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Trailering

tomman58
Explorer
Explorer
After several years of visiting this site I have to ask.... Why are so many interesting in such odd setups to their trailering????

I travel across the US from Michigan to Maryland to Las Vegas to Tucson to Florida every year pretty much. I have a Dmax and a 36' Jayco TT. I am wondering just how many of you really need or want items like 55 gallon diesel tanks, or worry about MPG or a reasonable speed to travel at.
Unless you spend weeks and months on the road like we do annually then why would you sweat these items??
I am not a full timer but would guess our travels that takes several weeks never needed answers to these items listed above. I mean why sweat a 55 gallon fuel tank?? You only go out while on vacation a few weeks a year and your roan time is but a few days not weeks. Your speed is derived from knowing your set up and you experience again a few days on the road doesn't make you a hauler.
I don't know but most inquires seem like not of much value to most.
2015 GMC D/A, CC 4x4/ Z71 ,3.73,IBC SLT+
2018 Jayco 338RETS
2 Trek bikes
Honda EU2000i
It must be time to go, the suns out and I've got a full tank of diesel!
We have a granite fireplace hearth! Love to be a little different.
34 REPLIES 34

LVJJJ
Explorer
Explorer
Our 94 Burb has a 42 gallon tank so at 10 mpg with our 383 we can go 420 miles, rarely do that in a day. Love it, if we hit a lonely stretch in the middle of Nevada don't have to worry about running out of petrol, love having this extra protection. i quit worrying about gas mileage years ago, cause when I did I didn't enjoy RV'ing very much. Fill it, drive it and enjoy it. I usually don't look at the gas pump while its filling or afterwards. If you worry about mileage a lot, buy a Prius and stay in hotels. Big tanks are necessary for tow vehicles. We started out with a 1965 Chevy Van pulling 24' TT's with a 292 engine, had a 16 gallon tank so we planned our trips from gas station to gas station. actually still have the van and it still will tow.
1994 GMC Suburban K1500
2005 Trail Cruiser TC26QBC
1965 CHEVY VAN, 292 "Big Block 6" (will still tow)
2008 HHR
L(Larry)V(Vicki)J(Jennifer)J(Jesse)J(Jason)

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
One of my fellow employees likes to travel with 55 gallon of "Company" gasoline when he leaves town. More "convenient" for some of us to fill up with deductible fuel when RVing. Ed could get to Florida on "free" gasoline when not towing.

Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Explorer
I think the Op put this posting here because it would have turned into a EV recharging and battery argument in the tow vehicle section.
Dad of Four Girls
Wife
Employee of GM, all opinions are my own!
2017 Express Ext 3500 (Code named "BIGGER ED" by daughters)
2011 Jayco Jayflight G2 32BHDS

4x4van
Explorer III
Explorer III
I'm really not sure why anyone else's fuel tank size is of such interest to Tom. He says he really can't see any reason to do a "55 gallon tank". Seriously? And I can't really see any reason to have a smaller tank. What makes anyone else's fueling preferences "odd" to him?

My last RV had a 40 gallon tank; I hated it since my typical trip was about 350 miles, and at 7mpg, I had to make an additional stop for fuel on the way home. My current rig has a 75 gallon tank; I can now make that same trip without having to stop for fuel on the way home. It also guarantees that I have plenty of fuel for the generator if needed, both at the campsite and on the way home (for AC use).
We don't stop playing because we grow old...We grow old because we stop playing!

2004 Itasca Sunrise M-30W
Carson enclosed ATV Trailer
-'85 ATC250R, '12 Husky TE310, '20 CanAm X3 X rs Turbo RR
Zieman Jetski Trailer
-'96 GTi, '96 Waveblaster II

GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Explorer II
BarneyS wrote:
Tomman,
I have been a member of this forum for 21 years and have probably answered a number of the same question a hundred times. I don't consider it repetitious or boring because each person has a reason for asking and I consider it a privilege to help them out if possible.
I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping people and I'm sure that is the motivation behind a most of our members also.
Barney

“Like”
Kip
2015 Skyline Dart 214RB
2018 Silverado Double Cab 4x4
Andersen Hitch

Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Explorer III
tomman58 wrote:


You seem to be on a rant over bathrooms. I normally go to any where the big boys go like Flying J , there rest rooms are just fine. I do not mind using the trailer either but rest stops on the I slabs are just fine also. Never needed an extra tank ever since GM went to the larger tank , never had one in the past either.
.


