Comparing Gas Versus Diesel RVs

When trying to make a decision about gas versus diesel, which engine is best for your RV? When it comes right down to it, making this decision depends on what’s most valuable to you, cost or convenience. Gilbert RV Insurance is happy to take this opportunity to explain the difference when comparing gas versus diesel RVs!

Diesel Engines for RVs

If initial cost is not a major issue, you should consider going for the diesel engine, especially if you can buy it new as opposed to used. Here are some of the many pros of diesel engines when applied to RVs:

• Diesel engines are more powerful than gas engines. More power means more torque which equates to a greater towing capacity, better up-hill acceleration, and the ability to buy a larger motorhome if that is your desire.
• The longer your RV or the more weight you pack into it, the more power you’ll need to move it and diesel can do this more cost effectively than gas.
• Diesel engines are built to handle more intense, long-term driving than gas engines. This means that if you’re using your RV a great deal or to drive very long distances, a diesel engine will handle the rigors better and hold up longer than a gas engine making the same trips.
• Small diesel RVs can be extremely fuel efficient because if the weight is low and the engine does not have to work too hard, it sips instead of guzzles fuel.

The cons associated with diesel engines have to do with cost more than function. While a diesel engine is less likely to break or wear down with strenuous use, no machine runs flawlessly forever:

• When it does come time to fix it, it will be more of a hassle to repair because typical car shops cannot service a diesel engine and you’ll have to take it to a truck mechanic.
• Truck mechanics tend to charge at least two times more than regular car mechanics, so when you do eventually need to have something repaired it can be costly, which is why it’s a good investment to buy a new diesel RV with a strong warrantee.

Gas Engines for RVs

If you’re not planning on keeping an RV for long or do not intend to use it a great deal, gas engines may be a good choice for getting your foot in the door/tires on the road. Here are some of the benefits of gas RVs:

• They require a smaller up-front investment to start RVing.
• Gas is easy to find just about anywhere in the country, but diesel fuel sometimes requires prior planning to be sure you can get to a station that carries it.
• If it breaks down or needs maintenance, you can take it to most mechanic shops to get it up and running again, which can definitely be a benefit while traveling, especially if you need a tow.
• Compared to diesel engines, repairs tend to be far less expensive.
• Gas costs less per gallon.

Cons associated with gas engines tend to be matters of function as opposed to cost, opposite the diesel engine.

• Gas engines can’t provide the same amount of torque as diesels and hence may crawl up inclines or struggle to muster the gumption to pull any additional towables behind it.
• Though gas costs less per gallon, a gas engine works very hard on those inclines and pulling a great deal of weight, which burns through the fuel, and your wallet, faster than diesel.
• You may have to pass on luxury, since longer and more luxurious motorhomes tend to only be made with diesel engines since their length and weight require a more powerful engine.

So, which engine is best for your RV?

• If you’re looking for a budget RV to drive occasionally that you’d like to take to your favorite mechanic, a gas engine may be just what you need to offer a convenient escape at a convenient price.
• If you are willing to invest in an RV that is built to last but will eventually require major investment to fix as well and you intend to drive it from sea to shining sea and back again, a diesel engine RV may serve you better!

For further travel advice, safety tips and RV travel guides, be sure to further explore the Gilbert RV Insurance blog! If you’ve decided which RV type is best for you, we invite you to get an RV insurance quote to give you an even better idea of what it will take to get you on the road trip of your dreams. Whichever engine you choose, go with Gilbert!

Image by Atomic Taco. The photographer does not endorse Gilbert RV Insurance, Inc.