Bring extra diesel? - Page 2

rockaw · 06-24-2018, 08:37 AM

guess it depends on your travels, We been up and down the East coast and out "West" only as far as the TN/KY lines. I always look for fuel at the 1/2 mark, at that point my better half is looking for a break. Most of our trips have probably been within an hour of some major road. I think if we were going to the western states, I'd consider extra fuel, and probably at least 2 five gallon tanks.... worse case guess 10mpg, 5 gal will only get me 50 miles, if you get worse mileage then you might only get 40 miles reserve.
Again, depends on where you're traveling

NorCal Eagle · 06-24-2018, 12:22 PM

Lots of good points of view here! Thanks!

bap · 06-24-2018, 02:27 PM

Be careful that you keep your jugs good and clean. If plastic jugs, make sure you don’t get algae growing inside. Newer diesel’s require very clean fuel and putting some dirty fuel in can cause more problems than running out of fuel.

PlayersZ28 · 06-24-2018, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bap

Be careful that you keep your jugs good and clean. If plastic jugs, make sure you don’t get algae growing inside. Newer diesel’s require very clean fuel and putting some dirty fuel in can cause more problems than running out of fuel.

I carry the extra during the trip to the SW and then dump it in the tank when we get there. I refill it before heading home and use it when I get home.

REWahoo · 06-24-2018, 03:43 PM

I generally carry a 5 gal can of diesel when traveling west of I-35.

Marine71-76 · 06-24-2018, 03:46 PM

Funny this should come up. We don't carry any cans but am looking at getting a larger tank - not a transfer tank.

On one trip out west wasn't paying attention to the fuel. Needless to say while waiting to get fuel it went "0" miles to empty. DW pays attention & when we get to 1/2 tank she starts looking.

wags999 · 06-24-2018, 05:25 PM

We have traveled all over the West almost exclusively and I don't remember a station that didn't have diesel. The more remote the area, the more you see diesel trucks used by locals. Even the town of Paris Idaho, with about 200 people and I gas station has diesel.

REWahoo · 06-24-2018, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags999

We have traveled all over the West almost exclusively and I don't remember a station that didn't have diesel. The more remote the area, the more you see diesel trucks used by locals. Even the town of Paris Idaho, with about 200 people and I gas station has diesel.

But can you always get to the pumps without dropping the trailer?

wags999 · 06-24-2018, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo

But can you always get to the pumps without dropping the trailer?

i'm speaking of the stations I have filled up at while towing our TT. Most times the diesel is on the same pump, sometimes right next to the pump i'm on. In fact, most of the time the stations are more spread out than in the high density urban areas east of the Mississippi.

Never had an issue finding fuel, gas or diesel. In many areas of the West they cater to the farm community...

neil11975 · 06-24-2018, 06:25 PM

When we had our 35ft bumper pull it wasn't bad finding stations. But now that we have our 45 ft seismic it is much more difficult. I look for truck stops and pull into the large truck filling area. Lots of gas stations in northern California, Oregon, and Nevada have diesel, but definitely aren't large trailer friendly. Many of the overhangs are too low also.

REWahoo · 06-24-2018, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags999

i'm speaking of the stations I have filled up at while towing our TT. Most times the diesel is on the same pump, sometimes right next to the pump i'm on. In fact, most of the time the stations are more spread out than in the high density urban areas east of the Mississippi.

Never had an issue finding fuel, gas or diesel. In many areas of the West they cater to the farm community...

neill11975 says it well. It's not finding diesel, it's getting access to the pump with the 5th wheel attached:

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil11975

When we had our 35ft bumper pull it wasn't bad finding stations. But now that we have our 45 ft seismic it is much more difficult. I look for truck stops and pull into the large truck filling area. Lots of gas stations in northern California, Oregon, and Nevada have diesel, but definitely aren't large trailer friendly. Many of the overhangs are too low also.

I carry the 5 gals of diesel as insurance in case I have to drive farther down the road to find a diesel pump with good access.

Magnolia Tom · 06-24-2018, 07:51 PM

I used to carry extra diesel in 5 gallon cans but I got tired of the hassle so I got a 45 gallon auxiliary tank instead. Now I get diesel when and where I want to.

rickrockport · 06-27-2018, 11:52 AM

When we went to Alaska I drove only on the top half of my tank in Canada and Alaska. Lots of extra fuel stops but I always had half a tank in reserve. No need to mess with a smelly fuel can.

Tgoranso · 06-27-2018, 11:53 AM

I always keep an extra 5 gal can, even with a 44 gal tank. Better to have and not need, than need and not have (-:

Houghtjr · 06-27-2018, 12:02 PM

Unless I am running to the lake or somewhere close by I always bring 5 gallons. It only takes getting stuck low having to make a bad stop once to teach you never to leave home with out it! We just finished 1900 miles on the road yesterday. I brought 10 gallons with me and it was much easier to just put the 10 gallons in at a rest stop then to try and find a good stop up and down the east coast. That will almost always get us through our longest segments. Plus the wife hates truck stops with the 4 kids. If you have room for it, pack it!

haweinberger · 06-27-2018, 12:13 PM

I did not want to have to deal with lack of access to the pumps. Added a 44 gallon auxiliary. Now have a total of 75 gallons. Only question now is can I afford to fill up?

Great for access ( when I want ), great for pricing ( when I want ) and great for breaks

( when the wife wants ).

2017 GMC 3500 denali, LB, CC, Duramax, DRW.
2017 37 rsts

theguyoverthere · 06-27-2018, 12:27 PM

Whenever we take the trailer to a location we have never been, I always bring an extra 5 gallons of gas just in case. Especially when I'm going across states in the west where gas stations can be far between.

SkyBound · 06-27-2018, 12:33 PM

My next truck (F-350 CrewCab Long Box Diesel) will have an aux tank/tool box combo in the bed. I'll get the biggest tank available in the truck and have a 30-40gal aux so I can avoid fueling while hitched and tanker up where fuel is cheap. One thing I have learned as a father of young kids - stopping for gas ruins naps, and ruined naps equals ruined afternoons!

nynethead · 06-27-2018, 12:41 PM

I purchased a 14 gal tank with a filling nosel when I traveled to Florida from ny. Never needed it but. Emptied and refilled as I went along. Still j
Ave it. Was 99$ At the time

WestTexasRanger · 06-27-2018, 12:41 PM

Swapped the stock 26 gallon (Ford says it's 29) diesel tank on my 2015 F250 short bed for a 50 gallon Titan Tank. It fits in the stock location and uses the stock filler.

My truck gets 10~11 mpg towing my 2016 Eagle 321 RTS, so if I run out of fuel between stops, it's my fault for not being more alert.

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