By Cheri Sicard
When it comes to Class A motorhomes, the question of gas versus diesel comes up frequently. In fact, expert Matt, of Matt’s RV Reviews (one of our readers’ FAVORITE RV YouTube channels) says this is a question he fields constantly. So he made the invaluable video below so people understand the differences between the two, plus the pros and cons of each.
Like many RV decisions, it will depend on the individual and what is best for them. So understanding these pros and cons can help you make the right decision for your needs.
Now, all things being equal, Matt says when it comes to which is better, a Class A gas motorhome or a Class A diesel motorhome, the answer is the diesel.
However, Matt says that is not the right question. The question you should ask yourself instead is:
“Is a Class A diesel motorhome worth the extra $50,000 – $100,000 you will have to pay for it?”
Matt gives seven points to consider. And he does make the caveat that every one of these points does have exceptions, so you will have to weigh them against what’s right for you.
Gas versus diesel in Class A motorhomes: 7 points to consider
#1 Price: As Matt says, diesel is better, but it may not be so much better that it is worth the price upgrade to you. Diesel motorhomes are substantially more expensive.
#2 Length: The smallest-length gas-powered Class A is going to come in at 28 feet, whereas the smallest diesel Class A motorhome you’ll find will be about 34 feet.
#3 The ride: The tires are going to make a difference in your ride and diesels tend to be much larger, providing a generally better ride. The larger the tire, the smoother the ride.
#4 The noise: Matt tested noise levels with a decibel meter. While it’s true the diesel engine is louder, because it’s in the back it produces a lower noise level for the user than the gas model.
#5 Exterior storage: The storage on the gas motorhome is going to be less than a large diesel, especially when it comes to pass-through storage. It’s not that there isn’t substantial storage on the gas models, it’s just not the massive amount of storage you get with diesels that are built on a raised rail chassis.
#6 Towing: The majority of gas motorhomes are rated for 5,000 pounds of towing. They will also have lower cargo-carrying capacities than diesels. While it will depend on the model, many Class A diesel motorhomes can tow 10,000 pounds; some can even tow 15,000 pounds.
#7 Ownership cost: It will always cost more to own and maintain a diesel motorhome over a gas motorhome. Oil changes are more expensive, although you have to do them less often. Diesel fuel is generally more expensive. Replacing bigger tires costs more than replacing smaller ones. Etc. Etc. Matt says people will tell you that the diesels get better mileage, but he says it is so minimal that it isn’t really true. Mileage is going to be bad with both types of motorhomes.
Matt’s final thoughts on gas versus diesel Class A motorhomes
When it comes down to it, it’s all about money.
Even though he is an RV salesman who makes a lot more money from selling diesel motorhomes, Matt says that for most people, gas is going to be a better choice.
Yes, the diesel Class A motorhome is “better” in almost every category, but is it $100,000 better? Matt doesn’t think so. He says the only way he can justify spending that much more for a diesel might be if you are a full-timer or someone who regularly puts 20,000 to 30,000 miles per year on the vehicle.
But, in the end, it will come down to what is important to you and the way that you like to RV.
What are your thoughts on diesel versus gas Class A motorhomes? Drop them in the comments below.
##RVDT2143
I agree totally with what he said. been Rv ing motorhomes since 1993. Only way diesel works if a lot of miles
If the dealership is charging $50-$100K more for a diesel motorhome, I suspect most of that increase is in the home, not the drive train. Its been a few years but when I bought a diesel truck, the sticker assigned $10K of the price to the diesel engine upgrade from gas.
As a full timer, I agree with Matt that Diesel is the only way to go. More storage space, reduced engine noise level, and uphill pulling power towing our canyon truck is a plus. 👍
The chassis is also a world of difference apart, for one thing you’re getting an air ride suspension, a heavy duty engine and transmission, heavier duty truck components. The gas model is built on a medium duty truck chassis like a Ford F550/F650. The diesel is heavy duty semi truck parts, like comparing a F150 to a F350/450 chassis.
I have owned both types of drivetrains and am currently driving a diesel pusher. By using the TSD fuel discount card my fuel costs are usually in line with the price of gasoline. My fuel economy of our 40’ diesel is better by 3-4 MPG compared to our prior V-10 Ford in a 34 footer. You can’t beat the pulling power of the diesel, especially on the hills, the turbo really shines in the higher elevations versus the performance of the natural aspirated gas engine.
I had a gas V10 in a 34’ class A that couldn’t do better than 4.5 mpg. I traded it off on a Workhorse chassis 8.1L Chevy engine 38’ and routinely got 8.4 mpg around TN, and 10 mpg in FL driving the same way. The F53 chassis and V10 suck for ride and mpg.
Thank you, Cheri! Our decision was based on planned usage. We planned to travel a lot, so we bought a DP. Money matters a lot, but so does usage. 🙂 Thanks again!
Absolutely. You want to be as proactive on avoiding hassles on the road as you can be. I have a travel trailer. I bought more truck than I need and the extended warranty. I don’t want those kinds of headaches on the road.
It’s not just the upfront huge disparity in cost. What you will pay in normal maintenance and extra-expensive fluid (think DEF) and parts (think several filters, some in triple digit cost) as well as the dreaded “check engine” or its equivalent would probably qualify as catastrophic failure on a gasser cost-wise.
If money is not an issue, then the diesel motorhome is the way to go. Engine noise is in the back so you can talk with each other in the cockpit. The air ride is smoother than a gas motorhome. If you travel a lot then the smooth ride is worth it. We had a gas motorhome and kept it a year. Had really rough ride on rough roads. Going up the mountains the front gas engine made so much noise we could not talk to each other in the cockpit. Had 3 diesels since then and love the diesels. For comfort and pleasure the diesel is best for us. We had a 38′, a 36′, and now a 40′ diesel. Love the diesels. Diesel has lots of inside and under carriage storage. The diesel pulls our tow car and we do not even know it is back there. With the gas we could feel the tow car being pulled. If you can afford it the diesel is best. Just remember the class A motorhomes or for that matter any motorhome is a luxury item and a money pit. Always something to fix. Put a house on wheels and shake it.
Diesels have bigger than 22.5″ wheels?
Told by Ford dealer, friend, that the Ford frame is much better than others that have to add onto to make them longer.
Also the F10 (having had 2) work far less then the standard Ford V8.
Do not know the cost difference, but we got good mileage across the USA including the mountain ranges and the plains.
If climbing the V10 will work less and will allow pulling a vehicle much easily.
Have done it was a smaller MH vs a larger MH. The larger one got a bit less MPG, but still worth the difference in comfort and facilities. The new 2003 smaller model vs the larger 1999 offered use better things like walk in shower and washer and dryer.
Traveling from coast to coast the later MH with the additions make a differences when on the road and living in it.
We have a diesel class A that is 25′. It is a Winnebago Itasca Reyo on a Mercedes chassis so smaller Class A diesels are available. That said, we love it. It gets great mileage and is really comfortable.
Born again diesel pusher
Power at the RV park gazers thinks we look down on them the at the gasers because they believe where in competition when they don’t even qualify for competition for power longevity road handling but you just want to friend we don’t wanna argue over who looks cheap and worn and worthless machine they’re driving there will always be a better stronger Rv