I noticed a “For Sale” sign on a neighbor’s RV so I asked him about it. Ray explained, “Fuel prices are just too high. I can’t afford to keep on camping.” Ray lost his wife to cancer a few years ago. They’d been high school sweethearts, and both enjoyed RVing.
“We started out in a hippie van,” Ray smiled as he remembered. “It was nothing much to look at, but it sure took us a lot of great places.” Ray’s current RV requires diesel fuel and while the cost per gallon may be less than a few years ago, it’s still too costly for Ray to continue his RVing lifestyle.
What’s better for your vehicle? It’s hard to say if a gas or diesel engine is better or worse than the other. They both have pros and cons, and some people prefer one or the other.
Diesels have more power, and usually better mileage. However, they are heavier and cost more to repair. Gas engines cost a whole lot less than diesels, but they do have a shorter lifespan.
How about you? When RVing do you use diesel or gasoline fuel? Tell us by your vote and then comment below if you wish.
Check out the current fuel prices in the places where you’ll be RVing here.
##RVT1170
8 mpg at $3.00 +-.
Slow down. I get 11 mpg with a Chevy 3500 dually diesel pulling a 35′ 5th wheel at 90-95 km/hr. (54-58 mph)
Our 1970 Winnebago Brave used to get 5 mpg; our current 2018 Transit gets 16 mpg. Big changes over the years: in the 70s we had 2 small boys, a cat, and 2 dogs; now it is just us two and one or two dogs.
Our pickup is gas powered. Since we also use it as a daily driver, the maintenance costs are much lower.
As far as mpg, the diesels do get better mileage on the highway, but not much different around town. Diesel fuel here is about $1 more per gallon, so not much is being saved.
My answer was 1/2 right. When at our destination- dog trials- we will fire up the inverter Honda’s and kill the diesel on board unless it is 95 degrees and require both AC’s running.
We have a small cargo camper my wife tows with her (gas powered) SUV or I take it into backwoods campsites with my HD diesel dually. We also use it as our “hotel” on wheels when we travel to/from Upstate NY where our Destination trailer is parked & our home in TN. I also tow a 30′ bunkhouse bumper pull down to FL for the winter. So you didn’t have BOTH. So yes, 3 RV’s. Each with a specific purpose/function.
I drive gasoline powered vehicles and I think poor driving habits contribute to pollution and poor mpg. My father told me that best mpg was at 50-55 mph and research last year confirmed that is still best speed. Tires must be maintained at proper pressure, avoid jackrabbit starts and never let your foot go directly from accelerator to brake. Drive 2- 3 cars ahead. Why rush up to a red light or stop sign? There are no minimum speed limits except on interstate hiways. Would love to have another stick shift except I can’t afford one when time comes to replace Carship Enterprise (my van’s name)
Gas!
The truck and trailer are rigged for off-road use, and gas means only one fuel to deal with for truck and generator.
150 gallons of diesel.
I think most people get rid of their rv’s long before they are worn out. The argument that gas rigs don’t last as long really doesn’t matter.
Diesel jocks will pay up front and pay more in the long run for parts and maintenance. Been there done that.
We have 3 motorhomes. One is diesel and the other two are gas, so needed a “both” category.
Yup!
We started out without a lot of money and camped to have family outings. As things improved we kept moving up and now have a diesel pusher. “Camping ” is a lot better than hotel rooms with questionable cleaning, let alone the cost of just having a snack or beer. Diesel was under $2 per gallon when we bought our coach, we will try to continue as long as possible. Not going down the politics road but if things continue we may be forced to sell.
It’s no secret that a properly maintained and operated diesel engine can last up to a million miles but the rest of the coach can’t.
When (not if) the walls start wobbling under the roof, the remaining life on the engine is irrelevant.
The torque that flexes them walls is nice though….
We use diesel. I find it interesting how the price for diesel has dropped significantly. We’re now seeing diesel at or within 10¢ of the price of regular unleaded gas. But the price of DEF hasn’t dropped that much.
The #1 reason for diesel for me is the convenience of using the commercial truck filling lanes. No clearance problems, super fast fill-ups, and no trying to cram in my rig with all the yahoos in the gas lanes.
Yahoo! I guess never the lanes we’ll meet.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Our RV runs on diesel fuel. Our towed vehicle runs on gasoline. Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