New RV but have engine choices. Opinions?

[Nick212]

We are looking at a new RV and need some opinions.

Currently we have a 36' Class A with a Ford V10. It was a little sluggish on hills with our old boat and our new 212 Limited is twice the weight.

Now to the new ones we are considering.

The first in a 30ft Class C with the Ford V10. The spec sheet says it has 420 ft-lb torque
The second is a 24ft Class C on the Mercedes Chassis with a 3.0 ltr diesel rates at 325 ft-lb torque.

The dealer says that the Mercedes chassis would pull the boat better.

Anyone want to chime in on this?

 

[John McLaughlin]

one is gas the other is diesel. I prefer diesel however you are losing a considerable amount of living space with the 25 footer. I also think you would get better milage with a diesel. We have F250 6.7 Diesel that I use to tow our 25 ft AS and love the fact that I do not even know it is back there.

 

[Nick212]

one is gas the other is diesel. I prefer diesel however you are losing a considerable amount of living space with the 25 footer. I also think you would get better milage with a diesel. We have F250 6.7 Diesel that I use to tow our 25 ft AS and love the fact that I do not even know it is back there.

I agree that a diesel would be better, but didn't know if a 3.0ltr v6 would be enough.

 

[Beachbummer]

Check with other diesel owners on the same platform to be sure. I hear there is a before and after new emissions that have been a gigantic pain in the rear. Gas has its advantages.

 

[Dixie Highway]

Having driven both a Sprinter with the 3.0 (older model) and a Ford van with the 6.8 V-10, there is quite a difference in the torque. Granted, these new small diesels are the rage, but once you get to highway speed torque is no longer king, horsepower comes into play. If I’m trying to pass or merge with extra weight on board I want that V-10 with 3 times the HP of the little diesel.

 

[Nick212]

Thank you. That's what I need to know. I have never owned a diesel of any sort but thought the 3.0 was a little small.

 

[iamcalled]

Dude stay the hell away from the Mercedes Platform. I had a 2013 I built to live out of on the road as a traveling photographer and they are very finicky. Check engine lights, they don't like to idle, the DEF system is a Pain in the ASSSSSSS. My friend who is a certified MB master mechanic said he would personally choose anything in the Ford platform over the MB just because the maintenance and cost of ownership is expensive and I couldn't agree more. Oh and in stock configuration the tow rating is 5,000 on the 2500, not sure what the 3500 is in stock configuration, but with the weight of an RV build out, I would be it isn't much. Hope this helps and good luck with your decision.

 

[Nick212]

More great information, thank you.

I wish we could get a diesel in a Class C without going with the Mercedes but the real next step up (which is what I’d love to do) is a Jayco Seneca which starts around $199,999.00. That's way north of our budget.

Am I missing Class C’s with diesel motors besides the Mercedes/Sprinter model.

 

[Rustynuts]

One big complaint that I see on the RV forums on the Mecedes based Motorhome is the extremely low Occupant and cargo carrying capacity (OCCC), some models are as low as 1000lbs and this includes people, food, cloths and stuff. The Class A will be better for OCCC but I have driven the Ford F-53 Chassis and it’s not we’ll know for its handling characteristics without mods. When we upgraded we went with a Super C and driving and towing is night and day over our old Class A. We ended up with a Jayco Seneca and couldn’t be happier.

 

[Nick212]

When we upgraded we went with a Super C and driving and towing is night and day over our old Class A. We ended up with a Jayco Seneca and couldn’t be happier.

The Seneca is a bout out of our reach but that would be our choice if it were possible.

 

[Rustynuts]

More great information, thank you.

I wish we could get a diesel in a Class C without going with the Mercedes but the real next step up (which is what I’d love to do) is a Jayco Seneca which starts around $199,999.00. That's way north of our budget.

Am I missing Class C’s with diesel motors besides the Mercedes/Sprinter model.

You don mention budget but there are some good deals out there on used Senecas, even back to the Topkick chassis Senecas which people love. The only othe style of class c with a diesel is the ones that use a Ford Truck chassis, there are several companies making them now.