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Old 09-07-2016, 08:57 AM   #15
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I have a Dutch Star by Newmar diesel 2007 and LOVE it.
moor power than gas.
please look at newmar or tiffin models I believe they are the best coaches on the road
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Old 09-07-2016, 09:01 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by FurbabyMama View Post
Still looking for our first RV. We know gas engine makes it cheaper but heard diesel is more comfortable and engine lasts longer. Thoughts?
If you want to read through a lot of thread's and post's, Type "Gas or Diesel" in the search bar at the top of the page, you will find day's of reading on this subject.........as it is the Most debated subject on here...
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Old 09-07-2016, 09:39 AM   #17
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I would highly recommend a diesel pusher over a gasser, even if that means you will need to find a used one to stay within the budget! There's no comparison in the riding comfort!
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Old 09-07-2016, 09:51 AM   #18
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If money is no object , a DP is nice .
That being said , we have a gas rig . I'm mostly happy with a gas rig , more power would be nice , the ride is decent , etc, but it all comes with a price .
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Old 09-07-2016, 11:03 PM   #19
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As suggested, there is plenty of reading available right on the forum. Search gas vs diesel, but also search ford chassis handling. The great bulk of gas motorhomes in the US are built on the Ford chassis, and a large number of motorhome owners have found it necessary to spend a substantial amount of money on aftermarket suspension control devices to render the ride and handling satisfactory.


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Old 09-08-2016, 07:31 AM   #20
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Interesting, you actually mean like DH sleeping while DW driving? I never thought someone would/could sleep back there safely while the coach is moving.

My DW and I were looking at a new gasser over the weekend and, in this particular model, the Onan Quiet generator was running under the Master bed. We didn't like the noise nor the vibration it generated. So either running the genset to run the A/C while driving, or while boondocking, wouldn't be something we'd like to hear/feel either while sleeping.
Good comment, however, with a diesel pusher, the Onan quiet generator is generally in the front. We sometimes use it while driving if the cab air conditioner won't keep up with the heat. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depends on your perspective), we can't tell if it is running or not while moving down the road as the wind noise, such as it is, is louder than the running generator. IMHO, it is the best of both worlds, our 7.5kw onan is quieter than a gas engine between our seats, the coach engine is in the back, so we don't have to listen to it while driving, and if sleeping, since our bedroom is at the back of the coach, the generator, if running is at the front of the coach!

So under most conditions, we are separated from the noise of whatever engine is running.

Lots of good advice here, but I'll add one other thing that I haven't seen mentioned. If you require a lot of storage, than a diesel can carry a LOT more stuff in the basement storage areas than any gas powered RV I've seen. It all depends on your particular needs.
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Old 09-08-2016, 07:39 AM   #21
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Gas vs Diesel? That's a topic we haven't seen in a long time

I owned DP. I own a gasser now. Very happy with my gasser and I have a pile more money in my bank account because of my decision.
Floor plan floor plan floor plan.
Money money money.
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Old 09-08-2016, 07:56 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod View Post
Lots of good advice here, but I'll add one other thing that I haven't seen mentioned. If you require a lot of storage, than a diesel can carry a LOT more stuff in the basement storage areas than any gas powered RV I've seen. It all depends on your particular needs.
without going into the full debate here i did feel the need to respond to this one item. The new gassers (FW, TIFFIN, NEWMAR, WINNABAGO) almost all have pass thru storage now and compete quite well with a diesel of the same general length.

Example:
FW (fleetwood) bounder 35k -----Interior Storage (cu. ft.) 126
Exterior Storage (cu. ft.) 180

Tiffin Allegro Red diesel --- Basement Storage (Cubic Feet – Approximate):
37 PA – 119
38 QBA – 160
38 QRA – 160

As you can see the FW has actually more basement storage than the diesel and Newmar and the rest are very close to this as well.

like all have said previously -- budget, need, and tow -- then pick your coach. Gas or Diesel, both sound the same when parked and slides out (80% of your actual RV travel time), both will get you where you want to go.

Good Luck
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Old 09-08-2016, 02:47 PM   #23
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This is where you have to consider what you value. Value and cost are not the same thing.

