Boondocking w/ LP or Diesel Generator?

[RVNewbie2]

Hello All,
Can someone please comment on pros and cons of diesel vs. LP genny? I'm shopping for a diesel MH and is wondering which would be better(in terms of cost, noise, smell, etc...) for dry camping. TIA

[TonyDi]

I'm not a big proponent of anything that can explode, so I opt for diesel. I have never been annoyed by the smell, plus you can vent the exhaust up. You may not always be able to get propane but getting diesel fuel is easy. Noise is about the same.

[vsheetz]

I had a propane genny in a previous coach. Worked fine. But I would rather gas or diesel to match what the coach uses. Avoids having to find propane somewhere you can maneuver in the Motorhome to fill. An option would be an external extend-a-stay propane tank setup. Again, too much effort for no particular gain, IMHO.

The smaller propane capacity makes for more often needing to refill than diesel/gas genny.

[530ktm]

Originally Posted by RVNewbie2

Hello All,
Can someone please comment on pros and cons of diesel vs. LP genny? I'm shopping for a diesel MH and is wondering which would be better(in terms of cost, noise, smell, etc...) for dry camping. TIA

Diesel generators do not smell much, are fairly quiet and can use all that fuel you carry in your tanks. I would opt for using the same fuel that my coach runs on. Also, you may want to consider some solar panels so you do not need to depend on a generator for the most part.

[bluepill]

IF you will have a large fixed LP tank in the MH, and IF you will not be using much LP for other purposes (Heat, Hot water, cooking), and IF you will be traveling in populated areas where bulf LP filling stations are plentiful, then an LP genny makes some sense.

Otherwise, diesel would win out.

[Lv2Roam2]

Diesel wins for us also. Note: almost exclusively the drive engine and generator operate off the same tank - the genny will usually not run when the tank is at 1/4 or less - head for camp with a full tank.

[1bigmess]

Diesel has more energy for an equivalent gallon of propane. If the cost/gallon for the two fuels were exactly the same, you would spend less to run diesel as a fuel.

I have a kit to run my gas gennies on propane. It's for when I run out of gasoline and can't get any, not because propane is the better fuel , and right now propane is more expensive than gasoline.

[Happy Prospector]

Stay with diesel to match your rig, you will be happier.

The information is out there, all you have to do is let it in.

[HavingABlast]

I agree with most, go diesel. That is what we have. Our furnace is propane. We had some difficulty finding propane last year when we were in Banff. Our friend has a 2000 DutchStar with a propane generator. He has to refill the propane tank quite frequently.

[jackfish]

How about solar?

[OLYLEN]

Diesel for DP, for boondocking you will need 4-5 hours a day if it's cold or hot out, cooking, recharging batteries. 2.5 to 3.5 gallons a day, a week out and yo u r hunting propane, diesel you have at least 3 more weeks. As to solar if you WILL limit to moderate temps OK. But if you need AC or anything for major power a gen is needed. JIM

LEN

[CountryFit]

diesel hands down. as all above have already said about the advantges, i'd add one more - diesel engine lasts very looooong.

applause to jackfish's. if op has a mind accepting new gadget and adept diy, solar is a way to go (besides a genny). target at least 1000w panels to start with, you will have a happy face whenever you are in a field

[John Hilley]

Considering the cost of a diesel generator, $7,500 to $10,000 plus installation, I think I would go with a portable gas in the truck bed.

[1bigmess]

Originally Posted by John Hilley

Considering the cost of a diesel generator, $7,500 to $10,000 plus installation, I think I would go with a portable gas in the truck bed.

As stated by the OP, this is for a Motor Home.