I am getting ready to retire and am considering buying a class A motorhome. I really need some advise on weather to get a diesel or a gas driven one. Also what engines to stay away from. Any information as to milage, etc. or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
This is from both experiance and People I know with what you are asking. In smaller trucks, Diesel 2000 and below is great for fuel milage and power. With these new Fords, you loose fuel mileage really bad(about half). But as far as a motor home with the way gas is cheaper than Diesel, I would go with gas. From what I have noticed in RV's is you will get about the same fuel Mileage between the 2. Keep in mind if you are the occasional RVer than that RV will last you quite some time. But if you use it and I mean use it, it won't be the engine that won't last it will be the rest of it. The maker of the RV is going to be everything. STAY AWAY FROM FLEETWOOD. My opinion is Fleetwood is cheap, but you get what you paid for.
Diesel you can get a lot of miles off of, but if something goes wrong it will cost and I do mean cost. I have had trucks with gas engines get well over 200k miles. I have 2 older fords with 7.3 diesels one with 150k and the other 250k and both still running strong. I have a dodge with over 200k with the cummins and have had a lot of problems with it. Sorry I made this so long, but I figued I would try to cover the bases. I would go with the gas 10 cyclinder if it is the bigger RV. It won't matter on fuel milage they will all get about the same, and Diesel fuel and the Diesel option will cost more.
This is a great question and has been asked many times. I pull a fifth wheel trailer and have done it with both gas and diesel. I also have heavy duty diesel equipment experience.Presently I have a 6.6l GMC diesel and it is very strong. The gas model is obviously cheaper to purchase but the longevity may not be as lengthy. Also the type of power you enjoy driving with makes a difference. The diesels torque has yet to be matched by a gas engine. The Ford V 10 has about 360 to 380 ft lbs. My GMC has 650 ft lbs. The difference? I go up a mountain with very little extra pressure on the accelerator. It just grunts slightly louder and carries on. Less fuel as well. More expensive to fix. You really need to think about how many miles you are going to drive with your unit. I make about 15 to 17 MPG pulling the trailer and just around 20 MPG with just the truck. You can destroy that to about 12 to 13 if you want to go fast everywhere. The 17 was down the Coast of Oregon doing the speed limit and doing the speed limit "up" the hills as well. It comes down to what you like. Do some research on Class A's and you will find the 2 basic types of chassis's that are on the market. Usually you can denote them by the 10,000 trailer hitch and the 5000 trailer hitch. The heavier one is usually better in terms of brakes and sterring gear as well if you going to use this alot. Good luck!
I am retired and a small RV dealer. I have owned and driven many RV's, both gas and diesel. It depends entirely on how many miles you intend to put on it. The diesels are much more pleasent to drive they handle most hills effortlessly, they are usually on a much better chassis and are heavier so they handle wind better. They are outragously expensive to service and repair. Most truck dealers hate to see them come in and charge acordingly, (100-120 per hour) A simple oil change will run 200 and up. I had an oil change at a Petro truck stop in Columbia Mo and they got air in the fuel lines. I was back on the road 2 days later after they towed me (at my expense, to a truck dealer who knew what he was doing). Most manufacturers make everything from cheapie's to ultra luxury. I am currently driving a 95 American Eagle by Fleetwood (earlier post) it has over 120,000 and is the nicest I have ever driven. Best advice is probably: rent a couple, it is expensive but it is the cheapest way to find out what you like and don't like. For all education we must pay the tuition. Del
When I started shopping for a motorhome safety and durability was my main concern. My research led me to Newell and Bluebird motorhomes. Most of them are diesel (the exception being some pre-1970 models. I have seen these coaches AFTER they have been involved in collisions and they hold up very well...much better than the typical plastic palace. IMHO a 20 year old Newell/B.Bird is a good value if price is a major issue.
Discussion about diesel or gas engines, Ford V-10 has 457 foot pounds of torque. I have a 2005 V-10, does a great job pulling. Mileage between 8 and 11 MPG, depends on mountains or flat area. At time of purchase using the differential between gas and diesel mileage operating costs divided into the extra purchase cost of the diesel engine setup, tobreak even I would have had to pull the 5th wheel trailer trailer 100,000 miles to break even. What I am saying is investigate and do the math, then decide for youself. Towing guides are available from all major truck manufactures, also includes motor home chassis.
Ford V-10 develops full torque at 3200rpm, diesel at about 1600 rpm. Diesel has the grunt out of the hole. I run on cruise control set at 60 (our preferance, retired and no hurry), I have seen a drop of about .o3% speed before the tranny downshifts. The speed then increases to 1.03% of set point. I had a Dodge prior to this truck, the same trip using the V-10 is less time due to no slowdown. I have 0 problem running with the "big" diesels and keeping up. V-10 is at home in the mountains. Flys on the flats. Gas engines can be repaired at many repair shops, diesel engines need a specialty shop which are expensive and not numerous . Just letting you know a different side of the story. You choose what meets your needs.
Braking is a issue on all RV's. We are buying our 6th rv soon and it will be a diesel. This allows for air brakes and exhaust brake. Using an exhaust brake on steep hills slows you down until the chassis brake takes over, a big saftey feature and saves on brakes. We find that a used Monaco or Country Coach fits us the best but not the ones that sold for under 200K new. These are just too poorly made. Many times folks buy a lower quality rig and find they bought a headache so get an old NADA book and look up the new price.
Stay away from ford v10 Drink that gas. Diesel is the way to go(only) Gas a little higher but better power and mileage, Also you dont lose power when you go into the mountains diesels dont lose power due to atomiser conditions
Diesle is the only way to go,The fuel cost more and the oil changes cost more but the engine last forever,The torque is great and thats what you need to get over the mountains not horsepower,Think about it Gas is a solvent it eats away at everything like rubber lines and seals it also dilutes the engine oil,on the other side of the coin diesle is a fuel OIL! it is the consistancy of baby oil it acts as a lubricant so there is less fuel vs oil contamination,I have owned both over the years gasers and diesles I purchased a new Dodge with the cummins turbo diesle back in 03 this time I will not turn back even tho diesle is costing more in my opinion diesle is far superior not to mention yes they do get better mileage. this is just my personal opinion and has nothing to do with the fact that I have been a mechanic for over 20 years.
I own Waco North KOA campground, and 40 percent of my guests drive motorhomes. The information I can share with you is that the folks with gas engine motorhomes have nothing but trouble with them. They tell me they are underpowered and wear out too fast. The folks that drive diesel motorhomes LOVE them. I rarely hear a complaint from a guest that owns a diesel powered motorhome. They tell me that the oil changes are a little more expensive than a gas engine oil change, but diesel engines don't require an oil change for 7500 miles - versus a gas engine oil change every 3000. If you look at the big picture, diesel is about the same price to maintain as a gas engine, but it is more powerful and more dependable. After you buy your RV you are more than welcome to visit my KOA campground. You may reserve a motorhome site online at www.wacokoa.com. Hope that information helps!
make sure you check everything out before you sign anything what ever you decide to buy and inspect it like your looking for repairs because if you dont you own it. i used to work for a leading rv business thats how i know.
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