Diesel Generator July 11, 2003, 08:40:10 am Yahoo Message Number: 24369I also looked into the diesel Ford chassis and after weighing all the impacts of the weight and generator limitations we decided against it. I asked about the Next Generation diesel generator and it was looked into by LD. Steve told me it was too large for the alloted space. They hang the gas generator below the floor line which means the space has height limitations.
Re: Diesel Reply #1 – July 11, 2003, 10:25:43 am Yahoo Message Number: 24370QuoteI also looked into the diesel Ford chassis and after weighing all the impacts of the weight and generator limitations we decided against it. I think the jury is and should be out on the question of a diesel powertrain in a new LD until we see the experience of folks who get the new 6.0 litre Powerstroke with the new 5-speed transmission. 560 lbs of torque with an additional gear and the other improvements (less weight and noise, likely better mileage) that reportedly go with this engine are nothing to sneeze at. When Ed poo poos the diesel it's based on his experience with the current 7.3 litre Powerstroke. I agree with him about that not being worth the extra money, weight and noise. The new diesel and transmission could be a great option, especially for high mileage or full-time use. Regarding the generator, I'm still wondering what it's for. Need AC? Go somewhere with hook-ups and be quiet. There's nothing you do with the microwave that can't be done more quietly in some other way. Need a hair dryer? Most campground rest rooms have an outlet. Etc. etc. No offense intended, but there are few things I find more annoying than some campground neighbor firing up his generator as soon as quiet hours end in the morning so he can brew a cup of coffee or his wife can curl her hair. I sit there dumbfounded, muttering to myself "What is this guy thinking?" And, since you have to fill propane anyway, what's the problem with filling the extra propane tank for the generator? I understand that the propane generator has some operational disadvantages vs. diesel or gas, but I just don't think it is a critical component on a modern motorhome with solar power and a sufficient bank of batteries (such as LD supplies standard), so who cares? I think two years from now, when the new Powerstroke is sorted and folks have some experience with it, it will be viewed as the sweet deal on these motorhomes. At least until the 3-valve V-10 mated to the new 5-speed comes along. Still, the current gas drivetrain seems more than adequate to the task, so all this better tech is really just gravy. If you're a gas guy, get the gas. If you're a diesel guy, get the diesel. You'll be happy with your LD either way.TerryPalo Alto, CA 26.5'RB gas LD with 2 solar panels in two weeks. Yikes! I've got to get ready.
Re: Diesel (and generator) Reply #2 – July 11, 2003, 10:59:31 am Yahoo Message Number: 24374Just a note on the generator need.As with most folks, I never fire up the generator
Re: Diesel (and generator) Reply #3 – July 11, 2003, 02:40:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24376We go to both the NASCAR and Siver Crown races in Phoenix and there are no hook ups at the track. A generator is a necessity when you are dry camping in the heat.
Diesel Reply #4 – June 01, 2004, 07:28:54 am Yahoo Message Number: 38046Has anyone bought a diesel LD? What kind of mileage do you get?Pros and cons?Thanks, Norma
Re: Diesel Reply #5 – June 01, 2004, 11:17:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 38050"normasloan2000" wrote:QuoteHas anyone bought a diesel LD? What kind of mileage do you get? Pros and cons? The issues surrounding diesel ownership (power and mpg vs cost relative to the gas V10, reduced CCC, noise, smell, and more) were discussed pretty thoroughly by this group in early April 2004. Log in to the Yahoo website and use the searh feature to learn more.--oryoki
Re: Diesel Reply #6 – September 24, 2004, 12:36:45 pm Yahoo Message Number: 43781I have my eyes on a new 26.5 MB and have some question regarding engine choices: Did anyone opt for the 6.0L V8 Turbo Diesel instead of a 6.8l V10 Triton? What's the gas mileage for the Diesel? How much more does the Diesel engine option cost? How much longer will such a Diesel engine last? What are some other pros and cons to consider? Any feedback is appreciated.Thanks,Thomas[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Diesel Reply #7 – September 24, 2004, 06:31:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 43811QuoteI have my eyes on a new 26.5 MB and have some question regarding engine choices: Did anyone opt for the 6.0L V8 Turbo Diesel instead of a 6.8lQuoteV10 Triton? What's the gas mileage for the Diesel? How much more does the Diesel engine option cost? How much longer will such a Diesel engine last? What are some other pros and cons to consider? Any feedback is appreciated.Thanks,ThomasThomas, I own a 2003 F350 dually with the new 6.0 diesel and torqshift transmission. It is an excellent drive train. Slightly more expensive to maintain (oil changes (15qts), replacing fuel filters at regular intervals. Lots of pulling power. If you do a lot of extensive mountain driving and/or pulling, it is an excellent way to go. However, the price ($7,500 option on a new lazy daze), make it a more costly option. Gas mileage, around 14-16mpg, isn't as high as other diesels, but gobs of power. 250k estimated service life as well. I hope this has shed some light on your question.regards,Jim
