We have a 2007 Georgetown 350DS Bunk Model that has been a great Motorhome. We have had a few issues with it but nothing major. We really enjoy it but I would like to upgrade in the near future. My question is we only go out maybe 3-4 weeks per year total use so not sure it would even be worth upgrading. But I know as things get older they seem to just keep having more and more issues. Trying to avoid that but then again it's probably cheaper to repair than to have a $700per month vehicle payment for 20 years. Ouch. That's what I figure a new Class A Gas motorhome would cost me per month. Not sure how accurate that is as I haven't really looked into it that much.. Right now our payment is about $400per month. We didn't put anything down and borrowed the entire amount and even the taxes and license on our Motorhome we bought used. I don't even know if we could sell it so none of this might even matter. IOne of my friends has an older 2002 DP and loves it. I don't dare drive it because everyone I talk to says once you drive a DP you will never want a gasser again. Why is this. Seems like everything about a DP is more expensive like Fuel (Well not anymore but was a few years ago) Maintenance etc. I do hear that they are alot quieter than a gasser though. I know in mine sometimes it can be hard to even talk to the passenger in the seat next to the drivers cause the motors are so noisy. And they just don't seem like they are insulated very well. Are diesels any better? I don't have any experience with them. Maybe with the newer model gas coaches they are better insulated from the motors and the weather. Any thoughts on this subject?

Diesel are quite because the engine is in the back. I have heard some folks here say they have gone back to gasser. It boils down to budget and how much you will use it. My old class a was a gasser, it sure was noisy and under power. That did not bother me. My current setup is worse and I hate it. I thought about getting a diesel truck, but I really don't want the repair bill. So, I am keeping my setup for now.

A DP is a better ride, its a much quieter ride, its a more expensive up keep ride. I' have a 2001 DP and have no interest in trading for a later model gas or diesel. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

hershey wrote:A DP is a better ride, its a much quieter ride, its a more expensive up keep ride. I' have a 2001 DP and have no interest in trading for a later model gas or diesel. If it aint broke, don't fix it.X2 +

We bought a DP. Several things played in to that. We had a $20K budget, wanted a really nice quality interior, and I hate the sound of a wound-up gas engine near me.For that budget, we got full body paint, a diesel generator, a good-sized shower (pet peeve), ceramic toilet, 8-bag suspension, ceramic tile in kitchen and bath, nice cabinetry, pleasing fabrics, twin ACs, and everything working properly.The gas coaches in that price range, though newer, had really ugly fabrics, cheap hardware, and things inside falling apart. Oh, and a couple of showers that the 6'0" of me literally could not stand up straight in. So many gas coaches just look so cheap and impermanent inside.No regrets, no plans to change.Matt B

A diesel is much more fuel efficient and the trade off is higher priced fuel. As a rule, fuels are sold by their BTU content (more heat value, more horsepower)..also a diesel creates more torque. I am running an 8.3 Cummins C series and according to the Cummins support people, it is very rare to have to put a wrench on the engine in the first 400,000 miles. People are concerned with oil changes being expensive because the diesels hold so much more oil but Cummins recommends changing oil and filter every 15,000 miles. In my book, its an even trade on maintenance costs but overall the diesel is the way to go. Another thing to take into consideration is the transmission behind the engine. You will only find an Allison automatic behind the diesel and they are idiot proof and are the most reliable transmission on the market. A diesel will also have an air compressor mounted on it to operate air brakes. Air brakes are a wonderful thing. I think you need to drive a diesel pusher and see how you like it. 99% of the people will never look back at a gasser.

Older DP or Newer Gas Class A? What would you do and why?

ugh
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
Diesel are quite because the engine is in the back. I have heard some folks here say they have gone back to gasser. It boils down to budget and how much you will use it. My old class a was a gasser, it sure was noisy and under power. That did not bother me. My current setup is worse and I hate it. I thought about getting a diesel truck, but I really don't want the repair bill. So, I am keeping my setup for now.
hershey
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
A DP is a better ride, its a much quieter ride, its a more expensive up keep ride.
I' have a 2001 DP and have no interest in trading for a later model gas or diesel. If it aint broke, don't fix it.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
hershey wrote:
A DP is a better ride, its a much quieter ride, its a more expensive up keep ride.
I' have a 2001 DP and have no interest in trading for a later model gas or diesel. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

X2 +
oldmattb
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
We bought a DP. Several things played in to that. We had a $20K budget, wanted a really nice quality interior, and I hate the sound of a wound-up gas engine near me.

