MRUSA
Wellington, FL
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It is not just a matter of power. The big diesel pushers are upgraded in many other ways compared to their gas cousins. The big diesel pushers tend to have better suspensions, bigger fuel, water and waste tanks, and better amenities than the gassers. They ride and handle better as a result of the better long-wheelbase chassis that they are built upon, and tag axles on many of them. Bigger generators and more batteries with big inverters for generator-free operation of electronics without shore power. There is a lot more to consider than just the increase in pulling power.
Marc, Wellington FL
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Executive45
California/Arizona/South Dakota
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Our 40' Dynasty had a 300HP Cummins and I thought it to be underpowered. It was sluggish off the line and when trying to pass slow moving trucks. Like Mark said, once the speed falls off, it takes awhile to get it back to speed. The Exec has a chipped ISM which comes in at 525HP and it does make a big difference. Our coach weighs in at 49,500 pounds and while it won't give you a 'push you back in the seat' feel when you leave the light, it's much easier to get moving. The other thing to realize is pulling up large hills. The Eisenhower tunnel is at 12,000' elevation. Pulling up that grade, my coach rarely got out of fifth gear and I held it close to 55mph all the way. You'll find the diesels are much heavier coaches and will be easier and more fun to drive especially in high windy conditions. The tag and air suspensions are huge pluses...there's an old saying, "Don't drive a diesel unless you're ready to buy one"....Dennis
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William B
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I would also add that coming down the hills is much better in a diesel, whether you have an exhaust brake or a Jake, you are in much better control.
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willald
NC
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...I know all the diesel owners will disagree, but as one thats driven both....I'm here to tell you, that YES, compared to a fuel injected V10 gas powered motorhome, diesel powered motorhomes are SLLLLLUUUUGGGGIIISSHH.
Last time I drove a diesel pusher Motorhome a year or two ago......I walked away totally unimpresed, and muuuuch happier with how my V10 powered gas Motorhome drives. And, this was NOT an underpowered diesel pusher, it had the Cummins ISL 380 hp/1100 ft-lb torque engine on a 39' coach (and was almost brand new, nothing wrong with it).
I walked away thinking....Man, is THIS what people swear is sooo great, and worth the extra $100k or more that you pay for it? I don't think so, haha.
Yep, I test drove a diesel pusher motorhome with checkbook in hand, and walked away, totally not interested in it. Soo, don't believe that thing about 'don't test drive a diesel pusher with a checkbook in your pocket'. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Here's the main reason why: When you need to get going quickly with a gasser motorhome, you step on the gas and yes, it gets loud, and it turns some RPMs. However, it gets MOVING. Has great throttle response. You do the same with a diesel powered Motorhome, it grunts, lugs and slooooowly gets up to speed. It can't downshift and get moving quicker like a gasser does, it just has to grunt and lug. Basically, the gasser has much, much better, quicker throttle response. I like that.
Oh, and coming down the hills? Put my Torqueshift tranny in tow/haul mode, it downshits, holds the rig to a comfortable speed very well, without hardly touching the brake. And it does so, without having to choke up the exhaust like diesels do. Gasser engines actually are able to provide that 'engine braking' just the way they are, using vacuum generated in the intake. Diesels cannot do that at all without adding a 'Jake Brake' that closes up the exhaust and slows it down with back pressure. They both accomplish the same thing, but I like the way a gasser engine does it better. Just seems like a more natural, easier, more trouble free way to do it.
Yes, several other aspects make the diesel pusher more attractive (quieter, more torque for climbing hills, can handle much more weight so more options amenities, often comes with air suspension and brakes, etc). However, strictly from a seat of the pants feel when driving.....I'll take my V10 gasser Motorhome over any diesel, any day of the week and twice on Sunday. And, keep a LOT more of my hard earned $$ in my pocket where it belongs.
Will and Cheryl
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Mr.Mark
Out West and Mid South
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Will, it looks like you have strong feelings about your experience. You drove one diesel coach and now you make that blanket statement?
And I can tell you the motorhome that you drove was UNDERPOWERED! Many times the engine chosen is totally for a price-point.
I'm certainly not going to dog a gas coach, all coaches have their place in the RVing world.
Safe travels,
MM.
* This post was
edited 10/11/17 03:21pm by Mr.Mark *
Mr.Mark
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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Will,
I just don't know where to start...
