I will take a Diesel with 600 ft lbs of torque and 350 horse power over a gas engine with 350 lbs of torque and 600 horsepower any day. When moving heavy objects torque trumps horsepower in my book. I wouldn't put a lot of stock in ANYTHING a salesman tells you.

As a matter of fact, the truth is just the opposite. Typically a gasoline engine does not develop the torque that a diesel engine does. Partly because there is less energy per unit of volume in gasoline than there is in diesel fuel and partly because a diesel engine will have double the compression ratio of a gasoline engine. That salesman is full of baloney.  The two engines, gasoline and diesel, are not the same animals as a gasoline engine will deliver power over a wider range of rpm than a diesel but the diesel will deliver much more torque.  Torque is the actual turning force on the crank shaft and thus the drive wheels.  Also torque and horse power are not the same animals either.

There is a reason that most larger pickup trucks now have diesel engines in them and it certainly is not because diesel fuel is cheaper any longer.

-- Edited by ahoweth on Wednesday 30th of December 2009 06:44:33 AM

I will have to echo NorCal Dan and say that you need a new salesman.  The truth is the opposite of what that one is telling you.  If you were to look at truck specifications, you would find that a pickup with a diesel engine will handle more weight than an equivalent one with a gas engine.

If there isn't a salesman at that dealership that has more knowledge than the first, I would suggest another dealership.  With the amount of money you spend for an RV, you need to make sure that you can trust what you are told by a dealership's employees.

As an example, Jo and I have been looking at fifth wheel with the intention of buying one to live in full time.  While we have pretty much settled on what brand and model we want, we have done so by going to three different dealerships that carry them.  Two of those dealerships have each been around 200 miles away from home.  When three different dealerships pretty much tell you the same thing, you can pretty well be confident with the RV.

Plus, with a used unit, be sure and have an independent mechanic check out what you are buying. 

Terry

Other than what has already been said, and I agree with it all--yes the max or near max torque on a diesel is hit around 2000 rpm (as in like when you are taking off from a stop) as compared to a gas power plant that hits its max torque at around 5000/6000 rpm (as when you are out on the hyway going 60 mph).  I don't know about you but I need the most torque when I'm trying to get the beast moving from a dead stop not after I'm already doing 55 mph. Buy what ever fits your needs and budget but make no mistake about it torque at a low rpm is a good thing. 
 
Flyone 

Luvglass wrote:

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If you simply type in "what is torque" into Google you will come up with all the information you need to fully understand the issue. If you don't want to get into the technicalities, just wonder why all the largest, heaviest RV's and long haul trucks are diesels and not gas powered.

Apparently that salesman has a gasoline powered RV he is trying to sell. It's a shame, but almost all of them are really lying bastards.

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 I just love to read your post....we think alike.