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, diesel motorhomes can be bigger and heavier than their gas counterparts, and diesel RV engines generally outlast gas ones by a wide margin.
Here’s what you should know.
5 Best Diesel Motorhomes
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
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
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
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
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
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 and have a lifetime expectancy of 1,000,000 miles.
- 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 gas motorhome gets 6-10 MPG, while diesel pushers get anywhere from 8-12 MPG.
- Air brakes – Because diesel pushers use air brakes, you 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 emit less carbon dioxide and fewer greenhouse gases, making them a more eco-friendly option than gas powered motorhomes.
Cons
- Cost – Diesel pushers are much more expensive than gas-operated RVs.
- 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.
- Not welcome in all campgrounds – Because diesel pushers are so low to the ground and large it’s hard to fit in certain RV parks.
- 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.
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.