For that budget, we got full body paint, a diesel generator, a good-sized shower (pet peeve), ceramic toilet, 8-bag suspension, ceramic tile in kitchen and bath, nice cabinetry, pleasing fabrics, twin ACs, and everything working properly.

The gas coaches in that price range, though newer, had really ugly fabrics, cheap hardware, and things inside falling apart. Oh, and a couple of showers that the 6'0" of me literally could not stand up straight in. So many gas coaches just look so cheap and impermanent inside.

No regrets, no plans to change.

Matt B
Rickieblue
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
A diesel is much more fuel efficient and the trade off is higher priced fuel. As a rule, fuels are sold by their BTU content (more heat value, more horsepower)..also a diesel creates more torque. I am running an 8.3 Cummins C series and according to the Cummins support people, it is very rare to have to put a wrench on the engine in the first 400,000 miles. People are concerned with oil changes being expensive because the diesels hold so much more oil but Cummins recommends changing oil and filter every 15,000 miles. In my book, its an even trade on maintenance costs but overall the diesel is the way to go. Another thing to take into consideration is the transmission behind the engine. You will only find an Allison automatic behind the diesel and they are idiot proof and are the most reliable transmission on the market. A diesel will also have an air compressor mounted on it to operate air brakes. Air brakes are a wonderful thing. I think you need to drive a diesel pusher and see how you like it. 99% of the people will never look back at a gasser.
rdmike
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
Had a gasser, would never go back. Not just the engine, the brakes, the frame, the interior, I can go on. But it is your budget. You must live within yourself. For 3-4 weeks a year, I would keep what you have. We live in ours 6 months a year 12 to 15k miles a year. Big difference.
s_N_s
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
I see a couple of comments here that are not true. The only way you get an Allison transmission is with a diesel?? Funny my Workhorse gas chassis has the Allison attached to my 8.1 power plant. One point is clear, you can't beat the Allison transmission. Yes a gas coach will be a bit louder then a DP but with ours, I don't know what Newmar did as far as insulating the doghouse and front area but it's as quiet as can be. For the 5% of a trip the the engine may be at the higher RPM range, I can live with that and as mentioned it's not loud at all. "The material and finish in a gasser is cheap." Well I've been in a few DP's that are not put together very well either. The higher up the ladder you go in any manufacturers models the better the material. I'd put our Mountain Aire "gas" motor home up against any of the top qualifiers and I'd like someone to convince me that this is a cheap made coach. I really think you would have a hard time doing that. As far as the OP's questions as already mentioned if it's not broke, don't need to fix it. Minor repairs sometime can be a WHOLE lot cheaper then a new coach and payment book. It all breaks down to $$$$. If you think you need a DP or a newer gas you have to make the final decision. Good luck and hope all works out. Enjoy and Be Safe out there.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Oct 17, 2015
I've often posted that I'd take a 6-8 year old high end DP over a new gasser for the same price. BUT for four weeks/year KEEP WHAT YOU HAVE. For most of us RVs (Recreational Vehicles) are expensive toys as we are not Full Timers. My daddy said "pay cash for toys" but your up bring might be different.

If you have a 20 year mortgage you are so upside down that you'll have to come up with thousands of dollars or roll that amount into a new mortgage to change rigs... just increasing the problem.

If you buy into having to change the oil every year (regardless of the number of miles) stay with a gasser. Pull a oil sample at one year and see what the results are.

I could go on but four weeks/year is all I need to know as I often advise that you need to use expensive toys 100 days/year, even if you paid cash for it. Thank you dad.
gbopp
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
oldmattb wrote:
We bought a DP. We had a $20K budget

For that budget, we got full body paint, a diesel generator, a good-sized shower (pet peeve), ceramic toilet, 8-bag suspension, ceramic tile in kitchen and bath, nice cabinetry, pleasing fabrics, twin ACs, and everything working properly.
Matt B

That was a fantastic deal. All that for 20K. :)
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
I would buy what I wanted. I don't try to justify my hobbies. What I can't understand is spending a few thousand a year on fuel then sending my oil out to be tested because it's a diesel and can't afford the extra $$$$ for the additional oil in the pan.