it has given me input as well as some other things to consider as we look around. Anything we do won’t be cheap, so just want to make sure we considered everything before we buy something.

[oldave]

We have owned both as well .

I feel the most noticeable difference is noise and ride .
We can ride along in relative quietness and talk with out yelling .
We also still use our in motion satellite tv and can actually hear it

You may be expecting to much out of an exhaust brake , it may not
perform any better than the braking effect of a gas rig , after all
the diesel rig is usually quite a bit heaver .
The more expensive coaches will have an engine brake ( compression )
now that is a real brake , it's what the semis have .

Performance of gas rigs of recent yrs is much better than the old
carburetor engines so don't assume the diesel will out perform it

Diesel coaches drive and just feel different , a little slower revving up
and air brakes feel different too

You probably should drive several of each and see which suits you .

[janstey58]

Bill_Satellite wrote:
When diesel cost $0.60 to $1.00 more per gallon you won't make up the difference in fuel economy.

Actually my old gasser MPG was between 4-7 MPG, and my current diesel is very consistent 10 MPG regardless of hills/wind, etc... And diesel is currently 25 cents higher than gas in my area, so I think I am ahead currently on fuel cost with my DP.

[Gjac]

I would figure out where you want to camp, FHU CG's or more secluded NFS, SP, or COE type Cg's. If you want FHU's go with a 40 ft DP, if more secluded a 35 ft Gas would be better. How much storage do you need for the stuff you want to carry? How heavy will your tow vehicle be? Also understand a shorter gas MH with 362 HP will weigh 1/2 of what a 40 ft DP weighs with the same or less HP. Some people like RV resorts and some like boondocking in remote areas, having owned a toyhauler and 5th wheel you should have a pretty good idea of your preferred camping style.

[Bumpyroad]

ego sells a lot of diesels, more so than need. and unless you buy a prevost, you are not top drawer anyhow.
bumpy

[DFord]

I'd say you're comparing apples to oranges. The determining factor for most is the depth of your pockets. If you want the finer things in life and have the money to pay for them, then by all means go with a big 45ft diesel pusher. If you tend to be more frugal (meaning you avoid waste) then a gas MH should be your choice.

My 16 year old gas powered Trek has a china toilet, Corian counter tops and full body paint and I'm tickled with it. Unless I find a way to swap it for a better model floorplan in another Trek, it will be the last MH I'll ever have.

Happy travels whatever your decision.

[Bill_Satellite]

While I love my diesel pusher and would own nothing else, the gas RV's really make a lot better sense in many cases. When diesel cost $0.60 to $1.00 more per gallon you won't make up the difference in fuel economy.
The problem with gas RV's is the noise and ride (by comparison).
That doesn't mean that the ride is terrible or the noise is unbearable but, by comparison, the ride, handling and noise level of a diesel pusher is far superior to a gas model.
What's important to consider is how much driving you will be doing compared to how much parking you will be doing. Hope that makes sense but if you plan a 3,000 mile trip over the course of 6 months you will be parked much longer than you will be driving. However, if that same trip will be done in 2 months you will be driving a whole lot more.
Once you are parked, it makes no difference whether it's a diesel or a gas RV. At that point, the only important thing is the floor plan.

[ppine]

diesel.

[wildtoad]

Not all gas motorhomes are “cheaply made”, but many are. Check out some of the Newmar gas motorhomes such as the Canyon Star and Bay Star lines. We have the Bay Star Sport line and it’s made fairly well, but it is the low line of the Newmar products. We tow a 2015 Jeep Wrangler, and the mh handles it quiet nicely. Like all front engine gassers, and probably FRED’s it can get a bit noisy when it has to downshift up a grade. On Norman roads, the noise is good. They also make a great DP line of products. 😉

[ScottG]

Modern fuel injected gas engines will outlast the rest of the RV. I would not make longevity a deciding point.

[Leonandlisa]

Thanks for the replies, as for the long trips, I hear your point, it is due to seeing my parents and sights at the same time, but point taken. Maybe changing our vacation style might be something to consider too, honestly didn’t think about that, just thinking how to accommodate our present style.