Diesel or Gas?

[Rider99]

Originally Posted by KC

Im going to chime in, I drive Diesel trucks, large and small, I have towed my 5th wheel with a Diesel but I have a gas motorhome. I like it, its a top of the line unit and I love it. I could have bought a used DP but I like buying a new unit and there is nothing wrong with gas units

KC

X2 on the above post! My experience exactly. I retired from the diesel business in 2012 and never looked back. As long as you enjoy the adventure that's what counts.

[TMan59]

Originally Posted by KC

Im going to chime in, I drive Diesel trucks, large and small, I have towed my 5th wheel with a Diesel but I have a gas motorhome. I like it, its a top of the line unit and I love it. I could have bought a used DP but I like buying a new unit and there is nothing wrong with gas units

KC

Thank you. That is correct, there is nothing wrong with a gas unit.
There is nothing wrong with a DP.

I take exception to the attitude that DP owners have no sense of a $.
That we are all millionaires who light cigars with $100 bills.
I would say most of us are the same as gasser owners. Hard working folks who made the best decision for their needs, wants and desires.

That it only makes sense if you drive a dp 100,000 miles a year.
The idea that oil changes cost $600.

We drive about 6,000 miles a year, longest trip was 3 weeks so far and love our DP. Its what is best for us. Thats all I know.
I do not buy the "totem pole" theory at all.
Seriously, at a glance you have me all figured out?

I am not a millionaire, dont smoke cigars.

[nothermark]

FWIW The bigger issue is the way DP owners try to push DP's to everyone else. Somebody on a snug budget who is not familiar with diesels and is not going to be doing their own work is not served well with advice to just buy older until the price point matches what they can afford. The simple truth is that all the extra/nicer systems create more things to break often at a significantly higher repair cost. Yes, they ride better and are handier but one pays for it.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Rich-n-Linda

Once you make a move to a diesel, you will never go back to a gasser.


Rich

I'm relatively certain I could disprove your point. Do you really want that challenge ? I'll certainly take it as long as there is a no loss gaurentee in it for me. You are leaving out all the variables about why people make the choices they do.

I stated it before and I'll reiterate it. I CAN afford a DP. Our camping and non camping life style just does not command that we have a DP. Our current MH offers everything we have wanted in one. Could we ask for more ??? Well hell yes !!! Do we need it to make our trips enjoyable ? Nope.

Now for my style of camping tell me why I need a DP and why I would NEVER return to a gasser ? We both know that you cannot and I'm willing to wager the price of a nice new sharp pencil that there are those who once owned DP's that UPGRADED to gassers.

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Rich-n-Linda

Once you make a move to a diesel, you will never go back to a gasser.


Rich

Not true, I moved to a DP first from a 5th pulled by a diesel largely because of a lot of the "diesel or nothing" posts on this forum. I had been on the forum three years when I bought my DP.

It got hit by lightening and I spent a lot in addition to the insurance money to get it back perfect. I then sold it because we were building a house and doing a lot of work ourselves.

I then got back into the RV world and bought a quality preowned gasser. I paid cash and do not regret having the BIG 20 year note on the DP.

So if you compare DP + Big Note vs Gasser that is paid for, the choice was the right one for us.

[Mr_D]

I don't understand the acrimony in this thread!

Make a decision on what you want and want to pay and go RV'ing!!

There are bigger things in life (like health issues that my DW has) to worry about!

[Notlad]

I anticipation of retirement in about 5 years and purchasing our first motorhome or 5th wheel I have done a lot of research on gas vs diesel. If money were no object then clearly I would go the DP route for all of the obvious reasons (noise, torque for driving in mountains, longevity, etc).

Because money is a concern I was almost persuaded the gas route would be best because the benefit of better fuel mileage and engine longevity would be offset by the fact we would not be putting that many miles on it and maintenance cost is so much higher on a DP.

Now I am leaning back towards the second hand DP option vs new gasser because of the better ride & handling as well as the noise benefit and better torque for hilly driving.

My thought is to find a one owner DP that has been garaged or carported. Take my time to find the right unit and have about $10,000 on hand for any repairs, upgrades, or modifications I would want to make. I also would have the unit thoroughly checked out by a independant RV inspector.

Bottom line is that for me, at least at this point in my research / thinking, a better value would be a well maintained used DP updated / upgraded as needed. My fear of buying a used unit has been somewhat abated by the nightmare stories of how many things are wrong with new motorhomes and the weeks and sometimes months it takes to get them fixed under warranty. With a good used unit all of those type issues should be worked out.

[George Schweikle]

I read threads like this one for the entertainment value .
If you go back and read the other Diesel vs Gas threads, you will a few people who beat their chests and state DP or nothing. These tend to be the "bigger is better" crowd. However, some posters - owning diesel or gas - have provided polite and reasoned responses to why they chose motorhomes for their specific needs and budgets.

The anonymity of the internet allows more leeway than talking to someone face to face. For more entertainment, see:
Fifth wheel vs. motorhome
Chevrolet vs. Ford - or Dodge
Residential refrigerator vs. absorption
Walmart vs. commercial campgrounds
Home owners associations vs. anything

etcetera ad nauseum....

