Community Forums

ladyrvr66 · 09-14-2012, 01:06 PM

Am thinking about trading for a motor home that has a Ford 7.3 diesel power stroke engine, 27 foot. can any one give me any idea what kind of mpg I will get. Just trying to figure out if diesel or gas would be better, since diesel costs more.
thanks

kalynzoo · 09-14-2012, 01:28 PM

Just finished 1300 miles in the Western mountains. 38ft Winnebago Adventurer Workhorse 8.1 gas towing a Saturn Vue. Averaged about 6+mpg at a constant 55mph. Sometimes in the 7's on the flat and in the low 6's on the grades. Regular gas at $3.79 in Utah and $4.15 in Ca.

wb7auk · 09-14-2012, 01:31 PM

Having had both the diesel gets 2 to 4 mpg better mileage.
Even though diesel cost more per gallon you will use less and
you will save on fuel cost.
I have a place that round trip is 1,000 miles that I have driven my old gas rig
and my diesel. The diesel saves me right at 200.00 in fuel cost and the diesel
is a lot heavier.

BFlinn181 · 09-14-2012, 01:57 PM

Regular Gas is, in our area right now, is 98% of the price of Diesel,($3.71 vs $3.87--Cincygasprices.com) but the difference in Gas and Diesel mileage is about 140% better (7 mpg vs 10 mpg) In order for gas to be cheaper, diesel would have to go up to $5.30 while gas stayed at $3.71.

Showkey · 09-15-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyrvr66

Am thinking about trading for a motor home that has a Ford 7.3 diesel power stroke engine, 27 foot. can any one give me any idea what kind of mpg I will get. Just trying to figure out if diesel or gas would be better, since diesel costs more.
thanks

Some areas diesel is currently .20 to .30 cheaper than gas...............

Mr_D · 09-15-2012, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Showkey

Some areas diesel is currently .20 to .30 cheaper than gas...............

Not ours!!
Unleaded reg $3.899
Diesel $4.309
at the same station.

vsheetz · 09-15-2012, 11:05 PM

Consider not only fuel costs - but service costs, additional capital costs, etc. of the diesel - and your usage (do you stay more, drive less, etc.).

W4MBG · 09-17-2012, 09:31 AM

vsheetz nailed it! given the same size rig, diesel will get better fuel mileage. but that is offset by much higher maintenance costs. if you drive the rig a lot, diesel might be cheaper overall. if low usage, gas wins. engine related costs for my gas rig: 6 qts of oil and one filter. sure, it will need belts and hoses eventually, but so will a diesel. no huge fuel filters, dryers, 25 qts of oil, etc. it probably wont out-pull a diesel up a mountain, but i'm on vacation!

DogNPonyshow · 09-18-2012, 12:57 AM

I have an E350 van with the 7.3L I get 17 mpg going 68mph or under. I get 15mpg going 69 or faster. I get 12mpg towing a 3 horse trailer. My E350 that had a 460 gas got 12-15 max and 7 towing the same trailer loaded the same. Both vans 4x4 BTW.

I have the 7.3L F350 dually 4x4 I get 15 going 75 w no load. I get 10 w horse trailer and camper going 70 or if I keep it 68 or lower I get 12.

My V10 gas 29 MH gets 9mpg if I go 65. Over 65 and I drop to 7.5 .

I would love to have that 7.3 in my class C.

I travel a lot if interstae and mountain passes and the V10 handles it fine but that 7.3L you just don't have to work the engine as hard.

Driven2it · 09-22-2012, 06:31 AM

I have the Duramax in my 35 Endura and after renting 30ft gassers I really enjoy the power of the diesel. We get 9 mpg regardless of where we go. As far as maintenance its not much more than gas. GM recommends changing the 2.5 gallons of oil at 15k. I do it at 10k. My gas trucks I do at 5k so it's not much more per mile for the diesel.

Spikester · 09-22-2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyrvr66

Just trying to figure out if diesel or gas would be better, since diesel costs more.

Having owned both, fuel cost per mile driven for our diesel is less than those for any of our gasers!

As stated above maintenance costs are more for the diesel depending on usage. Another thing to consider are other added benefits of a diesel, ride and handling to mention a few. Much more to consider than just fuel consumption/cost!

Spike

georgetown350 · 09-22-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

mileage is about 140% better (7 mpg vs 10 mpg)

Is this math correct? Anyways I find diesel and gas to be a wash with the difference in cost in the USA. In Canada there is a definite savings with diesel as it is usually cheaper to purchase over gas. Had a gas coach for years and always felt it worked to hard going up and down the hills. I feel much more comfortable with the diesel and the maintenance difference is far to exaggerated. You only have to change the oil once per year and if you find the right garage you can get all the filters and oil changed quite reasonably. With use of the engine brake the brakes could last a life time. The engine will out last the gas engine 3 to 1. Hows that math?