Community Forums

BROY · 03-04-2016, 07:06 PM

Just joined the forum and I must say that this is a great source of info. We are shopping for a class c with a 6cyl diesal. I have come across many with v10 but the 7-9mpg would drink up my retirement. We looked at a 2011 coachman prisim with 18000 miles and the floor plan with the rear bed was very comfortable for us. We will be traveling about 3-4 months and have 2 small pets so the class c would suite us. We live in CT and the closest dealer is FLAGG RV in Mass. also Camping World in Berkly Mass. Has any one done any business with either of these two.

mwwade · 03-04-2016, 09:11 PM

Good luck in finding your rv. I think 7-10 mpg is really pretty good for mileage on any good size mh.

Electra 225 · 03-04-2016, 09:13 PM

Best of luck in your search, great to have you with us.

Best regards,
W.D.

**TonyDi** · 03-04-2016, 10:20 PM

Glad to have you here.

Good luck with your search.

Happy Trails!!!

OLYLEN · 03-05-2016, 07:09 AM

Having had both gas and diesel, unless you are driving more than the normal(if that can ever be) RVer the gas fuel verses diesel is mute, The diesel maintenance(if done) will eat up the fuel savings. The V10 is a great motor and even pulling a toad will do well.

LEN

Rockwood27 · 03-05-2016, 08:05 AM

A gas Class C should get a bit better milage than 7-9. Maybe 8-11 on a smaller Class C, like the Prism. The Prism is built on the Sprinter chassis and is only offered as a V6 diesel. It should return around 14-16 mpg (regardless of what the dealer may tell you). You may only travel 4-5000 miles per year. The fuel cost difference between 10 mpg gas to 16 mpg is negligible. The Sprinter Class C will cost significantly more than a similar sized gas Class C. It would take many miles/years to make up the cost difference in fuel savings. A Sprinter-based Class C will be cargo limited to around 1100 to 1300 lbs. Check the yellow weight sticker (often on a door panel or jamb) before you buy! This includes passengers, water, food, clothes, tools, and everything you might need for 3 to 4 months traveling. I add about 3000 lbs in my 36 foot gas Class A for our annual NH to FL 5 month trip. BTW, since we bought a house in FL, we no longer need the Class A. When we return from FL, I'm planning on selling the Class A and buy a Sprinter-based Class B+ or C. Most likely it will be a Winnebago product. It provides a good price to feature trade off.

Rockwood27 · 03-05-2016, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BROY

....We are shopping for a class c with a 6cyl diesal. I have come across many with v10 but the 7-9mpg would drink up my retirement. We looked at a 2011 coachman....

For 5,000 mile/year usage and a gas Class C at 10 mpg and a Sprinter Class C at 16 mpg, the difference in fuel costs is under $200/year for fuel prices in your area. The Sprinter would cost less for fuel. A small gas engined Class C could easily cost $10,000 less than a Sprinter-based Class C. It would take about 50 years to amortize the cost difference, based on fuel savings alone.

The Sprinter chassis changed pollution controls in, I believe, 2010. The newer ones use DEF and have more HP and torque. They may also get slightly better fuel mileage. Check the chassis date (not motorhome year) to see if it is at least this new. It should also have a DEF fill port.

Murf2u · 03-06-2016, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockwood27

A small gas engined Class C could easily cost $10,000 less than a Sprinter-based Class C. It would take about 50 years to amortize the cost difference, based on fuel savings alone.

I think you're vastly under-rating the cost difference between gas and diesel. I don't recall seeing a Euro-chassis based C any bigger than 24', on the other hand, you could get a +27' gasser for +$20k less, or spend the same and have a 31' unit.

As was stated previously, the initial cost, especially if it's being financed, will never be recouped on fuel economy unless you're driving FAR above what the average user does.

When I did the calculations a few years back I figured with my driving about 20,000 - 25,000 miles a year the diesel was still far more expensive.

Rockwood27 · 03-06-2016, 06:43 AM

Murf2u...you're absolutely correct. I was trying to give the OP a simplistic price differential to show him gas mileage is not a show stopper. He was looking at a Prism, which is a Sprinter-based 24-25 foot Class C. I wasn't sure if he was looking for anything larger. If it were me I'd be looking for something bigger to live in for 3-4 months!

n-e-d · 03-06-2016, 06:19 PM

BROY you have more dealers in your area, Arlington near Compton has a good selection and Campers Inn in Union CT, I have found Flaggs a little expensive and friends have had mixed reviews on their service. I bought mine thru an online dealer then drove to NY to pick it up. RVDIRECT.COM and RVWHOLESALERS.COM are ntwo I used to get a better idea of pricing before I looked at the dealers lot. I ended up buying thru RVDIRECT. Saved $7000 for my rig. I also took the chance that nothing major would require warrenty work. Most not all dealers would put you back of the line if you dont buy from them if theyd take you at all.
As far as gas vs diesel I felt it was a toss up each have their following. My coach was $13000 cheaper than the diesel I was looking at so for me it was a no brainer. Hope to see you out on the Hiways