searched,searched and searched again

[robert smith]

We are about to purchase a new rv (a B+ model which is about the size of a typical ambulance), 450 chasis (late '07 6.0 psd) and hope that members can help us out.

After days of searching for info on the 6.0 I remain confused regarding the reliability of this engine, it appears that for every problem version one can find a satisfied owner with few if any issues, so I ask this question;

If you were going to purchase the above rv and had the choice of the V10 or a late model year 6.0 which would it be?
AND
If we are hearing of 9 - 12 mpg with the V10 is it reasonable to expect mid to high teens with the 6.0??

All replies are very much appreciated as we will be making payments on this for a very, very long time.

[ABOBB]

There were some issues with the first couple of years of the 6.0, but the strange thing is these seem to be engine dependant. Some folks had issues, and had lots of them, and others never had a problem. It's really hard to explain. The later model year 6.0 engine seemed to have a lot of those issues worked out, and there are much fewer complaints about them.

It's hard for me be try to estimate what your fuel mileage might be... but I would say that it should at worst match the V-10, and as the load you are putting on it increases, should be better. This is one of the huge upsides of diesel engines. As you add load, and work the engine harder, the mileage drops less than it does with a gas engine.

Welcome to Powerstroke.org

[Dave]

Welcome to the org buy the diesel you will be way happier in an RV

[Strõkër~X]

my truck gets about 13-14 mpg..
(see below) so, get the diesel...

[Brian]

diesel for sure, the mpg's will be alot better.
who makes the b campers your looking at?

[robert smith]

Thank you all, we are looking at the Phoenix Cruiser 2350 or 2400.

[jphelzer]

My dad showed me a Trailer Life article a couple years ago when he was truck shopping. The bottom line is that a diesel engine is more expensive up front, costs a bit more to maintain (on average), but delivers more power per cubic inch, better fuel economy, longer life, and a higher resale value.

I don't know if it's the same with RVs or not, put if you search for Ford trucks, the average diesel truck will be listed for (and will sell for) easily 30-70% more than the equivalent truck. When I got my 2001 (which I got for well under market value through a friend) I looked at a V-10 gas truck. Lariat, fully decked out, beautiful truck. $13K. Looked at another, identical except for a diesel. $22K, guy sold it the same day.

All that said, if you're not going to keep the RV long or drive it much, then a, say, $6K premium for a diesel buys a lot of gasoline...There is a breakeven point that happens after some tens of thousands of miles, depending on the application.

Again, not sure if RVs are different, but that's my take on the overall question...

[straycat]

My vote is for the 6.0, in the long run, I think you will be much happier, I had a V10 in a Dodge, and It was an Olympic class gas guzzler with or without any weight n it.

Gord.

[Evil Eye]

First off, to the org! I'd go with the diesel. Of course, what did you expect we would say???

[robert smith]

jphelzer,straycat, carlson158, thank you also. I have only driven diesel vehicles for the past 7 years or so the VW TDI and currently a Freightliner 'Sprinter' van. Both these brands are quite different from a psd, the TDI being a massive 1.9 l, and the Sprinter being not a whole lot bigger, an in line 5cyl MB, 2.7l I believe.
The TDI was/is an astounding enigne, yes only 90 hp but if driven very carefully routinely capable of delivering very upper 50's to very low 60's mpg and the Sprinter is no guzzler either, again if driven very carefully you will often see mid to upper 20 mpg US of course not Imperial.

Diesel has always made sense to me, less fuel used, less co2 emmissions, less evaporative emmissions, less resources used in refining, safer blah, blah, blah. Plus, they have a soul, gassers, well what more has to be said.
AND for those of us old enough to remember, there was never much of a line at the diesel pumps during those special times in the '70's...............
Double 'AND', not that I would do this or course; but in the case of extreme emergencies one can always -borrow- a few gallons from the home heating oil tanks (yuk, yuk, yuk). Yes, I do happen to have a few bottles of various additives on hand.

So I now will begin offerings to the Teutonic gods of compression ignition that I may receive a 'good' version of the 6.0 AND especially that they will give me in the range of 18 miles per gallon. Because, I sure will have some explaining to do if this does not happen!!!

Then again, my wife has often said, "I love the sound of these things' what a gal.