Gas RV or Diesel RV? What You Should Know About Diesels

When you shop for a new or used RV online, one of the first choices you must make is gas or diesel. Each fuel type has its advantages and disadvantages, but modern technological advances have leveled the playing field. Because most automobiles run on gasoline, RV buyers are generally familiar with gas engines. Gas RVs work pretty much like supersized cars. Diesel engines, on the other hand, work a bit differently, and most RV buyers have some misconceptions about diesel engines.

Smelly, dirty, noisy diesels are a thing of the past. Engine improvements and new technology to remove exhaust pollutants mean that today’s diesel RVs are able to meet the same EPA standards as gas RVs. Diesel RVs produce significantly less CO2 than gas RVs; but because diesel fuel contains more carbon than gasoline, diesel engines emit 17% more greenhouse gases per gallon of burned fuel than gas engines. Ecologically, it could be a toss up because diesels burn less fuel per mile than gas RVs resulting in better fuel economy.

Many RV buyers choose diesel RVs because of the better fuel economy, though, because diesel fuel is more expensive to produce than gasoline, you will pay a little more at the pump. Another advantage of diesel engines is that they have no electrical ignition parts to wear out which means reduced maintenance and no tune up expense.

Whichever type of RV you decide to buy, you’ll find a huge selection of both gas and diesel RVs on RVT.com.