Do you carry extra fuel

We have a 60 gal aux tank. I wouldn't be with out it. Best money ever spent. We stop when we want to, not because we have to.

10 gal. on trips to unfamilliar territory.

I hate stopping to fuel up. If our current Class C motorhome carried enough gas for a 1000 mile trip without fueling I'd be a happier camper. That doesn't mean we don't stop every couple of hours for other restful or beautiful reasons - but often going out of our way to find, and stop at, a busy (and ugly) gas station to fuel up - no way.

The DW and myself decades ago built a camper into our new at the time 1972 Dodge van. One of the first things I did was install a 40 gallon aux gas tank to supplement it's stock 26 gallon one. Those two tanks together gave us a range of over 1000 miles. That van's 318 V8 with long gearing averaged 16-18 MPG, which is tough to beat with even today's "high tech" engines. Of course gas back then didn't have ethanol in it.

Nope.

Yea the extra fuel I carry is in the aux 50 gal tank in the bed. 800 or miles of towing. Why waste 30 min or more every 300 miles at a gas station that may not be easy to get into or out of.

We recently upgraded TV to a Diesel Excursion. I bought a 5 gal can but haven't carried it with fuel yet.

Two things make a difference for some.

Diesel vs Gas. The expansion rate and resulting smell inside a vehicle is quite a bit more with gasoline. Diesels really do not like air in the fuel, such as from a low tank.

The other is towing with SUV vs pickup truck with a separate bed. We would have to carry fuel inside the passenger area- although about 12ft behind the driver, LOL. Yeah, this thing is big.

We have at least 10 miles to the nearest diesel. It used to be almost 18 miles and closed at night.

There have been many times the fueling stations are closed, out of fuel, power is out, or something about pump maintenance or tank replacement, etc.

I've been on fumes in both gas and diesel more in the past 2 yrs than ever before. Maybe because we don't make a trip to town nearly as often.

Another consideration is pump access. We aren't near an interstate unless traveling. Few of our pumps have room for trucks, let alone TV plus trailer.

If you get the one pump on the end with diesel and can get around the cagers and gassers who use that pump and go inside to get their sandwiches...and then hope there is still room to pull out after filling up.

Have you seen what some people consider acceptable parking? LOL.

We have a 44 gallon tank. Filling the 5 gallon at least half way, to avoid spilling- is something I am really considering. Another 30 miles or so might just be the ticket some day, especially if we are traveling into unfamiliar areas.

We have one North/South freeway, and 1 1/2 East West Freeways (I-94 is pretty short).
No, I don't carry any fuel cans. Even heading for Northwestern Montana, using State Route 3 to U.S. Hwy 12, to U.S. 191 to U.S. 87 to I-15 to U.S. 2, there is no shortage of all night gas stations/truck stops.
I usually start full, of course, then spend the night and fill up in Great Falls, top off in Shelby or Cut Bank, and that gets me to where I'm going.
Generally, I want to stop every 200 to 250 miles for fuel, regardless if I am in the truck or the motorhome. Rest stops are as needed.
I don't even carry fuel for the ATVs! A full tank in each is usually enough for all the traveling we do on them.

Lots of Fifth Wheeler have tanks in their pick up beds.
I remember in 79 nearly running out of fuel from Russel Arkansas into Missouri.
It was 200+ miles to next fuel by signs. Most rural stations, that fr out, then, didn't stay open late either.
Haven't run out in the Mh but with roughly 600 mile range not likely. Still we fill it up when the gauge is near half and there are stations around.
It's long way between places, in Big Ben and rural Texas and up through Colorado, Utah and so on.

Tundra owner here and the downside to long distance towing with the Tundra is its "short legs" meaning it can comfortably go about 200 miles towing with the 26 gal tank. It is normally not an issue for us but has been a few times and I've considered carrying 5 gallons of gas just in case. On the other hand, I don't like to drive over 200 miles without taking a break anyway, there just needs to be gas nearby if I stretch it that far.

BTW, I know my Tundra can go at least 10 miles towing when the DIC indicates 0 miles of range left. Don't ask me how I learned that.

fj12ryder wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I already have a 35 gallon tank. Why do I need another tank? I ca go a long way on 35 gallons of diesel. If I need to go further than I need to stop and refuel.
If it is late or I am in a strange area I need to stop and refuel sooner.
As my football coach used to say"Prior planning prevents piss poor performance".
I do not need 6 more gallons for peace of mind Really?!
Nor do I need and additional 50 gallon Aux. tank, I just need to pay attention and use the tank I have.

Maybe you don't need it, but I sure do. I don't need to stop at a pleasant rest area/park rather than a noisy, busy gas station, but I sure like it better. I don't need to wonder whether I can get into that little crowded gas station, so I don't.

I do understand different strokes for different strokes and the peace of mind additional fuel gives nevertheless. The additional cost of the aux tank and the bed space it occupies are deal breakers for me. If I full timed the tank maybe beneficial but currently I see no need for it.
For the record I can and do stop at peaceful rest areas even with my OEM tank. Ss far as busy gas stations go sooner or later we all have to fill up. Some stations are better than others but stopping for fuel is a necessary evil for everyone. Even those with aux. tanks eventually fill up.