Nowadays, many people are taking a closer look at the overall ″green″ profile of their vehicles. Gas prices have risen significantly and so they are also seeking ways to make motoring more affordable. The motorhome market is no different. So, until they make a hybrid or electric motor large enough to power a motorhome, the best alternative is the old standby – diesel. This post will consider a few ″green” aspects of a diesel-powered motorhome, including:
- Gas Efficiency
- Available Fuel Sources
- Engine Durability
More Efficient than Gas
Though diesel fuel is often more expensive at the pump, oil-burning engines are often more efficient when it comes to using it. In fact, some Class C motorhomes are reporting up to 17mpg while the average motorhome gets somewhere between 9 and 14mpg. This is due to the fact that diesel fuel contains up to 15% more energy per volume than standard gasoline. That is going to save you a lot of money over the long haul, particularly if you are planning a long cross-country trip. Add to that the fact that so many states and cities are using higher concentrations of biodiesel mixed with the petroleum-based fuel and your luxurious home-on-wheels is suddenly a bastion of responsible motoring for all to follow!
Multiple Fuel Sources
A diesel-burning engine is also quite versatile. Since these engines were originally intended to burn vegetable oil, they can still handle new or waste vegetable oil. You will need to install a converter which can pre-heat the vegetable oil prior to its introduction to the engine, but once that is complete, you can fill up your rig with french-fry grease from diners coast to coast. If you keep an extra gallon or two of vegetable oil in the cab with you, you’ll have a safe backup in case you run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere. For the truly adventuresome, you are likely to find clubs of waste-veggie-oil aficionados coast-to-coast who may be able to help you fill up in the most a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner possible. Communities such as Greasecar may be able to help you source WVO (Waste Vegetable Oil).
Durable Engines
Diesel engines last a lot longer than standard gas engines and they are easier to rebuild when they finally give out. If you use vegetable oil in your engine from time to time, the extra lubricity will help prolong your engine even further. The engines also operate at lower temperatures and speeds, which helps prolong the life of reciprocating parts. You may even find that the engine outlasts the body of your RV! This means that your engine has much longer to go before it makes its way to the scrap yard years and years later.
