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Zippo · RV-Dreams Community Member

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Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Are you planning on alot of driving or simple snowbirding........I find diesel pushers are quieter over all for heavy driving and more durable for longer durations

V10 is a nice power plant fuel milelage on gas is a little better per mile .......but they both have there trade offs

Its a buyers market out here right now so shop long and hard!!!...depending on what area you live in or if you can travel there are some super bargains due to Repo's over the last couple of years!!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mark,

Welcome to the RV Dreams forums. You have certainly found a place to ask your questions as there are a number of folks here with experience with both gas and diesel motorhomes.

Like Mike mentioned, the diesels will be quieter, especially if it is a "pusher" instead of a "FRED" motorhome. (FRED is Front End Diesel.) We looked at both motorhomes and fifth wheels and liked the pushers. However, I kept asking if there was some way to mount a microphone in the engine compartment with a way of hearing the engine from the front. I guess as a former 18-wheeler driver, I just prefer to hear what that engine is sounding like.

Ask away with any questions, and feel free to make comments, especially since you've already done some RV'ing.

Terry

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

We fought the battle of gas vs. diesel motorhome and wound up keeping our gas Class A because we liked the floorplan so well. The downside of a gas rig is more noise at the front while you're driving, less pulling power on hills and a bit less fuel mileage. We've been living fulltime in our rig now for about 6 months and other than climbing over the mountain passes in Colorado we've done fine. We made it over the passes, even towing the Jeep behind us but it was a struggle. Next time we'll disconnect the Jeep and drive up the really steep, long hills separately. We'll hit around 25 states this year and other than that one state and probably those 20-30 uphill miles we have not regretted the gas power at all. I would suggest you let the floorplan of the rig determine whether it can be home for you or not. Unless you plan to travel a LOT, you'll spend a lot more time sitting than driving.

heyduke · RV-Dreams Family Member

As a "FRED" motorhome owner I have t ocomment to the earlier post that we have very little noise up front even with the FRED... your mileage may vary...

Zippo · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you all for your ideas/suggestions. I am fortunate in that it is a buyers' market right now. I like the idea of a Diesel pusher so that is what I'm consitrating on right now. The wife is starting to balk a little so I'm keeping my research on the down low until I am able to decide on a model with what I believe is a good floor plan and then take her for a look see. I don't mind traveling to look for a bargain. In fact Sout Carolina has come up in my searches. Again thanks.

-- Edited by Zippo on Saturday 22nd of September 2012 04:10:02 PM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

My comment was that the rear engine motorhomes are quieter than the front engine ones. I didn't mean for it to suggest that the FRED's were noisy. The newer diesels somewhat amaze me anyway. The 6.4L in our F450 is amazing for its quietness, especially when compared to some older trucks.

Terry

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey Zippo,
We just left the RV-Dreams Rally in OR. We learned so much and everyone, EVERYONE there was SO fun, friendly & helpful, I can't believe how much we learned and how much fun it was! If there is any way to attend one BEFORE buying and also letting your wife learn more about the lifestyle you would hopefully avoid some expensive mistakes.

Besides, it was worth the price of admittance to see Howard do the
Macarena dance!

If anyone is thinking about the next Rally, you can't go wrong!

Sherry

jbarrett72 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We just went on our first "expedition" with our new 36' fifth wheel from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan down to lower Wisconsin. The truck we were using to pull it is just a temporary truck. It has a gas engine. One thing we decided, just from this trip, is that we will get a diesel. One of the reasons is that trying to get to the gas pumps can be a bit tricky. Other people just don't realize how much room you need to swing over to the pump. Just something to think about!