Can we discuss pros & cons re gas or diesel? We're still looking at Bs. Some are gas, some diesel. We don't like the higher $/gal of diesel because it would offset any real savings from the higher mpg rvs for trips. Anyone here with a diesel that has also owned a gas? Would you share the comparison?

There are not a lot of comparable vans to give you a true comparison.When the Ford Transit is available from an RV fitter, you might draws some comparisons to similar units on the Sprinter platform.I suspect they will be about equal in fuel economy, and in performance in the mountains due to the Ford's turbo engine. Up front cost, the gasser should be less. For ongoing maintenance, the diesel should be a bit more.My Travato is not really comparable because it's completely different from a Sprinter. My upfront cost was about 1/2 many of the models, the mpg is the same and the performance is about the same except climbing big mountains. But it's a lot less van in many ways which you can read about in the forums. Suits me fine though - I'm a weekender and short trip taker on the east coast.There are lots of points of contention, I'm sure, and others will chime in. I would certainly prefer a diesel if I was going to be planning on traveling so much I expected hundreds of thousands of miles. Or if I wanted a fairly heavy B with great towing capacity to boot. Really, you need to consider how you plan to use your rig to make the decision on gas or diesel.Good luck!

RayUSMC wrote:Can we discuss pros & cons re gas or diesel?:)It's been done about a thousand times. Have you tried to search for similar threads.I always think I will do this when one of these threads pop-up so now I have. :) Below is a comparison (rough) of cost for 1K miles and 120K miles (how many miles we have driven in our LTV) using our diesel mileage and what I think I have gathered from this forum to be a high average for comparable gas RVs. Not precise but good enough to start an argument. Each can draw their own conclusions.

The price of diesel fluctuates differently then the price of gas. I have paid as much as 30 cents a gallon more for diesel over the posted price for a gallon of supreme to 10 cents less then the posted price for a gallon of regular. Even when diesel is more expensive then gas I still like the trade off for the 22+ mpg. Currently I am paying less for diesel then I am for gas in my car. I recommend buying what you like when the opportunity presents itself. Gas or diesel are less important than ownership and use!

Here in San Diego diesel has been the same or lower than gas (regular)for more than a year.My 2003 Pleasure-way Excel TD, 8 cyclinder, got 11-12 mpg. The tank was 26 (?) gal. (can't recall right now.)My 2006 Pleasure-way TS Sprinter, inline 5, has been getting 22.5 mpg consistently. It has a 26 gal tank.So I get twice the miles per gallon with the Sprinter than I got with the gasser. The biggest benefit for me is that I get 600 miles per tank which allows me to take heretofore unexplored routes without worrying about how far I am from the next gas station.

I have always been more concerned about reliability and access to service (in places I intend to be) than the gas vs diesel decision.

Gas or diesel? | Good Sam Community

davegvg
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Arizona Kid wrote:
Put a fuel cut-off on the gas line going to your Onan, then run it dry.

Thats certainly more elegant than what I do.

I squeeze the line with a surgical tool (can't remember what its called) and let the carb run dry.

I started doing that when simply using the built in float bowl drain was leaving gunk in it.

The stuff that doesn't clean out on shut down seems to gum it up.

Seafoam will occasionally ungunk it but once it starts surging under a load or at idle its pretty much done for.

I bought the toyhauler in 08 and have tossed 2 carbs already. Even exercising it in storage at regular intervals doesn't seem to keep it alive. Being used only a few times a year doesn't help it either its only got 300 hours or so on it and Im convinced if it got more regular workouts Id be better off.

It feeds from on onboard 20 gallon talk with a commercial style pump nozzle that gets drained fully and refilled at the end of every season. (october- March).

UD
Arizona_Kid
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Put a fuel cut-off on the gas line going to your Onan, then run it dry.
davegvg
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Both diesel and gasoline can go bad but ethanol laden gas develops problems far more quickly than diesel or gasoline or old.

I have many devices that are very sensitive to 6 month old gasoline an must be drained.

With stabile my truck and car do not mind 6 month old gas.

even with stabil-

My high compression small engine devices have a hard time with it.

My honda 2K genies and yamaha ef3000iseb are stored dry because of this.

The worst device I have for gasoline tolerance and sitting is my Onan Microquiet 4000 in the toy hauler.
This genset eats carbs when stored and they are non rebuildable.

Never had a problem with my diesel motorhome/gesnset, or my propane genset when sitting a year or more in a dry place.

Just my experience.

Uncle Dave
wincrasher65
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Supposedly diesel can get fungus in it . Thankfully I never experienced that. I also never had need to drain off water from the fuel filter either. But thee things can happen. There are a variety of additive products you can buy.

But I've never had problems with gas either - use stabil if something is going to sit for awhile - always keep tanks full if something is going to sit around to avoid condensation.

The only fuel problems I've ever had was back in the day when you mixed oil and gas for 2 stroke motors. That stuff could not sit around and lost half it's energy value in just a few months.

I would not consider fuel issues as a deciding factor choosing between gas or diesel. If your diesel is sitting around, unused for such a long time that the fuel goes bad, then you have chosen poorly. For a diesel to pay, it has to be driven many miles.
vulcanman1500
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
topless wrote:
Let me throw one more thing on the pile. Since I haven't used my van for almost 3 years, the fuel (diesel) is that old too. Diesel doesn't go bad sitting like that, gas does.

Diesel does go bad , that is why there are so many fuel polishing trucks in the marine industry .
gerrym51
Explorer II
Jul 18, 2014
linky for dave
davegvg
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
AsheGuy wrote:
davegvg wrote:
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23326&page=4

(still have to go learn to make this active will do )
It's not rocket science. You just click on the link icon (globe with chain link) at top of composition window.

Thanks!

UD
AsheGuy
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
davegvg wrote:
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23326&page=4
Sprinter-Source link

(still have to go learn to make this active will do )
It's not rocket science. You just click on the link icon (globe with chain link) at top of composition window.
Davydd
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
davegvg wrote:
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23326&page=4

(still have to go learn to make this active will do )

Heres the thread.

Diamondsea made specific reference to a diesel genset option 6/13

Perhaps it was a typo. I followed his thread and yours.

Congrats on Alvar. New Toys are always great.

UD

DiamondSea's statement that a diesel generator was an option was probably a typo or based on that early loose information previously cited that never jelled. As he stated he never had any intention to install a generator so probably was just giving it off-hand lip service.

If you think I am wrong call Advanced RV. I gave you background, facts and figures any person could see for themselves the infeasibility of sticking a diesel generator under a Sprinter. I don't know what more you need. It might become feasible once the 4x4 Sprinters ship that will raise the back 3.1" and the front 4". But then if someone wanted one for moderate off-roading that generator might still be too low for comfort.
davegvg
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
davegvg wrote:
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23326&page=4

(still have to go learn to make this active will do )

Heres the thread.

Im not saying he had it - Im saying he said it was an option

Diamondsea made specific reference to a diesel genset option 6/13

Perhaps it was a typo. I followed his thread and yours.

Congrats on Alvar. New Toys are always great.

UD

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