Bob Vaughn
Seffner, Fl.
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Joined: 06/19/2007
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My next tow truck will have a larger fuel tank than the one I have now. 26 gallons at bone dry empty is just not large enough for a tow vehicle......In years past I have had vehicles that had twin 38 gallon tanks but apparently that is no longer an option. I am thinking of getting a diesel truck so i can at least have a tank installed in the bed of the truck. Finding a fuel station that will accommodate the truck and 5th wheel becomes a challenge when off the interstate. What size tanks are in the new diesel trucks from the big 3?
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the bear II
Torrance CA.
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Joined: 02/14/2008
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Most new trucks offer an auxillary tank option bringing the total up to about 40 gallons or more. The tanks are automatic plus the fuel guage is calibrated to read total gallons instead of one tank at a time. No more switching from one tank to the other.
I find 40 gallons is just right. You drive for 5 hours and then stop for fuel, stretch, get a snack and drink then back on the road.
Actually your 26 gallons isn't that bad. Stop every 3 hours for fuel and stretch...that's the best way to travel.
I try to fill up before I leave the interstate and then while unhitched fill up before leaving camp and heading to the interstate. When on country roads if I need fuel I try to look for those gas station/diner type places they usually cater to big rigs so the pumps have plenty of room.
I did pull into one station in a small town where half of our 5th wheel stuck out into Main street. The locals actually smiled and waved as they went around the 5th wheel. I guess it was a common occurance.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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Short bed trucks always have about a 26 gallon tank. Long bed trucks get about 35 gallons. So get a long bed truck next time.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
Resident Know It All 
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BenK
SF BayArea
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Joined: 04/18/2002
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MPG wars and mandates by the government is part of the reason for this...the OEM
designers and managers don't seem, today, to be TV folks in any shape or form so
are clueless on towing/offroading/camping/etc
My GMT400 Suburban has a OEM 42 gallon main tank. Carry Jerry Cans on long trips
-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
51 cylinders in household, what's yours?...
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coolbreeze01
Redding, Ca
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Joined: 08/24/2006
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35 gal works for me.
2008 Dodge 3500 With a Really Strong Tractor Motor...........
LB, SRW, 4X4, 6-Speed Auto, 3.73, Prodigy P3, Blue Ox Sway Pro........
2007 Komfort 212 on 225 75R 15E Maxxis ST Tires.........
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F105
Keller Texas
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Joined: 05/29/2012
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My 2012 Ram 3/4 ton 6.7L diesel has a 35 gallon tank and I pull a FW. It works good for us.
We plan our trips to try to drive no more than 250-300 miles a day and we print off the Flying J directory before we start and can usua;;y get by with 1 fill up a day, if we fill up before pulling into the CG for the night.
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edatlanta
Panama City Beach, FL
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Joined: 08/13/2008
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I did not want a tank in my bed so I got the tank in my signature. 52 gallons and it replaces the OEM tank. Works great.
Ed
2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, TTT/Schefenacker Towing Mirrors, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch, Progressive Industries EMS-PT50C, TST Systems 507 TPMS
2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS,Cummins/Onan RV QG 5500 EVAP
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1jeep
acushnet ma.
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Joined: 02/25/2005
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Get a long bed! My long bed super duty has a 35 gallon tank, the short bed is only 26.
I run out of fuel before the truck does!
2011 F250 CC LB, 6.7 urine injection
2007 keystone Outback Sydney 32BHDS
2009 HD Ultra CVO
2013 CanAm Outlander 1000
1963 Wife..no mods
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mguay
Northern NH
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Joined: 09/09/2009
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My GMC has a 34 gallon factory tank and I put another 65 gallon tank in front of the hitch. My reason for adding the aux tank wasn't for finding an easier place to fuel up, but a cheaper one. When heading south with just the factory tank I would need to get fuel in CT. They have the highest Diesel prices I've found on the east coast. Sometimes as mych as $.30 a gallon more. Thats a loss of 3-4 gallons per tank.(35-50 miles).
Real Trucks wear Training Wheels!
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NewsW
US
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Joined: 02/06/2012
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BenK wrote: Carry Jerry Cans on long trips
I thought cans are carried by...
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