You’ve decided between a travel trailer and a motorhome. You’ve settled the tie between a Class A RV and a Class C RV. Now, you’re faced with one of the toughest decisions of all: Do you want an RV with a gas-powered or diesel-powered engine?
While it largely comes down to personal preference, either type of RV has definite advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these pros and cons is important if you want to choose the RV that’s right for you.
Understanding Gas and Diesel RVs
To the untrained eye, gas and diesel engines don’t seem that different. However, there’s a reason that there are mechanics who specialize specifically in diesel engines versus those who specialize in gas ones. It’s because they’re as different as night and day!
Diesel and gas engines have differing operating mechanisms and components, which leads to unique strengths and weaknesses. One engine isn’t necessarily better than the other, but understanding the advantages and disadvantages of either engine will help you choose the right type of RV.
Advantages of Gas vs Diesel RVs
Gas engines are more popular in smaller RVs, such as Class Bs and Cs, but they’re also an option for larger Class A motorhomes.
Here are some of the main reasons people prefer gas motorhomes over diesel ones.
Initial Purchase Price
One of the first things you’ll notice when comparing motorhomes is that gas options are much cheaper than diesel ones. On average, diesel motorhomes cost 50% to 100% more than gas motorhomes, making gas motorhomes an attractive option for people on a tight budget.
In other words, you can expect to pay $100,000 for a diesel motorhome, whereas the same motorhome with a gas engine will cost $50,000 to $75,000. This holds true for all classes of motorhomes, including Class A, Class B, and Class C.
Maintenance and Repair
In the same way that gas motorhomes have a lower purchase price, they are also cheaper to repair than diesel motorhomes. This is partly because diesel engines are more complicated and have more components than gas engines. It’s also because gas engines are more popular than diesel ones, which means diesel parts and mechanics are harder to find and in higher demand.
For example, the average oil change for a gas motorhome will cost $150 to $250, while the same operation for a diesel motorhome will cost between $400 and $500.
Better For Limited Use
Another advantage of choosing an RV with a gasoline engine is that it performs well even if you don’t use it often. Diesel RV engines, on the other hand, need to be operated fairly regularly, or they are more prone to issues.
Fuel Costs
If you pay attention while refueling at a gas station, you’ll also notice that gas is much cheaper than diesel fuel. Currently, the average price for a gallon of gas is $3.70, and the average gallon of diesel fuel costs $4.20. When you consider that you’ll be putting roughly 50 gallons of gas in your tank every time you refuel, you’re looking at $185 for gas and $210 for diesel.
Advantages of Diesel RVs
Although diesel RVs are more expensive across the board, they have several distinct advantages over gas RVs that could tip the scales in their favor.
Longevity and Durability
One of the most significant advantages of diesel RVs is their longer engine lifespan and durability. Diesel engines are renowned for their long-term durability and ability to withstand wear and tear, often lasting up to 300,000 miles or more.
On the other hand, gas engines typically give out after 150,000 to 200,000 miles. This extended lifespan translates to higher resale value, another big advantage for diesel engines.
Towing Capacity
Another big advantage for diesel motorhomes is that they have a more powerful engine than gas motorhomes, resulting in an average of double the towing capacity. Towing capacity is important if you plan to tow a car or trailer behind your RV, which is fairly common. More engine power also makes it easier for diesel motorhomes to navigate steep inclines and hills.
Fuel Economy
While diesel fuel costs more than gasoline, diesel engines have a better fuel economy, which can sometimes offset the high fuel price. On average, a diesel RV will get between 9 and 15 MPG, whereas gas RVs will get between 6 and 11 MPG.
Engine Noise
Although diesel engines tend to be louder than gas ones, diesel motorhomes have the engine in the rear as a diesel pusher engine. Gas motorhomes, on the other hand, have the engine in the front. As a result, diesel pushers offer a quieter and more enjoyable driving experience than gasoline engines.
Disadvantages of Gas vs Diesel RVs
Despite offering several advantages like lower initial cost and easier maintenance, gas RVs also have certain drawbacks.
Engine Lifespan
As we said before, gas-powered RVs have a much shorter lifespan than diesel ones. In many cases, a gas RV will last half as long as a diesel rig, so if you plan to do lots of traveling for years to come, gas might not be the right choice.
Towing Limitations
The second main disadvantage of gas-powered engines is that they aren’t as powerful, which means less towing capacity. This isn’t a huge deal if you’re only towing a small second vehicle on fairly flat terrain. However, if you’re navigating mountainous terrain with a heavy vehicle or trailer in tow, you’ll struggle with a gas-powered motorhome.
Disadvantages of Diesel RVs
Despite their performance and efficiency advantages, diesel RVs aren’t perfect and have certain disadvantages.
Initial Purchase Price
The biggest downside of diesel-powered RVs is that they come at a much higher price point than gas RVs. You can often expect to pay twice as much for diesel models as you would for the same RV with a gas engine. Therefore, diesel rigs are often too expensive for people with a tight budget, making them a less attainable option.
RV Maintenance and Repairs
In addition to their higher cost, diesel RVs have higher maintenance and repair costs than gas RVs. In the same way foreign cars are more expensive to maintain and repair than domestic ones, diesel engines require special parts, knowledge, and expertise that aren’t as readily available as with gas engines.
Finding a mechanic who can perform your maintenance and repairs will also be more difficult, which could lead to prolonged periods where you can’t use your RV because you’re waiting for repairs.
Making Your Decision: Gas or Diesel RV?
As you can see, numerous advantages and disadvantages are involved in the gas vs. diesel motorhome debate. Here are a few tips to help you make the right decision.
Travel Frequency and Distance
If you plan to use your rig often and travel vast distances, diesel RVs are the better option. The more you use a diesel engine, the better it will perform and the longer it will last. On the other hand, gas motorhomes are better if you live the RV lifestyle where you remain at the same campground for long periods.
Budget and Long-term Costs
In many instances, the initial price of a diesel RV is enough to turn prospective buyers away. However, if you want to invest in a long-term traveling option and can find enough wiggle room in your budget, diesel RVs are the way to go because they last longer and have more power than gas RVs.
In Conclusion
Choosing between a diesel and gas motorhome is a big deal because either option is a sizeable investment. Therefore, it’s important to examine the pros and cons of both types of RVs so that you can make the right decision. It’s also important to note that diesel RVs have a higher resale value, so they might be the better option if you plan to resell your rig.
Whether you choose a gas or diesel RV, you’ll need a safe place to store your new purchase. Consider using a peer-to-peer storage marketplace like Neighbor if you need help finding the perfect place to store your RV while it’s not in use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Benefits of a Diesel RV?
Diesel RVs are more powerful, quieter, and last longer than gas-powered RVs. They also have a higher resale value and a superior towing capacity.
Do Diesel Motorhomes Get Better Gas Mileage?
Yes, diesel motorhomes generally get better gas mileage than their petrol-powered counterparts, offering up to 35% greater fuel efficiency. Standard gas RVs typically provide 6-10 mpg, while diesel vehicles usually give 7-14 mpg.
What Is the Best Engine for a Motorhome?
Diesel engines, specifically Cummins diesel engines, are preferred for motorhomes due to their higher torque ratings, exceptional fuel economy, low operating costs, and legendary reliability. Ford and Chevy have some of the best options if you prefer a gas engine.
Is Fuel Availability a Significant Factor When Choosing Between Gas and Diesel RVs?
While it used to be a bigger factor in past years, gasoline and diesel fuel are both readily available in most parts of the country. However, if you’re in a pinch, there are still more gas stations offering gasoline than there are offering diesel fuel.
