Many people dream of someday owning Class A diesel motorhomes.
If you’re new to RVing, it may seem baffling that a diesel pusher RV would be more desirable than one that runs on gas – after all, most personal vehicles run on gas. However, a diesel motorhome can offer many luxurious floor plans, and diesel RV engines generally outlast gas ones by a wide margin. If you’re a serious RVer, this could be the perfect choice for you.
Best Class A Diesel Motorhome
5 Best Diesel Motorhomes for the Money
There are several companies that are known for their quality motorhomes including Tiffin and Winnebago, and it’s no surprise they also make some of the best Class A diesel motorhomes as well. Here are some of the best Class A diesel RVs:
1.) Newmar Ventana 4369
The Newmar Ventana is considered one of the best diesel motorhomes available. It has luxurious amenities including two bathrooms – one with a very roomy shower and wardrobe. Two sofas convert into beds, and the master bedroom features a king-sized bed. The kitchen includes a large sink and cooktop, and the living room is well-appointed and nicely furnished.
Specifications:
- Sleeps: 6
- Length: 43 feet, 10 inches
- Fresh water tank (gallons): 105
- Grey water tank (gallons): 65
- Black water tank (gallons): 45
- 3 slideouts
- 2 bathrooms
Price: $453,111 MSRP
2.) Tiffin Allegro Bus Motorhome
Tiffin uses quality materials in the Allegro Bus, including porcelain tile floors and handcrafted cabinetry. The kitchen features a double-bowl stainless steel sink, two-burner induction cooktop, and a dishwasher. It has two bathrooms, plus room for a washer and dryer and more storage. The Tiffin Allegro even includes a fireplace.
Specifications:
- Sleeps: 8
- Length: 45 feet
- Fresh water tank (gallons): 100
- Grey water tank (gallons): 100
- Black water tank (gallons): 55
- 4 slideouts
- 2 bathrooms
Price: $445,200 MSRP
3.) Newmar Dutch Star 4369
The Newmar Dutch Star is another of the best diesel motorhomes for the money. The Dutch Star allows customers to choose from three different interior designs. There are two bathrooms, and the kitchen includes pullout cabinets, a double sink, and a three-burner cooktop, along with a fridge and pantry.
Specifications:
- Sleeps: 8
- Length: 43.75 feet
- Fresh water tank (gallons): 105
- Grey water tank (gallons): 65
- Black water tank (gallons): 45
- 3 slideouts
- 2 bathrooms
Price: $581,896 MSRP
Best small diesel motorhomes
4.) Tiffin Allegro Breeze 31 BR
This small diesel motorhome is a great one for the money. It’s Tiffin’s smallest RV, but it’s still big on luxury and amenities. The Tiffin Allegro Breeze has porcelain tile floors and handcrafted cabinets just like the larger motorhomes. It also features a TV, and the kitchen has a three-burner cooktop and residential-sized fridge. Like the Allegro Bus, the Breeze even has a fireplace.
Specifications:
- Sleeps: 6
- Length: 31 feet, 6 inches
- Fresh water tank (gallons): 70
- Grey water tank (gallons): 55
- Black water tank (gallons): 33
- 3 slideouts
- 1 bathroom
Price: $349,172 MSRP
5.) Winnebago Forza 34T
Winnebago is synonymous with motorhomes and there’s a reason for that! The company makes consistently high-quality, long-lasting motorhomes. The Forza is a great family RV and one of the best diesel pusher motorhomes for the money. The 34T has a living room slide-out, and a rear master bedroom that includes a queen bed, and a sliding door that gives the occupants more privacy at night. There’s also an option for a fireplace.
Specifications:
- Sleeps: 5
- Length: 35 feet, 6 inches
- Fresh water tank (gallons): 84
- Grey water tank (gallons): 54
- Black water tank (gallons): 48
- 2 slideouts
- 1 bathroom
Price: $325,174 MSRP
What are Diesel Pushers?
RVs can be separated into three classes – Class A, B, and C. Class A motorhomes are the largest and most luxurious and they resemble large buses from the outside.
A diesel pusher is a Class A motorhome that uses a diesel engine in the rear of the RV (therefore “pushing” the motorhome from the back). Diesel pushers operate similarly to commercial motor coaches or buses.
Pros and Cons of Diesel Motorhomes
While diesel pushers will be a great option for a lot of travelers, they may not be right for everyone. Here are a few pros and cons of owning a diesel pusher.
Pros
- They’ll last just about forever – Most Diesel Pushers won’t need major engine repairs done until they’ve reached 500,000 miles! Diesel Pushers have a lifetime expectancy of 1,000,000 miles. This is great news for those who love to travel!
- More power – Diesel motorhomes have much greater engine power and can tackle mountains and other obstacles easier than gas-fueled RVs.
- Good MPG – Diesel fuel tends to last longer than regular fuel, too. The average Motorhome gets you 6-10 MPG, while Diesel Pushers get you anywhere from 8-12 MPG!
- Air brakes – Because Diesel Pushers use air brakes, you won’t have to deal with brake fluid and will have more power to stop when going downhill.
- Less wear and tear – Because a Diesel Pusher engine doesn’t work as hard as your standard RV engine, there are lower RPMs used! This contributes to an overall lower cost per mile.
- Sleeping made easier – Diesel Pushers have engines in the back and generators in the front! If you’re a light sleeper and have to run your generator overnight, you’ll barely hear it in a Diesel Pusher, since the beds are normally in the back.
- Eco-friendly – Diesel motorhomes also emit less carbon dioxide and fewer greenhouse gases, making it a more eco-friendly option than the gas powered motorhome.
Cons
- Cost – Diesel pushers are much more expensive than gas-operated RVs or smaller Class B and C campers. In fact, the cost of many diesel pusher RVs can be more than a residential home!
- Repairs – If something happens to your Diesel Pusher while you’re on the road, expect it to be time-consuming and expensive to fix it. Because Diesel Pushers are so large, you’ll have to take it to a truck stop in order to have it fixed. Tires can cost up to a few hundred dollars a piece too. Good thing you’re just renting, right?
- Not welcome in all campgrounds – Because Diesel Pushers are so low to the ground and large (some are 45 feet in length!) it’s hard to fight in certain RV parks. A lot of campgrounds have a strict 30-foot rule. This could limit your options and force you to go to a campground you might not want to.
- Fuel might be hard to find – Gasoline is offered at all gas stations, however, diesel fuel is not. It might take longer for you to find a gas station that offers the right kind of fuel. Keep in mind that Diesel Fuel is much more expensive per gallon, too! And don’t forget about DEF fluid!
Gas vs Diesel RVs – which one is right for you
Diesel pushers offer a lot of benefits you just won’t find with gas engine RVs. However, you’ll have to consider your lifestyle and preferences when deciding whether a diesel RV is right for you.
If you’re going to do a lot of traveling, or perhaps even live in your RV, and want a similar feeling to a residential home a diesel pusher may be the perfect solution. If you’re traveling infrequently, and going solo or with just one other person, the comforts of a diesel motorhome may not be worth the price tag.
If you want to try out a diesel pusher before committing to purchasing one, you can rent one on RVshare! Try one out for a few days or a week to see if it might be a good fit for you and your family before you buy one yourself.
Looking for even more RVing tips and tricks — both during the purchase process and for your first camping excursion?
Here are just a few RVshare blog posts to help you out.
