Community Forums

raywaller · 06-18-2015, 09:29 AM

My Travel Supreme ME RV indicates 3/4 full of diesel when the tank has been topped off at the fuel nozzle opening. Does it need calibrated? Does that mean when it indicates empty it is really 1/4 full?

sailor_lou · 06-18-2015, 09:53 AM

That's a hard one to answer with the info provided. It could be as you stated that is off by 25%. It also could be the float or gauge is mechanically binding at the 75% position and will not indicate any higher. Does it immediately come down when you drive a few miles (25 miles or so) or do you see a change in the gauge's position after you've driven about a 1/4 of the fuel, in my case around 200 miles (25 gals at 8 mi/gal)? At 50% indicated level how much fuel does it take to top it off?

I'm not sure if it can be calibrated, but maybe someone else has experienced a similar problem will chime in. Also, if you call Spartan with your VIN they are usually very helpful answering any questions with chassis related items. Good luck.

Dale F · 06-18-2015, 07:11 PM

Mine kind of floats around when topped off too. It shows a little more than 3/4. I use the how many miles to empty & and on a topped off tank it shows low then builds up. I simply don't trust the gauge and will drive "X" number miles then top off the tank.

sailor_lou · 06-19-2015, 09:32 AM

Ray/Dale,

FWIW the gauges can work better. Mine is amazingly accurate. Based on the indication, I can usually guess within 5 gals how much fuel I will need to top off the tank. It is rock steady until I get down to 1/8-1/4 tank, then it starts to swing all over the place when I turn or brake.

Dale F · 06-20-2015, 10:14 AM

Yes, I know it can work right and if I wanted to spend the money it would. I just resided myself to measuring the mileage. Normally, I don't like the tank to go below a half. The gauge does work better down lower and it'll work itself out after some miles driven. I have had the red light flicker and then come on steady telling me it's definitely time to stop.

sailor_lou · 06-20-2015, 03:22 PM

I know what you mean about maintaining level above a half tank. The few times I ran it low enough to get the red light to illuminate, my heart was racing (and my butt was tight) until I found a fuel stop that I could negotiate with the toad connected. When we travel in unfamiliar areas the rule for me is to start looking for a fuel stop at 1/2 tank or every 400 or so miles. Since that's more than what we typically travel in a day it works out well.

rhusak · 06-20-2015, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailor_lou

I know what you mean about maintaining level above a half tank. The few times I ran it low enough to get the red light to illuminate, my heart was racing (and my butt was tight) until I found a fuel stop that I could negotiate with the toad connected. When we travel in unfamiliar areas the rule for me is to start looking for a fuel stop at 1/2 tank or every 400 or so miles. Since that's more than what we typically travel in a day it works out well.

Lou..
I have regularly traveled 1000 miles between fuel stops.. Maybe I just like being on the razors edge? 150 gallon tank will do that!
Ron

raywaller · 06-21-2015, 06:40 AM

Thanks to all of you. I usually start looking to refuel between 1/2 and 1/4, I was just bothered because the gauge use to peg to full and remain there for several miles. I'll plan on checking my miles traveled in the future. I think I'll also check with Cummins to see if they have any recommendations relating to fuel additives; just thought an additive might clean the float mechanism.

yackman · 06-21-2015, 08:45 AM

This thread is of interest to me. While parked for the winter in Arizona, my gauge showed less fuel as the season passed. It was showing empty before we left for home. It took a couple of topping off and about 1000 miles to appear to read normal. We left with about 3/4 tank of fuel.

Any solution for this I would be interested in.

larryj41 · 07-03-2015, 08:20 AM

On our 2002 TS I have found that when I fill up at 1/4 of a tank, I end up putting in around 44-48 gallons. I am chicken, however, to let it get below 1/4 on the gauge.

hal1phx · 07-03-2015, 08:29 AM

We too start looking for fuel stops between 1/2 & 1/4. Ours also will only read just over 3/4 when full ...

drwyatt · 07-21-2015, 01:43 PM

I put a note on the dash with the mileage when I fill. Then I add about 900 miles to it and look for fuel. I also use Gas Buddy to check fuel prices on my route and if I find a good price will stop for fuel to save money. My fuel gauge will vary from where it should be from time to time.

DA_BUS · 07-22-2015, 09:47 PM

Just a guess....if you are fueling on a slight slant....the tank probably isn't getting full as my 150 gallon will appear to get fuller on a level filling surface than a slant. If you can see your onboard fresh water tank.....when filling that you can really see how much you can't get into the tank if the coach isn't level.....then again maybe your gauge isn't working right.