Disappointing Range

[ChattaBob]

About to switch from a MH to trailer and shopping for a HD truck to pull my 8,300 lb ORV 19MKS.
How do y'all live with such small fuel tanks? Just get fuel every 250 miles or so or are you using an auxiliary tank?

Thanks

[Flyer15015]

Al the Texan's that came up to our campground for the summer months pulling with a truck, had humongous fuel tanks in the bed just aft of the cab, so they did not have to buy Colorado fuel. SOME of the diesel looked awfully red.

Mike in Colorado

[Cumminsfan]

Depending on the road traveled 250 miles is okay with me. If I'm heading across hwys in the PNW then the speeds are in the 50's +/- 10 mph. So at 50 mph that's 5 hrs in the truck. That's more than enough for me without a stop to eat/pee/stretch,etc.

On the freeway at 65-68 mph that's 3-3/4 hrs. That's just right for a stop and I may as well get fuel at the same time. Then another 3-3/4 hrs and it's 500 miles. 7.5 hrs is more than I like unless I have a long way for a preplanned stop.

We're retired so we don't mind burning daylight on a trip.

[Bobby F]

Originally Posted by ChattaBob

How do y'all live with such small fuel tanks?

You should never even consider a typical Class C. I would love to have a 250 mile range.

[d23haynes57]

Originally Posted by Bobby F

You should never even consider a typical Class C. I would love to have a 250 mile range.

Yes! I had a 92 E-350 with the 35 gallon tank. 7-7.5 mpg on a good day.
The E-450's usually have a 55 gallon tank and the V-10s do better 8.5 to maybe 10.

[xc-mark]

36 gallons under the truck and 53 gallons in the bed , at 9 mpg in most case get us about 700 miles with some hills and safety margin. we stop to do 5 mins streach/pee every few hours where is safe to do it. NO fuel or FAST FOOD stops, make some sandwiches and pack snacks.

[ChattaBob]

Maybe it's me but frequent stops at rest stops are enjoyable and relaxing.

Fuel stops especially for gasoline, while towing, is the exact opposite of enjoyable and relaxing. And even that assumes there are decent high volume stations available vs a desolate overpriced country store that may or may not have fresh fuel.

[ChattaBob]

xc-mark: Can you elaborate on your 53 gallons in the bed?
That sounds interesting to me.

[Arch Hoagland]

ChattaBob...Are you buying a gas or diesel truck?

[MooseCountry]

Our 2024 3500 Tradesman 4x4 Crew Cab came with very few options other than the HO Cummins with a 50 gallon fuel tank. With our 2016 Ram 2500 4x4 Crew Cab Power Wagon towing in Western Colorado I carry 10 gallons of extra fuel. A 31 gallon tank doesn't go much further than 200 miles in the Rockies towing our ORV before the low fuel warning. Our family's 2014 Ram 2500 Cummins in a remote region in Wyoming carries a 60 gallon auxiliary tank in the bed.

Western Slope of Colorado is larger in size than Pennsylvania, but with 5% of the population. If you aren't on US 50, US 550, US 160, or Interstate 70 the fuel stops are very far between. Our local station currently charges $5.399 for diesel and $4.699 for regular. The next fuel stop on the highway is 40 miles and around $2 per gallon less, but it's over a huge mountain.

[ChattaBob]

Arch Hoagland......I am leaning heavily toward gasoline.

[Bobby F]

Originally Posted by d23haynes57

Yes! I had a 92 E-350 with the 35 gallon tank. 7-7.5 mpg on a good day.

That's mine! If anything would ever drive me to a different unit, it will be this. I like to do my long drives at night, and fuel stress is a very real and taxing thing in the middle of Texas or New Mexico, looking ahead for that lit-up sign.


(And I never feel happy carrying full gas cans.)

[d23haynes57]

If you're concerned about range enough that you are looking to add a tank then go Deisel. Just for the safety aspect lone. Deisel is combustible whereas gasoline is flammable.

[ChattaBob]

d23haynes57..........Though I prefer gas, I am thinking diesel for this exact reason.