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06-06-2016, 02:35 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 47
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Diesel pusher. What's the adavantage?
Newbee here. In the market looking around. Prefer Class A or C, 30' or less. Why do so many RV people want one of these? Is it they have more power, get better mileage, need less maintenance? Do they cost more than a gasoline engine of similar HP? Thanks in advance.
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06-06-2016, 03:20 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,059
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There are many threads on this subject with plenty of debate. The diesel chassis MH will generally give you a much better ride than the Gas MH both in both drive and engine noise. And for the most part they can pull a heavier load. That is not to say though that Gas Chassis MH's are any less of a value, or that you can't get most of the same amenities, nor do they not make any that have a great ride and less engine noise. The bottom line is you get what you pay for. In the size you are looking at I would seriously consider the Newmar Baystar's or the Tiffin Allegros, as they are high end Gas MH's and have a great ride, with very little engine noise compared to some other Gas MH models.
As to the maintenance, no matter what anyone tells you there will be more maintenance to worry about on a Diesel chassis MH and it will be more expensive. The Gas MH chassis is basically the same as doing car maintenance. I do all my own oil changes and other maintenance, which is fairly cheap to do, and normally twice a year based on how many miles we drive. If you can do an oil change on your car, it is even easier on a MH in my opinion. The maintenance on the actual House of the MH is pretty much the same no matter what you buy, depending on the quality of the manufacturer.
Which is better is all up to you, how you are going to use it, your needs(ie type of Toad ect)and how much you want to spend. The equivalently equipped and size Ventana model with the diesel chassis, was about $100,000 more than what we paid for our Canyon Star Gas MH. They will all get you the same places, and once in a CG they pretty much all do the same things. There are some features you get with the diesels like air bags for a better ride and leveling, some better heating systems, ect, but the ones in the newer Gas MH chassis work just fine too.
Good luck, do your research like you are doing and then go out and see/drive as many as you can and you will see the differences both between Gas/diesel, as well as the quality differences between brands. Again you get what you pay for and spending a little extra on the front end will save you money down the road.
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Mike & Charlotte
2014 Newmar Canyon Star 3610
Orange County, California
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06-06-2016, 03:20 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,188
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There's a reason you don't see many large trucks powered by gasoline engines. The torque generated by a diesel engine means it simply outperforms a gasoline engine when it comes to propelling large/heavy vehicles.
As you look at what's available in the RV world ... gasoline engines are most prevalent in models that on the smaller (lighter) end of the spectrum. Conversely, the larger (40+ foot) coaches are virtually all diesel pushers.
A diesel coach typically costs more to purchase than a comparable gas coach. Maintenance tends to be more costly - however this tends to get blurred a bit by the differences in the maintenance schedule (i.e., an oil change in a gas powered coach is less expensive than for a diesel pusher - however you'll need to change the oil in a gas powered coach twice as often).
For us - our desire to have the living space afforded by a 40+ foot coach meant that a diesel pusher was the only way to go.
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SpaceNorman
2012 HR Endeavor 43' DFT, 2022 Jeep Wrangler
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06-06-2016, 03:40 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 56
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The big factor in going with a DP for me was the quietness. I grew up running diesel engines in most every type of vehicle. Gas engines turning at 5-6000 rpm's are just not relaxing to me. This is just personal preference. Other factors like GVWR and towing capacity might require a heavier chassis that a DP will provide. You will probably have a hard time finding a 30 foot DP if that is what you are looking for. Gas units are cheaper to buy and maintain. No one is saving money getting a DP unless it's driven 500 miles a day and even then the numbers might be close.
If quietness, ride comfort, weight capacity, handling, 30%+ better fuel economy, engine braking and all the other things a DP chassis give you are not vital then go with the gas configuration.
Floor plan, size and budget are more important factors in a search. Just watch out for larger gas units with very low cargo capacity. GVWR minus empty weight are sometimes pretty close.
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Tom & Jodie plus 1 Very energetic Husky
2021 Ram 2500
2022 Keystone Outback 342CG
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06-06-2016, 04:21 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Cosby, Tn
Posts: 6,587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thebignewt
Newbee here. In the market looking around. Prefer Class A or C, 30' or less. Why do so many RV people want one of these? Is it they have more power, get better mileage, need less maintenance? Do they cost more than a gasoline engine of similar HP? Thanks in advance.
