You’ve finally decided on a motorhome. You’re probably breathing a sigh of relief because you’ve managed to at least narrow down your options to a certain RV type. And now...there’s more to consider. One important consideration you’ll want to make is gas versus diesel. You’ll generally be looking at Class A motorhomes for this decision, although that’s not always the case.
For many commuters, gas is the default choice, but there are plenty of reasons to choose diesel motorhomes as well. That’s why RV Station - Colbert has provided you with some advantages of each option so you can make the right choice for your family and your pocketbook. If you need additional help narrowing down your options, stop by our location in Colbert, Oklahoma, near Sherman and McKinney, Texas.
Initial Price
We’ll start with the most immediate concern, the initial price. In this case, there’s no competition. Gas motorhomes are cheaper than diesel motorhomes. This is because gas motorhomes are more common, they’re generally smaller which means they require less labor and less material, and they often use cheaper materials. Keep in mind though, the extra work put into diesel motorhomes tends to make them last longer, so you won’t have to revisit initial prices as quickly as you would for a gas motorhome.
Maintenance Costs
Maintenance costs can be more of a toss up. Diesel motorhomes tend to last longer, which also means you probably won’t encounter any major repairs any time soon. Then again, when you do need to perform maintenance or pay for a repair, the price of repairing a diesel rig is going to be much higher. Not only are the parts more expensive, but it’s a more specialized skill, so you’ll need to pay for a specially trained technician.
Gas motorhomes may not have the durability that diesel motorhomes have, but the repairs you do have to make will be much cheaper and it’ll probably be easier to find a technician who’s up for the task. Consider how often you’ll be using your camper and how long you’ll want to go before replacing it to figure out which option will be more cost effective for you.
Accessibility
If you’re choosing between a gas and a diesel motorhome, whether or not you’re looking at Class A motorhomes, you’re probably at least looking at big ones. You’ll probably already be concerned about where you can take the rig, who’s going to drive it, and making sure your favorite campgrounds can accommodate a bigger vehicle. Just keep in mind that when it comes to size, diesel motorhomes are generally bigger. This is to accommodate the diesel engine, but you’ll need to be aware that not all campgrounds will have sites big enough to fit some of the biggest models.
Fuel Economy
Finally, there’s how much you want to spend on gas. Once again, this will come down to what your traveling habits are. Diesel tends to burn slower, which means you won’t have to make as many stops at the gas station. But if you’ve looked at fuel prices recently, then it may not have escaped your attention that diesel is often slightly more expensive. Depending on how long each individual trip is and how often you plan on taking these trips may ultimately impact which choice is the most advantageous for you.
At the end of the day, both options can be a great choice for certain RVers, it’s just a matter of figuring out what kind of RVer you are.
This information is for educational purposes. VIARV shall not be responsible nor retain liability for RVer’s use of the provided information. Prior to making any RV service decision, you are advised to consult with an RV professional.
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