Gas vs. Diesel RV: Tips for Choosing an RV

When shopping for an RV, one of the more important questions you should ask yourself is: should I get a gas or diesel engine?

The answer, however, isn’t so straightforward. 

There are several pros as well as cons to both gas and diesel. Plus, those pros and cons differ based on the class of RV. 

Because of this, knowing which you prefer can actually help you narrow down which RV class is a better fit for you, if you’re on the fence about that as well. 

Below, we’ll break down when diesel or gas is better, why you might prefer one over the other, as well as some important things to consider to further help you decide.

Is a Diesel RV Better Than Gas?

Gas vs. diesel is a choice of preference, neither is inherently better than the other.

The major differences are:

• Price: Diesel rigs are usually more expensive than gas.
• Fuel cost: This can often even out, as diesel fuel costs more but diesel engines tend to be a bit more fuel-efficient overall. 
• Longevity: Diesel engines last quite a bit longer than gas ones, a major benefit of diesel engines. 
• Maintenance: Diesel engines are typically easier to maintain as they require less maintenance. However, maintenance on a diesel engine costs more when work is required.
• Resale value: The main factor affecting a rig’s resale value is the condition of its engine components. Because diesel engines tend to last far longer than gas ones, they typically have a higher resale value. 

With all that said, think of it more as choosing between the RV classes: there are pros and cons of each. You need to figure out which pros matter most to you and which cons you can live with.

Using the RV class example, larger RV classes clearly offer more interior space but they’re also much clunkier and harder to drive and have higher maintenance costs. 

Large and luxurious Class A’s are, well.. luxurious, but they don’t fit in many campgrounds. So, you need to deal with the inconvenience of calling ahead every time you want to visit a campground.

In the same way, you might prefer the pros of diesel and find the cons aren’t a big deal to you. But you also might prefer gas for different reasons.

With that said, let’s take a deeper dive into the different RV classes and see how their gas and diesel counterparts differ to help you choose which is best for you. 

Class A vs. B vs. C RVs: Diesel and Gas Differences

In addition to the primary gas vs. diesel differences mentioned above, each class of motorhome has a few additional differences between their gas and diesel counterparts.

Let’s break them down below:

Class A RVs

Class A RV’s are large buses, the biggest and most luxurious RV class available.

The primary difference between diesel and gas Class A’s comes by way of the driving experience and the brakes.

The main differences between Class A gas and diesel engines are:

• Drive: A Class A diesel has its engine in the rear of the RV, which makes for a quieter and more pleasant drive compared to a gas-powered Class A.
• Brakes: Diesel engines use air brakes, which are more effective than the disc brakes that gas-powered Class A’s use.
• Diesel Exhaust Fluid: Diesel engine Class A RVs are required to use diesel exhaust fluid, which cleans the engine’s emissions.

Class C RVs

The mid-sized motorhome, Class C’s are built on a truck chassis. They offer a moderate amount of interior space while having a much smoother and easier drive compared to larger Class A’s.

Diesel-based engines are typically used in Super C’s, which are a type of luxury Class C RV that have larger interiors and more amenities. 

They’re heavier and require more power– perfect for powerful diesel engines.

However, in the case of Super C’s, even the diesel variants have their engine located at the front of the chassis.

With that said, there aren’t any other major differences outside of the aforementioned differences between Class C and Super C’s.

Class B RVs

Class B camper vans are the smallest class of RV. While small, they tend to be custom built and have creative space-saving interior hacks that other RV classes don’t typically take full advantage of. 

Similar to Class C and Super C’s, Class B RV’s have a larger luxury alternative called Class B+’s. However, unlike Super C’s, Class B+ RV’s come in gas and diesel due to their smaller size. 

Because of this, only the aforementioned primary differences between gas and diesel RVs apply to Class B’s: fuel cost, resale value, maintenance frequency and cost, etc.

Gas vs. Diesel RVs: 4 Things to Consider

Now, let’s put it all together and talk about a few last things to consider to help you choose between a gas and diesel engine.

Here are four things to consider when choosing between a gas or diesel RV:

1. Price

Gas engines  are more affordable, making them a great budget pick.

However, keep in mind that the type of RV and number of features will play just as important a role. 

You can buy a high-end gas engine and a lower-end diesel engine for the same price, getting luxury features but a lower lifespan in exchange.

That might be fine with you, but regardless it’s something you should be aware of so that you can make a conscious decision based on your needs and wants. 

2. Fuel efficiency

Fuel is more expensive for diesel engines, but they’re roughly 10% more fuel efficient than gas engines. Overall, this tends to be a net positive for diesel engines.

If you’re planning on doing lots of long-distance adventures, especially if you are or will be RVing full-time, the savings could stack up quite fast. 

3. Comfort

In some RV classes such as Class A’s, diesel engines provide a smoother and more comfortable ride. 

In addition to this, diesel motorhomes tend to have an overall higher construction quality in terms of the components used throughout the entire RV (even the interior).

4. Longevity

Will you be RVing full-time? How long and how much do you plan on traveling?

Diesel engines last far longer than gas ones, so in that regard they’re a good candidate for full-time RVing.

They also don’t require maintenance as often as gas engines.

However, gas engines are easier to DIY for the average person, so if you don’t have experience fixing engines you may want a gas engine so that you can do basic maintenance yourself and save.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a diesel RV better than gas?

Gas and diesel engines each have unique pros and cons. Rather than one being better than the other, it’s a matter of finding which type of engine is a better fit for your preferences.

A few guiding factors include:

• If you prefer less frequent maintenance, consider diesel
• If your primary concern is lifespan and longevity, consider diesel
• If you want lower maintenance costs when repairs are necessary, consider gas
• If you’re on a budget and want to save on the purchase price, gas-based RVs are more affordable

Are diesel RVs expensive to maintain?

Diesel engines require less frequent maintenance, but they’re more expensive to repair when maintenance is required.

Is it worth buying a diesel motorhome?

Diesel engines are worth the investment, especially if you want something easier to maintain and with a longer lifespan (often 300,000 – 400,000 miles).

What is the best engine for an RV?

Diesel engines offer lots of great pros, but they have their cons as well. 

Diesel engines require less maintenance than gas engines and last far longer, typically clocking in twice as many miles as gas engines in their lifespan.