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DKRITTER · 11-26-2021, 06:31 AM

We're heading home this morning and will have to fuel up before we get home. Using the TSD app I scouted out places on the way home to fill-up. We picked a place where we are now (Lubbock, TX) and it was in poor condition so I scratched it.

The best price is at a Petro in Weatherford, TX but it's 285 miles away making the trip from the last time I filled up just short of 800 miles. We have a 150 gallon tank and there are several good places to fill-up on the way so we can bale out easily.

I'm wondering of the 150 gallon tank how much is actually usable?

PandS · 11-26-2021, 07:41 AM

I think 800 miles is easily within your range. We have gone as far as 690 miles and only took on 84 gallons when we fueled up. We have a 100 gallon tank.- Paul

bentjm · 11-26-2021, 07:52 AM

Even with a 10% reserve, 800 miles should not be a problem.

I have a 150 gallon tank and have put 120 gallons in it before.

Busskipper · 11-26-2021, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

We're heading home this morning and will have to fuel up before we get home. Using the TSD app I scouted out places on the way home to fill-up. We picked a place where we are now (Lubbock, TX) and it was in poor condition so I scratched it.

The best price is at a Petro in Weatherford, TX but it's 285 miles away making the trip from the last time I filled up just short of 800 miles. We have a 150 gallon tank and there are several good places to fill-up on the way so we can bale out easily.

I'm wondering of the 150 gallon tank how much is actually usable?

149 usable, JMHO

- 800 miles filled will be no problem - after driving with the light on "E" for 50 miles I put 135 gallons in once, so it all depends on how the gauge reads.

300 miles would/should be no problem as if you are really worried you could always stop for just 25 gallons along the way.

JMHO,

PanJH · 11-26-2021, 08:17 AM

We also have a '13 DS, a 4338 w/150 gallon tank and have done well over 900 miles between fillups. I try not to do that often, but sometimes, that's the way it works out. On ours, when the low fuel light comes on, there is a bit over 30 gallons left in the tank.

bhammond1980 · 11-26-2021, 08:26 AM

We have 140 gallon capacity and once had a fill-up a touch over 100. On that trip we ran about 40 miles with the low fuel light on. I've started research on ways to improve the gage accuracy. We get 7.5 to 8.5 mpg.

WILDEBILL308 · 11-26-2021, 09:12 AM

WOW there is a low fuel light? I have never seen my light come on because I don't let it get that low.

I have found that when you try to streatch how far you can go wierd things happen. Stations are out of fuel, power is out, no place with acess. That and below 1/4 tank the generator won't run.
DKRITTER, what kind of mileage are you getting? At 7mpg 285 miles is just a tad over 40 gal. Don't overlook some outher places for fuel. Last Tuesday. My local Quick Trip was within $0.05 of the discounted TSD price at Love's south of FW on I-35W.
Bill

twogypsies · 11-26-2021, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILDEBILL308

WOW there is a low fuel light? I have never seen my light come on because I don't let it get that low.

I have found that when you try to stretch how far you can go weird things happen. Stations are out of fuel, power is out, no place with access. That and below 1/4 tank the generator won't run.

I agree. You never know what lies ahead. The rule of thumb for the long Alaska drive is to fill up when at the half mark because you don't know what's ahead. Yes, it could be more expensive but less expensive in the long run if you encounter any unforeseen issues.

hedwards · 11-26-2021, 10:24 AM

Don't believe in pushing the envelope, so I seldom see the gauge go to 1/4 tank if its avoidable, just saying

MRUSA14 · 11-26-2021, 10:39 AM

800 miles is doable, but it is my upper limit for planning. If I drive 800 miles I will then put a little over 105-110 gallons into my 150 gallon tank. That's plenty far for me, and leaves a safe margin for the unexpected. Don't forget that most generators and most Aquahots use diesel fuel too. You need to factor that usage in and reduce your miles between fuel stations accordingly.

DKRITTER · 11-26-2021, 04:48 PM

We made it home and all is well.

To recap for y'all;

We left Lubbock with just over 500 miles traveled and wanted to make it another 285 to the Petro in Weatherford and we did with room to spare. A couple of things to note, Lubbock to Weatherford is downhill (like 2500ish feet) and for the most part today a light tail wind. The time of year played into this as well, I don't think we used the Generator at all and the Oasis minimally.

The Low Fuel warning came on at 765 miles and the trip log said 98 gallons used (doesn't include Gen or Oasis).

When we pulled into the Petro we had a Leg Distance of 785.1 miles, a leg fuel of 101.0 and Economy of 7.8.

We put 115.8 gallons of diesel or a 12.8% difference. In the harsher months I use a 20% difference between estimated and actual.

Thanks y'all, I really didn't think we could the Petro but we did with room to spare.

96kpmjmm · 11-26-2021, 05:12 PM

I could not agree more than with WILDBILL. I never let my fuel go below 1/2 tank . A few years ago our Dutchstar broke down and we needed to be towed, it was a nice feeling knowing that we had 3/4 tank of fuel for the generator and the oasis. I also top off my DEF every time I am able to pull forward at at Loves, TA.

2cyber71 · 11-26-2021, 05:17 PM

I have driven from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Salamanca, NY and back more than once.
It takes 100 gallons in my Horizon. It has a 150 gallon tank.

I stop at M & M Junction in NY right off I 86 for Indian Reservation Diesel.
Last fill up was $2.94 a gallon. Everyone else was $3.60-3.70

Cedar Rapids has low fuel prices too. Casey's and Kwik Trip always have the lowest, one or the other, depending on the day. I paid $3.09 in Cedar Rapids

My fuel light comes on when I have 30 gallons left.

Fefanatic · 11-26-2021, 07:14 PM

Depends on your fuel mileage but I can tell you that in my '04 DSDP I had to change a lift pump and I had to drain the fuel tank and clean it out due to algae. Mine is 150 gallon tank. I put 5 gallons in it and the coach started. I needed to get to the local station about 3 miles away. I didn't make it. I had to add another 5 gallons and that was the difference. Once I got to the station I put 148 gallons into the tank.

So, if yours is similar to mine you probably have around 140-145 gallons available for use. Although, as I stated above I put 5 gallons in and it didn't make it. Adding another 5 gallons got it to the station and I added an additional 148. So, either the pumps were off when I filled or that 150 gallon tank is actually around 155 or more.