Why We Bought a Gas RV Instead of a Diesel Pusher

We are asked all the time if we are happy with our gas RV and when are we going to upgrade to a diesel pusher. Our RV is on the Ford Chassis with the Triton V10 6.8 liter engine, it is matched up with the Ford 5 speed torque shift transmission. In this video we go over the reasons why we bought a gas Class A RV and if we would by one again. I also talk about all of the benefits of owning a diesel pusher.

1. Traveling all over the country we knew that we would be in unfamiliar places, but we could always find a Ford dealership anywhere and it would be easy to get parts. Almost any mechanic can work on a ford engine, so even small garages would be able to make repairs if need be.

2. Cheap to maintain, Oil changes are usually right under $100

3. easy to find a gas station, every fuel station sells gas, but not all sell diesel fuel

4. Upfront cost will be less for a gas coach, gas RV’s are cheaper to purchase and cheaper to maintain, this probably the reason most people start with a gas RV

5. You should expect to get about 200K-300K miles out of a gas coach and at 5,000 miles a year that is 40 to 60yrs this was more than we needed for the RV to be able to do. We plan on owning the RV for no more than 10 years.

6. What about mountain climbing. We knew 95% of our driving would not be climbing mountains, we have driven all over the united states and the most extreme grade on a highway is 9% we have been on higher grades on backroads and we have always made it with no problem, in fact we have to get out of the slow lane so that we can pass the tractor trailers. Of course the engine revs and it gets a little louder, but it’s not like we need to shout at one another. So for us needing more HP power and torgue for only 5% of our driving did not seem worth the upcharge.

7. Size, we wanted to stay under 30 feet and when it comes to Diesel pushers we couldn’t find any Class A diesel RV’s under thirty feet.

So the Class A gas met all of our needs and even succeeded them in some area.

There are many advantages to a diesel pusher, but here are what I felt were the top ones.

1. More towing capacity Tow a large trailer with toys or a larger SUV

2. More cargo capacity Family, and more stuff

3. Quieter ride because the engine is in the rear you will notice it is quieter in the front cab

4. Softer and superior suspension will give you a smother and quieter ride.

#RVtravel #RVfulltime #RVing

[MrBillygoat]

I bought a used Tiffin Phateon 40 footer DP. When I bought this DP 4 years ago, I had to have the diesel., I was an owner operator of 18 wheelers most of my life. Now I wish I would have went with a gas 33 footer. The diesel will cost you 30 grand more on a used coach, and that’s being conservative. 30 grand will buy 75, 000 miles of gasoline. The cost of the diesel for the miles a person drives it from camp spot to camp spot, is not worth it in my book. I have a big coach and wish I had a gas rig for what I do with it. One can make the argument on both sides of this issue. I think either way, at one time or another they will wish they had the other. Not many folks alive that is ever content with what they have lol. Whichever you have, enjoy it, be proud of it, take care of it and it will take care of you. Safe Travels to all RV’s, no matter what your in !

[RaptorPackAdventures]

Although this video is 3 years old, we appreciate your comments. After 30 years of pulling trailers, we’re buying a motorhome and going back and forth between a gas and diesel pusher. We too want a 30’ coach and leaning towards the Winnebago 29v. Great points

[ronaldgraef]

