We are new to this site and are hoping eventully to find one of those used "barthmoBuggy's" 30 feet or over that will fit our limited budget. We almost bought OlRoy's 1990 which was on display right here in our town. We financially chickened out the last minute and really regret our decision. It was actually a really good deal. He now says he sold it last week.

The real purpose of my post is to ask those of you living especially in any of the western states and who own a diesel machine, just what your fuel is costing. Here in the northwest peninsula of WA we are seeing prices of 20 to 30 cents per gallon higher than gas. If that is true most places, it might discourage us from buying a diesel rig. We currently drive a 1988 Suncrest that does only about 7 mpg on gas. RayB

Any info/thoughts or advice? Are we thinking smart or no?

RayB, I just topped off the coach this afternoon, diesel was $3.35 pere gallon on low sulfur. Seems the ll gas was $3.07 per gallon here in western NC. sky

quote:

Originally posted by RayB:
We currently drive a 1988 Suncrest that does only about 7 mpg on gas. RayB

Any info/thoughts or advice? Are we thinking smart or no?

Hi, Ray, and Welcome. Gas or diesel, a Barth is a good choice if you appreciate Really Good Stuff.

"Only" 7 mpg on gas isn't all that bad for a lot of gassers.

Fuel is only a small part of the equation. When you buy a diesel Barth, you are getting a better quality chassis, and to various degrees, a better quality shell and interior fitments. So, you pay more and get more. You will also be getting a longer-lasting but more expensive to maintain chassis. With an older coach, good mechanics and parts sources will be fewer and farther between, and dearer. That is balanced out by the inherent ruggedness of the diesel chassis.

None of the above can be analyzed on a rational basis. It is emotion and thriftiness and a liking for quality and luxury, as well as how you read the tea leaves of the future.

What can be analyzed and quantified is your miles driven yearly. Then, gasoline fuel consumption and service can be compared to same for diesel for that mileage. I believe our moderator, Bill NY, did some calculating a while back on fuel costs and miles driven. Search for it, or give us your annual miles and local fuel costs, and we will kick it around.

Also keep in mind that even tho right now diesel is higher than gas, that could change at any time. At times in the past diesel has been cheaper than gas. Over a long enough period of time i think you will spend about the same amount of money for fuel no matter which one you have.

Diesel's autumn price ascension is predictable, as the swing refineries alter production to favor #2 (home heating oil [HHO] and diesel). Swing refineries are those (most, these days) equipped to deal with the market needs by "swinging" from gaso production to the heavier ends, like #1 (kerosene) and #2. In the summer, HHO is of no impact on the market, but come the First Frost, the demand increases.

It may also signal a move towards "energy pricing". At the heavy-user level, fuel is priced according to $/BTU, not $/gal., $/lb., or $/cu.ft. Diesel has more energy content than gaso, and thus pricing it for its energy content is new to diesel, but not new to the industry.

Fortunately for diesel engine owners, diesel fuel not only contains for energy per gallon, but the engine is more efficient in extracting it.

quote:

Originally posted by Shadow man:
Also keep in mind that even tho right now diesel is higher than gas, that could change at any time. At times in the past diesel has been cheaper than gas. Over a long enough period of time i think you will spend about the same amount of money for fuel no matter which one you have.

I agree with this, and I've been watching fuel prices in a somewhat organized manner for several years now. Gas vs. diesel flip-flop high and low, rarely being near the same price range for too long.

The real key to saving on gas (other than driving style) is to watch the pricing trends and compare it to the swing of a pendulum. The prices creep down a penny or two at a time, day after day, as the pendulum is slowly reaching the end of its travel ... then it swings quickly back the other way and prices shoot up 20-30 cents. Then the downward creep starts all over again. Get used to watching that trend, and you'll be able to plan your fill-ups around the anticipated low end of pricing - right before the pendulum swings back the other way.

Its all getting really expensive. We recently made the trip from northern IN to FL around 1250 miles, cost of gas $450. One way.
Ralph

Thank you all for so many responses regarding the diesel/gas pricing issue. What you say seems true enough to me. Especially true is the matter of desire for ownership of a good Barth and what one gets for the price out weighing the fuel cost. RayB