Class C gas vs diesel

[TNM]

Hello to everyone,
Currently I own a 2021 Jayco Greyhawk MV 29 and was thinking of going with a shorter class c. My question is the diesel Mercedes that much better than a class C gas which I have right now? Is the maintenance more involved with the diesel engine? Is the ride better? How better is the fuel mileage? My Jayco gets 8.5 mpg.
Any comments would be appreciated.

[wildtoad]

Better is a subjective term. The MB chassis is limited to about 25 ft so you would get your shorter length. MB is very proud of their chassis and you pay a premium price for it, but you probably know that. You will get better mileage, some due to the shorter length, some due to the diesel. I've not ridden in a MB based mh but hear they have a decent ride. I have ridden in (own one) a 29 ft Class C (some would call it a B+) based on the Ford E450 chassis and after adding Sumo springs front and rear, and a Roadmaster Steering stabilizer rides ready nice. I've only had it for a few months, but get >9 towing a 5k pound toad. the Class A (F53 V10) I swapped for it was in the 6-7 range.


Diesels do typically cost more for annual maintenance, fuel typically costs more. If you're main purpose of downsizing is MPG you can buy a lot of gas.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by TNM

Hello to everyone,
Currently I own a 2021 Jayco Greyhawk MV 29 and was thinking of going with a shorter class c. My question is the diesel Mercedes that much better than a class C gas which I have right now? Is the maintenance more involved with the diesel engine? Is the ride better? How better is the fuel mileage? My Jayco gets 8.5 mpg.
Any comments would be appreciated.

Diesel Mercedes cutaway chassis costs more to purchase than your present cutaway chassis under your Jayco. Diesel maintenance costs are higher. The CCC of Mercedes motorhomes is a constant topic of being too limited, which will be based on the manufacturer of the rig, slide or not, automatic levelers etc. Any Ford E450 chassis will outperform the CCC of any Mercedes Sprinter chassis as a start.

[NLOVNIT]

When I downsized, I ruled out diesel for these reasons:
More expensive to maintain
Fuel costs more
Harder to locate service centers
CCC is much less than the gas for same size chassis
Possible DEF issues (search for threads on iRV2)

[MikeD1]

Bought a 2015 LTV Unity CB this spring with 85K miles on the Sprinter chassis after previously owning 2017 Newmar Baystar and Winnebago 30' 2008 Class C on Ford 450 chassis.

I love driving the Sprinter chassis. Quiet, smooth, drives like a large SUV instead of a truck. Very comfortable, and I average around 15-16mpg. But yes, pricey to maintain and potentially repair.

[jchantry]

We bought a new Thor Delano 24TT (Diesel Sprinter chassis) 2 months ago.
We went to a dealer to look and drive a 25' Chateau (Ford 350). Took our dog (Golden Retriever) with us. He was scared by the engine noise when we drove it! Decided to drive a Thor Delano, SO Quiet, the dog was very happy with it!
After several trips, MPG was 12 mpg (at 70mph with 3000# trailer behind), 14 mpg (65 mph with no trailer). I have had 2 class A's (Gas and Diesel pusher), and a class C with the Ford V-10.

IMHO here are the Pros and Cons for an RV on a Sprinter chassis:

Pro: QUIET - about same noise level as a diesel pusher
Handling and Ride - Very smooth, drives like a large SUV
Fuel Mileage - As long as diesel stays about 50 cents more than gas,
diesel is much cheaper per mile.

Cons: Maintenance - yes, it is more than a gas engine, but not much more
if you do your own work.
Cost - yes, it is more than a gas RV, but to me it is well worth it.
CCC (Cargo Carry Capacity) - yes it is a bit low. My Delano with
Diesel Generator and Hydraulic Levelers weighs 10,300 lbs (2
adults, full Fuel, Full LP Tank, all tanks empty). Loaded for trip,
it weighs 11,000 lbs ((2 adults, full Fuel, Full LP Tank, 1/3
water tank, black and grey tanks empty) which is just under
11,030 lbs GVWR. We do have quite a bit of stuff on it.

So, my answer is, if you can afford the higher initial cost, you will love an RV on a sprinter chasis!

[MtCamper]

The diesel will probably have a lower CCC and GVWR. You won't be able to carry and tow as much. The diesel makes good sense if you are a high mile traveler. But if you drive 10,000 miles or so per year you probably won't save money owning the diesels. If you are a boondocker, water capacity may be more of an issue with the diesels but some Class Cs also have small water tanks. Lots of variables so you need to drive both and see which floor plan works best for you. I don't recommend moving to one of the diesels because you think you are going to save a bunch of money on fuel.

[Ron Dittmer]

For reference only, our....

- 2007 Phoenix Cruiser 2350, aerodynamically shaped motorhome SEEN HERE
- over-all length, 23'-8"
- weight during trips, 11,400 pounds on a CAT scale
- 2007 Ford E350 chassis
- 6.8L-V10 engine, 5-speed TorqShift transmission

Gets...

- 10.5 mpg, trip average, not towing, 5000 mile journey
- add 0.5 mpg with 5-Star Tune, same parameters

[TNM]

Thanks for everyone’s view point. Next step is to take a MBS for a drive and see if we can fit all our stuff in one.

[OldBaldFat]

That test drive needs to include a stop at a CAT scale.

A MBS Chassis Class C has an Occupant and Cargo Capacity near 1,000 lbs. That's the weight of the driver, any passengers, tools, toad tongue weight, water, propane food, clothes, personal items.

An average Class C has an Occupant and Cargo Capacity of near three times that weight (2,700 lbs - 3,000 lbs).

An MBS Chassis will be limited to a towing capacity of about 5,000 lbs, maybe 4,000 lbs.

A gas Class C will be about 7,500 lbs for a 26- footer.

Also, like anything driving style/ practices can have a great impact upon fuel mileage. Met a MBS Chassis owner in late summer who gets a bit less than 9 mpg. But he travels at the speed limit or slightly over (75 mph most places) and he can't tow a Jeep because the 'cheap China bomb tires' keep blowing out.

[mstori]

unfortunately I sold my Solera when covid hit and I was diagnosed with cancer... I have had 2 MBS rv's Holiday Rambler Traveler 2009 - part basement then the Solera. Neither perfect but changing oil once a year was great.

When you can park anywhere, go over a 10 to 12 % grade pass without loosing power they are awesome,

Had a 29 ft winn A - hated! Hot, uncomfortable, used gas like crazy, no torque, not the easiest to park. Blew transmission had to wait 1 month in N M for part.... Chevy. Now they say you will blow gaskets (heads) in the Ford diesels...

I am in love with the little RV's. Comfortable, easy to drive, park anywhere, and I am 5' 1" so I don't need a booster seat like the truck models. LOL

btw my neighbor just bought a new 29 ft ford diesel RV - in and out of shop, leaks, replaced batteries 3 x's, now in shop again. NO STEPS??

I am searching for my next MBS sprinter!

[TruckinRound]

Do your homework before buying a current generation 4 cylinder turbodiesel Sprinter. Extreme uphill oil temperature seems to be a recurring topic.

The Ford Transit EcoBoost platform is another option.