diesel vs gas

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Waipio Rim

I would rather be stuck in the middle of nowhere needing an alternator for my 454 than an alternator for an Isuzu diesel.....

Very true and this is why I asked the OP for a closer spec on what model of moho they were looking for, as parts supply and availability do come into play. Now if she were to buy Wxbuoy's 350 with the 6BT Cummins, getting an alternator wouldn't be a problem, would it?

Cheers
Tony

[mayco]

And thats why I carry a spare alternator for my Isuzu.......and it was only $150, new take off.

Im a diesel dummie and kinda fell into the purchase of my 310TD. I was completely unfamiliar with diesel motors. Now after 3+ years of ownership and 7000+ miles, I wouldnt buy a class A without a diesel. Most of my fears about the diesel were due to lack of knowledge. They are just tougher, heavier duty, made to last motors. As far as on going costs are concerned, I dont think I could afford owning a gas powered class A. Not with the endless maintenance, mods, and expected engine replacement at 50-70k.

Mike
Certified Diesel Dummie

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by SpletKay06

There is a lot of opinions on here but at the end of the day diesel is better. Im a mechanic and I wouldn't own a gasser. The myth that a diesel is more expensive to maintain is garbage. Yes they require more oil, but they can go longer intervals between changes and theres no spark plugs to maintain. Theres a reason the pro use diesel.

Hi, how long can your diesel go between oil changes? My Lincoln goes 5,000 miles, My F-150 goes 10,000 miles, and my BMW goes 15,000 miles between oil changes.

[martin300662]

My advice to the OP.....get the coach configuration you want (size, layout etc) and then worry about what engine it is. You will be more unhappy with not having the functionality you want (constantly in your face) than what type of motivation it has.

Unfortunately some coaches configurations were only built with specific chassis/power trains, and 'you get, what you get'.

[jgoss]

Now that I've owned a diesel, whether I'm pulling or driving an RV, I believe I'll always own a diesel. The new diesels (since 2013 with DEF) get much better fuel mileage, are a lot quieter, and don't produce the black smoke like the older diesels. The power and torque they produce, far exceed most gas burners. The oil changes and maintenance cost more, but are not required as often as gas burners. And, diesel fuel is now more comparable to gas in price. For me, having a Cummings 6.7 turbo diesel, and the piece of mind to simply put the truck in tow mode and set the cruise is priceless. No worries about steep grades or stopping the rig when going downhill due to jakebrakes or engine compression braking. So many of my friends are trying to pull heavy oversized RVs with gas burners. Yes, they will roll it on flat land, but wait until you need the power to go up or the braking to come down the mountains... My mpg only drops about 5 mpgs when towing my AS. With most gas burners, the mpgs are significantly lower when driving/towing. Just my thoughts...

[hhendrix]

A lot of good information here except the comments about how much more a diesel is to maintain. One advantage that hasn't been mentioned except as a nod to reliability is diesels are less likely to overheat.
When I started as a firefighter in 1971, all our engines were gas powered. In CA, fire equipment can be required to travel several hundred miles to get to the scene of a major wildland fire, usually doing the high temperatures of summer. Gas powered engines often overheated, especially pulling long grades and sustained pumping operations. We often sent a mechanic along with the strike team (five engines and a chief officer) just so the equipment could make it to the scene. The diesels did not and were not affected by the heat. We switched the entire fleet to diesels and the mechanics stayed home. I don't think any fire department in CA orders anything but diesels.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, how long can your diesel go between oil changes? My Lincoln goes 5,000 miles, My F-150 goes 10,000 miles, and my BMW goes 15,000 miles between oil changes.

I don't doubt it. My 2012 Honda would go 10,000+ miles too before the maintenance minder says to change the oil; but I'm a lot smarter than the dumb engineer that succumbed to the even dumber marketing guys request for 10,000+ mile oil changes to reward the owner that trades their car in every two to three years. I change mine at under 5,000 miles or 7,500 kms as fluids are cheap, engine replacements are not.

I would never go further than 8,000 miles before changing oil; on any car.

I wonder in that 15,000 miles, how often you check the oil?

