2007 Diesel Engine Emisions

[Art Mandelay]

I have heard that if you buy an RV with a 2007 Diesel Engine after January, the cost will be $6000-$9000 more due to the new low sulfur emissions and you will get less fuel economy? Is there any truth to this? Does this mean gas coaches will make another surge? I really have not been able to find allot of information about this. I have a Holiday Rambler Gasser W22 and I'm looking at a DP.

Driver do you know anything about this?

[Art Mandelay]

I have heard that if you buy an RV with a 2007 Diesel Engine after January, the cost will be $6000-$9000 more due to the new low sulfur emissions and you will get less fuel economy? Is there any truth to this? Does this mean gas coaches will make another surge? I really have not been able to find allot of information about this. I have a Holiday Rambler Gasser W22 and I'm looking at a DP.

Driver do you know anything about this?

[Hitchhiker]

I've heard the engines will cost more due to the diesel particulate filters those engines will be required to have. How much more will probably vary between the various engine manufactures.

The initial availability of the 15 ppm ULSD diesel fuel might be more of a concern than the increased cost of the motorhomes or trucks that require ULSD. It's my understanding that fuel stations aren't required to carry ULSD, only label what they do carry accordingly.

Eventually, all the diesel fuel sold as road fuel will be ULSD and the LSD will be phased out. Kind of like we had when unleaded gas was introduced in 1979.

Most stations sold both leaded and unleaded back then, converting a high test or mid grade pump to unleaded. I don't see stations carrying both the ULSD and LSD because most only have one tank in the ground for diesel and it'd seem unlikely they'd convert a gasoline tank to diesel.

If I were in the market for an '07 I'd try to push up the delivery date and get one produced early enough to dodge the ULSD requirement. If I couldn't accomplish that, I'd try to wait until these rigs burning ULSD were on the market a while and see if there's sufficient fuel available to operate them.

Even if the refineries produce enough ULSD, there's always the distribution question. Who is going to carry it and how soon?

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Brickem' Boy]

Why would I want to pay that kind of money for a diesel. I think the upcharge for diesel today is unjustified. You pay more for fuel, maintenance is 3 or 4 times more than my gasser and diesel smells awful to boot.

I can't see that you get anything of value for your money ..............

[Hitchhiker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I can't see that you get anything of value for your money </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You get low end torque and power down in the lower RPM's where we RV'rs need it. Diesels aren't for everyone, I understand your concerns. That's why there are still so many gassers sold.

But for me, I like them and will pay extra $$$ for the performance they give.

[Brickem' Boy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">'06 GMC Dually Diesel. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Fair enough Hitchhiker - you make a good point for torque. My old gas engine gets me where I want to go so I don't think much about torque.

Just wondering, if you were shopping for a new '08 GMC Dually and it was sticker priced $10K more, would that be something that would make you stop and reconsider?

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Brickem' Boy:
Just wondering, if you were shopping for a new '08 GMC Dually and it was sticker priced $10K more, would that be something that would make you stop and reconsider? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Brickem'Boy, I have researched cost regarding EPA estimates on Diesel Net.com and this is what I found that specifically addresses your question.

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The EPA estimates the cost of reducing the sulfur content of diesel fuel will result in a fuel price increase of approximately 4.5 to 5 cents per gallon. The EPA also estimates that the new emission standards will cause an increase in vehicle costs between $1,200 to $1,900 (for comparison, new heavy-duty trucks typically cost up to $150,000 and buses up to $250,000).

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A &lt;2% price increase appears to be on the horizon for MY 2007 for heavy duty trucks. There is also a wealth of information on the International Truck & Diesel website. Their business plan calls for implementing Green Diesel Technology.

International Truck & Engine are the providers of the popular 6.0L Power Stroke Diesel engine.

[Hitchhiker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Brickem' Boy:
Just wondering, if you were shopping for a new '08 GMC Dually and it was sticker priced $10K more, would that be something that would make you stop and reconsider? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It depends on what I'd be getting for the extra $10K.