Gas or Diesel? Help me decide.

[Vint]

Yes, the capacity is 12 gallons.

Yeah, I see you guys have the big boy 15L Cummins in your beautiful rig. I didn't look at your bio to see what kind of rig you had when I asked about oil capacity, figuring you had the 8.9L.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

For the most part I avoid the RV youtuber testimonials and instructional videos, most of them, but not all, are thinly disguised promotional videos, others are some young couple trying to make a buck yammering on about subjects they know little to nothing about. Anyone who says it cost them two grand to change their own oil is obviously not that bright.

What I have learned from You Tube and RV Forums:

Ok, I can't take credit for this since it was posted on another forum by someone more creative than I, but it's so darn funny I had to share:

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1. Don't watch people back in.
2. Watch people back in, it's great fun.
3. Don't talk to people when they are backing in.
4. Be neighborly. But leave people alone.
5. Don't run lights, your AC, or your generator at night.
6. You can drive with your propane on.
7. Don't drive with your propane on.
8. You can drive with your generator on.
9. Don't sleep at rest areas. They are for truck drivers only.
10. No they aren't. Yes they are. No they aren't.
11. Have a checklist or you're going to drive down the road with hoses flapping, awnings flying, and your family dog tied to the bumper.
12. RV Internet is super easy to figure out, you just need a flux capacitor from T-mobileAttSprint, 7 yards of coax cable, and a wine rack on your roof. But have two other systems as back up just in case.
13. You think RV Internet is confusing, let's talk solar setups!
14. Batteries. Probably going to need more no matter what you do. Let's see how many golf cart batteries we can fit in the basement.
15. Insulate the wall behind your fridge. Add seven fans to your fridge. Probably still not going to be enough and you're going to lose your food several times before you figure it out.
16. Don't bring your dog in your RV. Or your kids. Or anything that makes noise.
17. Dogs, kids, and summer fun-noise are essential to RVing! Bring them all!
18. If your RV is over ten years old, you go to the back of the park, next to the swamp, watch out for those rusty barrels marked TOXIC that are right on the edge of your site.
20. Get walkie talkies. You need them for backing in.
21. Get a surge protector. Your RV will fry without it, and if you don't lock it up, it will get stolen.
22. Get an RV GPS. If you don't, you'll probably end up dead under a low hanging underpass. Whatever GPS you get, it's probably going to still try to kill you when you aren't paying attention.
23. 300 miles a day or you will be sorry.
24. 800 miles a day or you are a lazy meatsack!
25. Harvest Hosts are awesome! Unless you are an alcoholic because 95% of them are wineries.
26. Plan ahead! All the good spots are taken.
27. Don't plan ahead, enjoy the mysteries and freedom of RV life! Stay where you want!
28. Walmart parking lots are great.
29. Can't stay at some Walmart parking lots. Other Walmart parking lots, you're probably going to wake up in your bathtub missing your kidneys.
30. Cracker Barrel is the place to stay now! Except they only have 4 RV spots and now everyone knows about Cracker Barrel so head up to the Rest area on the freeway, but wait, don't stay there because truckers...ugh.
31. Whatever you think you're going to tow, you can't! It weighs too much because that number you thought was important isn't the right number to be looking at. You need a Ford F950 to pull that corolla!
32. Horse Hockey! I can pull a train engine with my Class C! Watch me!
33. Full Timers ruin it for everyone.
34. Casual RVers ruin it for everyone.
35. RV Renters ruin it for everyone.
36. Millenial Rvers ruin it for everyone.
37. Boomer RVers ruin it for everyone.
38. Boondockers ruin it for everyone.
39. Stay at RV parks. Leave the Boondocking for people that need to boondock.
40. Boondock. You haven't lived until you've boondocked in the desert with coyotes curled up at your feet while you play the wooden flute and drink home made tequila while it's 110 degrees inside your non-AC travel trailer.
41. Coach-Net is the best. Good Sam sucks donkey butt. FMCA is great too.
42. FMCA? What the heck is that? Never heard of it.
43. Good Sam saved our lives! Coach Net is for snobs in new Diesel pushers that get to park up front at the park.
44. They all suck. Just use the one that comes with your insurance, stupid noob!
45. Cable TV at a park. What's that? Cable? People still have cable?
46. Free Wi Fi at a campground is apparently the newest circle of hell.
47. KOA is the greatest place on earth. Except when it's the worst.
48. If you don't go to Destin, you are nobody.
49. Florida is full. It's booked up through 2032.
50. You're going to screw up your black water tank/dumping procedure and get covered head to toe in poop. it's inevitable. Just accept that it will happen.