I ran across this video and was interested, because I chose a gas rig on an F53 chassis with a V10. I then noticed your from Orlando and we're from Kissimmee. I thought I'd give you some insight as to why I chose gas. First, I'm a licensed aircraft mechanic (retired) and I can work on gas. That in itself saves me a bunch of money each year. If anybody is thinking this way, please buy a Ford service manual. My average oil change costs about $30.00 using mobil 1 and a filter. A good tune-up cost me around $50.00 If I lose an ignition coil, I carry 10 extras that cost me about $50 on line.
That all being said, the first thing I learned was boats and RV's are not an investment! Houses and real estate are. I had a friend in the car wholesale business so I put him searching years ago for a class A motorhome. He finally found a Fleetwood Southwind 36t with two slides on an F53 V10. It was a 2000 with 24, 000 miles and this was 2010. We bought it for $25, 000.00 which was under book value at the time. We've put over 35, 000 miles on it in the last ten years and have had a great time with it. The only sacrifice is the towing capacity, but, we only need a car and we tow a Jeep liberty. I keep the exterior in nice shape and have had people comment that they thought it was "brand new" when they ask about the purchase. I've been out west in the rockies and now-a-days for the last 8 years each May we head to Vermont (1340 miles) and don't come back until September (summer with the grand children) and some of the mountains in the Carolinas and Virginia can be a challenge. We've done many a improvement inside to make things more comfortable for us and of course there's the annual "Oh Crap" that something broke just before we leave. This year it was the RV Fridge. So now we have a residential fridge with an inverter system for in-between stops. Making these projects work intrigue's me.
One of the things we learned a long time ago, was that staying Walmarts and Truck stop for free is OK, but we found ourselves spending $35 to $45 for dinner etc. when we could spend $30 for an overnight pull-thru at a campground, have water, electric and sewer with cable TV and eat a meal at home in my PJs for usually under $15.
Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. We're home for the winter here in Kissimmee, except for using our RV as a beach front condo and we have our choice of which cost this way. Good travels, stay safe.
Ron & Kathy

[Masterchief]

This video is 3 yrs old but we just purchased (2-23) our A.C.E. 30C with the 7.3 Godzilla engine. Since we have only been camping once or twice a month and within approximately 150 miles of home we have only put on about a thousand miles or so, so far! I’ll have to agree with you about everything you’ve said about gas v diesel! It is a little noisy but I’ve been considering some heat/sound shielding for the engine compartment to lower the noise a bit. So far the 7.3 has been very smooth and reliable and the F53 chassis has been around for quite awhile so I don’t anticipate any problems there. We did add some steering stabilization for windy days after having had to remove the drivers seat from my butt after one particularly windy ride but now the wind is very reasonably handled!

[jamesdumas]

We retired in 2007 and bought a diesel pusher to fulltime RV. Thirteen years later we have a 26 ft class C. The main reason is the class C's have drivers and passenger safety airbags and you sit lower to the ground, with ABS brakes. The class C's drive almost like a pickup truck. We felt while driving our class A that if we ever got rear-ended and into an accident, we'd be smashed into that big windshield. We like having the motor out in front of us. We like the maneuverability of the class C, the available of getting into gas stations easier.

[wrzl]

That cost of the “ oil change “ on the pusher isn’t just an oil change, it’s an oil change, fuel filter and fuel separator filter and usually the air dryer service for the air brakes.

[livinlargeinalittlerv]

Excellent video! I owned my own semi for 15 yrs so understanding pros & cons comes 2nd nature. It's funny how some of your audience is so stuck on what they they want they aren't willing to consider anything different. We would definitely give gas a try. Currently in Texas diesel cost .60 cents more per gal than gas.(sometimes more) Its difficult to overcome that cost with fuel mileage, not to mention the other cost. Will a diesel out pull, outrun, out perform a gas? Sure! But why do you need to? Glamping is about the journey. Slow down folks. There is a beautiful world out there to see. At 650, 700 miles a day, I didn't get to see what I wanted to see.(I've been in all 48) My bride & I don't want to drive more than 300 miles in a day & we want to spend a couple of weeks in each place we like.
Thank you for this video and may God continue to bless your travels.
Much respect,
Gator

[sanoroo]

Kenny – We think this is one of your better videos. It is very helpful to those of us who are looking to hit the road fulltime in the near future. The practicality you and Sabrina bring to this topic is very much appreciated. Thank you!!

[dandavis]

I would have to say that your video is one of the most Honest videos i have come across.

