Gas vs Diesel RVs: What You Need To Know
Let me start by saying that there’s no right or wrong answer to the gas vs diesel RVs question. Each engine type has advantages and disadvantages, and the choice to buy one or the other depends on you and your RVing goals. Perhaps listing the pros and cons for each engine type will help you decide which one is best for your unique needs.
Longevity, resale, and price
Bottom line: diesel rigs are more expensive. That is probably the biggest point of differentiation, but for this extra cost, you also get an engine with a much longer life and higher resale value.
A rig with a gas engine will probably need to be replaced after 150,000 to 200,000 miles, while a rig with a well-maintained diesel engine will still be fully functional after 400,000 miles or more.
For some, power is everything
A diesel engine also has more torque, meaning that it will climb hills better and maintain your vehicle’s speed during a climb, performing this task much better than its gas counterpart.
Even though diesel fuel is typically more expensive than gas, diesel engines get better mileage, so the cost per mile may be less with a diesel engine. Additionally, servicing a diesel engine is more costly than a gas engine, but it also requires less frequent service.
Class B+ Diesel RVs. There are pros and cons to this decision. Photo by P. Dent
Diesel engines on all sizes of RVs
Diesel engines are used on all sizes of RVs, not just the largest Class A diesel pushers that may be built on a Freightliner chassis. The smallest Class B, Class C, and B+ rigs also can be equipped with diesel engines.
Just like you can buy Ford, Chevy, Ram, and Mercedes vehicles with either gas or diesel engines, you can also purchase virtually the same RV (same floor plans with comparable equipment) in either a gas or diesel configuration.
In some instances, the diesel rig may be built on a heavier chassis, but not in all cases. All the advantages of diesel mentioned above: longevity, resale value, more torque, fuel efficiency, and less frequent service appointments, apply for every size diesel RV.
Gas vs Diesel is a personal decision
The main considerations as to whether a diesel vs gas RVs is right for you, however, may not be based on any of these attributes. Some of the full-time RVers living in larger Class A motorhomes, that I have spoken to about their choice between a gas vs diesel RV, said the heavier chassis, greater carrying capacity, and long-term dependability of their diesel pusher were the deciding factors.
Another couple mentioned that they had owned both types of rigs and liked the quietness of rear-engine in their diesel rig (diesel pusher is a reference to the rear engine) and they liked the ability to maintain their speed in hilly terrain.
They thought the constant engine noise of their Class A gas motorhome was annoying, and they really appreciated the fact that the power plant in their diesel pusher was in the rear of the coach.
Class B, C, and B+ coaches have their power plants out in front of the driver’s compartment with at least one firewall between the passengers and the engine, which reduces engine noise, but Class A gas engines are literally positioned between the driver and passenger’s seat, and on steep grades, a Class A gas coach can be quite noisy.
What works for one camper won’t be the right solution for another. Photo by P. Dent
Gas vs Diesel – There’s no wrong answer
Again, in the gas vs diesel RV controversy, one engine type is not better than the other. It depends on each RVer’s unique needs.
For example, one RVer plans to continually travel throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico and they intend to log hundreds of thousands of miles in their RV in only a few years. A diesel engine would probably be the better choice for this adventurer because diesel engines perform best when they get a lot of use, and they perform less well when left parked for extended periods of time.
Additionally, this RVer will benefit from less frequent service appointments, and an extended driving range between fuel stops, and the rig will still have a higher resale value when their travels are over.
On the other hand, another RVer intends to travel throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico but plans to stay longer at each destination (up to a month or more) to immerse themselves in the history, traditions, and culture in each new region.
They intend to travel for years but will not actually log that many miles during their travels since they will be stationary for long periods of time. Additionally, they plan to spend the bulk of their travel time in the mountainous terrain of the western half of the continent.
These RVers will probably be best served by a gas engine, even though a diesel engine offers better torque for climbing hills, cold weather, and high altitudes adversely affect diesel engines, as do long periods of idleness.
