How Far Can We Go?

[Gonzo42]

Before I got reliable numbers on our new toy I was worried about running to Empty. I even stopped for $20 of Diesel when I was only 20 miles from home and I still had 2 bars out of 10 on the fuel gage.

So I worked up a spreadsheet based on the fuel mileages I thought I could expect and the capacity of the tank per manufacture. I then came up with this graph. I can see by my odometer how many miles from fillup and per my fuel gage estimate miles left until empty.

[B_s_Bunch]

I am concerned about mileage too as I drive conservable as to not waste fuel. 65mph-1800/1850 rpm seems to do best. I have never been able to get any reasonable idea of fuel mileage I actually get. We never go the same route with the same road conditions or weather. I try to fuel up at around half to quarter tank. Half makes it seem easier on the wallet. The best I have figured is 7.5 never been able to get 8 yet but have seen 6 a couple times. I think to get any accurate idea you would have to be in a controlled environment and that is not what we purchased this rig for anyway. It cost to move these things down the road. Larry

[carp65]

Don't have a diesel, but usually start thinking about filling up when the
gauge hits 1/2. Mileage has no bearing as there are too many variables in
travel to depend on or use this factor. Don't need a spreadsheet to figure
out when the gauge hits 1/2 empty.

[bukhrn]

JamesBr wrote:
I am a 1/4 tank person. I prefer not to let the vehicles go under 1/4 tank unless I have to.

And I Really don't want to have to.

[mowermech]

Mike and Trish wrote:
Do you have a generator (or for that matter a hydronic heating system)? Those will usually cut off around 1/4 tank or so, a safety measure to preserve the last gallons for driving. One more reason to never go below 1/4 tank.

I disagree! That is the primary reason to never go below ONE HALF a tank!
That is also one reason to fill the tank before winter. If the house power goes out, and I have to move into the motorhome for a while, I do NOT want the generator to fail due to lack of fuel!
So, when it gets to half a tank, I start looking for a place to fill it, and I fill it before parking it for the winter (and add Sta-Bil).

[et2]

I just expect the worst as far as mpg and fill up at half a tank. It keeps us out of trouble. The mpg means nothing if you watch your fuel gauge. Mpg just leaves you with more or less money in your pocket based on fuel prices.

[Fishinghat]

Gonzo42 wrote:
OK, I admit it! I use my spreadsheet for EVERYTHING, and believe me, I do stuff it was never meant to do. I track stuff that would make normal people go crazy. However, this makes it a little simpler when I get, instead of, "are we there yet", I get "are we going to run out of fuel before we get there" every hour or so.

So I thought I would share this with anyone else that might have some hysteria from the right seat.

X2

Can't know too much. (I'm also guilty of over thinking things.)

As for us, we have 150 gallon tank and get 10 mpg, so I have a theoretical range of 1,500 miles. However, I always refuel every 500 miles or so just to avoid any potential problems (and take advantage of lower prices).

[john_bet]

I started driving long distances in Nov. of '65. Have never run out of fuel yet. I hate to think how many miles I have been in at least 44 different states. I do not carry spare fuel either.

[koda55]

We have a 150 gallon tank. I always have my fuel stops figured out before we ever leave. This usually equates to just under a half of tank. You never know what you might encounter just down the road that you will need that extra fuel. When I was an over the road driver never went below a half tank in winter.

[Mike_and_Trish]

Do you have a generator (or for that matter a hydronic heating system)? Those will usually cut off around 1/4 tank or so, a safety measure to preserve the last gallons for driving. One more reason to never go below 1/4 tank.

[Mr_Beebo]

My 2500 has a 26 gallon tank and average about 10mpg pulling a trailer. So around 180 miles or a little over a quarter tank, I start looking for the next gas/stretch you legs/bathroom break/junk food and soda station. On trips out west I have carried a 5 gallon tank in back for the just in case situations.

[Alan_Hepburn]

We don't have a diesel rig, but our gas rig has a 75 gallon tank, a fuel gauge, and a warning beeper. When that beeper starts making noise, the co-pilot looks at me and asks "What's that noise?". At that point we have 15 gallons left in the tank and there better be a gas station within a few miles of I'll be sleeping outside!

We can typically go over 400 miles before that beeper sounds off, but we usually look for a convenient station before that.

[Jim_Shoe]

As I age, I've found that my potty breaks need more attention than the gas gauge, so I pull into a gas station to empty my tank and fill the MH's tank while I'm there. 🙂

[Veebyes]

You are gonna burn what you are gonna burn. Like most I have some concern about fuel economy. I try to drive at a speed that the truck will get into the highest gear possible for the road conditions.

Having 2 tanks is nice. I can go 700 miles between fillups towing. I can play the best price game using gasbuddy & get through states with higher priced fuel without refueling.

I reset one of the odometers at each fillup & switch tanks at 300 miles. Usually at 1/3full on the second tank we are getting serious about getting a fillup.

[lakeside013104]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I've never really worried about the 'miles' as mpg can change due to headwinds, terrain, traffic etc.

So when fuel gauge gets to 1/2 tank I look for fuel and fill up.
Gives me plenty of leeway to find fuel.

Old-Biscuit gives good advice. OP's graph looks good, especially for folks that enjoy to compute things.

Lakeside

[Kit_Carson]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I've never really worried about the 'miles' as mpg can change due to headwinds, terrain, traffic etc.

So when fuel gauge gets to 1/2 tank I look for fuel and fill up.
Gives me plenty of leeway to find fuel.

This is what I do exactly. Not a wealthy person but I don't worry too much about MPG. Can't have an economical RV I don't think. Just enjoy the scenery. Happy travels.