Gas vs diesels

[Coffee_Grinder]

I am looking at class A MH and wanted some feedback on a gas model vs a diesel. I believe the diesel to be more costly to maintain however they should outlast a gas. Any advice would be appreciated

[Bumpyroad]

DrewE wrote:
Buying vehicles with an eye towards the eventual residual value has always seemed a strange idea to me

I would say just the opposite assuming you are planning on using the vehicle for 3-4 years or whatever and trading up/down to something else, residual value would be important to any smart shopper and could be taken into the equation. the only caveat I would add is those who say that it will be worth and cost $5,000 more so it is a wash do not add in the cost of financing that extra $5K for 3/4 years.
however, since I drive all of my vehicles until they basically are $500 donations to some charity, I don't care much about trade in value.
bumpy

[the_silverback]

See the topic "Tucson DP goes up in flames". I wasn't aware of it but the topic states there have been several engine fires on DP's.

[Kayteg1]

DrewE wrote:
Buying vehicles with an eye towards the eventual residual value has always seemed a strange idea to me anyhow .....

Here we differ again.
I bought my Prevost conversion being 32 years old.
The odometer show 28k, but it did not have 100's k. (WHO CARES ON 1 MILLION MILES ENGINE??)
Sold it 12 years later for double the purchase price.
Obviously I did remodel it in the mean time end even making money on it was not the goal in ownership -it was considered.

[DrewE]

Kayteg1 wrote:

DrewE wrote:
For the vast majority of motorhomes, the relative longevity of the engine is irrelevant. ..

Maybe for you, but picture average Joe who buys nice and clean few years old gasser, that he uses for 3 years, keeping it in pristine condition.
Than at over 200,000 miles he wants to sell it and move to newer one.
What kind of pricing can he expect for his pristine motorhome?
All that after paying the heavy penalties in the past years at gas pumps.

So we have a gas motorhome that's maybe 8 years old and has 200,000 miles on it? The only way I can see that being even remotely likely is if the first owner was a rental company. It averages out to 25,000 miles per year over the RV's lifetime, two or three laps around the US every year. That's a lot of travel, a lot more than typical RVs go through.

If one is an entertainer or other traveling professional who uses the RV for travel and housing, then certainly the longevity of the powertrain may be a valid consideration. For leisure use, even full-timing with no fixed abode, I stand by my estimation that the difference between the lifespan of a gas or a diesel powertrain is irrelevant. (I also find it rather impressive that this theoretical owner of an RV with 200,000 miles on it has somehow kept it in pristine condition...that's a lot of use and general wear and tear no matter how it's figured.)

As to what effect the mileage would have on the selling price of a used motorhome independent of condition, I have a hard time saying. Certainly the lower mileage unit would command a somewhat higher price. I wouldn't guess it's a tremendous difference when compared with the overall depreciation of the motorhome. Buying vehicles with an eye towards the eventual residual value has always seemed a strange idea to me anyhow (with the obvious exception of collectible vehicles purchased as investments, rather than primarily for one's own use).

[tropical36]

Kayteg1 wrote:

DrewE wrote:
For the vast majority of motorhomes, the relative longevity of the engine is irrelevant. ..

Maybe for you, but picture average Joe who buys nice and clean few years old gasser, that he uses for 3 years, keeping it in pristine condition.
Than at over 200,000 miles he wants to sell it and move to newer one.
What kind of pricing can he expect for his pristine motorhome?
All that after paying the heavy penalties in the past years at gas pumps.

His depreciation per mile will be a lot less, that's for sure and where the highest cost of ownership is.
With having a diesel, yes the engine is still good for many more miles, but don't kid yourself, people look for and buy the lower mileage units, regardless. Besides, with all the moving parts in any coach, the engine is just one part of it.
Probably best to just disconnect the odometer and be done with it. Just kidding and even though it's been done by many. Not so easy these days, though....

[Kayteg1]

DrewE wrote:
For the vast majority of motorhomes, the relative longevity of the engine is irrelevant. ..

Maybe for you, but picture average Joe who buys nice and clean few years old gasser, that he uses for 3 years, keeping it in pristine condition.
Than at over 200,000 miles he wants to sell it and move to newer one.
What kind of pricing can he expect for his pristine motorhome?
All that after paying the heavy penalties in the past years at gas pumps.

[Fiesta]

It's what you want to spend, period!
I never wanted a diesel until I started over steep hills and mountains.

[07blacktruck]

Coffee Grinder wrote:
I am looking at class A MH and wanted some feedback on a gas model vs a diesel. I believe the diesel to be more costly to maintain however they should outlast a gas. Any advice would be appreciated

My $0.02 here. I have had both types (Gas and Diesel). Gas was a typical front engine GM power train. Diesel is a rear engine with a Cummins/Allison power train. There is a usually significant price difference up front. Maintenance costs are higher for a diesel MH in most cases (Oil changes and other routine service items). Today's gas engine models are far superior to the ones of several years ago. If it was me, I would concentrate on finding a floor plan and amenities you really like as opposed to focusing diesel/gas question. Budget is always a consideration but I think having a workable and livable floor plan is far more important when making a big $$ purchase. If I didn't already have a DP unit, I would have no hesitation in getting another gas powered one with the models available today.