Having OWNED a 350 gasser, a Banks Powered 460, a V10, as well as Cat 3126 and our current Cummins ISL, all I can say is...umm, ok. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
I will say I 100% believe your seat of the pants evaluation, and here's why; noise sounds and feels fast. Meaning, I think you'll find the V10 isn't as fast as it feels and the diesel isn't as slow as it feels. The excessive noise of the V10 makes it feel fast, the quietness of the diesel makes it feel slow.
Our current MH is actually quick off the line, but you have to pay attention. Diesels are drive-by-wire so there is a slight delay from the time you step on it until it reacts. Once it reacts you're all good.
Once moving there is simply no comparison. Hills that used to bring the V10 to it's knees the diesel just cruises up. The other thing to keep in mind, you said you drove a new one; diesels don't start to wake up until they get some miles on them.
Oh yeah, your info on the exhaust brake is a bit flawed too. Yes, some only have an exhaust brake, many have a true Jake Brake. Look up the differences. The gassers only have a transmission brake. The engine itself isn't controlling it, the transmission is.
Either way, I'm glad you're happy with yours and it's serving you well.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
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gutfelt
North america
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Quote:the gasser has much, much better, quicker throttle response. I like that.
If that makes u happy so be it but let me tell you the superior construction,handling, air ride suspension ,engine Brake, overall larger size of a diesel pusher and super quite interior even under acceleration far far far exceeds the one small inconsequential factor of your so called throttle response !! and on a steep loaded mountain climb my 40 ft 450HP ISL will kill your crappy little ford 320HP ford system and I can clearly hear the radio on low volumn LOL
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DSDP Don
Moorpark, Ca
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Gas engines accelerate, diesel engines gain momentum!
Don & Mary
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willald
NC
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Mr.Mark wrote:Will, it looks like you have strong feelings about your experience. You drove one diesel coach and now you make that blanket statement?
Noooo, I actually have driven several different ones at various times, because DW really wanted (and still wants) one for the other reasons already discussed. The one I alluded to above, was just the most recent, that I remember the most, because it was a very nice one that we really wanted, but I couldn't get past how sluggish it was, like every other diesel I've driven.
I've also driven (and rode in) several other diesel powered rigs, not just Motorhomes. And my experience has been the same for all of them - Diesels, in general, are slower to accelerate, because of the very nature of how diesel fuel burns slower than gas. No denying that, really.
Mr.Mark wrote:And I can tell you the motorhome that you drove was UNDERPOWERED! Many times the engine chosen is totally for a price-point.
A 39' coach, 33k GVWR with a Cummins ISL9 engine, 380 horsepower, 1150 ft-lbs of torque (and lists for nearly $300k new) is UNDERPOWERED? Ummm, Really? Good gracious, Mr. Mark, does one have to spend nearly 7 figures and get something with a 500 horsepower Detroit diesel to not have an 'underpowered' diesel pusher?
No, what I drove was not underpowered, it was just, sluggish accelerating, like most diesel are unless they've been modified, or are totally unloaded (pickup trucks not towing).
If we were talking about a coach this size with the smaller 6.7 ISB engine with only 360 horsepower and 800 ft lbs of torque, I would agree, underpowered. That was not the case, though.
Mr.Mark wrote:I'm certainly not going to dog a gas coach, all coaches have their place in the RVing world.
Agreed, I'm not 'dogging' any coaches, at least that wasn't my intention. The original poster asked a specific question, if diesel pushers were sluggish, and I answered that specific question - based on my experience, YES.
I agree, that there is a 'butt for every seat', and diesel pushers definitely have their place and have their advantages. But, they are sluggish compared to a gasser. That is what the original poster asked, and I answered. Thats all.
Will
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willald
NC
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gutfelt wrote:Quote:the gasser has much, much better, quicker throttle response. I like that.
If that makes u happy so be it but let me tell you the superior construction,handling, air ride suspension ,engine Brake, overall larger size of a diesel pusher and super quite interior even under acceleration far far far exceeds the one small inconsequential factor of your so called throttle response !! and on a steep loaded mountain climb my 40 ft 450HP ISL will kill your crappy little ford 320HP ford system and I can clearly hear the radio on low volumn LOL
No need to get all 'testy' and boastful.
I don't disagree with any of that (except the last sentence...My Ford has 362 horsepower, not 320, haha).
However, none of what you boasted about there is what the original poster asked about, is it? Original poster specifically asked if diesels were more sluggish, and I specifically answered that question. That's all.
Will
* This post was
edited 10/12/17 02:40pm by willald *
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