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Gas vs diesels

Coffee_Grinder
Explorer
Explorer
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
52 REPLIES 52

db7512
Explorer
Explorer
I purchased a gaser and have had it for about 18 months. I like it for short trips and short stays. That being said I am purchasing a 40 ft DP next week. If I had known then what I know now I would have started with the DP.
2016 Newmar Ventana
2016 Ford Edge

07blacktruck
Explorer
Explorer
mtofell1 wrote:
I keep thinking/hoping some gas engine technology will trickle into the RV world. A couple years ago there was some talk of Chevy getting back into the game and they had some great HP/Torque numbers but it was just speculation. I seem to remember the engines were out there in some fleet trucks (UPS trucks, etc.). But, that whole thing fizzled and it's pretty much just the F53 V10. Keeping in mind that is a great chassis and only getting better with things like the 6spd tranny.

It's the age old debate that will undoubtedly go on for years to come (especially in the winter when many of us working folks are house camping waiting for spring :))

From my research, current/projected financial resources and past experiences with RVs I'm leaning slightly towards new/newer gasser someday. Maybe some rich uncle I've never met will die and I'll end up in that Newell tag axle I've always dreamed of. Until then I've got years of a truck (company write off :)) and a 5th wheel or TT.

I agree. I currently have a DP unit and as much as I like it, if I could have found a late model with a Workhorse chassis (8.1 and Allison) I would have purchased it. The big bore gas 8.1 is a horse in most typical applications. I'm not a fan of the V-10 at all. My first MH was on a P30 chassis. I had no problems with it and thought it did a good job even in the mountains. I wasn't first over the top but it did pretty good and was considerably less than a DP model. The 8.1 and Allison are a hard to beat combination. Too bad they aren't making those anymore. The market for a chassis is way too small now. I don't know if there are any options other that the Ford chassis now. Too bad in my opinion.
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings;
the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Winston Churchill

tropical36
Explorer
Explorer
On second thought. Never mind!... :S
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."

07 Revolution LE 40E_Spartan MM_06 400HP C9 CAT_Allison 3000.

Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER.

1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (Sold)

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/weird/Pickup-Reaches-Million-Mile-Mark-in-Four-Years.html
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

tropical36
Explorer
Explorer
mtofell1 wrote:
I keep thinking/hoping some gas engine technology will trickle into the RV world. A couple years ago there was some talk of Chevy getting back into the game and they had some great HP/Torque numbers but it was just speculation. I seem to remember the engines were out there in some fleet trucks (UPS trucks, etc.). But, that whole thing fizzled and it's pretty much just the F53 V10. Keeping in mind that is a great chassis and only getting better with things like the 6spd tranny.

It's the age old debate that will undoubtedly go on for years to come (especially in the winter when many of us working folks are house camping waiting for spring :))

From my research, current/projected financial resources and past experiences with RVs I'm leaning slightly towards new/newer gasser someday. Maybe some rich uncle I've never met will die and I'll end up in that Newell tag axle I've always dreamed of. Until then I've got years of a truck (company write off :)) and a 5th wheel or TT.

I think you're referring to Workhorse and with they are proposing, using a big block 8.8 litre gas engine, made by PSI and it very well could be a derivative of the GM line....
CLICKITY
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."

07 Revolution LE 40E_Spartan MM_06 400HP C9 CAT_Allison 3000.

Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER.

1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (Sold)

mtofell1
Explorer
Explorer
I keep thinking/hoping some gas engine technology will trickle into the RV world. A couple years ago there was some talk of Chevy getting back into the game and they had some great HP/Torque numbers but it was just speculation. I seem to remember the engines were out there in some fleet trucks (UPS trucks, etc.). But, that whole thing fizzled and it's pretty much just the F53 V10. Keeping in mind that is a great chassis and only getting better with things like the 6spd tranny.

It's the age old debate that will undoubtedly go on for years to come (especially in the winter when many of us working folks are house camping waiting for spring :))

From my research, current/projected financial resources and past experiences with RVs I'm leaning slightly towards new/newer gasser someday. Maybe some rich uncle I've never met will die and I'll end up in that Newell tag axle I've always dreamed of. Until then I've got years of a truck (company write off :)) and a 5th wheel or TT.

dramsey1
Explorer
Explorer
I agree with those who say floor plan first. If you decide you don't like it you won't keep it. I stayed under 34 feet so I went gas and am happy with it. Any longer and I would probably prefer diesel but for slightly different reasons. Most freightliner chassis have a slightly tighter turning radius than the Ford which can be helpful. Also the front axle is positioned further back on the diesel which helps with weight distribution. Especially on the heavier coaches. I've never had a problem finding fuel stations but the truck pumps must be a comforting option for larger units. Both options gas and diesel options are very capable if not overloaded. I did drive some diesels as well but I really didn't notice that much difference in ride and handling and since I drive only around 5000 miles a year I didn't want to pay up for the diesel. There is no right or wrong here as long as you stay within the weight limits of whatever you buy. I would focus on floor plan and let that drive the fuel type of the coach.

tropical36
Explorer
Explorer
RayChez wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
While it used to be true that diesel engines out lasted gas ones, there are documented examples of the Ford V-10 lasting for 1,000,000 miles.


