Refueling while pulling a 315RLTS with a Gasser

[serpa4]

We also use google maps and satellite view to see what a gas station looks like in advance. Truck stops are nice, BUT they charge an arm and leg for diesel over the smaller places. You'd think it would be opposite, but truck stops (on DIESEL) charge a lot more.
Diesel is more $, but I find that with the same road and same trailer, my Ford Ranger (2020) rated at 7,500 gets 10.2 mpg at 60mph. My 2011 Duramax 6.6 gets 13.5 with the exact same trailer.
Also consider that my gas ranger also had a smaller tank, 18gallons at 10mph and not driving till empty, I stopped ALL THE TIME! Diesel at even a lower 12mpg at 36 gallons was stopping much less.
FYI, the Ranger was not used as the primary tow vehicle. I just did a comparison since I owned both trucks.

Towing a large trailer is a PITA sometimes. Even enough for me to downsize.
Our short bed, extra cab (not crew cab) with a 22mle at 26' tip to tip is a pleasure to drive and I get into most gas stations and often do not look in advance any longer. I have not pets and no kids, so I can go small.

My 34' toyhauler was a PITA to get back off into the trails and every approach and departure had to be looked at closely. It was just as big of a deal to get into and out of gas stations for approach and departure as it was to just simply can I fit length wise. Make sure you consider that factor. A gas station with a steep approach will drag the crap out of your RV bumper!!! Watch it.

My boat was 32' tip to tail (26' boat), and that little extra length was a much more of a hassle towing in town looking for fuel.

On my 30' boat more like 37 with trailer and swim deck.....truck stops 100% of the time!!!

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I have the stock "29-gallon" fuel tank that actually holds about 24 gallons.

I have found that 2 five-gallon "jerry cans" of diesel in the bed of the truck is sufficient for emergency refueling - and a lot cheaper than a replacement fuel tank!

In five years and over 30,000 miles towing, I have had to use them once.


With a Good Sam membership and its Pilot/Flying J discount program, I have found that these truck stops are spaced along the interstate in such a way that one is always looming, when I decide I need to get fuel (which, usually, coincides with the need for a human "pit stop").

A lot of the truck stops with "RV" pumps in the auto section not only do not have DEF, they can be impossible to get into and out of, because of the way they are configured.

They are NOT all friendly to this trailer!


Do yourself a favor - get a Class 3 or Class 4 diesel and use the truck lanes.

We take these trips to relax, not wrestle with the rig.

Ah, but the nice thing about the auxiliary fuel tanks is the ability to delay fueling until the end of the day so you don't have to mess with the truck stops. That leaves you free to stop at rest areas, city parks, or the like instead of noisy, stinky, crowded truck stops. And quite a few times, the fuel is cheaper than at the truck stop. So that's a win-win.

 

[Najataagihe]

Ah, but the nice thing about the auxiliary fuel tanks is the ability to delay fueling until the end of the day so you don't have to mess with the truck stops. That leaves you free to stop at rest areas, city parks, or the like instead of noisy, stinky, crowded truck stops. And quite a few times, the fuel is cheaper than at the truck stop. So that's a win-win.

Good point!


Bad point is, it reduces my payload and puts it over capacity.


It is hard enough to keep a 315RLTS from overloading the truck, as it is!

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Good point!


Bad point is, it reduces my payload and puts it over capacity.


It is hard enough to keep a 315RLTS from overloading the truck, as it is!

Yeah, those SRW trucks have a problem sometimes.

 

[Timmer]

We have a long set up running an F350 gasser. We are very careful pulling into gas stations. The biggest challenge is the traffic, not usually the tight turns. People aren't aware or considerate that you have to swing big. Most often we wait for an end pump to clear so we don't have to worry about any tight corners. Overall it's been fine.

 

[Najataagihe]

Yeah, those SRW trucks have a problem sometimes.

Except when it comes to parking in narrow spaces a dually won't fit!

(Loved my duallys, but this thing is much easier to live with!)

 

[kb0zke]

When we had our Class A diesel we always refueled just before going to the campground. When we were getting close, say, an hour or so out, Jo Ann started searching on Gas Buddy on one device, then checking the satellite view on another, while a third was actually navigating. If the fuel station was close enough, and we didn't have a pull-thru site, we would unhook while filling the diesel tank. Most of the time she had to go in and prepay because the bill would be over $200 (at least the last couple of years we had it). Now, we go to the campground, unhook and get set up. Once we're to the "take care of the inside" point I take the truck and get fuel.

Since we now have a smaller fuel tank (38 gallons vs 148) but better mpg (10 vs 7.5) if we're going to do any driving around before we leave I'll get fuel the night before we head out, so that we are always starting with a pretty full tank of diesel.

 

[krsmitty]

Access at the fuel stations is only one data point in the debate of gas trucks vs diesels for towing. If you search on the forums, you will see many other good points such as towing capacity, interior noise, engine life and longevity, resale value, MPG, pulling and travel comfort when towing, and shear ease of towing with a diesel. A 38' camper is pretty large to be towing with a gas engine IMHO. I moved away from gas trucks many years ago towing 24' campers for the reasons listed above but others will go to great lengths to sell their audience on the benefits of gas trucks. Remember if you tow at anything above sea level for altitude, the HP and torque numbers must be de-rated. That is not the case with a diesel. Many forget about this point and wonder why their vehicles don't run near as good in CO as they did in Illinois or Virginia. I wish you well with your research and upcoming decision.

