Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Introduce Yourself! -> Just Getting Started
Post Info TOPIC: Just Getting Started
Freebird2013


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Just Getting Started
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Hello,

I've been visiting forums for about four months now; I thought I had decided on a motorhome but decided to wait until 2014's were out to get a better deal on the make and model I had been looking at.

However, I've been looking at several since then and am having trouble deciding between a pusher and gas. At first I thought driving one would be my biggest challenge however after following some very useful advice, I rented one, a class a gas. Turns out I'm quite the natural at this and boy was it fun!

I'm new to all of this but am looking forward to embarking on my maiden voyage in my own RV  soon... I'm hoping to have one no later that mid August. I know which of the floor plans I want for both models, the gas and the pusher.

So now it's about the all mighty dollar (depreciation) and durability. One is a 36 foot with very nice floorplan; the other is a 43ft with exceptionally nice, roomy plan.

One is quite a bit less expensive than the other. So, I'm left with this question... am I wasting my time harboring sweet dreams for this diesel or are there benefits to spending the extra $$$?

 

 



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Anna Stone
scrappy


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Welcome Freebird!

I'll let the experts answer.....just wanted to say hi, welcome aboard!



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Terry and Jo


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Anna,

Welcome to the RV Dreams forums and the "family" that resides here.  You will find this to be a good source of information and encouragement from a bunch of knowledgeable, helpful and friendly folks.

As for the two different types of engines, a lot will depend on your plans.  If your plans are to be involved with traveling enough that you will be experiencing mountain passes, and thus some pretty steep grades, you may find the diesel engines to be better because most have a form of engine or exhaust brake that is very helpful when going down the grades.  The engine brakes allow one to avoid using the wheel brakes a lot.  I won't say you never have to use the wheel brakes, but when you do, you slow down 15 to 20 mph each time you use them so that you don't have to "ride" the brakes so much.

In addition, the diesels will last longer than the gas engines will, but at the expense of higher cost of purchase and maintenance.  The diesel engines also operate with more torque, making them better for steeper grades.

This may not be the problem that it used to be, but when they first started coming out with diesel cars and pickups, one had to watch where they bought their fuel in the winter.  Diesel will "gel" when it gets down to certain temperatures, so to make them usable in winter, they create a winter "blend" that includes either kerosene or some other form of fuel additive.  If one is in doubt, always try to buy at major truck stops.

Good luck with your research and planning.  Glad to have you as part of the family.

Terry



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Terry and Jo

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Lucky Mike


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Gas.....Diesel.....diesel .....Gas

if your in it for the long haul a properly maintained diesel is just getting broke in at 100k miles where as a gas unit properly maintained has reached its half life....

most diesel units are built accordingly...the upper chassis and living areas are built to equal potential mileage durations if taken care of

I personally have owned both....my unit at this time has 113k on the drive train and has been very reliable so far for me....it is a gas 460

it is a preference and management issue.....gas units need more frequent services but at a lower price.......diesels go longer between service but at a higher rate

most gas units are not built as fulltimers.....they are sold to the weekend warriors where the average mileage is under 2000 miles a year .......this is not saying gassers are not fulltime units but be sure to look at basic structure and beyond the eye candy when buying....this will be your home and everyday you drive it down the road it will sustain earthquake like variables on its suspension and structure...(even more so in L.A or New Jersey & New York)....that being said happy shopping



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