Desert Captain wrote:
My 55-gallon tank takes 55 gallons... No amount of "topping up" changes the physics of the tank. Since I prefer to drive on the top half of the tank and rarely if ever let it get below one quarter where the generator won't run if needed I avoid getting lower than that at all costs.
As always... Opinions and YMMV.
:C
I'm not sure what I've noticed in our E450 is related to the physics of the tank. I suspect that it might be related to the evaporative emission control system Ford uses in their Series E vans.
If it is as I suspect above, I get around the Ford system's filling limitations versus gas station fuel pump vapor sensing shutoff systems ... by trickle filling to get the last 5-6 gallons into it's supposedly 55 gallon ... tank.
I have to do the same thing on my GMC pickup and our Lexus sedan in order to get all of the gallons of fuel into their tanks that they say they hold in their specifications. I wonder if this "never really full" problem might be widespread in the vehicles that we - in at least the U.S. - drive.
I like plenty of onboard fuel in our Class C whenever heading out into the middle of nowhere, and an additional 5-6 gallons to reach a true 55 gallons of course helps - especially if unexpected long generator runs turnout to ever be needed.
I consider our large fuel tank along with our built-in Onan generator - if ever needed to when not on hookups - heat our coach, cool our coach, power it's refrigerator, pop our popcorn, deep fat fry our fish and chips, and cook our other food by powering a hot plate and the microwave. I only wish that we had one more electric feature in our Class C to complete this no-hookup emergency self-contained picture -> a water heater that is both propane powered and 120V AC powered. :S
