Diesel service vs gas service

[WeatherTodd]

I have to laugh at all the anecdotal info in these threads.

Cant hear you over the screaming gasser engine upfront
Cant do 80mph up a 10% mountain grade
Blows white smoke and can only maintain 25mph
Diesels will go 3 million miles on just a drop of oil
Comparing a rental gasser to a personally owned RV...lol

Wait til the conversion bus chassis loons get in here...lol.

[phnguyk]

(Mod Edit)...about evaporation and the fuel system not being sealed/pressurized. I had to laugh too, never realized they still used a charcoal canister, and a non issue when we're talking maintenance costs. At least I admitted I was wrong.



My 1998 30 foot class c with the v10 did just fine on grades and I put over 100,000 miles on it. And I know for a fact it's still going strong 6 years after I sold it.

[Pikehunter]

I guess you've never experienced condensation either

[RClifton]

Originally Posted by Fiesta48

I've been reading these posts of diesel vs. gas for three plus years now. There are as many problems with a diesel due to it's complexity as a gas. Diesel is always 7-25% more than gas. Diesel initial costs are $25-50k more. Regular preventative maintenance on a diesel is 2-4 times more than a gas. Parts are 2-4 times more expensive on a diesel. Almost no owner does his own maintenance on diesel yet many more do their own on a gas, as I do.
So far I've compiled a list of 40+ reasons not to have a diesel. Most that own a gas are not speed demons, yet a gasser will go just as fast, some even up hill. I always get there maybe a 1/2 hour longer. Rarely anyone goes 200,000 miles in their RV. Gassers will last that easily. V-10's are noted to go 2-500,000, with no overhauls.
Diesel people with money can afford the extra cost and their benefits, I personally don't waste mine.

I honestly don't care either way what someone buys, I've owned both and the one I have now is what keeps the wife happy lol. That said, I bolded the comment above to point out that currently where I live diesel is actually cheaper or the same price as regular unleaded at several locations.

Actual current prices:

Chevron
Regular unleaded : $4.299
Diesel : $4.199

Flyers
Regular unleaded : $3.959
Diesel : $3.939

Full Stop
Regular unleaded : $3.959
Diesel : $3.859

Currently the cheapest regular gas within 20 miles of my house is sitting at $3.939. While the cheapest diesel within the same distance is $3.839. I'm in California

[Scarab0088]

SEVERAL POSTS HAVE INCLUDED PERSONAL EXCHANGES - WHICH MUST STOP.

Please keep all future posts on-topic about the annual maint. cost of these engines.

Off-Topic posts will be deleted.

Thanks for your understanding,
Your Site Staff

[Clayobx]

Thanks Steve, I was wondering when the back room would step up!

[ohhwell]

Annual maintenance cost related: I do NOT have to change the oil in my gasser after every trip.

Annual maintenance related: If you run your coach at its GCWR, it is running at its designed limit (Gas or diesel) and will probably want a little more frequent regular maintenance.

Diesel based coaches cost more up front and often more over their lifetime but there are serious benefits one gets from that cost.

What is a typical "lifetime" of the house portion of a motorhome anyway? Gas or diesel but NOT Prevost class, I know they can have a long lifetime. 10 years, 15 years?

[georgetown350]

We went from a Georgetown gasser with a v 10 to our current coach HR 340 cummins, no air bags. So far the maintenance has been very reasonable in comparison to the gasser. I like the 15000 mile intervals between oil changes and I do them all at Speedco less then $200 including Genny. The gasser we would take to Ford for service, approx 70 dollars but I did not like the 5000 mile interval. Now do I like the diesel better then the gasser>???? ...... no comment.

[appsol]

Originally Posted by Dadd

I have done the math on the fuel cost difference between a gasser and a diesel and it is not necessarily a wash. If you get 7 mpg in a gasser and your fuel costs $3.50, you only have to get 8 mpg in a diesel with fuel costing $4.00 in order for the costs to be equal. There are many different scenarios that affect this calculation so it may not be true in every situation.

Since I am now getting 10 mpg in my new diesel (35') and got only 7 mpg in my previous gasser (30'), I am saving on fuel even adding in the cost of DEF.

I see we are driving and towing the same combination... and my experience is the same.

[89sandman]

any gas engine produced since fuel injection will easily last 100k.

[Wingrydr57]

Thank you everyone for your insight and advice. I am leaning towards a gas coach for a few reasons . 1 we want a coach that will be under 34 ft, I can see where diesel would be better if we were to get say a 40 footer. 2 we will only put on under 6000 miles a year traveling from wisc to Florida for 4 months then back home. 3 Maint. Costs seem a little cheaper .
If we had unlimited amount of money a big 40 foot dp would be awesome for sure.

Clear skies , Steve

[phnguyk]

Originally Posted by Pikehunter

I guess you've never experienced condensation either

Nope, never in any gas powered vehicle I've owned.

[StevieG]

Originally Posted by Wingrydr57

Thank you everyone for your insight and advice. I am leaning towards a gas coach for a few reasons . 1 we want a coach that will be under 34 ft, I can see where diesel would be better if we were to get say a 40 footer. 2 we will only put on under 6000 miles a year traveling from wisc to Florida for 4 months then back home. 3 Maint. Costs seem a little cheaper .
If we had unlimited amount of money a big 40 foot dp would be awesome for sure.

Clear skies , Steve

All good reasons Steve. Not only will maintenance be cheaper, but so will your upfront costs... Good luck with the search and let us know what ya got!