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I don't understand the acrimony in this thread!...

[ahicks]

Originally Posted by Notlad

I anticipation of retirement in about 5 years and purchasing our first motorhome or 5th wheel I have done a lot of research on gas vs diesel. If money were no object then clearly I would go the DP route for all of the obvious reasons (noise, torque for driving in mountains, longevity, etc).

Because money is a concern I was almost persuaded the gas route would be best because the benefit of better fuel mileage and engine longevity would be offset by the fact we would not be putting that many miles on it and maintenance cost is so much higher on a DP.

Now I am leaning back towards the second hand DP option vs new gasser because of the better ride & handling as well as the noise benefit and better torque for hilly driving.

My thought is to find a one owner DP that has been garaged or carported. Take my time to find the right unit and have about $10,000 on hand for any repairs, upgrades, or modifications I would want to make. I also would have the unit thoroughly checked out by a independant RV inspector.

Bottom line is that for me, at least at this point in my research / thinking, a better value would be a well maintained used DP updated / upgraded as needed. My fear of buying a used unit has been somewhat abated by the nightmare stories of how many things are wrong with new motorhomes and the weeks and sometimes months it takes to get them fixed under warranty. With a good used unit all of those type issues should be worked out.

A lot of DP coaches have been purchased using just that logic.

[ladagobago]

Originally Posted by Notlad

I anticipation of retirement in about 5 years and purchasing our first motorhome or 5th wheel I have done a lot of research on gas vs diesel. If money were no object then clearly I would go the DP route for all of the obvious reasons (noise, torque for driving in mountains, longevity, etc).

Because money is a concern I was almost persuaded the gas route would be best because the benefit of better fuel mileage and engine longevity would be offset by the fact we would not be putting that many miles on it and maintenance cost is so much higher on a DP.

Now I am leaning back towards the second hand DP option vs new gasser because of the better ride & handling as well as the noise benefit and better torque for hilly driving.

My thought is to find a one owner DP that has been garaged or carported. Take my time to find the right unit and have about $10,000 on hand for any repairs, upgrades, or modifications I would want to make. I also would have the unit thoroughly checked out by a independant RV inspector.

Bottom line is that for me, at least at this point in my research / thinking, a better value would be a well maintained used DP updated / upgraded as needed. My fear of buying a used unit has been somewhat abated by the nightmare stories of how many things are wrong with new motorhomes and the weeks and sometimes months it takes to get them fixed under warranty. With a good used unit all of those type issues should be worked out.

I agree and that is what we did. Have been both sides of issue and really like the DP. Even more so today as the Full Serve Pumps to Show REG GAS $1.79 - Diesel $1.79 Cash or credit. I love New Jersey fuel. it is a big equalizer.

[Rich-n-Linda]

My comment about never going back to a gasser after you have driven a diesel is based upon the DRIVING experience, not the LIVING experience. The interior appointments and living environment in a good gas coach is every bit as nice as a typical diesel coach.

I happen to drive our diesel coach a lot - 20,000+ miles per year for both business and pleasure. I have driven a couple of coaches on the Ford F53 chassis and found the DRIVING experience to be lacking. Lots of wandering, highly susceptible to cross-winds and a very rough ride compared to our diesel. THAT is what my comment is about.

I find the driving experience in our coach to be very relaxing. It's stable, smooth and quiet. I would rather drive the motor home than my car.


Rich

[Dogpatch]

I've had 3 Gasser's and 4 DP's and would never go back to either. They both have flaws.

I bought a truck and 5th wheel. It's better!

There.....that outta stir up some turd!

[dubdub07]

It is all about priorities and perception. If you look at it in reverse and take money out of the equation, I cannot see one reason that you would buy a gasser over a DP unless there is a smaller gas motor home that is a shorter and a more usable length for the buyer.

Money NOT an issue, a DP is made for more options and appointments than a gasser. The more robust chassis with the heavier, more powerful engine allows for a heavier vehicle (for more options) and also has a better ride.

Bringing money into the fray changes perspective. What one wants to afford or able to afford then becomes an issue and the gas motor homes then can become a viable and yet very comparable option. This should not mean an "us vs us" discussion. It is what it is.

WW

[dubdub07]

Originally Posted by Dogpatch

I've had 3 Gasser's and 4 DP's and would never go back to either. They both have flaws.

I bought a truck and 5th wheel. It's better!

There.....that outta stir up some turd!

See my last post, perspective. We had 2 fifth wheels. LOVED them, but with a family of 5 travelling in a truck vs a motor home is night and day. Sitting in my easy chair cruising down the road is AWESOME. AND....I can pull in for the night on a rain drenched campground and not even get out until morning. Just go to bed. That was a pretty big flaw for me. I have yet to find a real flaw in my MH, other than it is very, very expensive.

I have since bought a gas truck, though. I think it is much nicer to drive daily than my 6.7 RAM Mega cab. How's that for stirring the gas/diesel pot?

WW