Community Forums

rogo88 · 06-14-2020, 03:34 PM

I know this subject is not a new one, but I'm hoping that over the years someone has solved the problem.
Every time I fuel up, the frustration moves up another notch. It takes 20 minutes to fill the tank with hand modulation full time. No setting the nozzle at one of the presets. I've even created a wood block to put thru' the handle to hold it at an acceptable rate of flow...not a complete success.
Has anyone found a solution? A vent modification? Has some brilliant entrepreneur created a replacement tank? Will a tank from a later model fit?
[same problem at the auto pumps]
Thanks for any input.
Ron

By the way, I've run my tank to below empty and never gotten more than 63 gallons in the 90 gallon tank.

FleetMan · 06-14-2020, 04:48 PM

Have you tried taking the fuel cap off on the opposite side to help the venting. YOU WILL NEED SOMEONE TO MONITOR THE OTHER SIDE AND YELL VERY LOUD WHEN THEY HEAR OR SEE FUEL RISING IN THAT PIPE!

**Petro** · 06-14-2020, 05:11 PM

When I purchased our 2005 Itasca Horizon in 2011 I had the same problem. Freightliner in those years installed the vents on the side of the tank instead of the top where they should be. It does not help to take off the other side fuel cap either as the vent gets plugged with fuel there also. The last 20 gallons were almost impossible to fill.

I did the same as you I made some wedges to push under the nozzle handle but that turned out to be a pain also. At that time I was fueling at PFJ and they changed their software on the pumps to shut down when the automatic nozzle kicked off 3 times. When I complained to PFJ they told me they changed the software due to a lot of spilled fuel.

I bit the bullet and had Freightliner install a new fuel tank in the Horizon with the vents in the top where they belong. That solved the problem but it was not cheap.

Don

cataska · 06-14-2020, 07:04 PM

I just stand there and hold it watching the dollars click by

rogo88 · 06-15-2020, 12:33 PM

Thanks for the replies.
My Journey [2004] does not have dual fill points.

Petro...was your replacement tank a stock item from some tank mfgr.? Was it a stock tank from a later model unit? Was it specially made? Did you look into the possibility of removing the tank and modifying its vent?
Thanks,
Ron

FleetMan · 06-15-2020, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogo88

Thanks for the replies.
My Journey [2004] does not have dual fill points.

Petro...was your replacement tank a stock item from some tank mfgr.? Was it a stock tank from a later model unit? Was it specially made? Did you look into the possibility of removing the tank and modifying its vent?
Thanks,
Ron

FWIW. When I attended Camp Freightliner a number of years ago, Mike Cody, the instructor, said the new president of FCOC at that time refueled a new MH ( maybe just a chassis) and was very disappointed with the fuel tank venting. He came from the truck division and was used to high speed refueling. He supposedly instituted a revised fuel tank venting system to help the slow fueling and fuel spill problem. That may be why a new or replacement tank vents better.

**Petro** · 06-15-2020, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogo88

Thanks for the replies.
My Journey [2004] does not have dual fill points.

Petro...was your replacement tank a stock item from some tank mfgr.? Was it a stock tank from a later model unit? Was it specially made? Did you look into the possibility of removing the tank and modifying its vent?
Thanks,
Ron

I made an appointment at Freightliner's Gaffney Oasis Shop. They ordered the tank and necessary venting changes and they did the installation. I assume it came through their parts department. The only thing I remember was they requested I arrive with the tank as empty as possible which I did. They were able to save the remaining fuel and transfer it to the new tank. I live in a rural area of central Wisconsin. I had previously attended Camp Freightliner and was aware of their reputation for great service.

Don

romson · 08-31-2020, 12:41 AM

I have a 2003 Itasca Horizon and I am assuming from previous entries that your fuel tank vent is very similar to mine.

I had exactly the same problem that you describe and, if you check your two hoses going from your fuel filler neck to the tank - you will have to extend the "living room" slide for access - you will notice that the two rubber hoses leading from the fuel filler neck to the side of the tank, the larger diameter being the fill hose and the smaller diameter is the vent, and find that the smaller hose actually has dropped and is actually lower than the fill hose before either hose reaches the tank! This was what I found on my rig and I used tie-wraps to separate and make sure that the smaller diameter (vent) hose stays above the fill hose.

When the vent hose has dropped, it forces fuel into the vent hose, creating a fuel trap which increases fuel vapor/air pressure out the vent and causes the fuel nozzle to trip and shut off fuel flow to the nozzle.

I read on another forum that some sort of kit is available that relocates the vent to the top of the tank but I can only assume that that modification requires a tank drop and welding another hose nipple on the tank?

rogo88 · 09-01-2020, 06:26 AM

Romson;

Thank you so much for the information you posted. The first time in years that I feel there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. I will check out this possible solution. If it works, you will have helped not only myself, but a large number of others who experience the same problem.

Thanks again,
Ron