Petrol or Diesel Motorhome?
February 1st, 2010 by Katie Norton
To buy or not to buy – that is the question. Well at least it’s the question most perspective new motorhome owners ask themselves. The best way to find the answer is to ask yourself another question – “what will I be using my motorhome for?”
If you are planning to use your motorhome on a day-to-day basis, together with use at weekends and holidays, the most obvious interest would be in performance of fuel efficiency. Someone considering towing a touring caravan will be looking for the previously mentioned features coupled with other factors such as brake horsepower (power produced by the engine) and torque (pulling power).
Both petrol and diesel engines have their pros and con’s, so depending on what you’re looking for in a motorhome this will determine which engine style you choose. The main advantages of a petrol engine are that they tend to produce more brake horsepower than diesels, acceleration is quicker and petrol engines are generally more lightweight. Diesel engines have their own advantages, such as producing maximum torque at lower speeds, and so you tend to get more miles to the gallon while retaining torque over a wider engine revolution range.
The main similarity between a petrol and diesel engine is that the price of both fuels is around the same in the UK, but be aware petrol can be more expensive on the continent. None of us want to feel out of pocket but it could pay to have some understanding of fuel terms in other countries -there is nothing more frustrating than filling your tank up with petrol then realising you have a diesel engine! Say Bonjour to a more fuel efficient motorhome and Au Revoir to high prices.
As of 2010 both Class A (full-chassis) and Class C (van-chassis) motorhomes are available in either petrol or diesel. Maybe the best way to test which type is better for you is to take a test drive and experience what both engines have to offer then work out which best suits your driving needs.
Say hello to low cost motorhome insurance and goodbye to spending hours looking for the best policy for you. Sureterm offer competitive quotes for petrol and diesel motorhomes, call free on 0800 999 2030 and speak to one of our expert advisors.