Re: Diesel Reply #8 – September 24, 2004, 09:59:07 pm Yahoo Message Number: 43817Thomas, your best bet is to search the website's archives on the word 'diesel'. You'll find plenty of discussion! In a nutshell: a tiny fraction of LD purchasers (probably fewer than 2%) choose to pay for the diesel option. Those who do, like Jim, are generally happy with their rigs. These are generally people who are used to driving diesels for a living and don't want anything else. However, those who have analyzed the pros and cons of diesel LDs without any particular axe to grind have concluded that this option is difficult to justify, unless you plan to put at least ten times the average annual mileage on your rig that most RVers do. The drawbacks are many--thousands of dollars in extra purchase cost, hundreds of pounds less payload, noise, smell, and so on--and the theoretical economic benefits are only realized by those racking up many tens of thousands of miles annually. If you're a diehard diesel buff who won't be happy with anything else...well, you'll probably be happy with a diesel LD. If you're the one RVer in a thousand who puts 100,000 miles a year on his rig, a diesel engine will save you money. Otherwise, the drawbacks greatly outweigh the advantages. That's my humble opinion, and it's shared by the vast majority of LD buyers who've looked into this. Ask the factory what they recommend, and you'll hear pretty much the same story. Then think about your needs and ask yourself whether this option fits them.Andy Baird
Re: Diesel Reply #9 – September 24, 2004, 10:54:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 43823The beautiful thing about the V-10 is its longevity. I passed 117,000 miles on my 1998, which turned six years old this week. It takes actually less oil than it did when new - I now no longer add oil between oil changes every 5,000 miles.This spring I read
Re: Diesel Reply #10 – September 25, 2004, 09:21:17 am Yahoo Message Number: 43836QuoteThomas, your best bet is to search the website's archives on the word 'diesel'. You'll findQuoteplenty of discussion!In a nutshell: a tiny fraction of LD purchasers (probably fewer than 2%) choose to pay for Quotethe diesel option. Those who do, like Jim, are generally happy with their rigs. These are Quotegenerally people who are used to driving diesels for a living and don't want anything else.Quote However, those who have analyzed the pros and cons of diesel LDs without any particularQuoteaxe to grind have concluded that this option is difficult to justify, unless you plan to put at Quoteleast ten times the average annual mileage on your rig that most RVers do. The drawbacks Quoteare many--thousands of dollars in extra purchase cost, hundreds of pounds less payload, Quotenoise, smell, and so on--and the theoretical economic benefits are only realized by thoseQuoteracking up many tens of thousands of miles annually.If you're a diehard diesel buff who won't be happy with anything else...well, you'll probably Quotebe happy with a diesel LD. If you're the one RVer in a thousand who puts 100,000 miles a Quoteyear on his rig, a diesel engine will save you money. Otherwise, the drawbacks greatlyQuoteoutweigh the advantages.That's my humble opinion, and it's shared by the vast majority of LD buyers who've looked Quoteinto this. Ask the factory what they recommend, and you'll hear pretty much the same Quotestory. Then think about your needs and ask yourself whether this option fits them.Quote Andy Baird Andy,You can have the last word. I only replyed to the gentleman (Thomas), who was inquiring about the diesel option due to the fact that I have experience with that drive train. I don't drive diesel's for a living (I'm a CPA). I personally think both engines are excellent.Jim G
Diesel Reply #11 – July 11, 2003, 06:02:24 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24386 Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/free_video/
Re: Diesel Reply #12 – July 11, 2003, 06:11:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24388NeilCheck out a Banks Kit for your diesel if you like to pull the hills at speed. We just went from a 30' 5th wheel to a 30 LD. Couldn't wait for a new LD but we found a nice '97.
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Diesel Reply #13 – September 24, 2004, 10:16:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 43820Thomas To add a little more - Our family work vehicles are diesels and I love them especially the three vw jetta TDIs (VW's best kept secret). I plan on buying a V10 LD - just can't justify the diesel in the Lazy Daze.John
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Diesel Reply #14 – September 25, 2004, 01:50:56 pm Yahoo Message Number: 43844Thank you all who contributed to this discussion on the Diesel engine. That was vey helpful to me. I also looked at the archives searching for Diesel and found indeed plenty of other interesting discussions. All this helped me to make up my mind in this regard: I'll go with the V10!Thanks,Thomas[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Diesel Reply #15 – July 18, 2006, 01:49:19 pm Yahoo Message Number: 69013Ooops, just looked at the LD dream book ; no diesel option. You are correct Linda! Betty JeanQuoteAs per ED @ Lazy Daze they do not make a 30' diesel only 23 or 26' When we ordered our 23.5' in 2004, the diesel was offered as an option only in the 26.5'. However, I don't believe the diesel engine is offered any longer in ANY length.Linda Hylton 2004 Red 23.5' TK _http_ (http://map.datastormusers.com/level3.cfm?mapnum=3044300)Betty Jean Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that takes our breath![Non-text portions of this message have been removed]