[joelc]

First, I will state that I have a 5er with a diesel truck. Diesel pusher MH from what I have observed aside from the engine, have air breaks, not hydraulic breaks. A whole different animal. A diesel engine while it is much more costly to maintain during oil changes, etc. might be more costly for repairs. My truck takes 18 qts of oil and filters are about 3x more expensive than if I had a gas engine. A big plus to the diesel..... If you are going to do heavy traveling and do a lot of climbing like the mountains out West, then a diesel will maintain your torque at high altitudes.

[JimInMich]

Only thing that scares me about a DP is the unexpected repair costs while on the road. I read on this forum a bit ago that someone was looking at $4K for a water pump repair? I can get a whole gasser engine for that price. Same for the trans if you had to replace. DP rebuild, forget about it ( $20K? ). I guess it all boils down to what you can afford to fix, if the need arises. Me, I got a el cheapo gasser thats really old but was well taken care of. But, I still couldnt afford a major brake down while on the road.

[AllegroD]

How do you want to spend your money. Shop! Shop! Shop! Our 2013 Tiffin V10 is fairly quiet and easy to drive. We love the floor plan. Take your time and see and drive everything. 2004 & 2016 V10 coach is different. A low end gasser rides different and is insulated different.

[billsenick]

Coffee Grinder, as you can see by my signature I own a 2003 Newmar Kountry Star 3740 since new with over 125,000 miles, it has been probably the best motor home dollar for dollar that I have ever owned and that includes my Essex. The 2003 KS has the Workhorse W22 chassis and other than the brake recall, shock change to Koni FSD and a new computer for the Allison transmission, it has been flawless, best advice that you got, drive them both. Good luck and let us hear back when you decide.

[Bill_Satellite]

It's really funny when folks debate DP vs Gas. Both are excellent. Both will get you from here to there. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Both are the correct choice for the owners that select them. There simply is no right or wrong in this discussion. The right or wrong is most often found in the floor plan selection.
I don't care what you buy or what you paid for it, but if you end up with an RV with a floor plan that does not work for your lifestyle you will not be a happy camper no matter what you paid for the coach.
Think about it. How many hours do you spend driving your coach? Now, compare that to the number of hours you spend living in your coach while parked. What do you think should be the most important consideration?

[dubdub07]

tropical36 wrote:

dezolen wrote:
I get such a laugh out of this topic. DP's are the only way to go according to those that have them "but" then I read how some are noisier than others(so they are not that quiet as some would lead one to believe) I sure don't like standing beside one when it's standing still let alone be in one. Then I read that to get the good handling one must have a tag axle. Then one must have a side rad to be able to work on one easily. TEHO and I'm very happy with my late model gas coach and see no reason to spend $$$ to "upgrade". If money were no object I might consider a tag axle, side mount rad DP but I don't have unlimited budget.

Just goes to show that it's different strokes for different folks and why they make one for everybody. We had two gas models as well.
We could've paid a good bit more and got a late model top of the line gas coach this last time around and even got a 1 1/2 bath model, but after looking at both for roominess and the quality of the build, we couldn't even consider any gas model, as a viable option. Not to mention it's drive train and with the engine's low end torque, that can't hardly be heard, it never ceases to amaze me, when going over the top of a mountain.
Some have to have it new, regardless of anything, however and wouldn't even consider what we bought, that looks like new and with less than 34K miles on it, when purchased.
No tag axle either and it does just as well, if not better than the tax axle gas coach, we just sold. One will find that it's more about the wheelbase and overhang behind the rear wheels than anything and why there are so many gas coaches, with the tail wagging the dog, these days.

I agree with you! People really get bent out of shape on the Gasser side of things.....and I don't get it. Each to his or her own. I think the more objective this topic can be, the better info people will get.

My DP goes about 50 mph over Raton, Vail, or Monarch passes in CO, with a toad. I here the fan clutch in, but barely. Usually the kids have the TV louder than the engine or Genny! LOL! I pass a lot of gassers, but some of the later model gassers are doing pretty good going up the hills! I think I saw one doing about 35 this past summer. Get what you can afford! There are nice versions of both and just because I own a DP doesn't mean I think everyone should.

WW

[tropical36]

dezolen wrote:
I get such a laugh out of this topic. DP's are the only way to go according to those that have them "but" then I read how some are noisier than others(so they are not that quiet as some would lead one to believe) I sure don't like standing beside one when it's standing still let alone be in one. Then I read that to get the good handling one must have a tag axle. Then one must have a side rad to be able to work on one easily. TEHO and I'm very happy with my late model gas coach and see no reason to spend $$$ to "upgrade". If money were no object I might consider a tag axle, side mount rad DP but I don't have unlimited budget.

Just goes to show that it's different strokes for different folks and why they make one for everybody. We had two gas models as well.
We could've paid a good bit more and got a late model top of the line gas coach this last time around and even got a 1 1/2 bath model, but after looking at both for roominess and the quality of the build, we couldn't even consider any gas model, as a viable option. Not to mention it's drive train and with the engine's low end torque, that can't hardly be heard, it never ceases to amaze me, when going over the top of a mountain.
Some have to have it new, regardless of anything, however and wouldn't even consider what we bought, that looks like new and with less than 34K miles on it, when purchased.
No tag axle either and it does just as well, if not better than the tax axle gas coach, we just sold. One will find that it's more about the wheelbase and overhang behind the rear wheels than anything and why there are so many gas coaches, with the tail wagging the dog, these days.