AnotherOnTheWay
Palm Coast, FL
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Joined: 03/11/2008
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My wife and I are looking to buy a Seneca HD 36FS. Our toads are a Nissan Titan, Nissan Armada, or trailer with 4 wheelers. So we know we need the HD. My question is this: gas or diesel? I always used diesels on our farm to haul horses because an F-250 gas engine gets horrible mileage. But is that negated with the larger gas engines in the HD Super Cs? What kind of mileage are you guys seeing with your HDs? Any other pros/cons you could pass on would be greatly appreciated.
Can't wait to see you out there!
'05 Nissan Titan
Various rentals.
Looking to buy a Seneca HD 36FS. I can't wait!!!
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timmac
Las Vegas
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Joined: 03/20/2006
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The Diesel will give you around 2-5 more mpg with comparing to same weight and size of RV with a gas motor, but as you probably know the cost of a Diesel RV will be more and so will the up keep on that motor over time as well as the cost of Diesel is more per gal, you must also look at how many miles per year are you going to drive the RV, if its under 8000 miles per year the extra cost of a Diesel and up keep might cost you more $$$$ in the long run over gas, but if you are driving lots of miles and fulltiming all over the states than a Diesel will be a better choice...
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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Joined: 06/24/2006
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I may not be telling you anything you dont already know, but a Diesel will get slightly better mileage, both towing and not. But it will take a lot of miles to offset the extra cost for the diesel option, and its required maintenance, and any repairs, diesels just cost more to own and operate.
The big gas engines are powerful, and reliable, and by comparison have lower maintenance costs, but wont get the mileage.
But will still cost less to own and operate.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
1941 Farm All "A"
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JohnInAz
Arizona
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Joined: 03/20/2007
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Unless they made a change, the Seneca's (new ones anyway) are diesel only.
2007 Jayco Seneca 34SS
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
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camping man
Central Fla.
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Joined: 09/01/2001
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Diesels are sure nice, but their the expensive route for sure.
05 Dodge 2500 Quadcab CTD NV5600/3.73rears
97 27ft.Sprinter 5er
Website
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69RoadRunner
VA
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Joined: 01/18/2008
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The maintenance on a diesel is not higher than on a gas engine. You use more quarts of oil at every oil change, but you can go longer between changes. Diesel fuel filters aren't that expensive.
If the gas engine can run on 87 or 89 octane, you won't save anything on fuel with a diesel right now.
The diesel version of a Motorhome will be worth a lot more when you sell than the same one with a gas engine.
As someone already mentioned, you can't get a Seneca HD with a gas engine anyway.
All Seneca models are constructed on a 22,000-pound
Chevy™ Kodiak® chassis for maximum cargo carrying
capacity. It sports a Duramax® V8 turbo diesel engine
with 6-speed Allison® 1000 Series automatic transmission,
power anti-lock brakes with power steering and
all-wheel ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).
09 Newmar Ventana 3942
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MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
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Joined: 12/06/2007
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Right now with the price of diesel -vs- gas you will never make up the difference to pay for the higher cost of the vehicle. You will need to use other reasons for choosing diesel over gas motor-homes.
Mark
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29
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AnotherOnTheWay
Palm Coast, FL
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Well I am not a fulltimer....yet. I am only 30 and I still need to work a few more years until I can retire. But we will be taking lots of long weekends hauling the truck or toys, or just driving 5 miles to the campground on the beach. Maybe a week or two in the mountains here or there. And of course the 7 Gator home games per season, plus the bowl....
I know the new ones are only diesel, but I am holding out hope that I can find a 2007 Seneca HD 36FS that someone bought with a gas engine (if that is what I need), and decided they just can't keep it. But, I am very comfortable with diesels too, and I am okay either way. I just wanted to hear some real world experiences from you guys. So what kind of mileage are you guys getting with your Seneca HDs?
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JohnInAz
Arizona
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Any HD Seneca is a diesel. In my unit (07 34ss) I get around 10mpg not towing, and 7.5 towing.
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seatboard
South Carolina
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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We have a 06 Bounder 35E, Gasser. I see every day the price of diesel compared to Gas and it is a no brainer to me. Some say, (like Tim the tool man) "uggg-uggg loke at all this power. I have all the power I need with this V-10,360hp.
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