 

[thepopstep]

What do you drive, gas or diesel? Why?

gas RVs are cheaper to buy and repair, they're reliable for light, casual use, especially on shorter trips. Diesel RVs are more powerful, fuel-efficient, and built for heavy use and longer distances so... they're generally more reliable over time, but they cost more upfront and can be expensive to maintain. this is coming from a seasoned RV Tech

 

[Joe Hogan]

Gas vs Diesel RVs

When choosing between a gas and diesel RV, several factors come into play, including cost, performance, and maintenance. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision:

### Cost
- **Initial Purchase Price**: Diesel RVs generally have a higher sticker price compared to gas RVs. For example, a Class A motorhome with a gas engine might cost around $75,000, while the same model with a diesel engine could cost around $150,000
- **Fuel Costs**: Gasoline is typically cheaper than diesel fuel. For instance, if gas costs $2.89 per gallon and diesel costs $3.97 per gallon, filling a 40-gallon tank would cost $115.60 for gas and $158.80 for diesel
- **Insurance**: Insurance costs can vary based on the type of engine. Factors such as driving experience and the RV's mileage will influence the rates, but it's advisable to get estimates for both diesel and gas RVs

### Performance
- **Horsepower and Torque**: Gas engines generally have more horsepower, making them better for accelerating quickly, which can be useful in urban areas and when merging onto highways. Diesel engines, on the other hand, offer more torque, which is beneficial for towing heavy loads and climbing hills
- **Fuel Efficiency**: Diesel engines are typically more fuel-efficient. A diesel-powered Class A motorhome averages 7-13 miles per gallon (mpg), while a gas-powered one averages 6-10 mpg. This efficiency can be particularly advantageous for long road trips or full-time living in an RV

### Maintenance
- **Service Costs**: Diesel engines generally require more expensive service due to the specialized knowledge and tools needed. For example, an oil change for a diesel RV in Washington state might cost between $450 and $750, compared to $170 for a gas RV
- **Service Frequency**: Despite higher service costs, diesel engines typically require less frequent maintenance. Learning to perform some maintenance tasks yourself can help reduce these costs

### Availability and Flexibility
- **Fuel Availability**: Gas stations are more common than diesel stations, which can be a consideration, especially in remote areas
- **Versatility**: Both gas and diesel engines are available in various sizes of RVs, from small Class B to large Class A models. Some manufacturers offer the same floor plans and equipment in both gas and diesel configurations

### Environmental Considerations
- **Emissions**: Diesel RVs often come with emissions-control features, which can contribute to a higher initial cost. However, modern diesel engines are designed to meet strict emission standards

### Conclusion
The choice between a gas and diesel RV depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you have a tight budget and prefer lower initial costs, a gas RV might be the better option. However, if you plan to tow heavy loads, frequently travel long distances, or prioritize fuel efficiency and torque, a diesel RV could be more suitable despite the higher upfront and maintenance costs.

 

[Vint]

I think a lot of what Joe posted was already hashed out. In my opinion, there are many inaccuracies in the post, but who cares, right?

The bottom line is that any RV buyer will generally look to get the most coach they can for the amount of money they're willing to spend.

The RV industry as a whole has a well-known food chain starting with pop-ups, moving up to a hard-sided travel trailer, from there you can get luxurious 5th wheels from around 29 ft. to almost 50 ft., giving you the livability of a small house. From there are the drivable rigs. This used to be a simple category van, B, C, A gas, A diesel, custom build A (Million dollars plus). Now, however, the B, B+, and B/C combinations, which became popularized by the Mercedes van chassis, with Dodge Ram and Ford following close behind, have added more options in the drivable field of vehicles. With all these classes, there are very noticeable price brackets that go up until you get into the custom build rigs. What you get for the increased dollars spent is better amenities, heavier weights, and weight carrying capacity to haul all your household junk. More money spent, prettier, better materials, better creature comforts, and function.

So, other than what has been discussed from the OP's initial post, "gas vs. diesel", that doesn't matter as much as how much money do you have spent, how much money are you willing to dedicate to your rigs yearly maintenance and insurance, what amenities are required, what can be done without. Roll all of this into expected nights to be able to camp yearly, and come to the conclusion of what magic number will make it all worthwhile.