Diesel or gasoline? It’s one of the oldest debates in the recreational vehicle industry. Which is better, and why? Today, we’re taking a deeper look at the benefits of diesel class A motorhomes – what makes them stand out, their fundamental differences, and more.
- 1) What Is a Diesel Class A Motorhome?
- 2) What Does Diesel Pusher Mean?
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3)
Benefits of Diesel Class A Motorhomes
- 3.1) More Torque
- 3.2) Better Braking & Air-Ride Suspension
- 3.3) Quieter Cockpit in Diesel Pushers
- 3.4) Can Pull More Weight
- 3.5) Lasts Longer
- 3.6) More Efficient with Better Fuel Mileage
- 3.7) Less Frequent Maintenance
- 3.8) Larger Motorhomes Mean More Storage and Interior Room
- 3.9) More Luxury and Amenities Than Gasoline Motorhomes
- 4) Are Diesel Class A RVs Better Than Gasoline?
What Is a Diesel Class A Motorhome?
As the name implies, a diesel class A motorhome runs on diesel fuel, as opposed to gasoline. Some diesel class A RVs are front-engine models, and others are rear-engine, better known as diesel pushers.
Diesel Class A RVs are generally larger in both length and weight, and typically come with more luxury amenities than gasoline motorhomes.
What Does Diesel Pusher Mean?
Our Class A motorhome is a diesel-pusher, which means its diesel-powered engine is in the motorhome’s rear.
Diesel pusher is slang for a rear-engine diesel Class A motorhome. This name comes from the fact that the diesel-powered engine is in the motorhome’s rear, essentially pushing the RV down the road rather than pulling it.
Benefits of Diesel Class A Motorhomes
There are many benefits of diesel class A motorhomes. From more power to (typically) more luxury amenities, let’s take a look at them here:
More Torque
Torque is a measure of an engine’s rotational force, but it can be referred to in layman’s terms as ‘pulling power.’ Diesel engines produce more torque than gasoline engines. This is especially helpful for driving in the mountains, pulling a tow vehicle, and handling all the weight and amenities that usually come in a larger RV.
Better Braking & Air-Ride Suspension
Diesel RVs have air braking and air suspension. You’ll have a much smoother ride when it comes to suspension and braking in diesel RVs than you will in their gasoline-powered counterparts.
Quieter Cockpit in Diesel Pushers
The diesel pusher’s engine is in the back of the rig offering a much quieter and more enjoyable ride for drivers and passengers.
Diesel pushers’ engines are in the motorhome’s rear, resulting in a much more comfortable ride than a front-engine RV. The engine’s roar is so loud in many gasoline RVs that it can be difficult to have a quiet conversation or listen to music. With a diesel pusher, the engine noise stays in the back.
Can Pull More Weight
Diesel engines are stronger and can tow more than gasoline engines. A class A diesel pusher’s towing capacity is typically between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds, while its gasoline counterpart is more likely to be limited to an average of 6,000 to 8,000 pounds, with some maxing out at 10,000 pounds.
Lasts Longer
Diesel engines can easily last twice as long as their gasoline-powered counterparts, if not longer. A diesel engine’s higher compression ratios, efficient burn rate, and lubricating properties improve the engine life significantly. Along with their higher torque and towing capacity, this is why diesel engines are so well suited to heavy-duty truck applications.
More Efficient with Better Fuel Mileage
Diesel fuel burns much more efficiently than gasoline, and diesel fuel contains about 10% to 15% more energy. Consequently, a diesel class A RV can go about 20% to 35% farther on a gallon of fuel compared to a gasoline RV.
Less Frequent Maintenance
Diesel engines usually require less frequent routine maintenance than gasoline engines do (although as an RVer, you may reach the time interval for maintenance before reaching the mileage interval). Although maintenance and repairs on diesel engines are usually more expensive, the RV’s engine will likely need fewer repairs. Diesels are built to go the distance, again, another reason why they’re ideal for trucking applications.
Larger Motorhomes Mean More Storage and Interior Room
Since diesel class A RVs can handle more weight, the RVs usually have considerably more interior space for both living and storage. Also, diesel Class A RVs usually have ample exterior storage in bays along the bottom of the coach for more camping gear than you could possibly need! That’s because the chassis that a diesel RV is built on is typically a raised-rail chassis, which allows for basement storage that spans from side-to-side (typically called pass-through storage).
More Luxury and Amenities Than Gasoline Motorhomes
Class A diesel motorhomes offer space for all the luxurious comforts of home like this full-sized residential refrigerator.
Diesel RVs are more expensive and usually more luxurious. In a diesel class A motorhome, you’ll often find the best of everything – design elements, upholstery, cabinetry, countertops, flooring, tech, lighting, fixtures, washer and dryer, residential fridges, and much more. All are made possible by the increased carrying capacity of the larger chassis and robust power a diesel engine provides.
Are Diesel Class A RVs Better Than Gasoline?
Here we have one of the ultimate debates in the RV world: Are diesel class A RVs better than gasoline RVs?
If you’re considering the torque, ride comfort, efficiency, and luxury of a diesel class A RV, the answer would be a resounding yes. But as with most things, all of those upgrades come at a higher price point. Diesel RVs cost more to purchase and maintain than gas rigs. So it’s up to each individual RVer to determine if those added benefits are worth the extra cost.
If you plan to live full-time in your motorhome, and/or if you plan to drive a lot of miles (particularly in mountainous terrain), the benefits of a diesel motorhome may outweigh the added cost. But if you’re planning to be a weekend warrior… or only travel seasonally… that extra cost may not be worth it to you, and a gas class A motorhome could be a better fit.
Are diesel RVs for everyone? Absolutely not! The perfect RV for you will depend on your lifestyle and budget. Just because many people will tell you that diesel RVs are better doesn’t mean they’re best for you.
