Gas or Diesel?
 

I am currently in the market for a motor home. With a 25k budget would I be better off to buy a newer gas model or a little older diesel model. For example I am looking at a 2003, 31ft class C dutchmen with a slide for 22k that has 50 thousand miles. However, I have seen a few upper 1990's diesel pushers in the same price range. Your opinion is greatly appreciated. By the way, I do not want a large unit due to access ability to my property. So no longer than 30-32ft.

Thanks,
Robert
Stk 2061

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

What diesel engine are you looking at? Ford, Chevrolet, Cummins, International? The make of diesel engine would be huge deciding factor to me in making my decision. However, I would personally prefer a diesel due to their reliability if you plan on keeping your motor home a long time.

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

I would prefer the cummins or Detroit. Most I have noticed in the price range are cummins.

Robert
Stk 2061

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

stay away from the FORD 460 engines GAS HOGS !!!!!! Diesel only way to go much better fuel mileage--FED387

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

What type of weight will you be towing? How many miles do you plan on putting on your unit a year? What type of roads will you be traveling? Hills or flat land? If you have an open trailer I would consider a gas job. But lets face it 25k either way is not going to get you much. You may spend more in repairs over the next few years with an older unit. The diesel motors last forever but the rest of the coach gets beat up over our roads. And it could nickel and dime you to death. Towing many miles with a heavy trailer with a gas job is asking a lot out of it. Although my brother has logged many miles with his. It's really a coin toss Good luck either way. Barry

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

I've been looking at this too, same budget. I also wanted to keep it close to 32' as I don't need something that big and it will save weight to help tow. If you go diesel they are typically 38' or longer but I have seen some shorter. The diesel has the advantage of not only a better power train but they are typically on a better chassis and have air brakes. A lot of them had the 5.9 but I'd shop for something bigger so it will pull.

Watch ebay, I've seen some good deals there.

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

In this market you can find some pretty nice diesel coaches if you're patient and look around. I went gas the first time and practically gave it away to get rid of it before I burnt anymore $ in that tank. Short trips weren't too bad but best I could ever do was about 5.5 mpg towing 24 ft enclosed trailer. With the set back axles on front of the pushers you can make some tighter turns with a 34-36 footer than you can with the gas jobs if that's a concern to you. In my opinion you'll come out much further ahead with the diesel in the long run. Good luck

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

I have a 2004 Coachman class A. 32 ft with a V-10.Towing a 24 ft trailer.It tows fine gets about 8 mpg. Stops fine 4 wheel disc ford bus chassie .When I go racing its a minimum 120 + miles and its not easy getting thru NYC .I would not by a Coachman again but I am happy with the performance of the unit. Gas is always cheaper than diesel .

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

http://www.diamondrv.com/

Call Marc he might be able to help.

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

x2, Marc is the RV man. He may have a lead on something in your price range.

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

Hey Robert give me a call I'd be glad to try to steer you in the right direction. Barry's pretty spot on , but depending on your needs I'm sure there's something out there to make you very happy.
Marc
413-246-6608 cell

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

You should consider a bus conversion. They built to go miles. A lot better built then the stick and staple motor homes.

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

I've got a Born Free 21ft 460 Ford that pulls my 7000lb enclosed and gets 8 mpg but it fits in any parking lot. all power and 4000 gen works well for the drag strip. Also when my Grandkids come over the have a place to party when it sits. Big money saved at Costco.

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

I live in the southeast so the roads are, for the most, pretty flat. I would figure at most I would use it approximately 5000 miles per year. In the beginning I will be pulling an open trailer with a malibu wagon. However, I will be adding an enclosed trailer in the near future as well.

Thanks for the insight please continue.
Robert
Stk2061

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

If you're going to tow an enclosed trailer down the road you may want to reconsider going with a gas Class C. We bought a 33' Jayco that was like brand new with the Ford V10 and it's a very nice RV. Our set-up includes a very light race car and open Big Tex trailer (total package is under 5000 lbs.). Also, we just bracket race local so everything works well. However, after we purchased it I did some research online thinking that we may want to pick up an enclosed trailer and many folks are saying that with the long overhang behind the rear wheels you'll tear up the RV by using an enclosed trailer unless you have a trailer toad and/or beef up the suspension.

Also, aren't diesel repairs typically more (much more) expensive? I know that price of diesel around here now is crazy high.

Scott

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

ALL motorhomes have their advantages and their drawbacks. Just comparing a gas vs. diesel RV the fuel milage you get from a diesel will probably be at least 50% better than any gas engine. So if you get 5-8 MPG maybe more with the diesel you can expect to get 3-5 maybe more with your gas RV. A diesel engine RV is usually put into a much beefier chassis,with a heavy duty suspension,driveline,brakes,cooling etc compared to a typical gas engine RV. Regardless of what you end up with make sure you have a BIG transmission cooler, get the biggest one you can get in there to make that trans live!!!