Furthermore, even though these folks intend to travel for many years, and diesel engines are fully functional for hundreds of thousands of miles, the rest of the systems in their motorhome, will probably not last as long as the engine.
There will be more resale value in the diesel engine, but if the rest of the coach is worn out from many years of use, the higher engine resale value is less impactful. After all, there are many components and systems in an RV and they don’t all wear out at the same pace. The engine might have thousands of miles of unused functionality, but the rest of the coach is spent.
Primary differences between gas and diesel motorhomes
Diesel rigs have:
- Higher fuel prices offset by better fuel efficiency
- Longer range between fill-ups
- More expensive but fewer service appointments
- More torque offset by the need to purchase and use Diesel Exhaust Fluid* (DEF)
- More initial cost offset by higher resale value
*Diesel Exhaust Fluid is a required exhaust additive that converts harmful exhaust soot into inert compounds. DEF can be purchased online or at most fuel stops and must be used with all 2010 or newer diesel engines.
The decision was difficult but we thought a gas rig fit us better. Photo by P. Dent
We chose a gas-powered motorhome
We actually just went through this decision process in the last year. After driving a Class A gas coach for 120,000 miles, over a span of 20 years, we had to decide if our next RV was going to be a gas RV or a diesel pusher. We knew we wanted another Class A motorhome, but we had to evaluate all the trade-offs listed above as it pertained to our unique situation.
Based on our budget, it came down to a used diesel or a new gas coach, and after driving our other gas rig for 120,000 miles we decided the gas option had served us well in the past. If our first rig had been a diesel pusher it wouldn’t have made that much difference in the resale value, since the coach was 20 years old.
Even though we had maintained it well, it was still a 1999 RV and as such, it was old by any standard. All the systems worked, the interior and exterior were in good condition, but that just was not as important as the overall age when determining the resale value.
We pondered the gas vs diesel RV question for weeks and finally decided that a new gas RV fit us better than a used diesel. Others will disagree with our choice, but that’s just it. There is no right answer for everyone. Only individual decisions that fit each RVer’s unique circumstances. I advise you to take your time, think long and hard about the differences between a gas vs diesel RV, then choose wisely.
We aren’t alone in choosing a gas motorhome. Said Julie Bennett of RV Love when buying their Tiffin gas RV,
“Ultimately, we chose the coach that was a perfect fit for OUR needs – based on floorplan, layout, quality, build and the price we were willing to pay.”
Don’t forget maintenance
Whether you choose a gas or diesel motorhome, don’t skimp on maintenance. Keep track of your maintenance with a cloud-based solution like Maintain My RV. Most handy RVers can perform much of their own maintenance on gas motorhomes, while diesel owners may need a specialist more often. Either way, keep track of the service performed on your rig.
Gas vs diesel RV isn’t the only thing you’ll want to consider. Check out this Advice That Every New RV Owner Should Know
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I am an author and writer, my partner is a web designer. We are full time RVers traveling around the US and Canada. We’ve been RVing for over 20 years and we’ve traveled more than 130,000 miles in an RV.
One more serious advantage of a diesel is the convenience of filling the tank.
If you have a large RV and tow a car, you constantly have to assess whether you can get into and out of every gas station. With my gasser, I’ve twice had to unhook the toad to get out.
With a diesel, you can fill up at a diesel island with no worries about how to get out.
A downside of diesels is that it’s pretty much impossible to find one with a door that isn’t at the very front of the rig. With a mid-door rig, you get much better ventilation from the screen door and don’t have to dodge the front passenger seat when loading and unloading it.
Thank you for sharing your insights. The more information we can add to this discussion the more newbies can make an informed decision.
I don’t see the front door on my Class A diesel as a drawback at all. It has an attached screen door that lets a LOT of air into the coach, and if that’s not enough, there are windows we can open.
I wouldn’t have any interest in a mid-mounted entry door. Why? Simply because I wouldn’t want to have to hike over 20 feet just to get outside.
The key factor in this post, for me, was that even though the diesel will last at least twice as long as the gas engine, the coach wont generally last as long as the engine.