Cheers
Tony

[SpletKay06]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, how long can your diesel go between oil changes? My Lincoln goes 5,000 miles, My F-150 goes 10,000 miles, and my BMW goes 15,000 miles between oil changes.

Is your bmw an rv? Your statement isnt relative to the question.

[Vycan]

I do oil changes every 3k or 3mo, which ever comes first.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by SpletKay06

Is your bmw an rv? Your statement isnt relative to the question.

Actually.....it could be, and a diesel pusher to boot. A gentleman around these parts owns one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3HwgQvFz2k

Cheers
Tony

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Vycan

I do oil changes every 3k or 3mo, which ever comes first.

Very smart man and you have a lot easier time to re&re and engine than us turbo diesel Isuzu pullers.

As I stated before, fluids are cheap.

Cheers
Tony

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

I don't doubt it. My 2012 Honda would go 10,000+ miles too before the maintenance minder says to change the oil; but I'm a lot smarter than the dumb engineer that succumbed to the even dumber marketing guys request for 10,000+ mile oil changes to reward the owner that trades their car in every two to three years. I change mine at under 5,000 miles or 7,500 kms as fluids are cheap, engine replacements are not.

I would never go further than 8,000 miles before changing oil; on any car.

I wonder in that 15,000 miles, how often you check the oil?

Cheers
Tony

Hi, I have checked a few times and my oil was always full and clean looking. Versus the old days, I virtually never check my oil anymore and never had a problem because of it. [I was a new car dealer mechanic since 1968 so I'm not ignorant about cars] Just saying!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by SpletKay06

There is a lot of opinions on here but at the end of the day diesel is better. Im a mechanic and I wouldn't own a gasser. The myth that a diesel is more expensive to maintain is garbage. Yes they require more oil, but they can go longer intervals between changes and theres no spark plugs to maintain. Theres a reason the pro use diesel.

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, how long can your diesel go between oil changes? My Lincoln goes 5,000 miles, My F-150 goes 10,000 miles, and my BMW goes 15,000 miles between oil changes.

Originally Posted by SpletKay06

Is your bmw an rv? Your statement isnt relative to the question.

Hi, this thread is about Diesel versus Gas; Your statement about diesels going longer between oil changes was basic and didn't mention RV's or motorhomes so I stated what my truck and two SUV's get. [per factory recommendations] The BMW is an X-3. If your diesels can go longer between oil changes than my gas engines I would love to hear about it.

Old reasoning; "A diesel doesn't have spark plugs." But they do have glow plugs and very expensive injectors.

[Roddyy]

I actually own two motorhomes, one gas and one diesel. The '74 Argosy has a really nice gas engine and gets just about 10 miles to the gallon with plenty of power. The '82 Airstream Excella has the Isuzu diesel and gets 12 to 14 mpg with very little power. You step on the gas and wait for things to happen. I like them both, but in the long run I just bet I'll like the Airstream better because I love getting good mileage and I'm in no hurry. Upkeep is about the same for them both.

[pappy19]

Most all of the gas engines on Class C motor homes are the Ford Triton V-10 or 6.8 ltr. Thiat engine is the most reliable and proven gas engine for HD uses, ever designed and used since 1999. There is a reason that no diesel engine, no matter the brand or make, has ever come close to this, because diesel engines over time are not as economical to run or maintain. Sure, you will hear stories of a personal diesel engine lasting a million miles, but the real world is that a Ford V-10 will last 200-300,000 miles with only a change of plugs every 50-75,000 miles and $20 oil changes. Fuel filters on a gasser is $15 while some diesels cost $200 for a filter, oil and don't forget the urea tank which freezes in the winter and if it runs low, the sensor will shut down the engine. All a diesel engine does for you is a few more mpg and a little more power. But at what expense? Take it from one that has been down the diesel road and now am a confirmed V-10 fan.

[Kota]

6 qts for $20? The good stuff!

I pay about $10 for Fleetguard oil and fuel filters for my Cummins. It takes about 3 gallons for an oil change. I use Shell Rotella at about $17 a gallon.

Ford modular engines are notorious for frozen spark plug issues. Very expensive when the threads come out with the plug.