Should I be afraid to buy an older used diesel pusher?

[Wanabee FTer]

DW read about the higher maint costs of diesels, so looks like we are going with gas But thank you all for the replies and great info.

[greystroke]

Don't forget to tell DW that she loses the air suspension and brakes. Also the drivers area is quiet because of the rear diesel. Suggest DW take a ride in both before deciding. Good Luck

[deandec]

"DW read about the higher maint costs of diesels, so looks like we are going with gas"

I think this depends somewhat on the amount of travel miles you intend to incur.

The farther you travel the more comparable the cost of maintenance. (Oil change every 5,000 miles on a gasser vs 15,000 miles on a DP. $50 x 3 equals $150 or close to a routine oil change at Speedco on the DP.)

The DP is quiet travel, good mpg for the weight carried, and likely has heavier house construction components.

If 12,000 miles is not going to be your annual travel in the rig and you will need nothing longer than 37', the gasser will probably be all you need, IMHO.

[Theberrys]

VegasDan bought a 2001 National RV Tradewinds and started full timing last Monday. Check this thread http://www.irv2.com/forums/f105/started-renovation-on-tradewinds-61199.html to see what he did with it. I took some time and effort but his looks and runs like new. And stayed in his budget!

If your going to buy an older one than a Pusher may be a better bet since the Engine will outlast a gasser. Depending on mileage you just get longer life from a pusher since there built from a chassis made by big rig truck manufactures. I guess you get what you pay for. My CAT maintenance schedule says rebuild the engine at 600,000 miles. I expect it will need no more than occasional repairs for the rest of my life.

The maintenance and repairs cost more than on a gasser but there built for the long haul, both mileage and years.

Just MHO!

Dick

[sgtjoe]

That pretty well sums it up.