The maintenance on a gas engine is generally lower cost. The Triton V10 doesn’t need more than oil & filter changes for the first 80,000 miles.
One other factor not mentioned is the size of the coach. Our 30′ gas powered class “A” has little trouble on hills towing our compact car on the dolly. I often pass those 40+ DP’s pulling the pickup.
But the most important observation by the author, for me, was; if you spend longer times at resorts or campsites, the disadvantages of the gas engine becomes less an issue. Engine noise & torque are not an issue standing still.
The mismatch between the longevity of the engine and the rest of the coach was the main reason we opted for a gasser. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with a motorhome.
An important consideration I haven’t seen anywhere here is about the materials used for construction in gassers vs diesels.
We’ve owned both, and in the process, looked at many more of both in the purchase process. It’s obvious to even the casual observer that gassers are typically NOT built using the same materials most diesels are, and purchase prices differ commensurately – it one reason diesels are more expensive.
In a gasser, counter tops are often Corian or similar; in most gassers, they’re often something much less elegant. In diesels, walls are usually very rigid and solid, and in most gassers, much less so. It’s often possible to push the wall and see it move using the force of only a finger or two.
Another difference is in the appliances and systems. Gassers typically will have propane-fueled refrigerators and hot water heaters. By contrast, our Tiffin diesel is all electric (no propane tank to refill), with a residential refrigerator, dishwasher, Aquahot space and water heating, stacked residential washer and dryer, master bath with “his and hers” vanities, and a separate half bath, a 10KW diesel generator, and three roof air conditioners.
People often explain their various reasons for why they chose to buy what they bought, but at the end of the day, we usually buy what we can afford. We didn’t buy new, because we couldn’t afford to. But we didn’t buy a gasser, because we didn’t have to.
Diesel smell, diesel exhaust, fuel cost, injector repair costs, etc. ….no thanks. I’ll stick with gas truck engines lubricated with oil formulated for diesel engines.
Thank you for your response. We eventually came to the same conclusion.
Except that none of your criticisms of current diesel power are true.
Emissions legislation has eliminated the smelly smoking engines of yesteryear. And while diesel fuel is a little more expensive, diesels also typically get better mileage, so it tends to even out the score. And after 20 years of owning diesel Class A’s, I’ve NEVER had to get any injector work done.
There’s a reason we don’t ever see any gas-powered over-the-road semi-tractor trailer rigs on the road. Think about it.
I also question the oil choice you made. The manufacturer specifies the oil you should use in your engine. Failing to follow that advice is a bad idea.
No Edit capability here, so this corrects my typo:
3rd para, 1st sentence should read:
“In most diesel powered Class A’s , counter tops are often Corian or even nicer; in most gassers, they’re often something much less elegant.”
I’d appreciate it if the website admin could make this textual change in my previous post.
Thanks
I will have to disagree with a diesel climbing hills better than a gas rig. I have had both and my gas rig would run circles around diesel rigs in the hills of Arkansas and the Hill Country of Texas. With my 330 turbo I will be slowed down to 40 MPH on a long climb. To me diesels do have torque but gas rigs have RPM’s.
Thank your weighing in on this discussion.
Huge early life depreciation on new motor coaches was not mentioned in the article/decision criteria…huge sunk cost when you first turn the key and drive off the lot. And, in many states, personal property value of new coaches is a big hit annually…renting your own property from the state annually via personal property taxes. Then, there is insurance cost annually on newer coaches. Many factors overlooked in decision process.
I choose to let someone else eat that initial expense. There are plenty of well cared for several year old coaches available. One just needs to be an astute buyer. Many buyers aren’t very astute, and are better suited to biting the big depreciation bullet.
Thank you for your insights.You make a great point.
The loss in value of a new rig when you drive it off the lot is huge, but if you keep the rig for 20 years, like we did our last one, then you can amortize that loss over a longer period of time. For us, knowing EVERY thing about our coach was important. Every hiccup, every anomaly, every modification, etc. Knowing it intimately gave us peace of mind.
