Additional fuel carrying capacity on pickup

[dogvetia]

I have motorhomed for years with 100 gal diesel tank. Now have 5er with Ford F-350 diesel with 20 gal tank. Miss the old duel tanks on fords of yesteryear. What have you all done to get more than 200 miles between stops? 5 gal cans in bed? Messy. Looking at 50-75 gal transfer tank in pick up bed but can’t find one short enough that tonneau cover will cover. Any ideas?

[Michelle_S]

When traveling in Alaska, that next fuel stop you have planned may be out of fuel or have no power to run the pumps, next fuel is 100 miles away. Now what do you do?? We carried two extra 6 Gal fuel containers, now have an additional 40 Gal in my Fuel/Took Box combo.

[Cummins12V98]

Veebyes wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
“Stress of looking for fuel”. Now that’s down right funny, what no cell phone???

You have not driven the northern regions of British Columbia, northern Alberta, large areas of Alaska & Newfoundland where cell service does not exist have you?

NOPE and if I were to do so and were a responsible person for the best outcome of my journey I sure would map out the fuel locations before departing. OH I use my Satellite U connect to see fuel stations, just mentioned a cell phone as most have them. Kinda like planning for the next RV Park.

I love this saying.

"PIZZ poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine"

[Veebyes]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
“Stress of looking for fuel”. Now that’s down right funny, what no cell phone???

You have not driven the northern regions of British Columbia, northern Alberta, large areas of Alaska & Newfoundland where cell service does not exist have you?

[Cummins12V98]

Some prefer to stop to relieve them selves and some don’t. 😉

[RickLight]

I know floor plans very but all this about pee breaks make me wonder. This is an RV forum, right? What percentage AREN'T dragging a bathroom?

[Cummins12V98]

Hey add all the gallons one wants I am fine with that. If I ever get a new truck I will opt for the 50g tank. For now I carry a full 5g in my toolbox.

ALL my towing has been in the West. All it takes is some planning.

I may add a 55 TITAN some day but so far nearly 7 years on 32 plus Five have been fine.

[spoon059]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
“Stress of looking for fuel”. Now that’s down right funny, what no cell phone???

Have you never driven out West, where cell phone reception and gas stations aren't as prevalent as the East coast? If you have a half tank and aren't paying attention (or its raining, or you can't find a large enough station, or a station that offers diesel rather than unleaded, or whatever) you can easily find yourself with very few options and stress starting to creep in. Towing a longer trailer limits gas stations that are preferable. Length to turn around, egress angles, prices near a city/highway as opposed to out in the country, etc.

In regards to taking a break after 3 hours, I agree... but I'd prefer to stop at a rest stop or park, rather than a dirty or cramped gas station. If I've got 50 gallons, I can pull right off the highway and stretch my legs, sit outside with the family and eat lunch, etc and get right back on the road.

Having 50+ gallons of fuel gives you more options and less stress. I'm not sure why everyone feels the need to denigrate, rather than either offer a helpful answer or simply ignore the topic if it you don't like it. Some of y'all need to go camping...

[MFL]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
My '03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 305/555 engine nv5600 tranny 3.73 gears short bed came with the factory 34 gallon fuel tank = 300-325 miles when pulling my 11200 lb 5th wheel trailer. On the road I look for a refill when the tank shows 1/4 mark.
At 300 miles and my age I'm looking for a potty brake anywayz.

The old truck is showing its age mechanically at 360k+ miles.
Sure wish I could buy a new one just like it.

Not only the need to pee but one should get out and walk to prevent blood clots. Not just an Old Guy thing.

Very good point made by Dr. 12V. Seriously, sitting for long periods is bad for circulation, and overall health.

Jerry

[Cummins12V98]

JIMNLIN wrote:
My '03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 305/555 engine nv5600 tranny 3.73 gears short bed came with the factory 34 gallon fuel tank = 300-325 miles when pulling my 11200 lb 5th wheel trailer. On the road I look for a refill when the tank shows 1/4 mark.
At 300 miles and my age I'm looking for a potty brake anywayz.

The old truck is showing its age mechanically at 360k+ miles.
Sure wish I could buy a new one just like it.

Not only the need to pee but one should get out and walk to prevent blood clots. Not just an Old Guy thing.

[JIMNLIN]

My '03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 305/555 engine nv5600 tranny 3.73 gears short bed came with the factory 34 gallon fuel tank = 300-325 miles when pulling my 11200 lb 5th wheel trailer. On the road I look for a refill when the tank shows 1/4 mark.
At 300 miles and my age I'm looking for a potty brake anywayz.

The old truck is showing its age mechanically at 360k+ miles.
Sure wish I could buy a new one just like it.

[Cummins12V98]

“Stress of looking for fuel”. Now that’s down right funny, what no cell phone???

[Veebyes]

First owner of my 2006 Silverado 3500 had it set up very nicely with a combo fuel/toolbox in the bed, switchable from inside the cab.

It gives me about 70gal total & the ability to tow for at least 500 miles more or less flatish ground without the stress of looking for fuel when a tank gets low.

Having this volume onboard is especially handy on trips to Alaska where fuel stations are few & far between.

[MarkTwain]

Michelle.S wrote:
Here's my opinion: On these newer Trucks with all the HP and Torque a few hundred pounds of extra fuel will never be noticeable in the mileage. It take thousands of pounds of weight to make a difference and even that isn't as much as the frontal area of these Boxes we pull around. My first Diesel a 2005 Chevy Duramax with the 5 speed xmission was used to pull three different trailers, a 24' TT, 30' TT, and a 35' Fifthwheel and the mileage towing was so close you couldn't really tell any real difference.

Agree %100 based on my own milage after installing a 60 gal. Transfer Flow auxiliary diesel fuel tank.

[laknox]

I was looking at the Titan tanks a number of years ago. My '02 D'max has 26 gal and the replacement is 45 or 46 gal. Can't remember for sure. I do carry a 5 gal can in the bed as a spare, but I just plan for my range. Hell, at a certain age, you've got to stop every 3 hours to pee, so just find a place to fill up. If DW's with you, it's usually every hour. 🙂 I know that, on my way to Colorado, I have certain stops, and that includes the rest area / tourist office just E of the AZ border on 40. We go in, pee and I dump the 5 gals in, and I can make it all the way to Gallup, after topping off in Payson AZ. Just refill the jug when I stop in Gallup. Because I almost never travel alone, I really don't need the larger tank. Yeah, it'd help me find cheaper fuel and bypass more expensive areas, but it's not that big a deal. If I needed to, I'd bring 2 5 gal jugs...just in case.

Lyle

[Michelle_S]

Here's my opinion: On these newer Trucks with all the HP and Torque a few hundred pounds of extra fuel will never be noticeable in the mileage. It take thousands of pounds of weight to make a difference and even that isn't as much as the frontal area of these Boxes we pull around. My first Diesel a 2005 Chevy Duramax with the 5 speed xmission was used to pull three different trailers, a 24' TT, 30' TT, and a 35' Fifthwheel and the mileage towing was so close you couldn't really tell any real difference.