[rvingtheusa]

I love my old gas class C 10, 000 miles 16 months so far so good. Easy to find Mechanics to work on my chevy. Quartzsite was out of diesel during the big event.
Best part all Paid for

[timsharpe]

My first RV was a DP and I have owned several gas class a models. I prefer the gas because of the price savings and availability of fuel but I really do love the amazing torque and engine braking of the DP.

[kathyfann]

At the End of the day it’s the Trip, the Experience of seeing this beautiful Nation. Staying warmer in winter. So I am thankful mine gets me where I need to go.

[jameswkndmechanic]

"If you like the video, give it a thumbs up. If you dislike it, share it with everybody you hate" 😂😂 Never heard that one before lol. Great video.

[qtpieangelica]

We have a 1988 Triple E Signature (36') with a 454 and full airbag suspension. It drives like an over-sided car, Super impressed with it. The diesel pushers I have had the opportunity to drive, drive like big trucks. our overall costs are much lower with a gas engine and we are able to do any engine work for ourselves.

[TRYtoHELPyou]

First 4700 miles in our 2002 cummins 5.9 fleetwood expedition model 36t (5k lb tow limit) got us 8.3 mpg, worthy of note. That also included some generator use. 1 month trip.

[brianw]

One very important consideration is the licensing requirement. Check your drivers license to determine what you need to drive a diesel pusher. Some states, provinces require a truck license with an air brake endorsement and medical to operate a diesel pusher due to the weight and air brakes. You may require the same license as a dump or cement truck driver. Most gas rigs are within the automobile license requirements.

[Tothefloor]

We had a brand new Gas Tiffin Open Road in 2017. We only lasted 8 months before we sold it and bought a Diesel Tiffin Pheaton. We are so much happier in the Phaeton. Day and night over a gasser. The gas coach is good for a month max. If you live full time or almost full time get a diesel pusher period. Get a used one if you can’t afford a new one. Even if it’s 10 years old. It’s worth it in the long run. Resale is much higher as well.

[joniboulware]

Great comparison. Never owned gas but I know that once they get to 100, 000 miles, no one can get financing to purchase one. If you sell at that point, you will need to find a cash buyer or get a low trade in value. Most people don't use a new RV and drive it to its death so you need to know what the residual value will be along the way. We love diesel because of the quiet ride and the systems that go along with it like AquaHot and the beefy generator.

[QLFProductions]

He speaks truth, We went from 38 ft Fleetwood F53 to 42ft Dutch Star DP 8.3 Cummis ISC. We feel like we really stepped up as far as living conditions. The gas RV was cheaper to maintain, 6 quarts of oil compared to 24 quarts in the DP. I do 90% of my own maintenance and the maintenance in the DP requires more parts because of all the filters. I admit that if I wasn't doing my own maintenance we would've been overwhelmed.

[lxe]

Hello, Kenny and Sabrina, At the current time my wife and I have a diesel pusher. However, I agree with everything you said about gas and Diesel. One of the major differences that we found out with the Diesel Pusher, is that not every place that works on diesel engines will work on an RV. There are fewer diesel RV repair shops out there. We have an excellent repair shop that we take our motorhome to comment. It's only about a mile away. In fact, they know us by first name basis. So I kind of figured what does that tell you. We spent a lot of money there. However, it's not unusual to have a six-week waiting time to get your motorhome in there for repairs. Plus. It might take two to three weeks before the repairs are completed. When you have a service contract or warranty work? They have to get approvals naturally before their work is started. And lot of extended warranty service programs do not get back to the repair shops in a timely manner. As much before I do on a diesel, however, I tell people if this is the first motorhome. Go with the nice gas one. Save yourself the money. However, if they tell me they're going to be towing a large or multiple cars and motorcycles in a stacker trailers and they're going to be going up the hills and stuff. I tell them it probably be easier on the engine and the chassis to go with a diesel... Take care, May you and your wife have plenty Pleasant Adventures ahead.