I was talking to a salesman the other day when I was test driving a Class A RV and he mentioned that diesel engines do not have the power that gas engines do. He also mentioned the torque kicking in when your motor revs up to 2000 rpms. I am not an expert on diesel engines and was wondering if someone could clear up just what tork is.
-- Edited by Howard on Monday 4th of January 2010 12:33:20 PM
NorCal Dan said
10:17 PM Dec 29, 2009
I think you need to find a new salesman...
Try driving a gas and diesel coach and go with the one you prefer...
-- Edited by Howard on Monday 4th of January 2010 12:34:01 PM
Racerguy said
10:33 PM Dec 29, 2009
I will take a Diesel with 600 ft lbs of torque and 350 horse power over a gas engine with 350 lbs of torque and 600 horsepower any day. When moving heavy objects torque trumps horsepower in my book. I wouldn't put a lot of stock in ANYTHING a salesman tells you.
As a matter of fact, the truth is just the opposite. Typically a gasoline engine does not develop the torque that a diesel engine does. Partly because there is less energy per unit of volume in gasoline than there is in diesel fuel and partly because a diesel engine will have double the compression ratio of a gasoline engine. That salesman is full of baloney. The two engines, gasoline and diesel, are not the same animals as a gasoline engine will deliver power over a wider range of rpm than a diesel but the diesel will deliver much more torque. Torque is the actual turning force on the crank shaft and thus the drive wheels. Also torque and horse power are not the same animals either.
There is a reason that most larger pickup trucks now have diesel engines in them and it certainly is not because diesel fuel is cheaper any longer.
-- Edited by ahoweth on Wednesday 30th of December 2009 06:44:33 AM
Luvglass said
08:27 AM Dec 30, 2009
If you simply type in "what is torque" into Google you will come up with all the information you need to fully understand the issue. If you don't want to get into the technicalities, just wonder why all the largest, heaviest RV's and long haul trucks are diesels and not gas powered.
Apparently that salesman has a gasoline powered RV he is trying to sell. It's a shame, but almost all of them are really lying bastards.
Terry and Jo said
08:39 AM Dec 30, 2009
I will have to echo NorCal Dan and say that you need a new salesman. The truth is the opposite of what that one is telling you. If you were to look at truck specifications, you would find that a pickup with a diesel engine will handle more weight than an equivalent one with a gas engine.
If there isn't a salesman at that dealership that has more knowledge than the first, I would suggest another dealership. With the amount of money you spend for an RV, you need to make sure that you can trust what you are told by a dealership's employees.
As an example, Jo and I have been looking at fifth wheel with the intention of buying one to live in full time. While we have pretty much settled on what brand and model we want, we have done so by going to three different dealerships that carry them. Two of those dealerships have each been around 200 miles away from home. When three different dealerships pretty much tell you the same thing, you can pretty well be confident with the RV.
Plus, with a used unit, be sure and have an independent mechanic check out what you are buying.
Terry
thebearII said
10:13 AM Dec 30, 2009
Don't you just love salesmen.....
In the past 10 years, I have yet to run across a Truck or RV salesperson that knew anything remotely usable about the products they sell.
The last truck salesman I spoke with got a deer caught in headlights look when I asked him what the tow capacity of the truck was. I had to take him over and show him where he could find the information posted on the truck and then I showed him in the brochure where it shows the specifications.
It was funny though, he could tell me all the reasons why I should pay an extra $300 to have the "special" protective coating put on the paint and $700 to have a LoJack system installed.
flyone said
12:36 PM Dec 30, 2009
Other than what has already been said, and I agree with it all--yes the max or near max torque on a diesel is hit around 2000 rpm (as in like when you are taking off from a stop) as compared to a gas power plant that hits its max torque at around 5000/6000 rpm (as when you are out on the hyway going 60 mph). I don't know about you but I need the most torque when I'm trying to get the beast moving from a dead stop not after I'm already doing 55 mph. Buy what ever fits your needs and budget but make no mistake about it torque at a low rpm is a good thing.
Flyone
Colorado_Kid said
12:39 PM Dec 30, 2009
Thanks for the advice guys. I will keep looking for an RV.
-- Edited by Colorado_Kid on Wednesday 30th of December 2009 01:26:42 PM
azrving said
02:45 PM Dec 31, 2009
Luvglass wrote:
If you simply type in "what is torque" into Google you will come up with all the information you need to fully understand the issue. If you don't want to get into the technicalities, just wonder why all the largest, heaviest RV's and long haul trucks are diesels and not gas powered.
Apparently that salesman has a gasoline powered RV he is trying to sell. It's a shame, but almost all of them are really lying bastards.
I just love to read your post....we think alike.
RodnReal said
03:44 PM Dec 31, 2009
When we were looking to by our TT I was worried about how much we could safely tow with a Toyota Sequoia. I called a Toyota dealer and they told me max. unloaded weight of the trailer should be no more than 5500 lbs.
The trailer we were looking at weighed 7500 lbs. I asked the RV salesman about it and his response was "Don't worry about it, they always under estimate those ratings by 50% for safety. That Sequoia will tow it just fine."
I have found that if a vehicle salesman's lips are moving he is lying. Do your own research and ask them as little as possible.
--Rod
-- Edited by Howard on Monday 4th of January 2010 12:33:20 PM
Try driving a gas and diesel coach and go with the one you prefer...
-- Edited by Howard on Monday 4th of January 2010 12:34:01 PM
There is a reason that most larger pickup trucks now have diesel engines in them and it certainly is not because diesel fuel is cheaper any longer.
-- Edited by ahoweth on Wednesday 30th of December 2009 06:44:33 AM
I will have to echo NorCal Dan and say that you need a new salesman. The truth is the opposite of what that one is telling you. If you were to look at truck specifications, you would find that a pickup with a diesel engine will handle more weight than an equivalent one with a gas engine.
If there isn't a salesman at that dealership that has more knowledge than the first, I would suggest another dealership. With the amount of money you spend for an RV, you need to make sure that you can trust what you are told by a dealership's employees.
As an example, Jo and I have been looking at fifth wheel with the intention of buying one to live in full time. While we have pretty much settled on what brand and model we want, we have done so by going to three different dealerships that carry them. Two of those dealerships have each been around 200 miles away from home. When three different dealerships pretty much tell you the same thing, you can pretty well be confident with the RV.
Plus, with a used unit, be sure and have an independent mechanic check out what you are buying.
Terry
Flyone
-- Edited by Colorado_Kid on Wednesday 30th of December 2009 01:26:42 PM