Question re: regular gas vs diesel

[SilvrT]

Just wondering what the price difference is between reg gas and diesel in various parts of the USA.

 

We're going to buy a motor home possibly as soon as next summer and I'm weighing the pros/cons of gas (Ford V10) versus Diesel (probably cummins). I know that repairs/maintenance of a diesel can be considerably more so fuel efficiency and cost are a factor in my decision.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

[gggGary]

I drive an I5 turbo diesel sprinter van so watch diesel. generally you pay about 15-20% more for diesel, about the difference in energy content. When I bought hte van aobut 10 years ago diesel was less than regular. But after they forced the sulpher out of diesel it went up to about the 20% more level and has stayed there. Diesle prices tend ot more a bit slower than regular so the spread is less when prices are rising and more when they are falling. My full size but lightly loaded van has achieved many tanks of 27MPG but I plan at about 23MPG 17 or so pulling a horse trailer.

[djh3]

About .25 If your looking to go somewhere and want to check prices go here http://www.gasbuddy.com/ they also have an app. If you look at the top header area, there is a map option so you can get a ruf idea what your looking at for prices by color.

[BlueSky]

The torque is a consideration too. A cummins would go up the hills better and tow better. But the Ford V10 is as reliable as they get. Ford didn't put the variable valve timing on the V10. The VVT has caused some problems on the V8s.

[DblTrbl]

I'm also shopping around for an RV but with the intent to eventually sell my house an live in it once I retire.

 

Right now I'm on the fence between a Southwind (2015 w/2253 miles and Ford v10) or a Meridian Diesel Pusher (2010 with 21000 miles).

 

Leaning towards the Diesel Pusher since I can put a trike lift on the Freightliner Chassis but not on the Gas model. However the cost of maintaining the Diesel is one item holding me back. The other reason is, on the gas motor there are things I can do for regular maintenance that I would not do on a diesel.

 

Another option I have been looking at are the Class A motor homes with built in toy haulers such as the Thor Outlaw and the Newmar Canyon Star. Both have garages that are 122" x 95".

 

Not sure if you are aware of this but if your RV has a place to sleep, a place to cook and a place to go to the bathroom, you can write off the interest paid on the loan as a second home.

[SilvrT]

I'm also shopping around for an RV but with the intent to eventually sell my house an live in it once I retire.

 

We're doing much the same.

 

Not sure if you are aware of this but if your RV has a place to sleep, a place to cook and a place to go to the bathroom, you can write off the interest paid on the loan as a second home.

 

That's good info, I'll look into that for sure although I'm not planning to take out a loan.

[BlueSky]

In Canada, the second home interest deduction may be different from the USA. Don't know about that.

[DblTrbl]

Frustrating news today. My Hannigan trike is too long!! I got word from the manufacturer of the Hydralift that my trike would exceed the legal lane width limit when turned sideways on a lift. Also, they don't make a lift to support my trike for that reason.

 

The class A toy hauler garage is the exact length of my trike with NO wiggle room. Also the floor of the garage at the doorway slopes downward to match the ramp angle and reduce the angle at the top......so I'm guessing that will be too tight of a fit without something rubbing.

 

I'm considering calling Thor to see if there is any modification they can do (custom job) so that my trike will fit with no issues.

 

So, I guess the research will continue for now.

[BlueSky]

I worked as a temporary engineering contractor away from home most of the time for almost 2 decades. The idea of using a motorhome or TT on my jobs was always something that appealed to me especially since finding an apt. to rent was always a pita. However, every time I got tempted I would start looking at the reality of using a motorhome or TT and it just didn't compute. For one thing, I could rent an apt. at most job locations as cheaply as the cost of a campground lot. And another reason was that a lot of my jobs were in the frozen north and most campgrounds closed in the winter, not to mention the problems the cold weather could cause freezing pipes and challenging the heating system of the unit.

 

I worked at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant in FL for a year or so in 2008. I rented a nice home with a pool for about $1100/month because my family went with me. A coworker was living in his $240,000 Motorhome. I computed that with depreciation and lot rent he was paying about $3,000/month for a place to stay. I know using a motorhome as a retirement home is different situation entirely but the costs can get out of hand quickly.

[SilvrT]

I know using a motorhome as a retirement home is different situation entirely but the costs can get out of hand quickly.

 

Ya, one really has to look into that. For the most part though, we'll probably spend a good deal of time "boondocking".

 

 

Further to the comment "you can write off the interest paid on the loan as a second home", our plan would be that the M/H would serve as our "primary" home and there would be no second home (at least for a couple years).

[djh3]

We have also been considering the "full time RV route. Probably a fifth wheel toy hauler. Something to think of on the slope down. what if once the front wheel is in and you get to the last say 2 ft or so you have a couple 2x6 cut to length and drive the rear wheels up into to make level so it dont bottom out. I have read on here where a couple of guys were trailering the trike and frame bottoms out once front wheel hit the level part of trailer and the rears are still lower because of the beaver tail.