B Bob
Jamul, CA, USA
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Joined: 05/07/2003
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In my opinion the depreciation % is similar for a class A gas and class A diesel in the low and medium ranges. Where the depreciation really is high is in the high end diesel coaches. But right now is the biggest giant sale a big assets like motor homes ever. If you are buying now you are / should be paying a very low price. If the economic recovery keeps on the track it is on right now you might be looking at what you buy today being 10 % higher next spring and summer.
As far as is a diesel better than a gas class A. Absolutely. That is because a diesel motor is a far better choice for a motor home than a gas motor. You use torque in motor homes. Diesels have far more of that from their basic design. A lot higher compression ratio means a lot higher torque. That same higher compression ration also means an inherent approx 20-25% higher efficiency from the fuel you burn. Also, diesel fuel does not burn easily. Fuel leaks in a diesel coach tend to be far less serious than fuel leaks in a gas coach. A leaky fuel line near a hot engine and poooof up goes the coach.
Gas coaches are less expensive because diesel engines are rarer here in the States. A "market" premium is charged for them. Go to Europe and there are way more diesel motors and they cost the same as gas motors. I would guess that this "market" premium in the USA will go away if diesel cars get popular here.
A diesel pusher coach is far far more pleasant to ride down the freeway in than any gas front motor coach. The noise is in the way back which makes for a quiet ride. There are a few gas rear motor pushers. This is a better ride by far than a front motor coach. It certainly is true that once you get to the RV park a gas front drive is much more similar to the DP. But then some DPs are bigger than the biggest gas.
But after saying all that I can tell you I had a restored GMC class a front motor gas coach. I loved it. If GMC made new ones I might have bought one. No front motor has coaches are designed like the GMC though. They put all the motor below the floor and it made for a much quieter ride than what front gas coaches are like today.
Bob & Barbara Nuttmann
Jamul, CA
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hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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Joined: 06/04/2003
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Doesn't it seem like the gas MH owners seem to think that the whole world is against gassers and have to defend their decision to own/drive one? I don't understand that. I had a gas and I found it to be a very fine MH and would still have it today if I had know at the time we purchased it that we would be fulltiming in it. It met our needs except for the lack of basement storage. Another gas MH of the same size could have had the added storage we needed.
We traded it in on a diesel and have no regret on that trade, I just wish we had purchased a diesel in the first place for no other reason than the money you lose every time you trade vehicles.
hershey - albuquerque, nm
Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Superman was an illegal alien.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
NASCAR 14 - 99 - 5
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John&Joey
Northern MN
(Baby it's cold outside)
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Joined: 05/20/2007
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hershey wrote:Doesn't it seem like the gas MH owners seem to think that the whole world is against gassers and have to defend their decision to own/drive one?
I don't see it that way at all.
I spend more time attempting to defend (in my head) my choice to own a Class A vs a 5'ver/diesel truck combo. Seems like Class A's are in the minority in the parks that we go to and it might be for a good reason.
Other then sitting up high, and a tighter turning radius, being a driver of a class A (diesel or gas) doesn't get me much more. DW likes the class A because she can use the bathroom while on the road. Me I had to develop a 10 gallon bladder.
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randco
Sarasota, Florida
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Joined: 06/03/2007
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I can't honestly say anything about comparing the two Tiffin products but I had test driven a Ford chassis with a V-10, a Winnebago on a W-22 chassis and a Winnebago Journey DP. I recently test drove a Winnebago Adventurer on a W24 chassis and a 2002 Newmar Dutch Star diesel pusher in a back to back test drive. I drove the Winnebago gasser first. It had a minimal amount of engine noise in the cockpit, it felt solid and handled pretty darn good. Immediately after driving the Winnie I drove the Newmar DP. There was no comparison to the noise in the cockpit, it felt extremely solid and handled as easily as my SUV.
If the floorplans for both coaches are suitable to both of you and if both coaches have the amenities that you want I suggest that you test drive the Allegro Gasser then immediately test drive the DP.
If you walk away with a big grin on your face after driving the DP you will know what I mean when I say, "I'm still grinning about my test drive."
Good luck and enjoy the drive.
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gbs2320
USA
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Joined: 02/22/2006
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I have a 39 ft Gas Pusher which has the benefits of both a Gasser and a pusher. Mine has plenty of power, great ride, good basement storage, good carrying capacity and handling, is super quite and has a good price point. See my signature. Greg
Greg, Marianne and the goldendoodles Rudy and Tessa
2008, Winnabego Destination UFO Gas Pusher, 8.1 GM, Allison 6spd
Dinghy: 2009 Honda Fit
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wtfjr
Ormond By The Sea FL
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Joined: 09/11/2002
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BTW, we are 73 me & about 68 wife.
Your comments are appreciated & any more are most welcome.
Thanks to those who took time to write !
Bill in FL
Bill in sunny FL
36' Phaeton & no toad yet.
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