Diesel Pusher
A Class A motorhome with a diesel engine mounted in the rear, 'pushing' the rig. Luxury format with much better road manners than gas Class A.
Also called: diesel pusher, DP, diesel Class A, rear-engine diesel motorhome
A diesel pusher is a Class A motorhome with a diesel engine mounted in the rear. The “pusher” name comes from the engine being behind the driving compartment, pushing the rig rather than pulling it (as in a front-engine gas Class A).
How a diesel pusher drives differently from gas Class A
Three structural advantages:
- More torque. Diesel engines produce 50-80% more torque than equivalent gas engines. Hauling 30,000+ lb up a mountain grade feels different.
- Better fuel economy. 8-10 mpg vs. 6-8 mpg for gas Class A. On a 1,000-mile trip that’s $100-200 in fuel savings.
- Quieter interior. Rear-mounted engine puts noise behind the living area rather than under the driver.
The trade-offs:
- Much higher rental rates. $350-$500+/night vs. $225-$300 for gas Class A.
- Diesel service network is sparser than gas service.
- Maintenance complexity is higher. Most rental DPs run with full service contracts.
Where to rent diesel pushers
Diesel pushers are specialty peer-to-peer rentals — concentrated on Outdoorsy and RVshare from individual luxury owners. Corporate chains generally don’t carry them.
Who should rent one
- Renters specifically wanting the highest-quality Class A experience
- Long-distance highway trips where fuel-economy gap matters
- Multi-week trips where ride quality matters more
- Buyers test-driving the format before purchasing
For most renters a standard Class A gas motorhome is the better value. Diesel pushers are a luxury rental tier, not a mainstream option.