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30' or less, the gas/diesel argument is not very important. If you go for something built on a Sprinter chassis it will be diesel. Most everything else will be on a Ford gas chassis.
__________________
Steve Ownby
Full time since 2007
2003 Monaco Signature
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06-06-2016, 04:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Missouri Ozarks
Posts: 237
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Drive a DP and you will realize the advantages. Hands down better in every way. There is more maintenance involved, but is doable if do your own car maintenance. It will be about 2-3 times as much per year for annual maintenance. However well worth it for what you get. Fuel mileage is also a lot higher and don't have to contend with cars to fill up.
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John (USAF Reti)/Cheryl (Teacher) Boo (15 year old cat), Billie (18mos cat), Ben (18mos cat), Beau (18mos cat). '20 Tiffin 32SA (Feb 2020 arrival); Past RVs: '16 Newmar Ventana 3709, '16 Tiffin Allegro 36LA, '14 EverGreen Bayhill 295RL, '12 Voltage V3200, '09 BigHorn 3400, '06 Jayco Octane, '04 Jayco Baja
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06-06-2016, 04:28 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 14,885
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thebignewt
Newbee here. In the market looking around. Prefer Class A or C, 30' or less. Why do so many RV people want one of these? Is it they have more power, get better mileage, need less maintenance? Do they cost more than a gasoline engine of similar HP? Thanks in advance.
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If 30' is your limit there will be very few diesel pushers available. None that I am aware of but there may have been a few built.
There are numerous models built on the Sprinter chassis but they are front engine.
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Gordon and Janet
Tour 42QD/InTech Stacker
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06-06-2016, 04:41 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,641
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Have you ever had an RV before? Id suggest maybe renting one. Rent a class A and a class C and see which you like.
You planning to use it a lot? Weekend warrior? A few times a year? New, used? Price range? Gives people an idea things to suggest
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06-06-2016, 05:43 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 47
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Used, when I retire we'll use it a lot, week to month long trips. My wife ain't going long here. We saw some nice Thors at a show in Phoenix that were 28 feet. No kids of course. Maybe a couple dogs. I could go 80 grand. But I prefer quality over room. I guess no diesel pusher for that short, I see that it may not matter at the 12k lb weights.
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06-06-2016, 05:48 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Somewhere On the Road
Posts: 1,213
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My experience with gas and diesel rigs pretty much matches the input so far. If you're out there camping already don't be bashful about stopping to talk with RV owners in campgrounds - I've never met one yet that didn't like to talk pros and cons. Yup - me too!
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Steve
2015 Itasca Ellipse QD | 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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06-06-2016, 06:25 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,731
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thebignewt
Used, when I retire we'll use it a lot, week to month long trips. My wife ain't going long here. We saw some nice Thors at a show in Phoenix that were 28 feet. No kids of course. Maybe a couple dogs. I could go 80 grand. But I prefer quality over room. I guess no diesel pusher for that short, I see that it may not matter at the 12k lb weights.
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Yeah, forget about diesel pushers in that length, and price.
DP's can come with very expensive features that just aren't available with gas!
10,000 and 12,500 Watt generators, diesel boilers for water and coach heating.
There is just a way more to a DP, that makes the price much higher than a gas powered M.H.
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Ben & Sharon
2008 43' Holiday Rambler Scepter PDQ
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06-06-2016, 07:42 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,674
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You state you're 'newbies' looking at a 30' or less. A diesel is not for you. Get a more reasonably-priced gas (used preferred for your first). More than likely, it will not be your last RV. After you've traveled in it for a few years then decide if your way of traveling warrants a diesel.
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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06-07-2016, 10:55 AM
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#13
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,622
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I didn't know anyone made a 30' DP!
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Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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06-07-2016, 12:47 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,328
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In short: a DP is quieter, especially climbing hills. The air suspension give a smoother ride. They typically have a heavier chassis than a comparable gas unit which usually relate to better handling in wind and less suseptable to semi push.
Fueling is easier as you can use the truck lanes at truck stops; easy in and easy out.
The Tiffin Breeze is an example of the smaller DP being made lately.
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Paul, Kathy, and Tux the Mini Schnauzer
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42 LH, 2013 Honda CRV
"When the time comes to look back, make sure you'll like what you see"
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