Gas gauge reads full

[ghsebldr]

I was trying to run my 2004 Winnebago 32g to almost empty. After a couple of trips this spring I had lost track of my gas use so decided to let it get almost empty then fill up just to see how the gauge worked and how many miles I would get to a quarter tank then a half tank and so on. Sitting on what I thought was just past empty it only took 40 gallons. The info on the Winn. site states 55 gallon fuel capacity. This is a f-450 v-10 class C. Anyone else notice this on their similar RV. thanks

[ghsebldr]

Thanks to all for their input.

[Dusty_R]

We have an '02 Itasca 24' on an E-350. It has a 55 gal. gas tank. The gas gauge has an E, but the last mark is at 3/4 tank, there is no mark at E. It is easy to think that the last mark is at E, but it is at 3/4.

Dusty

[Desert_Captain]

My E-350 has the 55 gallon tank and I love the extra range it gives me. When completely full I get 150-160 miles on the first quarter of a tank per the gauge, then it begins to go down more quickly. I usually get just under 400 miles when the gauge shows one quarter remaining at which point I try to fill up as the generator needs that or more to run, typically takes about 41 gallons to fill it.

These numbers are based upon consistently averaging 9.5 mpg cruising at 57-62 mph.:C

[Beverley_Ken]

The gas gauge on our 06 e450 is reasonably accurate. Once, I let is get to the Empty mark, The fillup was 200 litres, about 52 gallons.
We generally refuel at 1/2 tank, takes 25 gallons +/- and goes about 200 miles give or take depending on my right foot. At 1/4 on the gauge it takes about 37 gallons. Rules of thumb for us is about 12-14 gallons per 1/4 tank and about 100miles per quarter.

Beverley and Ken

[ghsebldr]

Thanks for the ideas. I think I will just run it down to half, note the mileage and use that as my indicator.

[enblethen]

Another reason not to run too low, is the fact the fuel cools the fuel pump. Running below the fuel pump motor could cause early failure.

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

I know someone who ran his Bounder out of fuel while on the interstate, and then added 10 gallons. It was not enough to prime the fuel pump, as the intake is in the center of his tank, and sitting on the edge of the roadway, it would not reach from the side of the tank to the center. He ended up needing a tow truck to get the RV level, before it would start again.

If you do decide to run it empty, then I would suggest having about 10 gallons of gas on hand, in case you need all of it. Your tank is a bit smaller than the 75 gallon tanks on the class A chassis. They actually can carry up to about 100 gallons of fuel and air.

Chances are that you have the standard 55 gallon tank for the E-450. Optional on the E-450 is the 40 gallon tank, while the E-350 has a standard 40 gallon and DRW E-350's can optionally get the 55 gallon tank.

IT is best to always cover the fuel pump inside the tank with fuel, it will run much cooler, and last much longer. Not wanting to remove the tank, then replace the pump from the top of that tank, I would not be wanting to run it dry very often. Filling every 40 gallons will give you about 280 - 320 range with 7 MPG or 8 MPG respectively.

My buddy can fill his tank full if the RV is leaning towards the passenger side much better than when it is level. He has put in up to about 39 gallons to the rear 33 gallon tank, once he installed a front tank, and can run the back one empty. Then he can put 8 gallons into the front 16 gallon tank, and be on his way. His range used to be about 20 - 25 gallons before needing to find a gas station, before installing the front tank.

I put in the front tank, removed from another Ford van. The E-350 dually 1986 chassis had the same holes in it for that front tank as any other E-350. By going to a junkyard, we found a fuel filler from a E-450 based shuttle bus, and removed that, took the fuel filler home and figured out a place to install it on the driver side, away from the water heater and refrigerator. Then ran 2" muffler tubing with gas fuel hose connecting it all together. We used factory 90's made from muffler tubing, with short pieces of fuel hose connecting the long straight pieces with the bending pieces. For a vent line, we used some 1/2" fuel hose for the whole length, going uphill all the way from the tank to the filler vent connection. The new front tank sits between the driveshaft and chassis, on the drivers side.

You might have a vent problem, that is not letting all the vapors out of the tank, before fuel is backing up in the fill line, causing the filler to shut off before the tank is full. If you can trickle in another 3-5 gallons of fuel to the tank, then you might find you can improve the filler neck problem, and get that much more fuel in each fill up.

But if you can only trickle in about 1 gallon, then your tank is "Full" and you are only getting out a marginal amount of vapor, and actually overfilling the tank a little bit. Heat from the road and gasoline expansion can cause the tank to overfill, even though you might be driving 60 MPH and using 5-6 gallons per hour, you can overfill the tank for those first few minutes you are on the road as the fuel is expanding due to heating from the underground storage temperature of around 55F to the tank temperature of around 120F.

Some states, such as Oregon post on the fuel pumps that topping off is illegal. This prevents overfill of the tank, and dripping on the ground.

Good luck,

Fred.

[PapPappy]

You may be worrying a bit much....if you figure that you will be getting 7 mpg, which seems to be the magic number with RVs of all sizes, you will be pretty close on your calculations...
Measuring the tank is still the best option. You may find that some of the fuel tanks are difficult to actually FILL...as they click off the pump hand-set much earlier than actually being full. (Something about the way the fill hose/tube goes down into the tank on some models.)

I don't think I would want to run the RV down to empty to test the gas tank. You are inviting problems with dirty fuel and such getting into the filters. I think it's a pretty good practice to try and keep the tank at no less than 1/2 tank, as this will also allow your genset to operate. It would pretty much suck to break down on the side of the road with less than enough fuel to run the generator....and you'll get almost 200 miles on that half tank, so you may want to pull over and stretch your legs anyway.

Have fun this summer:)

[Peg_Leg]

Better it shows empty and still has 11 gals than showing just under a 1/4 and running out. Use the trip or write down the mileage when you fillup.

[ghsebldr]

Measured and came up with 31x36x13 62.8 gallons plus or minus my measuring mistake. I'm still thinking it is a 55 gallon tank. Has anyone here ever run one way past empty?

[ghsebldr]

thanks Fred, I'll measure tomorrow.

[Golden_HVAC]

Ford put two fuel tanks into their E-350 and E-450 chassis.

Winnebago might have selected the smaller tank in order to have more cargo capacity before reaching the GVWR.

I would suggest measure the tank, and then find out how many cubic feet it is, then what gallon capacity that works out to. The 40 gallon tank will have outside dimensions that indicate it can hold 40 gallons of fuel and 8 gallons of vapor, or 48 total.

The 55 gallon tank should hold about 55 gallons + 11 gallons of vapor, or about 66 total. It still might measure out as about 70 gallons.

Fred.