Dear Mark,
I sold my 24' Class C motorhome and am shopping for something newer and more efficient, also larger. I'm tending toward the Class B+ Phoenix Cruiser, 27' with two slides. It comes as either gasoline or diesel. I've been told the additional cost for a diesel engine outweighs any gas mileage benefit unless you keep the rig for many years. But I also wonder if other things have been factored in, such as, cost of engine maintenance, cost differential for the fuel type (as gasoline prices rise, will diesel rise at the same rate, slower, faster? What about bio diesel? Is there a re-sale advantage to either one?
I haven't found a discussion of these issues anywhere yet. The dealer I've been working with just gave me the answer above... the diesel is not cost-effective unless kept for many years. I'm an older, single woman, wanting to do some touring with my dog for the next two years or so. I'm expecting various friends to link up for certain legs of the trip. I will appreciate good guidance.
Mark says:
Gas versus diesel is an age old discussion and one that often times gets heated. If asked this question several years ago I would have responded similar to the salesperson because the cost of a diesel model over a gas model was quite significant. Today's RV's offer many gasoline models in the same price range as many diesel products, mainly due to advances in the chassis itself driving the prices upward.
What I can tell you is a diesel will last longer than a gasoline engine so if you plan to keep the RV for a long time it would be worth the investment. I have no idea what is going to happen with the types of fuel or the cost difference between gas and diesel.
Maintenance wise, it used to be that a diesel required less, keeping in mind there are more filters, etc., on a diesel. But nowadays gas engines can go upwards of 100,000 miles before a tune up with nothing more than routine oil changes, air filters, etc.
This probably doesn't help much. If you want some other opinions, I recommend you go to the RVtravel.com forum and post this same question in the appropriate forum. You are sure to get many responses.
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About Mark Polk
Mark Polk is a veteran RV technician, and the producer of a popular series of DVDs and books about RVs and the RV lifestyle. See the complete list of his books, DVDs and eBooks at RVbookstore.com.
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2 comments:
Diesel engines generally have more torque, and horsepower, so they get up hills easier and can handle heavier loads. They are more expensive to maintain and fuel will continue to be more expensive than gasoline because they can get about twice as many gallons of gas out of a barrel of oil than they can diesel. So, if money is a big consideration, go with gas, otherwise diesel is best.
I have owned both--currently a Workhorse W24. I think weight/length determine if you REQUIRE a diesel because of it's extra power--Torque. Under that weight, i think a gasser is better. In the 36/37' range a gasser is ok, above that a diesel is preferred.
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