You can stay warm with a kerosene heater or propane heater or propane forced air furnace, ducted or not, or heat pumps or Hydronic Heat. The price difference is vast and so is the value. I say this to point out that the top of the food chain diesel is a very different lifestyle than an entry level gasser. Both stay warm when its cold and both are cool when its warm. This is why I say the fuel choice of the MH is a Red Herring. One caveat is if you just like the way a diesel pulls and operates, then it brings its own satisfaction.

As mentioned earlier, drive them all. Every MH has its pluses and minuses. Enjoy the journey!
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Old 09-08-2016, 05:13 PM   #24
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Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod View Post
...with a diesel pusher, the Onan quiet generator is generally in the front... Unfortunately (or fortunately, depends on your perspective), we can't tell if it is running or not while moving down the road as the wind noise, such as it is, is louder than the running generator... IMHO, it is the best of both worlds, ... onan is quieter than a gas engine between our seats, the coach engine is in the back, so we don't have to listen to it while driving, and if sleeping, since our bedroom is at the back of the coach, the generator, if running is at the front of the coach!
Yes, I agree. Our preference too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod View Post
...If you require a lot of storage, than a diesel can carry a LOT more stuff in the basement storage areas than any gas powered RV I've seen. It all depends on your particular needs.
Storage will be more important when we go full time but that's a few years away. That said, I'd like to avoid having to sell and buy another coach down the road if I can. Yes, many DPs have better storage than the older gassers. Yet, some entry level diesels have a chassis that, storage-wise, may or may not compare well in size/volume against the newer gassers. We certainly have to consider all things important to us.
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Old 09-08-2016, 05:48 PM   #25
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After having TT's since 1968 we went to a Type B MH in 1988, then to a Type C in 1997 and a Type A gas in 1998. Got our first DP in 2000 and haven't gone back to a gas unit since.
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Old 09-08-2016, 06:11 PM   #26
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Fuel choice is really a red herring.

Decide what you what you want in a MH. If you want to tow 10 k pounds then there are no gas powered choices. If you want something small, 36', or less there are no rear diesel choices. Find a MH that does and lives as you wish and you will find an engine that does the job. Diesels have different maintenance requirements than gas, there are also added requirements for the pneumatics system, etc.

Scheduled maintenance requirements are a very small part of the total costs. Diesels can have very high unscheduled costs. The only reason to buy and own a depreciating asset like a MH is because you enjoy it.
Very good reply. I especially liked this part, "Diesels can have very high unscheduled costs".

Could you please give us a list of some common or found often "very high unscheduled costs" and what kinda of money we're talking about?
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Old 09-08-2016, 08:33 PM   #27
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Most auto repair shops can handle most of the repairs on a gas RV assuming they have the room for it .
DPs generally require a truck repair facility, not as readily available & generally more expensive labor rates .
Many of the parts are more expensive on a DP, & there are several parts that are unique to a diesel RV , turbo, inner cooler, injector pumps etc
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Old 09-08-2016, 09:31 PM   #28
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Very good reply. I especially liked this part, "Diesels can have very high unscheduled costs".

Could you please give us a list of some common or found often "very high unscheduled costs" and what kinda of money we're talking about?
For example in my MH has a CAPS injection pump. If this pump fails, I've seen numbers from $4000-6000. 40-60% of problems in medium and heavy duty engines are related to the cooling system. If the liners are pitted and a rebuild is necessary, numbers range from $12000-$25000. One our members had his engine rebuilt because a valve failed, IIRC something on the order of $30k was required.

That all said, there are thousands of MH running millions of miles without those kinds of problems. Diesels, particularly medium and heavy, are built differently. Nearly all of these unscheduled costs can be avoided by proper preventative maintenance.

You're probably thinking, who would want that kind of risk? The answer is in the benefits. Some DP have 18k tow ratings, ours is 10k which is more common. Our MH when not towing gets 8.3mpg on average over 30k miles and weighs 33k lbs when loaded. What that weight allows is tile floors, solid or maybe granite counters. 100 gallons of fresh water. 120-200 gallons of fuel. Residential refrigerators, 4-8 house batteries. Air ride and so on. The amenities add up in weight, the diesel makes carrying them possible.

If you don't need or value the amenities that diesels can offer then why go to the expense? Which is why you should decide what is important to you. The late model gas MH's from Newmar are gorgeous and well constructed. There are choices for every lifestyle and budget, enjoy the search!
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