Like many of you, I’ve dreamed of one day sitting behind the wheel of a diesel pusher. Hoping to keep the wife happy I took her over to see the brand I’d zeroed in on. The owner was proudly showing us the many features both inside and out. Everything was fine until he opened the garage size storage bay revealing enough tools and spare parts to rebuild the entire rv from scratch. From that point on all the wife could think about was how complex these things are. She’s convinced only trained mechanics and retired engineers should own one of these. This particular owner happened to be a retired aeronautical engineer, go figure. Bottom line, is she right? Are these headaches waiting to happen for novices like me? Do I need to go to diesel mechanic school or have thousands of dollars stashed in the freezer to pay for unexpected repairs? And yes I’ve read all the pros and cons of diesel vs gas, and C’s vs A’s. I want airbag suspension, full size shower, queen size bed and 1000mi cruising range. We currently own a very basic no frills 26’ class C. I don’t mind working on the house parts but not the mechanical parts.Could I be biting off more than I can chew?

Stay where you are. Ignore those that tell you other wise.

This is our first diesel. The only spare parts I carry are both fuel filters, oil filter, and a serpentine belt. I do carry the manuals with us when we travel. I have the 1-800 number for the manufacturer of our rv, the Cummins people, and the freight liner help desk. I also carry a small tool box to fix what I can. I also have Good Sam emergency road service.

When we went from a fifth wheel to a motorhome I desperately wanted a diesel pusher. We thought we could not afford one and got a gasser. It turned out we could have afforded the diesel with the larger bed and bathroom. I really wish we had gone with the diesel.

I have owned three DPs and never carried spare parts. They're pretty reliable. I have Freightliner handle the oil changes and the dealer deal with servicing things like the AquaHot. It's not that expensive. If it's an old used up rig, you might need to bring parts, but other than that...

Really not any more complicate than owning a house and a diesel pickup. The DP is probably less complicated than a a new diesel truck, it certainly has more room in the engine compartment to work on it.Bill

Thinking Diesel. Am I biting off more than I can chew?

Mike_Hohnstein
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
Stay where you are. Ignore those that tell you other wise.
koda55
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
This is our first diesel. The only spare parts I carry are both fuel filters, oil filter, and a serpentine belt. I do carry the manuals with us when we travel. I have the 1-800 number for the manufacturer of our rv, the Cummins people, and the freight liner help desk. I also carry a small tool box to fix what I can. I also have Good Sam emergency road service.
Two_Hands
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
When we went from a fifth wheel to a motorhome I desperately wanted a diesel pusher. We thought we could not afford one and got a gasser. It turned out we could have afforded the diesel with the larger bed and bathroom. I really wish we had gone with the diesel.
kjburns
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
I have owned three DPs and never carried spare parts. They're pretty reliable. I have Freightliner handle the oil changes and the dealer deal with servicing things like the AquaHot. It's not that expensive. If it's an old used up rig, you might need to bring parts, but other than that...
Trackrig
Explorer II
Oct 16, 2014
Really not any more complicate than owning a house and a diesel pickup. The DP is probably less complicated than a a new diesel truck, it certainly has more room in the engine compartment to work on it.

Bill
Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
I've driven one for 10 years and never needed any spare parts.
RayChez
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
No doubt diesel pushers are better, BUT they are more expensive to fix if you get a bad engine. Most of the time these coaches will run for many miles without problems. Knock on wood, but I have not had any problems with my coach in the last nine years. And that is what everybody should get with these expensive toys. But they are mechanical and they can break. Some can be a nightmare according to what I have read in this forum.
But there is nothing like the ride on a diesel pusher that has air ride suspension. They are much heavier and the wind and on coming traffic does not buff you around like a lighter motorhome.

So it is a tough decision and if money is tight? Don't get it. But if you can afford one, it is the way to go.
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Oct 16, 2014
Mine has over 100,000mi on it and in that time I had 1 tire fail and an injection line. I don't carry anything except a cell phone, Good Sam, cash, and credit cards. You will be sorry if you don't get the diesel. Oops I forgot that I am replacing the kitchen faucet right now. Never seen anything like it.....
tahiti16
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
The spare parts go with your comfort level of doing work, just like most vehicles that we own. One that may help you here is, was the prior owner a fulltimer? If so that is his house and garage, the things part timers and weekenders keep stashed in their garage the fulltimer carries with them space allowing it.
tinkerer
Explorer
Oct 16, 2014
For my DP I carry a set of fuel filters, one gallon of motor oil(which I never had to use) and a gallon of pre-mixed anti-freeze. The anti freeze I had to use when a I a radiator clamp fail.:)