My self I'm a "diesel guy". A diesel, depending on size, will have more torque and will be much handier for pulling. Cost on a diesel will be much higher for repairs and maintenance. However if maintained and operated properly should outlast any gas-job as far as any major repairs. I know some people with the V-10's pulling their race cars in enclosed trailers with no problems. A buddy of mine had two Dolphin Motorhomes. One with a V-10 and one with a 5.9 Cummins Diesel. He had used the one with the 5.9 Cummins a few times but always prefferred to always use the V-10 for some reason.
bjoyce said
09:43 PM Jun 15, 2014
This is a subject of endless debate. You will find many, many discussions here and on other forums on gas versus diesel. The debate can get heated at times.
We have had both and they have their pluses and minuses.
My mother-in-law just traded in a 40' tag axle 2001 Monaco Dynasty with a 350HP Cummins ISC and Aquahot (diesel hot water and furnace) for a 33' gas Winnebago Sightseer with a V10. The V10 pulls the hills better towing a Chevy Malibu, since the whole combination is much lighter. She can take the pass on I-15 heading to Las Vegas from L.A. at 55mph, the Monaco would drop below 40mph on the same pass.
Sushidog said
06:06 AM Jun 16, 2014
If you love the MH I wouldn't let the v10 engine hold you back. Sure it will cost you more for gas, but you'll save more initially as it should be several thousand dollars cheaper - which will buy you a lot of gas. I think the biggest advantage of a diesel is durability. A good diesel will easily go 1/2 million miles if maintained, some over a million miles. With gas you can count on a little less than 1/2 of that. Of course if you don't plan on keeping one that long it won't make much difference, other than at trade-in time.
A diesel has much more torque, but pulling power is also affected by gearing (torque applied to the wheels), and the speed at which you can climb a hill is determined by hp (which is torque/time) and gearing. This means that an engine with more HP, (not more TQ) will get you over a hill at a higher speed, assuming it is geared sufficiently low (high numerically.) It is interesting to note that each manufacturer uses the same diesel engine from their 250's to their 550's (some with minor differences in tuning.) The difference in pulling power is determined by their gearing, not the power output of the engine.
Chip
Barbaraok said
09:15 AM Jun 16, 2014
You have a hitch rating weight of 5,000#. What's the weight of the PU loaded with all of the things you plan to carry in it as you travel?
Barb
Second Chance said
09:17 AM Jun 16, 2014
Paul,
I don't know what your Silverado 1500 weighs, but from the specs on the motorhome, you might be cutting it close. You need to weigh the Chevy with a full tank, all accessories, the tow bar, and anything else you would carry in the truck while travelling. The hitch rating on the motorhome is 5,000# and you need to have enough capacity between the actual weight of the motorhome and the GCVWR of the motorhome to accommodate the pickup.
Rob
The Junkman said
09:27 AM Jun 16, 2014
We pulled a honda behind our 35' 94 holiday rambler cross country with out issue. Had only the 8 cyl 460.. It did get hot and broke a piece of the exhaust manifold off in the virgina mountains.. Up and down , up and down.. lol.. It worked hard there.. But so did all the tractor trailers. we found we could go faster than them.. maybe we shouldn't have though..lol
If flat towing. Make sure you p/u is ok with that. Some are not able to, or need to started and ran after towing a while .. same goes for 4wd' if on there.
Seems to me alot of weight for a gas motor to pull.. but I don't know.
DEWhit said
12:02 PM Jun 16, 2014
I know a diesel engine is better for heavier loads and constant use and easier turn around maintenance than gas engines but I am also seeing many used class A RV units for sale that were bought with diesel engines that have never been used anywhere near their full potential.
I have looked at several used diesel units here that have run mostly flat lands and interstates while also towing that were not used enough to justify the purchase cost considering the low mileage and low use. Several of the owners of these units have told me that their original intentions were to cover more miles and distances on longer trips from home for longer periods and also maximize the resell price , but they say they could have accomplished what they actually did with a gas engine for less outlay.
If money were no object, I would always opt for a diesel motor and heavy duty drivetrain in any type truck, but I am carefully considering how we will actually use something for several years before spending the extra cash. There are so many used units for sale now around here that some of the diesels are very reasonable in a tight market.
I believe you can always spend more money up the road if the actual need is there. This just my opinion though. Do I need rugged drivetrain and horsepower more than my money at this point in a depreciation ? The jury is still out on that as I look around.
The Ford V-10 is a good solid motor and I have had several in pickups used towing , but can get expensive around 100k mileage when the plugs need changing and usually break off.
-- Edited by DEWhit on Monday 16th of June 2014 12:09:07 PM
Tater Bug said
02:56 PM Jun 16, 2014
Thanks to every one and there input.
The Gas motor was a concern for me and you all made up my mind on staying with a diesel.
The Bounder was a very nice MH and had 92% of what we wanted in a MH, but life just threw us a "Speed bump" in our travels to being full timers.
