Gas or Diesel? Help me decide.

[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.

 

[JBright11]

On our Bay Star, my wife has to put the driver's seat all the way forward and max tilt to reach the pedals. She can get comfortable enough to drive in an emergency, and for short distances, but certainly not for any long distance.
She's 5' 2" for reference.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

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

Well now! I neglected to mention drivability in my reply. Our first Class A gasser was a Winnebago Vista. It was perfect for our needs when we purchased it but one had to "herd" it down the road even though it was brand new. I had the steering and suspension checked fearing it was faulty somewhere. It wasn't. I was told that Ford F53s were notorious for having sloppy steering. Our new coach is a Jayco with JRIDE Plus.
Jayco Motorhomes Offer Smooth Ride and Handling with JRide®
What a difference. I believe Newmar upgrades their suspension as well. If you are just going to be weekend warriors, it probably won't matter much and, in fact, I got used to the poor handling of our Winnebago so it didn't bother me so much but if I knew then what I know now, it would have made a difference in our purchase.

 

[bpaikman]

we've only had 2, both diesel MHs, both used. We go through mountains a lot, never had any issues. Flat-Towing same car we bought in 2013 - Subaru Crosstrek.
We found a diesel mechanic we trust and we've been fine. Not experts here, but we take care of the coach. we've heard a lot of advice and we weigh it and consider the source. Bob likes having a diesel - he just likes knowing he has enough power.
7-8 mpg 65 mph towing.... we have gotten up to 12 if we took our time in flat land. But that's rare.
I think the Diesels maybe hold their value better and that was important to us. Idly considering full-timing for a while, so looking for a wee bigger third one. It will be a Dutchie, Bob says.

 

[team bradfield]

had a F350 with a V10 gasser, it struggled in the Rockies with our 5th wheel, low torque, traded it for Diesel and have never looked back, we put a lot of miles on our DSDP, I feel its needed and worth it for our use, if we stayed close to home (Illinois flat land) I might have never felt the need to go diesel

 

[RVThereYet]

Have been the full gambit, diesel, gas, gas, diesel. The Class A 350 Cummins was very quiet, and plenty of torque. Tried the Class C F450, not enough cockpit room, went to a Class A gasser, loved it, spouse did not!
Sound proofing applied but still noisy and engine heat was warm not to mention having to climb over the engine cover, real PIA!! Now have a F250, heavy duty tow package, 5th wheel set up. Have 30,000 lb tow capacity and presently have a 43' WildCat 5er. It pulls great. Love the power and the towing capacity is awesome. Just completed a trip from Dallas to St Louis and averaged 11.8 MPG. Super pleased with that!! Put the cruise control on 65 and it holds speed even going up mild hills without RPM even increasing. Funny thing, looking at F350's and F450's, the rear axle for sure handles more weight but the engine? Same, 6.7L Power Stroke. Now the newer 6.7L do have increased horsepower and torque but manage a little less MPG.
I say, do what ever makes YOU HAPPY!!

Happy Glamping!!!

 

[wildebill308]

Not having a toad will reduce what you can see and do by about 85%.
Bill

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Not having a toad will reduce what you can see and do by about 85%.
Bill

This is true, bank on these words! Top that off with the thread obout backing a toad, and you might understand why I would rather pull a trailer.

Make a check list with all the pros and cons and see how things stack up to your expectations.

 

[Headhunter]

HI Scott: You say you are not going to have a towed? You will REALLY miss a lot without it. It is a real PIA when you don't have one and want to go some place.

That being said I am on my third Class A motor home. Two DPs and one gasser. I had a 2019 Tiffin Open road 32SA gasser. I now have a Tiffin 33AA Diesel. Like mentioned it is personal preference, There is no comparison between the two.

In my opinion there are at least 5 things that you will never get with a gas coach.

1. Even if you only do three to five thousand miles a year. You want a smooth ride, Diesel with air bags and air ride suspension.
2. You want to have a conversation with your passenger, Diesel with the engine at the back and not have to holler to be heard.
3. Do you want to stop suddenly, no comparison air brakes on DP can't be beat.
4. You want torque and power and sooner or later you are going to want to tow something, Diesel 10K Lbs towing capacity. Not to mention the power to climb very steep grades.
5. Going down very steep hills, coming down mountain passes, the Diesel exhaust break is outstanding.

My first coach was a winnie 36G DP. I really liked it. When it was time to move to a newer coach a friend of mine suggested the gas V10 saying how much improved it was and so much cheaper. It was ok but my wife would go nuts with the engine noise. The ride was not a DP quality no matter what I did. I only kept it two years and bought another DP.

Good luck with your decision.

HH