X2...get a diesel and be done with it.

 

[djlemonier]

Thanks, I am seeing that the diesel is the best answer for the multitude of reasons mentioned. Is your Ram 3500 a SRW truck? And if so, wondering what the payload is for a Longhorn Limited with a diesel? I was afraid I would have to go to a dually to get enough payload and this will be my daily driver. thank you in advance!

 

[Malco1]

That is a great idea using Google Maps satellite view to check it out before getting off the exit. I can do the diesel if that is the right answer, just trying to understand the pain level of negotiating the gas stations. Thank you for the great advice.

Also please note, you will be stopping at a lot more exits for gas as compared to diesel.

 

[krsmitty]

I have the SRW...3.73...Payload 4490...Max Trailer 20,020

I also have a 45 gallon auxiliary fuel tank. One of the best things I have bought. I get fuel when I want

 

[djlemonier]

That is serious payload! Is the aux fuel tank in the bed of the truck? Who made it? I was trying to avoid the long bed/larger fuel tank for the same daily driver excuse, lol. Thank you Smitty.

 

[krsmitty]

That is serious payload! Is the aux fuel tank in the bed of the truck? Who made it? I was trying to avoid the long bed/larger fuel tank for the same daily driver excuse, lol. Thank you Smitty.

Yes, it is in the bed. RDS is the company who made mine. You can buy kits to connect to the fuel neck. It will feed into the main fuel tank via gravity.

 

[djlemonier]

Very cool! Thank you!

 

[Hoopy Frood]

RDS makes some great tanks. I have a 20 gallon that fits under the inbed toolbox.

 

[krsmitty]

RDS makes some great tanks. I have a 20 gallon that fits under the inbed toolbox.

I have the 45 gallon with the tool box on top of it.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I have the 45 gallon with the tool box on top of it.

That would have been nice, but I bought the truck with the toolbox already mounted. One thing nice about a 5,900 lb. payload, you generally don't have to watch your weight.

 

[bhbery]

RV & tow vehicle shopping now. I really like the 315RLTS but wanted to purchase a F250 7.3 or similar to avoid some of the maintenance and purchase expense of a diesel. One of my friends who has a 34' travel trailer mentioned that sometimes it can be a bit of an ordeal to maneuver in gas stations with his 34' TT and the 315 is about 4' longer. I have been towing a boat (about 30' from end of trailer tongue to end of outboard) for 15 years and can usually manage to get to a pump but it is sometimes a bit of a circus depending on how busy. My friend said that I might consider a diesel just to be able to use the truck stops for refueling with a trailer this long. The short bed truck I was hoping to buy also only has a 34 gal tank, so there will be a fair amount of refueling stops on a multi-day trip. Wondering what the opinion is of others who have experience pulling a 38' TT. Thank you very much.

We pull a 315 with an F-250 w/7.3 gas and 34 gal tank. Our preference is to limit our travel days to 4 hours, which we can do without refueling along the way. We generally arrive at our campsite around 2 or 3 pm and have plenty of time to refuel after we unhook. If we do need to push beyond 4 hours, I will plan a gas stop in advance and choose a station with easy access for the trailer.
We're very happy with the 315 and the truck has performed well for us on flat roads as well as 10,000 ft mountains in NM. I typically get 8.5-10 MPG while towing.

 

[Redapple63]

Great post Bill. I would say the same thing for my 2022 GMC 3500 SRW LB truck. I love everything about the truck except for the 36 gallon fuel tank. I would have gladly paid for a 50-60 gal upgraded tank so that I can go longer distances. I have no desire to stop more frequently. I will likely make this upgrade to my truck soon now that I have everything done that I wanted to the Reflection fiver.

Dave

Dave if you do go this route and have questions just shoot me a pm. I installed my tank myself in about 4 hours. Could have done it faster, but there was beer involved. [emoji16]

Bill

 

[jeririgged223]

RV & tow vehicle shopping now. I really like the 315RLTS but wanted to purchase a F250 7.3 or similar to avoid some of the maintenance and purchase expense of a diesel. One of my friends who has a 34' travel trailer mentioned that sometimes it can be a bit of an ordeal to maneuver in gas stations with his 34' TT and the 315 is about 4' longer. I have been towing a boat (about 30' from end of trailer tongue to end of outboard) for 15 years and can usually manage to get to a pump but it is sometimes a bit of a circus depending on how busy. My friend said that I might consider a diesel just to be able to use the truck stops for refueling with a trailer this long. The short bed truck I was hoping to buy also only has a 34 gal tank, so there will be a fair amount of refueling stops on a multi-day trip. Wondering what the opinion is of others who have experience pulling a 38' TT. Thank you very much.

I pull a 376TH with a diesel and we pull into the truck stops and their bays all the time for fueling because the regular gas pumps usually face the convenience stores and there is never enough space to manuever around. So for that reason I'm glad to have a diesel F350 and have never had any more maintenance with it than any gas vehicle I had. Difference is when I towed with a gas powered truck it seemed we had to stop at every gas station we passed. Not the case any more.