Community Forums

marlindy · 03-14-2017, 12:44 PM

We are driving a 2011 Chevy dually diesel pickup pulling a Redwood 39' fifth wheel. We have been planning our trip this year to Utah, Zion, Bryce, Arches; then west to Colorado for Durango, Black Canyon Gunnison, Rocky Mtn. National Park; Then Wyoming & Montana for the usual tourist stops.

My wife has been reading that on this trek it will be long between diesel refueling opportunities & has been nagging me to get a reserve fuel tank installed.

Of course, not only are they very expensive, the extra weight will put us over the combined weight rating.

How hard is it, really, to find diesel in these areas?

Thanks

micsol84 · 03-14-2017, 12:46 PM

Not a lot of truck stops and there can be some distance between towns but every town here has diesel. Especially after you get west of denver. Although I can only speak for Colorado. But I have traveled around Wyoming and Utah and their availability is good too like I said biggest problem is distance between towns

rgvtexan · 03-14-2017, 12:53 PM

Welcome to iRV2.

Unless you have a very short range, you should have no problem.

Load the Gas Buddy App on your cell or computer. Go to the Heat Map, select Diesel and you can trace the roads for stations and get the price, and map info.

In that part of the country everyone drives PU and most are diesel

Enjoy the ride!

Busskipper · 03-14-2017, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgvtexan

Welcome to iRV2.

Unless you have a very short range, you should have no problem.

Load the Gas Buddy App on your cell or computer. Go to the Heat Map, select Diesel and you can trace the roads for stations and get the price, and map info.

In that part of the country everyone drives PU and most are diesel

Enjoy the ride!

Uness you have an Extremely short Range - these route are done all year long by folks like you in he Big Truck with limited range - just know where you are going to stop - use the App - and have at it - Out West diesel is almost everywhere so to relieve your Worry - mount two jugs in the bed ( 5 Gal 20L Jerry Can Gasoline Gas Fuel Can Emergency Backup Gas Caddy Tank | eBay )

This gives you piece of mind - not too much weight - and if you ever need the extra fuel let us know - you will likely be a First.

JMHO,

JiminJersey · 03-14-2017, 04:21 PM

The only stretch you might need to be careful on is a chunk of I-70 west of Green River, UT and Spotted Wolf Canyon. There's about a 100+/- mile stretch with no services whatsoever that runs through the La Sal mountains and the San Rafael Swell. Other than that, there's diesel comin' out yer ears out there....

**TonyDi** · 03-14-2017, 07:55 PM

Determine your range. If you buy a copy of "Next Exit", you can see all the fueling stations along your route. Planning is important. However don't get below 1/3 tank without filling. There are a lot of diesel stations on the interstates, with rare exception.

You might also want to look into diesel fuel cans and secure them in your truck bed. It would be a lot cheaper then installing a permanent tank. Two 5 gal tanks = about 80-100 miles

S Bradley · 03-14-2017, 08:46 PM

I have never give it much thought at 300 miles I start looking for diesel. I like fresh fuel so I tend to look for busy station. Nearly all the locals are ranchers or farmers driving diesels. I use the same practice in Canada & Alaska.

twogypsies · 03-14-2017, 10:17 PM

You'll have no problems. Just don't wait until you're low. There are thousands and thousands of ranchers who live there and they all have diesel trucks. It's a popular RV touring area and there are many diesel trucks and motorhomes. Don't worry about it.

andy29847 · 03-15-2017, 04:26 AM

There are plenty of places that have fuel. The issue, especially if you get off the interstates, will be finding a place that you can fit your truck and trailer into.

Adding the aux tank to my diesel was the best RV type decision I have made. I bought a 45 gallon tank from Northern Tools and installed it myself. I have enough fuel to travel more the 750 miles per day. When I am on the road, I wait until we have stopped for the day, and the trailer is unhooked, before I go for a fill up. Since I don't have the trailer on the truck when I am looking for fuel, I can price shop too.

You can see my tank sticking up a little behind my tool box in this picture.

joes2901 · 03-23-2017, 11:56 AM

Get the Pilot/Flying-J app for your phone they have truck access and fresh fuel.

Edd505 · 03-23-2017, 10:06 PM

Down Load Gas Buddy it has a setting for Diesel.

Old-Biscuit · 03-23-2017, 11:51 PM

Grew up in WY/UT

Traveled FT for 7 yrs towing 34' 5th wheel
Travel almost exclusively on secondary/back roads avoiding Interstates as much as possible.

Traveled all over the US.........and many places in/thru WY, CO, UT, MT, ID etc.
Never had an issue finding diesel fuel and I don't use Pilot/Flying J ....regular service stations

It might be called the Old West but they are up to 21st Century standards....OK maybe 20th Century ----some places still have hitching posts

BarryG20 · 03-24-2017, 08:20 AM

Should have no problem. Flying J and other large truck stops aren't going to be found frequently off the interstate and even then not like you would find farther east. We have never had problems getting fuel. Occasionally we may find it hard to fit in some of the small town stations but again not really an issue. I usually carry a 5 gallon tank for the just in case as there have been times when I got lower than I wanted to be due to a spur of the moment side trip or I had gotten fuel here before but now it is closed but have never run out. In Utah out in the sticks you can certainly find stations closed on Sunday or early in the evening say 6pm in the small towns and it may be the only one, Loa, Utah comes to mind and have run across it in other small towns out there. However there is usually one open within 20-30 miles. Also just because there is a town on the map at least in Utah doesn't mean there is a gas station, grocery store etc At around 1/2 tank I will start paying more attention and if I see a good easy access I will stop if not I will keep going until I see a better spot but as has been mentioned previously they can be relatively far apart but not usually a problem the poster that mentioned Green River to Salina on I-70 is right it is over 100 miles to the next services. I would not wait until my low fuel light came on to start looking for fuel.

petrel · 03-24-2017, 08:52 AM

As mentioned previously. It should not be a problem. However, it is prudent to stay on the top half of your tank and plan your fuel stops.

My pickup is a little short on fuel capacity. A couple of 5-gallon cans in the bed can provide some peace of mind, if the fuel stops get a little far apart for comfort.

I couldn't justify an auxiliary tank. Making it big enough to justify the cost, give up the bed space, and afford some real range improvement, would mean traveling well beyond the bladder range of most of my passengers.