Is there any difference in DRIVING a gas class A vs diesel?

[Egor_sRV]

I've been toying with the idea of trading in my gas Bounder for a diesel powered coach. Do they ride any smoother (my wife's pet peeve), do they handle much differently on state highways and interstates, and do they really make much difference for towing?
I've had two class C's before moving to the A, and each coach has been bigger than the last, and for me, better.
There are a lot of used diesels on the market right now and I was wondering if it would be worth trading again to get a better ride and livability.
Thanks for any insights.
Egor

[Gundog]

I have had 3 class A motorhomes starting with a 73 Winnebago that was a couple of years ago she had bias ply tires oh what a beating you took until the flat spots were ran out in the tires. I had a 2001 Fleetwood 31' on the workhorse chassis. The good and bad on this MH the engine was a big block Chevy with fuel injection it got a solid 10 MPG and towed a jeep wrangler like it wasn't there. The bad it blew all over the road in the wind it was a white knuckle driving experience. When a truck passed it would first blow you away then suck you back after the truck passed and you got the air wash it would shake. The wind could shift this thing several feet all at once. Quality of build was low entry level.

My current class A is a Fleetwood expedition on a Freightliner chassis and a Cat C7 engine with an Alison transmission. Handling, ride & noise is better it is a much heavier machine than the 01 gasser so I can't say it is more powerful weight to HP ratio. The build quality is better with the Expedition better wood and appliances upholstery Etc.

I would have liked the 01 MH if it had a better build quality and had better handling. I believe some of the handling was the amount of overhang from the rear axle to back of coach. When the wind hits this area of the coach it acts like a baseball bat that coupled with no weight to speak of in this part of the coach creates a problem. When towing the jeep it actually helped the handling which to me also confirmed my assumption.

[ppine]

More power, better ride and fewer stops for fuel.

[Bruce_Brown]

Years ago we were considering a diesel pusher. Our friends who owned them all said the same thing; "do not drive one unless you are ready to sign the papers".

They were 100% correct.

[Belgique]

Agree with other comments on how great the diesel ride is. 3 years later and we still comment on it almost everyday. 2 things I really love: PAC/Engine brake for going down the hill safely; being able to fuel up at truck stop pumps (fast and easy in/out). Down side might be Bubba on any corner can work on a V10; have to look a little harder for a diesel but there usually someone.

[georgelesley]

One thing that seldom is mentioned in these diesel/gas discussions is towing capacity and hitch height, especially hitch height. The gasser hitch on the Ford F-53 anyway will usually be higher than a diesel. The result is to tow a small low to the ground car you will need a long drop hitch to get the tow bar close to level. Couple this with long rear axle overhang most gassers have and you will quickly learn about “tail drag”

Rear engine diesels do not have this problem and also often have higher towing capacity. We do drive a gasser and know all about tail drag and now tow a suv that sits high enough to eliminate the problem. Just something to think about that most buyers never do until they have the problem.

[azdryheat]

Working for an RV dealer I don't see much difference in the diesel/gas debate except for the length. Other than that they are the same to me. The mechanics are different but they are still the same. I must admit that when I'm driving them I forget what I'm in at times.

[oldave]

You'll never know until you drive some diesels.

The first time we tried out a diesel I thought something was wrong with it
the brakes felt funny and the ride felt mushy/soft.
I'll tell you it didn't take long for us to decide that mushy ride was
fantastic and the air brakes, just feel different. I don't notice them
feeling different anymore.

Most diesels are actually a little underpowered until you get into the
bigger models with bigger engines. I'm not criticizing, each model is built
to fit someones pocketbook. Buying used allows one to buy a coach they would
never dream of buying new. If my DW would let me we would drive a big
ole Prevost or perhaps a Foretravel but thankfully she has more common sense
than me.

Frankly, the quiteness is the thing we appreciate most. We can
talk, listen to music, radio, or tv .

[azdryheat]

If you get a diesel learn how the air brakes work. There was one person who actually believed that if he lost his air he wouldn't be able to stop.

[Tom_Barb]

we started camping in the 60s and worked our way thru the phase the little camp. and now a Newmar mountain aire, The lessons learned is simple, the bigger heavier they are the better they ride.

the coach chassis is the clue is the better built they are the better handle.

same rule applies to the coach, the better they are built the less problems.

[TCmart]

We just traded up from a 34' Fleetwood Bounder with the V10 on the F53 chassis to a Fleetwood Discovery 39'pusher.
The air brakes took a little while to get used to but the ride with air suspension is in my opinion much smoother than our gasser.
I think a lot has to do with the weight of the coach.
We loved our Bounder and took her cross country with never a hiccup even on long mountain pulls.
Looking forward to many great adventures with our new rig.

[Bill_Satellite]

Egor'sRV wrote:
I've been toying with the idea of trading in my gas Bounder for a diesel powered coach. Do they ride any smoother (my wife's pet peeve), do they handle much differently on state highways and interstates, and do they really make much difference for towing?
I've had two class C's before moving to the A, and each coach has been bigger than the last, and for me, better.
There are a lot of used diesels on the market right now and I was wondering if it would be worth trading again to get a better ride and livability.
Thanks for any insights.
Egor

YES! Absolutely! If the DW is not happy with the gas chassis ride and handling, she will be thrilled by the difference when you move to a diesel pusher. Don't take my word for it, take your wife for a ride in it. Just be sure to bring your checkbook as well!

[chuckftboy]

Yes most diesels ride better than gas class A's but it because diesels are typically much heavier and often longer. I've owned both a gas a diesel that were within 4000 lbs in weight and while the diesel handled better, it was only slightly. My current coach is almost twice the weight of my previous gasser and it rides and handles far far better than the gas coach.

There are a lot of reasons why a diesel rides better but I think the biggest reason is weight, same as with a car or truck or even a motorcycle.

[wanderingaimles]

I wont decry the diesels, but I will point out that IF you are looking at new, things are changing with the new engine and tranny on the F-53.
More torque and more gears next year should make drastic differences in the platform. Also some changes have been made in the new chassis, which should further close the gap in roll and sway.
There are a few video's out there
fast lane
winnie model

These are still 6 speed models, supposedly the 10 speeds are coming which should help noise and power even more, and the lean improvements have already been mentioned.

Go and drive one, or give it a year to get the better tranny and try that.
If your looking used, then go try one of them, but for new, be selective on what you research with all the changes coming out.

[theoldwizard1]

The most popular chassis for gasoline powered Class A is the Ford F53. No one has ever praised it for its handling and the old 6.8L V10 engine would get quite load when climbing hills.

The 2021 version of the F53 has many improvements in both the chassis and the engine (all new 7.3L gasoline). I would say it is still not on par with a diesel pusher, but it cost a whole lot less $,$$$ !!

[stripit]

I recently switched from a gas Ford powered 34 ft MH to a rear diesel 34 ft and it is night and day different in quiet, comfort and handeling. I find the ride and braking so much better and seems to pull my towed car easier too. It did cost more to upgrade, but we did upgrade from the gas. You have to actually get behind the wheel of a diesel and try for yourself to see if it is what you desire. One drive for us sold us that quick.