Noise, Noise and more Noise. My first attempt on a MH was a nice 36 Foretravel with Banks Improved 454 between the front seats.I pull onto the freeway at the bottom of a small grade. I was unable to get above 30MPH before the crest and the noise level was next to unbearable. I could not get to the next exit fast enough to return to the parking spot. Never looked again until a friend wanted to sell his 36 DP and am on my third one since. Near Silence isGolden!!!!
Thank you for adding your insights to this debate. It’s great to read many different opinions and hear about other people’s experiences. Thank you for taking the time to add your thoughts to this discussion.
Meh, nobody buys an RV as an investment. We buy them because we CAN.
Good honest reporting of what a person is looking at when buying a new or used motorhome
Thank you. I tried to dory research but it would have been more helpful if I had real first hand experience with a diesel coach as well as the gasser.
I’m going to disagree with the comments about longevity regarding diesel engines. This was the case many years ago. Ever since government required aftertreatment systems on diesel engines, any thoughts of reliability goes out the window. Old timers will remember the early 70’s when catalytic converters were first required on gasoline powered cars. Power numbers dropped. Reliability was hurt. All to save the air. Some diesel manufacturers (Caterpillar) stopped making on-highway engines knowing these aftertreatment systems will hurt their names regarding power and reliability. Gasoline engines blessed with modern technology (VVT, fuel injection, electronic ignition, etc.) are no less reliable than modern diesel engines. Give them quality synthetic oil, change it often and a gasoline engine will last many hundreds of thousands of miles.
You make a good point. Since I have never owned a diesel rig your experiences are certainly more applicable than mine.
Yes, fully agree. I’ve had gas engines last 300K withought any significant trouble. The synthetic oils are far better now.
This is, by far, the most complete, helpful comparison on gas vs diesel that I’ve ever read. Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words. I was a bit intimidated by the subject. I’ve driven a gasser for 20+ years but never a diesel RV, However, I have take to tons of people about their diesels and I did a lot of research when we were trying to decide which one fit us, best. Again thank you for reading RVLIFE articles and I hope you find RVLIFE apps helpful.
Good information but no mention about the environment all RVers are trying to enjoy and, hopefully preserve? Gas engines continue to contribute to the Ozone layer while the tail pipe from a three stage diesel exhaust system (inc. DEF) contributes only nitrogen and water. Neither are unfriendly to the environment.
The biggest item for me is that once you leave the interstate get back into the mountains diesel is not available.
Diesels have sufficient fuel capacity to get into the “mountains” and back out to the interstate where there WILL BE diesel fuel, once you need some.
This is typical of the “red herrings” some people use to rationalize their decision to buy a gasser.
Here’s a real vague generalization, but……
A gas class A will probably have more ground clearance than a same-length diesel pusher. That matters to those of us who are not bright enough to stay away from dirt roads and back country camping.
Enjoyed reading the article and comments. Nobody mentioned that diesel fuel has very low flammability at room temperature (it will put out a lit match), and diesel fuel will keep fresh in the tank for years. Not sure if I could sleep well at night, right next to a hundred gallons of gasoline. There’s another advantage of diesel fuel, it is more efficient at powering a generator than one running on gasoline or propane. Regarding engine noise, when I turn the key I have to strain just to hear if my diesel engine started or not. It’s two car lengths away and I can just barely hear it. Thanks for the great article !
Regarding the comments about centrally-located side entry doors, it might be more convenient but it would use up valuable space in the galley area. I love to cook and prefer a large countertop and pantry. If I ever buy another motorhome, I’d prefer to have two front doors, one on each side like on a Super C. These rigs offer easier, lower-cost maintenance because it is a standard truck chassis and has better access to the front-mounted engine. To get to the top of my engine requires taking the mattress off the bed and removing a large, heavy hatch. After doing this 3 or 4 times, you wish you hadn’t.
It’s great to know that diesel RVs tend to have very efficient fuel consumption. I’m thinking about buying one so that I can make camping and other long trips a lot easier to do with my friends. I hope that I can find a diesel servicing center near where I live so that I wouldn’t have to worry much about maintenance.