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Gay Seattle Traveler
Monday 14th of October 2024
Hey guys. Another awesome story. In addition to being a car enthusiast, I'm also interested in motorhomes, particularly Diesel Pusher motorhomes. If only they were available in smaller sizes. Not everyone needs a 40'+ Diesel, particularly newbie RVers.
Stan
Thursday 10th of October 2024
California now has a “clean truck” rule that requires all diesels over 14,000 pounds to register with Air Resources Board and pass an emissions “smoke test.” DMV will hold up registration renewal if you do not have current registration ($35). Fortunately the ARB has recently created an exemption form for private RVs. You can find at arb.ca.gov, and then search for EDVR form. I am not yet sure whether the form does away with the need to renew registration every year, or only exempts from testing.
Dave Densmore
Saturday 27th of March 2021
As the owner of a gas coach, one of the advantages of a diesel coach that is rarely mentioned is being able to use truck lanes at a truck stop to fuel. Our gas motorhome is medium sized at 31', but when we're towing a car, it can still be a pain getting in and out of a gas station. You best be paying attention. There's not many gas stations that have the pump islands parallel with the street anymore.
The Chevy 454 (7.4L), 8.1L, Ford V10 and the new 7.3L motors are truck motors. They're known for long life when properly cared for.
I find it curious the way that Ford increased the towing capacity on their later model motorhome chassis while still running the V10.. Makes me suspicious it had more to do with advertising that true capability.
Buy what you can afford, keeping the cost of regular maintenance and unexpected repairs in mind. It can get substantial. We like our class A, but haven't been able to get out near as much as we thought we were going to, life got in the way. By cost factor, I think we would've been better off with a towed unit and it's simpler maintenance, but it's hard to get past the panoramic view from that huge windshield, and the "vacation" or "special travel" feeling that we get because we're not in a daily driver.
TheRVgeeks
Saturday 27th of March 2021
Good point about the faster-fueling, Dave. That is, indeed, a benefit of a diesel RV (though it's often offset by the significantly larger fuel tank). Oddly, even with that perk, we prefer NOT fueling at truck stops. They tend to be MUCH messier (no offence to truckers, but they're clearly not the cleanliest bunch, LOL!) with diesel fuel dripped/spilled everywhere. And the price at truck stops is almost always the highest around (even when you factor in some of the discount programs). It's definitely more work (lots of time spent on GasBuddy and Google Maps with street & satellite view) to find non-truck-stop stations we can fit in (and we have an unfair advantage since Peter was a professional driver, so isn't afraid to take our 43' RV in places others fear to tread), but it works for us. And, yes, we do have to sit and wait longer for the fuel to pump, since standard stations RARELY have high-speed pumps/nozzles... but we're not in a hurry, usually. ;)
Richard Hubert
Friday 26th of March 2021
JOHN SCHRETLEN = re: CA Diesel emissions checks - Yes, California has proposed a requirement that all Diesel RVs entering the state have to be smog checked, and certified - every year! - before being allowed into the state. Of course they will charge for it, even though it is only a really quick check of plugging in the OBD meter to see if there are any emissions faults. If none - you are OK, but if any found then you must have repairs done or leave the state. But I also do not think this has actually passed as law - yet. Sure you will hear lots more about this on all the RV internet sites.
As to it's impact on tourism and trucking - good observation. CA has already gone after Diesels - greatly impacting, and upsetting - the trucking and shipping industries. For example - in 2015 they started requiring that older diesel trucks had to replace their engines with newer models. This even applied to some diesel boats docked in CA ports. Apparently they even have some requirements for ships coming into CA ports.
The Port of Long Beach is the busiest port in the country, receiving many containers (mostly from Asia) which then get transported all over the US. What they realized was that the ships coming into port emitted lots of Diesel exhaust, as did all the trains which then headed East carrying all these containers. So they have gone after shipping (not sure about trains) to reduce this pollution. Trouble is, it did not stop there and so they are now going after all diesel vehicles of all types.
Now its hard to argue against cleaner air - but everything comes at a cost, and with trade-offs. As a long term CA resident I have learned that many CA politicians are oblivious to un-intended consequences of their actions, and I think you are correct in assessing that the impact of requiring an annual smog certification of all Diesel RVs coming into the state will strongly discourage many. Even if their diesel RV is clean - the cost and annoyance of having to do this will keep some away from the state. And not even sure how the State plans to enforce this. We will see.
Gay Travel Enthusiast (Jason)
Monday 28th of October 2024
@Richard Hubert, I agree with you regarding low pollution, or preferably no pollution. I'd like to breathe cleaner air as much as anyone living, but I think car makers aren't thinking things through, as usual. They seem to think that EV is the only way to reduce pollution.
Richard Hubert
Friday 26th of March 2021
Good, balanced article.
As full timers for the last 3 years in a 38' Winnebago Gasoline model we have learned that what we did right was buy a good used, but top end model which has lots of luxurious features. Maybe not all those mentioned.above which many Diesels have, but we were able to buy it at a very good price, leaving money in the budget to go to Lithium batteries, more solar, do some upgrades, etc.. It has enabled us to travel back & forth across the US - to all 4 corners yet with enough power to still pull our Toad along.
Would we ever get a Diesel? Probably yes if we came into some real $$ with which to do so. But the point is that even with a smaller budget going with a gasoline motorhome still enables all the travel anyone could desire.
Thanks!
TheRVgeeks
Saturday 27th of March 2021
Absolutely, Richard! There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to RVing... what's perfect for one person/couple would never work for another. Thankfully, there are MANY ways and MANY options for people to enjoy RVing. So glad you found what works for you and are out there enjoying!! Safe travels!