Opinions on diesel vs. gasoline

[BillyandKris]

Asking advice/opinions: Considering getting a Class C motorhome. We have had diesel truck with fifth wheel for many years. Diesel=power/torque. We travel a lot in the mountains-especially Colorado. We want a Super C, but not sure can afford. Second choice is a Jayco Greyhawk (gasoline engine). Looking at 30-32’ choices. We would flat-tow a Jeep Cherokee. Will we be sorely disappointed in a gasoline engine or should we stick with diesel?

[kwplot34]

Had several class C with the V10 engine, the engines never gave us any problems, But, they were noisy, lacked power going up hills, no room between the seats because of the dog house, put a lot of extra heat in the cab, always down shifting. Now we have a Super C, a Thor Omni XG32 on the Ford F550 cab and chassis with 6.7L diesel, It drives and handles so much better than the van chassis, it's much quieter, plenty of room between the seats, no heat in the cab from the engine, rarely down shifts and goes up and down hill's or mountains with ease.
Would not own a gasser again, night and day difference.

[bobndot]

If it matters to you. Compare insuring , repairing and parts cost of a super C to a Greyhawk E450.

[Grit_dog]

There’s resale too.
Most Super C owners are towing something. From my causal observations anyway.
Diesel = better resale. Likely way better in a Super C

[BillyandKris]

Thanking everyone for replies and awaiting more. Interesting reading. To clarify: we tow a 29.5 Arctic Fox FW(built heavy) with a 2017 Ford F250. We are only interested in the Nexus Super C Wraith 32W because that's the shortest Super C out there that doesn't have a "fold up" bed or a Jayco Greyhawk 29MV only with the NEW Ford engine. BTW I AM the wife!! LOL

[jaycocamprs]

RetiredRealtorRick wrote:
A diesel in a Class C is a lot different than a diesel in a Class A. All the noise and heat is in front of you in a Class C, but far behind you in a Class A DP. I love diesels, but don't want it in my face.

Noise and heat wont go away just because it's a gas burner. The newer diesels aren't as loud as the old ones. And a Super C on a medium duty truck chassis will be easier to work on that a Ford or GM van chassis.

[cbigham]

Had a super c funmover 39c with c7 engine. Loud doghouse but not too bad. That was an 04 and when diesels started turning less reliable. Had a heui pump main shaft cavitate and send metal shards into injectors. 6200 bill, warranty. Apparently things haven't gotten much better, camp buddy told me last week his common rail Dodge Cummins did something similar. He was out of warranty.

Purely anecdotal, most of the vehicles I see broke on interstates these days are large trucks and a good number of diesels. Considering the numbers of cars out there, I find that interesting. I wouldn't buy a new diesel unless I had to. Gotta call a guy with a PhD to fix anything out of the ordinary. Not every station has diesel. Not every dealership or common repair shop can fix your brand of diesel. Almost every town with a dealer has a Ford shop. I also don't miss needing a truck stop to fill up both side tanks. I get 8,9 mpg on the '17 v10 towing a jeep. Good enough. Small enough to get into campgrounds I want.

[klutchdust]

Drew wrote "From a maintenance and repair and engine life perspective, the gas engines are just fine. They're unlikely to be worn out in a motorhome, and certainly not before the house part is very very tired and well-used."
Absolutely. The V-10 has been a proven engine that can easily take 300K with regular maintenance. I personally would not go with the new engine Ford put out until it proves itself. As always the public becomes the testing grounds for what works and what doesn't.


Don't spend $$ on a diesel because you see the difference in mileage ratings. As soon as it goes in for service your $$ saved goes to the mechanic. My Cambria ,30ft. towed either my Jeep or a 16 ft. trailer loaded heavy with no problem. Hills are hills, as was said, how fast do you want to go up hills.
I had my eye on a super C but never drove one to see what the engine noise would be like. That vehicle would need to go to a truck shop for maintenance. Tires? How much are they alone.
Rent what you have in mind for a weekend, money well spent.

[Tyler0215]

How many miles do you plan on traveling in a year. Lotsa miles get a diesel, fewer miles get a gas. The extra cost of a diesel will take along time to pay back if you don't drive a lot of miles.
If you absolutely need to be first up a hill, get a diesel.

[RetiredRealtorR]

A diesel in a Class C is a lot different than a diesel in a Class A. All the noise and heat is in front of you in a Class C, but far behind you in a Class A DP. I love diesels, but don't want it in my face.

[DrewE]

A gas class C will certainly get you anywhere you need/want to go and back again, and be perfectly able to go up and down mountains safely if operated sensibly (i.e. downshifting as needed for engine braking). It won't be as fast as a modern car, nor as slow as a semi truck with a decently large load. Whether or not you'd be disappointed in the gas motorhome's performance is not something I can say, since I can't really know what your expectations are.

From a maintenance and repair and engine life perspective, the gas engines are just fine. They're unlikely to be worn out in a motorhome, and certainly not before the house part is very very tired and well-used.

If it were me in your position, I'd give good consideration to the gas motorhome, doubly so if the floorplan and general interior arrangements and other features were what I wanted. For the difference in price, you can buy a lot of fuel and many nights of campground fees. But, of course, I am not you.

[theoldwizard1]

rexlion wrote:
If a Class C came with a 3.5L Ecoboost, it would perform in the mountains yet have a lower overall maintenance cost than diesels.

Full size Class C on a Ford E350/E450 chassis do NOT have the 3.5L EcoBoost as an available engine.

[theoldwizard1]

pianotuna wrote:
I've had both. I'd never buy diesel again. I find no issues going into the mountains in Canada.

Hard to beat the power of a diesel, but they really are not cost effective these days unless you are driving >50k per year.

The new Ford 7.3L gas with a 10 speed transmission is a very good combination. Add a 4.10 or 4.30 rear axle ratio and climbing mountains should be no problem.

[rexlion]

If a Class C came with a 3.5L Ecoboost, it would perform in the mountains yet have a lower overall maintenance cost than diesels.

[wanderingaimles]

First thought would be to try a gasser C with both the 6.8 and the new 7.3.
The 7.3 supposedly makes its best power at a much lower RPM. Ideal would be to rent one with the 7.3 and then tow the jeep to get a real idea.
Might be time for a Colorado road trip and rent a new one to answer all your questions.

[AJR]

Loved the smell of diesel in the morning.

Would never have another one.

Just me……