LOL! And then you woke up. Even though the Ford V-10 is a very good gasoline engine, but one million miles???? Come on!

Most sure you can rebuild a block forever if you'd like and put more money in it, than it's worth, but the idea of diesel longevity is with going a Million miles without a major rebuild. However not that many owners will ever accomplish this many miles.
Even hard for 3 or 4 owners to do so, as eventually they won't buy your high mileage rig and turn towards the low mile products.
Having a DP for me, is more about having that awesome low end torque and it being in the back. Also with machines of 40ft or more, it's sort of a chore, for the little V10, no matter the HP and how loud it might scream for mercy.
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."

07 Revolution LE 40E_Spartan MM_06 400HP C9 CAT_Allison 3000.

Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER.

1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (Sold)

RayChez
Explorer
Explorer
pianotuna wrote:
While it used to be true that diesel engines out lasted gas ones, there are documented examples of the Ford V-10 lasting for 1,000,000 miles.


LOL! And then you woke up. Even though the Ford V-10 is a very good gasoline engine, but one million miles???? Come on!
2002 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser
330 HP Caterpillar 3126-E
3000 Allison Transmission
Neway Freightliner chassis
2017 Buick Envision

BottomLine
Explorer
Explorer
Bought a bottom level diesel last winter and I'm very happy. Chances are the diesel people like what they have and the gas people like what they have so take that in to account when considering advice. The top end gassers are pretty close to the bottom end diesels in price. We are talking $150k to $200k here. If price is a major consideration it make sense to look at a gasser, which can be had for considerably less money. If you have the money for a top end diesel you are rich because they can go to over a million. If you are in that class you probably aren't even going to consider a gasser. Now the real question is what to do if you are not at either extreme. The bottom end diesels are very comparable the top end gassers as far as frills. I have one. I have a Berkshire 38A. 40 feet, 340 horsepower, around 700 BHP (makes a big difference in the mountains), 1 1/2 baths, washer/dryer, bunk beds, full queen size main bed, tons of storage underneath, air ride, air brakes, satellite system, 11-12 miles per gallon, 1,200 to 1,000 cruising range between fill ups, larger storage tanks, quieter ride, gen in front for better sleeping, etc. That is a bare bottom diesel. I could go on and on but I think you get the point. The bottom of the diesel market starts where the gasser market stops, with some overlap in the middle. Buy what you can afford. My Berk cost $179k with every whistle and bell offered. List was $263k so don't fall for the phoney balonie list price. Every dealer deeply discounts what they sell. Go cheaper and you will miss out on something but you will have more money in your pocket. Go the diesel route and you are going to be more comfortable and perhaps happier but your wallet is going to take a hit. Good luck.

TropicalRV
Explorer
Explorer
$ vs $$$$$$$$
Paul
2015 Tiffin Allegro 32SA, Ford V-10
2002 Honda CRV 2WD

tropical36
Explorer
Explorer
dubdub07 wrote:
I would agree. Ours is 4 years old and has 20k on the clock. I paid over $210K for it new and would be lucky to get $175K for it today.....

I say real lucky, in fact, as most private sales, sales to dealers and consignment sales, that I've seen and personally experienced, go for under NADA low retail.
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."

07 Revolution LE 40E_Spartan MM_06 400HP C9 CAT_Allison 3000.

Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER.

1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (Sold)

dubdub07
Explorer
Explorer
I would agree. Ours is 4 years old and has 20k on the clock. I paid over $210K for it new and would be lucky to get $175K for it today.....
2013 Fleetwood Discovery 40G
TOADS: 12 Jeep JKUR Wrangler, 16 Cherokee Trailhawk, 15 Grand Cherokee, 13 RAM 1500 Longhorn (not a toad) American STEEL = American profits
RET USAF MSGT (26yrs) and still DoD ATC.
DW,DS,DD in the MH w/Westley the killer PUG!

JaxDad
Explorer III
Explorer III
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.


If you look at actual prices of 6 to 8 year old units, both gas and diesel you will see that the depreciation on the diesels is often more than the selling price of the gas rig.

In other words, you could buy the gas unit, drive it for 8 years, then give it away and lose less money than the depreciation you'd take on the diesel.

As an example, a major FL dealer has a 2008 Monaco 40' DP for sale, 65k miles, asking $110k, that unit sold for about $250k new, the (one) owner took a $140k hit on that unit, not including financing costs if any.

The same dealer has a 2008 Winnebago 35' Adventurer, 54k miles, asking $65k, that unit sold for about $135k new, the owner then took about a $70k hit on that unit.

But notice, the $140k depreciation is MORE than what the Winnie sold for NEW.

Now I am NOT trying to say they are same quality, etc., etc. but the dollars tell the tale for the 'Average Joe'.