Not sure of what size trailer you will be using but remember that many states have Maximum Overall Length Restrictions regarding trailer and towing vehicle combinations. Many have the maximum length at around 65 feet so to keep inside of those dimensions you might find it kind of difficult to find a suitable RV regardless of engine type to handle your trailer especially if you have a trailer with a 28 foot box and a 4 foot drawbar you are 32 feet OAL for the trailer which leaves you 32 foot or less for the RV!. Just saying but maybe keep on looking and research it a bit more until you can find the "right MH" for your application.
There are several racers on here that are involved with RV dealers either as owners or employees and a few trailer dealer racers might just want to get their feedback on what to avoid or what to make sure you have on that RV. Also don't be afraid when at the track to ask others what they like or dislike about their particular rig ------my 2 cents FED387

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

My C class has a V10. Lots of power, 8 mpg. One thing I would highly recommend - If you go with a C Class put $3,500.00 in your budget for a trailer toad. I wouldn't tow with out it. JB

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

I can't imagine going the Gas route. Diesel might be more at the pump, but the savings with getting better mileage and an engine built to pull loads is the only way to go. How many gas burners that pull loads do you hear about having over a 100,000 miles without needing engine work?
Good Luck

Sean

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

Just my opinion. . .from what I have learned about the powerplants, construction of motorhomes, and the expense of getting a big coach repaired (not to mention the paucity of good technicians), if I were getting something now I would get a new Ram with Cummins pickup, a modest size 8' camper with no overhang, and a box trailer for protection and security of the race car. Not only are repairs of an old motorhome expensive, few know all the ins-and-outs of each model and year so they are learning on your dime. Then you have your expensive race car and yourself marooned in the middle of nowhere because you assumed a reliability that just isn't there. Sure, a camper is cramped quarters, but you don't plan to be in it 24/7.

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

one thing I forgot to mention is are you handy? by this I mean can u do home repairs? --what you have here is basically a rolling home--- as it twists and turns and vibrates its way down the hiway things tend to loosen up-so you're gonna have leaks,rattles, electric that does not want to work etc.- like checking and tightening the plumbing fittings /electric connections /cabinet doors etc... You will need to know basic home maintainence stuff otherwise you're gonna be in the shop @ $100+ per hour fixing stuff---not all the time but periodically you hafta go over those things and just do preventative maintainence to make sure things don't break down--FED 387

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

To take it one step further I used to tow an 18' box with my gremlin (GW 7,000 lbs) with my Dakota, 5.2 auto 3:91 gear w/tow package.Used to get up to 12mpg until they started to add all the alky to the gas.Dropped down to 9.9 to 10 mpg.My only problem was stopping. Luckily I never had a problem. I had the trailer set up as living quarters with a sink w/8gal water tank,gen (3500 watt),marine battery for powering radio and other accessories,8 flourescent lights,power roof vent and a bed set up where the bed mounted over the hood when traveling and at the rear at the track.Walls were lined with FRP siding.I had a Buddy heater for the chilly weather and a fan for the warmer weather.
Also hooked up satellite TV.The car stayed outside at the track with a car cover and if it was going to rain a tarp over the cover.Now this worked for me because I always traveled alone.The only thing I'd change is towing with at least a 2500 series truck.One advantage is you can leave the track with the truck.Another is the truck is usable anytime,where the M/H sits idle for who knows how long.
Time to take my nappie now.

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

Robert,

I have towed since 1983 with a 4 diff. motorhomes, here's my take

3 were gas ,current is a 36' w/cat 350hp diesel.

my 99 V10 32' gas coach got the same mpg as my 05 diesel, the only diesels that get better mileage are the 5.9 300 hp cummings, good motor, enough power , my cat gets 6.5-7.5, a similar coach with the 5.9 will get 2-3 better.

You said you wanted a motorhome in the lower 30 foot length size, there are not alot that size with diesel power. most are 36 and up, there are some that are 34, 32 would be pretty rare.

My second coach I bought new from Marc in 1989, 24' coachman class c with a 460. I strengthened the hitch, and put over 100,000 miles on it towing , first 5 years with an open trailer, then 8+ years with a 24' enclosed pace trailer(not the lightest). The only thing that was a concern is you need to figure out how to get the weight distributed correctly so it will stop the best possible. As was stated, stopping is the biggest concern, the longer the wheelbase and the heavier the chassis the better of you are for handling and stopping. Some coaches have a short wheelbase and lots of overhang, you then need more work on the back of the coach so you don't bend it, it is doable, just don't drop a beast of a trailer on a factory motorhomr hitch and expect it to be ok.

Yes you need to be able to fix stuff, they need constant attention, houses are just not like cars when they are driving down the road.

I would recommend a 460 ford, a V10 ford,8100 chev with gas or a cat or cummins diesel, i have owned most of them or had friends who towed with them and none of them are bad .The ford 4 speed auto trans you need to be careful with, I put 50-60,000 on mine and it did blowup once.I think they used it from 90 or 91 until a few years ago

hope that helps you

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

Did you have to reinforce the rear frame rails at all Jim? Our Jayco Greyhawk 33' Class C has a pretty significant overhang behind the rear wheels and I'm concerned about how strong the frame will be. We'd like to upgrade to an enclosed trailer and a trailer toad will be fine but I wanted to know if I'd have to get some welding done.

Scott

Re: Gas or Diesel?
 

We have a 32' class C on a Chevy Kodiak C5500 chassis, 6.6 Duramax with an Allison. Enough power, stops good (love the exhaust brake), 9 MPG towing, tows fine after adding a decent set of shocks. The coach weighs just over 18,000 lbs, GCWR is 26,000 lbs so you can legally tow 8,000 lbs. There are a few different coach brands out there on these chassis, if you stick to one of the shorter ones you can keep the gross within legal. Our total weight is just over 26,000 with a 24' trailer, 3500 lb stocker and lots of unnecessary stuff my wife insists on bringing along.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632