We have to put a new roof on the S&B, a new ceiling in our bathroom and basement. We are luck that we don't need to replace the floor between the bathroom and basement. (I will believe that when they get the work done.) So I guess we need to start saving again to build up our nest egg to buy the MH.
Thank you for your input.
Be safe in you Travels!
mpierce said
04:56 AM Jun 19, 2014
Just think of it this way. That gas motor is used in pickups, all by themselves. Granted, it is designed to tow with too, but now you are adding the whole MH to the pickup wt. I think you made the right decision.
Hello Dreamers;
I need some advice on what is best Gas or Diesel for a Motorhome?
We found a 2014 Fleetwood Bounder 35K with a V 10 motor. It has everything that we think we need outside of it being Gas.
We will be towing a 2000 Chev. Silverado pickup ½ ton with the MH.
Will the V 10 have enough power to pull the mountains with the pickup behind it?
Below is a link to the MH.
Thank You!
Paul (aka Taterbug)
www.dennisdillonrv.com/used/Fleetwood/2014-Fleetwood-Bounder-bd430db00a0a00de7fbfab5201aed83c.htm
My self I'm a "diesel guy". A diesel, depending on size, will have more torque and will be much handier for pulling. Cost on a diesel will be much higher for repairs and maintenance. However if maintained and operated properly should outlast any gas-job as far as any major repairs. I know some people with the V-10's pulling their race cars in enclosed trailers with no problems. A buddy of mine had two Dolphin Motorhomes. One with a V-10 and one with a 5.9 Cummins Diesel. He had used the one with the 5.9 Cummins a few times but always prefferred to always use the V-10 for some reason.
We have had both and they have their pluses and minuses.
My mother-in-law just traded in a 40' tag axle 2001 Monaco Dynasty with a 350HP Cummins ISC and Aquahot (diesel hot water and furnace) for a 33' gas Winnebago Sightseer with a V10. The V10 pulls the hills better towing a Chevy Malibu, since the whole combination is much lighter. She can take the pass on I-15 heading to Las Vegas from L.A. at 55mph, the Monaco would drop below 40mph on the same pass.
A diesel has much more torque, but pulling power is also affected by gearing (torque applied to the wheels), and the speed at which you can climb a hill is determined by hp (which is torque/time) and gearing. This means that an engine with more HP, (not more TQ) will get you over a hill at a higher speed, assuming it is geared sufficiently low (high numerically.) It is interesting to note that each manufacturer uses the same diesel engine from their 250's to their 550's (some with minor differences in tuning.) The difference in pulling power is determined by their gearing, not the power output of the engine.
Chip
Barb
I don't know what your Silverado 1500 weighs, but from the specs on the motorhome, you might be cutting it close. You need to weigh the Chevy with a full tank, all accessories, the tow bar, and anything else you would carry in the truck while travelling. The hitch rating on the motorhome is 5,000# and you need to have enough capacity between the actual weight of the motorhome and the GCVWR of the motorhome to accommodate the pickup.
Rob
If flat towing. Make sure you p/u is ok with that. Some are not able to, or need to started and ran after towing a while .. same goes for 4wd' if on there.
Seems to me alot of weight for a gas motor to pull.. but I don't know.
I know a diesel engine is better for heavier loads and constant use and easier turn around maintenance than gas engines but I am also seeing many used class A RV units for sale that were bought with diesel engines that have never been used anywhere near their full potential.
I have looked at several used diesel units here that have run mostly flat lands and interstates while also towing that were not used enough to justify the purchase cost considering the low mileage and low use. Several of the owners of these units have told me that their original intentions were to cover more miles and distances on longer trips from home for longer periods and also maximize the resell price , but they say they could have accomplished what they actually did with a gas engine for less outlay.
If money were no object, I would always opt for a diesel motor and heavy duty drivetrain in any type truck, but I am carefully considering how we will actually use something for several years before spending the extra cash. There are so many used units for sale now around here that some of the diesels are very reasonable in a tight market.
I believe you can always spend more money up the road if the actual need is there. This just my opinion though.
Do I need rugged drivetrain and horsepower more than my money at this point in a depreciation ? The jury is still out on that as I look around.
The Ford V-10 is a good solid motor and I have had several in pickups used towing , but can get expensive around 100k mileage when the plugs need changing and usually break off.
-- Edited by DEWhit on Monday 16th of June 2014 12:09:07 PM
The Gas motor was a concern for me and you all made up my mind on staying with a diesel.
The Bounder was a very nice MH and had 92% of what we wanted in a MH, but life just threw us a "Speed bump" in our travels to being full timers.
We have to put a new roof on the S&B, a new ceiling in our bathroom and basement. We are luck that we don't need to replace the floor between the bathroom and basement. (I will believe that when they get the work done.) So I guess we need to start saving again to build up our nest egg to buy the MH.
Thank you for your input.
Be safe in you Travels!