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Old 02-09-2015, 04:24 PM   #1
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which is better gas or diesel

ok im looking at a couple of shuttle buses. i drive from fl to ky on vaction. so there are some mountains i have to go up. ill be pulling a 20 foot trailer with 2 rzr's on it.

i need to know which will be better gas or diesel.
i know the engine parts for a diesel cost more and diesel fuel cost more than gas. im looking at the 26 foot shuttle buses. 7.3 and the 6.0 diesel. and the v10 gas ford.

ANY info will be a great help thank you.

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Old 02-09-2015, 05:06 PM   #2
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Diesel for sure. No contest in my opinion.
I just brought my bus from Kentucky in Nov. Monteagle was interesting-
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Old 02-09-2015, 05:07 PM   #3
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i looked at a school bus but it was redlining at 55 mph. i need to run interstate speed
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Old 02-09-2015, 05:09 PM   #4
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Stay away from the 6.0L diesel.

The 7.3L is a great engine for about 350,000-500,000 miles. Beyond that it will be pretty tired.

The 6.8L V-10 is a high speed revving engine. It likes to be wound up tight. For those of us who earned our stripes on engines that redlined at 2100 RPM's it is a bit disconcerting to see an engine not start to pull until it is above 3500 RPM.

The 7.3L will see fuel mileage in the 8-12 MPG range.

The V-10 will see fuel mileage in the 8-12 MPG range as well.

At the end of the day you need to decide which will work the best for you.

In the bus world at one time 90% of all light duty bus chassis were Ford with diesel engines.

Today 90% are on GM chassis with gas engines.
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Old 02-09-2015, 05:14 PM   #5
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i looked at a school bus but it was redlining at 55 mph. i need to run interstate speed
I wan't saying get a school bus.
I said diesel is better than gas for busing.
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Old 02-09-2015, 05:15 PM   #6
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Stay away from the 6.0L diesel.

The 7.3L is a great engine for about 350,000-500,000 miles. Beyond that it will be pretty tired.

The 6.8L V-10 is a high speed revving engine. It likes to be wound up tight. For those of us who earned our stripes on engines that redlined at 2100 RPM's it is a bit disconcerting to see an engine not start to pull until it is above 3500 RPM.

The 7.3L will see fuel mileage in the 8-12 MPG range.

The V-10 will see fuel mileage in the 8-12 MPG range as well.

At the end of the day you need to decide which will work the best for you.

In the bus world at one time 90% of all light duty bus chassis were Ford with diesel engines.

Today 90% are on GM chassis with gas engines.
My parents v10 RV is doing very well to get half that.
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Old 02-09-2015, 05:16 PM   #7
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the things that im looking at is gas engine parts are cheaper and fuel is cheaper it might just equal out
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Old 02-09-2015, 07:53 PM   #8
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the things that im looking at is gas engine parts are cheaper and fuel is cheaper it might just equal out
No.

Gas engine has way more parts to break, cause issues.

The lack of torque will get old fast. Torque is what moves big objects.

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Old 02-10-2015, 10:56 AM   #9
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I'm a Ford man from way back and (in my honest experience) for pulling you DON'T want the V10 gas engine. It was designed for high revving and having fun, but not very good for heavy work and longevity. I drive an F250 with a 6.0 every day, a minimum of 150 miles a day. It pulls like a hoss, and with half a million mile on it the only "major" repair was having the injectors replaced a couple of years ago. The 7.3 was a good motor, but less power and worse fuel economy. The 6.0L can easily be beefed up with nothing more than a chip, and it'll pull Stone Mountain if you can hold traction.

IMHO

6.0 first choice, 7.3 second choice, and if you are left with the only option being the V10, wait till you can find something else.
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Old 02-10-2015, 01:47 PM   #10
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the 6.0's in these buses are not very popular with school maintenance yard folks. When the 6.0 buses hit the auctions they have an actual warning note that reads something like "unless you are a mechanic totally familiar with the 6.0".
I'm sure if you get a "good" one they are great but they are ONLY in existence to meet epa regs. Ford and International "broke up" over this engine.
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Old 02-10-2015, 02:23 PM   #11
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I drove for a shuttle company who's fleet was all v-10's. When I left the co. the fleet had over 700,000 miles on them. 26ish pass. cutaways with a large cargo in the rear for airport work. Terrible gas mileage though. 3-6...
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Old 02-10-2015, 05:19 PM   #12
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v10

People that manage fleets will suggest gas over diesel for private use if it will do the job, and the annual miles are low. Read up on some fleet management forums to get the real skinny on vehicle costs, gas vs diesel.

Ford still offers the v10 in their f650 and 750 medium duty trucks that gvw up to 33k, I think that says a lot for the engine.

I am on my second v10 f250 and am very happy with them. I don't read much against them except fuel mileage.

That said, the buses you're looking at have depreciated out so far the purchase price savings of gas is small if any.

Make sure the rear frame rails of the transit bus are up to the task of towing, if you aren't able to fabricate them yourself.

Have you considered looking for a school bus geared for the highway, haulding the rzr's in the back with the camper in the front?
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Old 02-10-2015, 05:27 PM   #13
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Quote:
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I drove for a shuttle company who's fleet was all v-10's. When I left the co. the fleet had over 700,000 miles on them. 26ish pass. cutaways with a large cargo in the rear for airport work. Terrible gas mileage though. 3-6...
3-5 is bout what my folks' v10 30 footer is getting. Closer to the 3 than the 5 though. That RV will do 75-80mph but I'd not want to drive it very far.
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Old 02-10-2015, 05:56 PM   #14
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A lot of great info here keep it coming. If anyone has a 26' shuttle for sale in Florida please let me know. Im going to go with the diesel 7.3.
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Old 02-10-2015, 05:59 PM   #15
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I may have already asked but where in Fl are you?
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Old 02-10-2015, 06:01 PM   #16
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I'm in Polk co bartow
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Old 02-10-2015, 06:28 PM   #17
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Right on...
There are some school buses for sale over there that I've been eyeing.
Im in lake county. eustis/sorrento area
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Old 02-10-2015, 06:30 PM   #18
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Most of them are sold but have not been removed from craigslist
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Old 02-10-2015, 06:33 PM   #19
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The skoolies I'm eyeing are on govdeals.
Try that site or public surplus.
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Old 02-10-2015, 06:35 PM   #20
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I didn't see anything in fl
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