Gas or Diesel? Help me decide.

[ScottGese]

I have been through them all, Class C with V10, too small, 36 ft 5th wheel , Than 2 class A gassers, we wanted to be 100% self contained. No problem with either really, But switch this spring to a new diesel pusher, Plenty of power and quiet driving, ride much better. Hills towing car, can't tell its back there. Plus its easier to fuel up than our rear fill gasser was.

Thank you for the reply.

 

[BGMAC]

I have a 2016 Georgetown 38ft gasser V10. Diesel does have more power/torque, but if you don’t use it much it really is costly for the reasons mentioned above. It is a bit noisy, but I’ve added some soundproofing and it’s much better. I’ve towed a 2 door Jeep from Tennessee to Alaska and back with no problems. Now I have a 2024 Colorado as a toad and it tows great as well. Cruising at 50 mph I got almost 9 mpg. Going 60 mph I get about 7 mpg. That’s on mostly level ground. If in the mountains I guess maybe 6 mpg.
It just depends on what your needs are. I’ve had travel trailers as well and liked them too.

 

[JBright11]

What is the difficulty?

Space and congestion.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

What do you drive, gas or diesel? Why?

I have had two Class C gassers and two Class A Gassers. The main reason for the first A Gasser was length. Prior to retirement we preferred Provincial or State Parks. These, in the Pacific North West, were not friendly to longer units. We had that coach for 14 years and it served us very well including the last 7 years of full timing. It had logged 75,000 miles. Hardly epic these days. There was a lot of life left in her. We have friends that run diesels and considering the cost of the purchase, the cost to maintain and other headaches that go with the emission and fuel cost makes us thankful that we stayed with a gasser. We tow a Wrangler but it doesn't seem to impair the performance. We like to travel between 60 and 65 MPH but I have no idea what our gas milage is. When it needs gas we fill it (at Costco's if we can). I understand the pushers are quieter but, since I try not to let our engine rev over 4000, ours is fairly quiet anyway. I'm happy with our gasser.

 

[ScottGese]

I have a 2016 Georgetown 38ft gasser V10. Diesel does have more power/torque, but if you don’t use it much it really is costly for the reasons mentioned above. It is a bit noisy, but I’ve added some soundproofing and it’s much better. I’ve towed a 2 door Jeep from Tennessee to Alaska and back with no problems. Now I have a 2024 Colorado as a toad and it tows great as well. Cruising at 50 mph I got almost 9 mpg. Going 60 mph I get about 7 mpg. That’s on mostly level ground. If in the mountains I guess maybe 6 mpg.
It just depends on what your needs are. I’ve had travel trailers as well and liked them too.

I'm beginning to think gas makes more sense if I'm not towing something.

 

[ScottGese]

I have had two Class C gassers and two Class A Gassers. The main reason for the first A Gasser was length. Prior to retirement we preferred Provincial or State Parks. These, in the Pacific North West, were not friendly to longer units. We had that coach for 14 years and it served us very well including the last 7 years of full timing. It had logged 75,000 miles. Hardly epic these days. There was a lot of life left in her. We have friends that run diesels and considering the cost of the purchase, the cost to maintain and other headaches that go with the emission and fuel cost makes us thankful that we stayed with a gasser. We tow a Wrangler but it doesn't seem to impair the performance. We like to travel between 60 and 65 MPH but I have no idea what our gas milage is. When it needs gas we fill it (at Costco's if we can). I understand the pushers are quieter but, since I try not to let our engine rev over 4000, ours is fairly quiet anyway. I'm happy with our gasser.

From the response I'm getting I'm thinking gas is the way to go for what we plan to do.

 

[Underboss]

Having owned an equal amount of both gassers and diesels. Personally, diesel is the way to go for me. I will say I drove a friends class c on a 22 Ford chassis with the new 7.3 gasser and a full Morryde system and it drove like a dream. Did not lose 1 mph on slight to moderate grades.
I have owned anywhere from a class b to a dp, not in that order but bigger is always better. Mileage is not much different from a smaller gasser to a full size dp.
To me it all comes down to, do I have more money than years or vice versa. Life is too short, get what you can afford and enjoy.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

From the response I'm getting I'm thinking gas is the way to go for what we plan to do.

I think that it is definitely a cheaper way to begin. I don’t regret our gasser Class A at all. We loved it and many times stated that it was a great RV.
As time passed (4 years) we decided that we needed a change, so we went with a fifth wheel toyhauler instead.

 

[Boat Bum]

If you're lucky enough to own an RV, you're lucky enough.

 

[Wemustrv]

Totally personal choice. We have a 40' diesel pusher and I would not have anything other than a diesel. Better performance all he way around for me

 

[Kevin D Pem]

It is a personal choice. Never had diesel in what I have owned. Today's gassers are considerably more reliable than newer diesel, or older gas engines.

As a note, two hours in an abandoned store parking lot with some cones, and you can master backing a trailer. It ain't rocket science. And just as easy to hit walls and or limbs as any other box on the road. Pull trailers do a better job of tracking the wheels of your tow vehicle, than a fifth.

I believe, as many do, that size doesn't matter! There is to big, and to small. May I suggest you stick with what you're wife is most comfortable driving! You will be most comfortable with what she will drive, and she will thank you for considering her needs.

 

[Holdmybeer]

For us it's relative. We're not fulltime and don't generally travel beyond a thousand miles or so one way a few times a year. Maintenance is easy and less expensive. Our V10 gas works well. Were we on the road a lot I'd definitely look to be in a DP.

 

[AbdRahim]

Gasser. Can’t afford a diesel. Also, there is enough maintenance cost on a gasser. Diesel much more expensive to maintain. Gasser - no DEF issues. I only drive 3,000 - 5,000 miles a year. Therefore a diesel would be a waste of money for me sitting in one spot for most of the year.

Now, if I were driving 20,000 mi per year, a diesel would be more appropriate. One would last a lifetime - that is if I could afford it. So for me, I bought the biggest gasser I could find.

Whatever you decide, look carefully at the carrying capacity. Some coaches have much more than others. I am very happy with my Bay Star.

 

[ScottGese]

To me it all comes down to, do I have more money than years or vice versa. Life is too short, get what you can afford and enjoy.

Great way to look at it. Thanks for your reply.

 

[ScottGese]

May I suggest you stick with what you're wife is most comfortable driving! You will be most comfortable with what she will drive, and she will thank you for considering her needs.

I agree! My wife barely reaches the pedals of our c. That will be a major consideration on our new purchase.