Well, folks here seem to be on a "rant" over fuel stops and "taking a break" which typically includes a restroom stop also.

Sure, you are "combining" several things, however, I have had the pleasure of less than stellar locations for fuel stops.

Perhaps all of the stations you stop at are pristine, made of gold and have fancy "attendants" manning the restrooms.. I have not had that pleasantry.

And not all of the "big boys" stations are that great either, in fact I ran into one that had "pay showers" for the big boys, that restroom was beyond terrible, it was down right disgusting, took looking at 10 stalls to find one that wasn't overflowed. A lot of "truckers" are not very nice when it comes to restroom etiquette. Ever notice how the big rig parking at Interstate reststops smells like sewage? Yep, that isn't from the "campers", that comes from truckers using and dumping their pee bottles in the parking lot.. Felt bad for my DW and DD that they had to use such terrible facilities.

Not all gas stations are placed in good safe places..

Makes you feel real safe when you the customer find yourself on the outside of a building looking through 2" thick bullet proof glass window to pay for the fuel.. The cashier was safely tucked inside and you are standing outside.. Ripe for getting mugged and the cashier can only call for Police if someone is in trouble. Have run into that more than once.

Without the "need" for a bunch of fuel stops, we can simply pull off the road anywhere and stretch whenever we need a break. We sight see, we sometimes shop and yes we can also use our own restroom.. Our stops are not tied to needing to fill the gas tank..

Overall, in our typical 800 mile one way trip we are able to cut out 2 fuel stops just be carrying an addition 15 gallons of gas. We now just make one fuel stop about halfway and that is where we "overnight" so it also does not eat into our driving time.. Overall, we are saving better than two hrs of on the road drive time each way so we get to our destinations much faster and in daylight. :B

BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
Tomman,
I have been a member of this forum for 21 years and have probably answered a number of the same question a hundred times. I don't consider it repetitious or boring because each person has a reason for asking and I consider it a privilege to help them out if possible.
I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping people and I'm sure that is the motivation behind a most of our members also.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

tomman58
Explorer
Explorer
Gdetrailer wrote:
tomman58 wrote:
I guess I have tired of the same ol same ol items that seem to be beaten into ground so many time. I guess I over looked the newbies but so many issues are like picking fly poop out of the pepper.
I do drive from Detroit area to Tunica MS in one shot. It is about 800 miles I guess. I travel at 65mph and get around 11 mpg. So if I had a 55 gallon tank I would fill up what once? I think that a trip over 12 hours that I relish stopping for a walk around and fuel. I really cannot think of any reason to do a 55 gal. tank. (unless you are from Texas where you measure trips in hours not miles).
I do think this site helps more newbies on the basics but us salty dogs rarely get any really inspiration stuff.


I like to "pick" far nicer and less hectic places to take a "walk" or restroom break than a "gas station".

Over the yrs have endured a lot of dumpy gas station restrooms and highly impatient motorists that are far less sympathetic to anyone in a RV.

I would rather take scenic breaks or if no scenic areas pull into a nice large paved and well lit store parking lot..

My nature breaks are not forced to my vehicles needs for fuel any more making my trip a lot nicer.

Not really sure why folks are so intrigued over the idea that potty stops and fuel stops must somehow be tied together. They don't need to be tied together and that is why many folks want larger fuel tanks or carry extra fuel. My extra 15 gallon fuel tank sits in the bed of my truck. I simply will make a restroom stop whenever I need and if my trucks tank is at or below half a tank, I can just pump the reserve into the trucks tank in any parking lot and continue my journey without ever visiting and waiting in line at a dirty, filthy gas station restroom..

You are hauling your own restroom in a RV, use it.


You seem to be on a rant over bathrooms. I normally go to any where the big boys go like Flying J , there rest rooms are just fine. I do not mind using the trailer either but rest stops on the I slabs are just fine also. Never needed an extra tank ever since GM went to the larger tank , never had one in the past either.
.
2015 GMC D/A, CC 4x4/ Z71 ,3.73,IBC SLT+
2018 Jayco 338RETS
2 Trek bikes
Honda EU2000i
It must be time to go, the suns out and I've got a full tank of diesel!
We have a granite fireplace hearth! Love to be a little different.

Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Explorer III
tomman58 wrote:
I guess I have tired of the same ol same ol items that seem to be beaten into ground so many time. I guess I over looked the newbies but so many issues are like picking fly poop out of the pepper.
I do drive from Detroit area to Tunica MS in one shot. It is about 800 miles I guess. I travel at 65mph and get around 11 mpg. So if I had a 55 gallon tank I would fill up what once? I think that a trip over 12 hours that I relish stopping for a walk around and fuel. I really cannot think of any reason to do a 55 gal. tank. (unless you are from Texas where you measure trips in hours not miles).
I do think this site helps more newbies on the basics but us salty dogs rarely get any really inspiration stuff.


I like to "pick" far nicer and less hectic places to take a "walk" or restroom break than a "gas station".

Over the yrs have endured a lot of dumpy gas station restrooms and highly impatient motorists that are far less sympathetic to anyone in a RV.

I would rather take scenic breaks or if no scenic areas pull into a nice large paved and well lit store parking lot..

My nature breaks are not forced to my vehicles needs for fuel any more making my trip a lot nicer.

Not really sure why folks are so intrigued over the idea that potty stops and fuel stops must somehow be tied together. They don't need to be tied together and that is why many folks want larger fuel tanks or carry extra fuel. My extra 15 gallon fuel tank sits in the bed of my truck. I simply will make a restroom stop whenever I need and if my trucks tank is at or below half a tank, I can just pump the reserve into the trucks tank in any parking lot and continue my journey without ever visiting and waiting in line at a dirty, filthy gas station restroom..

You are hauling your own restroom in a RV, use it.

hornet28
Explorer
Explorer
tomman58 wrote:
I guess I have tired of the same ol same ol items that seem to be beaten into ground so many time. I guess I over looked the newbies but so many issues are like picking fly poop out of the pepper.
I do drive from Detroit area to Tunica MS in one shot. It is about 800 miles I guess. I travel at 65mph and get around 11 mpg. So if I had a 55 gallon tank I would fill up what once? I think that a trip over 12 hours that I relish stopping for a walk around and fuel. I really cannot think of any reason to do a 55 gal. tank. (unless you are from Texas where you measure trips in hours not miles).
I do think this site helps more newbies on the basics but us salty dogs rarely get any really inspiration stuff.


It must be nice to know everything. Or is it "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"?

tomman58
Explorer
Explorer
I guess I have tired of the same ol same ol items that seem to be beaten into ground so many time. I guess I over looked the newbies but so many issues are like picking fly poop out of the pepper.
I do drive from Detroit area to Tunica MS in one shot. It is about 800 miles I guess. I travel at 65mph and get around 11 mpg. So if I had a 55 gallon tank I would fill up what once? I think that a trip over 12 hours that I relish stopping for a walk around and fuel. I really cannot think of any reason to do a 55 gal. tank. (unless you are from Texas where you measure trips in hours not miles).
I do think this site helps more newbies on the basics but us salty dogs rarely get any really inspiration stuff.
2015 GMC D/A, CC 4x4/ Z71 ,3.73,IBC SLT+
2018 Jayco 338RETS
2 Trek bikes
Honda EU2000i
It must be time to go, the suns out and I've got a full tank of diesel!
We have a granite fireplace hearth! Love to be a little different.

spoon059
Explorer II
Explorer II
rexlion wrote:
but I realize that it was important enough to him to make the post and that makes it worthwhile.

Yea... but does it though?
2015 Ram CTD
2015 Jayco 29QBS

Walaby
Explorer II
Explorer II
Guess this post also doesn't mean much to OP, since it's been two days and he hasn't responded back on it.

Mike
Im Mike Willoughby, and I approve this message.
2017 Ram 3500 CTD (aka FRAM)
2019 GrandDesign Reflection 367BHS

Diamond_c
Nomad
Nomad
I start looking for fuel with about a 1/4 of a tank to go. Or when we need a bathroom break.