Refueling while pulling a 315RLTS with a Gasser

Agreed. I think this topic is a bit overblown. Another benefit to using gas vs diesel is you don't smell like a whole bag of butt when you get back in your vehicle with diesel all over your shoes, don't need a set of dedicated "fueling" gloves to put on when filling up, etc.

To each their own though! :)

These posts crack me up. Now we are comparing fuel smells after a person spills the fuel on themselves? Now that's a first heard for me. Lol. Better get an electric truck then.
 
These posts crack me up. Now we are comparing fuel smells after a person spills the fuel on themselves? Now that's a first heard for me. Lol. Better get an electric truck then.

No, it's more a commentary on the sloppy mess that is most truck stop lanes, pump handles, etc. I've read on this site that several guys have dedicated "fueling gloves" to deal with the diesel goo. Never heard of that with petrol. I don't recommend bathing in either though. :p
 
Anybody who fuels up with diesel and doesn't use gloves will, without fail, at some point have his hands smell of diesel fuel. It's because diesel doesn't completely evaporate like gasoline. I have a pair stuck under the seat. But overall, a pretty small nit. :)
 
Anybody who fuels up with diesel and doesn't use gloves will, without fail, at some point have his hands smell of diesel fuel. It's because diesel doesn't completely evaporate like gasoline. I have a pair stuck under the seat. But overall, a pretty small nit. :)

Or does "any" maintenance on a deisel motor for that matter.... never forgot the times I changed the oil in my deisel vehicles and the new oil look just as bad as the old after running for just a few minutes. The higher compression amplifies the blowby and boy does it show.... get that crap on your skin...... you got a tatoo that no goop will take off for a day or so. BTW, I hate wearing gloves when wrenching.
 
Our 2019 315RLTS tongue weight was at 1820 lbs. last trip when I put it on the CAT scales. It was 1134 from the factory with options we ordered. Had to shift some things to the rear of the trailer because our 2016 RAM 2500 SRW short bed diesel cargo capacity is 2077 lbs. I am limited on what I can carry in the truck to stay within max load capacity. I need more cargo capacity so I have been looking (off and on) for a RAM 3500 SRW since late 2020 and though there have been trucks available, they were not configured as I wanted and I refused to pay the dealer markup they added due to vehicle shortages. I checked a month ago and a local dealer said I cannot order until they started taking orders for the 2024 models as they had sold their 2023 model allotment already. The other dealer in town doesn't have 2023 SRW models availabile either. Now I wait to order a 2024 and the teamsters strike may not help me either. I have considered other makes but not ready to give up on RAM yet. I do a lot of towing in the mountains and would miss the power and exhaust brake the diesel engine has. Whatever you decide, make sure you have more cargo capacity than I have. I would verify the yellow door sticker and not what the salesman tells you as most likely they are quoting something published for general sales information.
 
Our 2019 315RLTS tongue weight was at 1820 lbs. last trip when I put it on the CAT scales. It was 1134 from the factory with options we ordered. Had to shift some things to the rear of the trailer because our 2016 RAM 2500 SRW short bed diesel cargo capacity is 2077 lbs. I am limited on what I can carry in the truck to stay within max load capacity. I need more cargo capacity so I have been looking (off and on) for a RAM 3500 SRW since late 2020 and though there have been trucks available, they were not configured as I wanted and I refused to pay the dealer markup they added due to vehicle shortages. I checked a month ago and a local dealer said I cannot order until they started taking orders for the 2024 models as they had sold their 2023 model allotment already. The other dealer in town doesn't have 2023 SRW models availabile either. Now I wait to order a 2024 and the teamsters strike may not help me either. I have considered other makes but not ready to give up on RAM yet. I do a lot of towing in the mountains and would miss the power and exhaust brake the diesel engine has. Whatever you decide, make sure you have more cargo capacity than I have. I would verify the yellow door sticker and not what the salesman tells you as most likely they are quoting something published for general sales information.

Sorry to hear the search has not yet needed any good results, and for sure the Teamsters strike will have challenging impacts to availability. You could look at mildly used vehicles, but availability is tight all around.

Once I finish my inverter install I plan to re-weigh. Hopefully in a few months, once I get the money to buy the rest of the “Stuff”. Still need to get the inverter, cerbo, screen and ac wire. Of course since I moved everything around I do expect tongue weight to change.

My last weight I had like 1480 TW.

A good 1 ton srw should give you a clear 3400-3900 payload. Definitely don’t listen to salespeople, they will always quote the tow “capacity” and not the dependencies on payload and other factors.

Bill
 
Our 2019 315RLTS tongue weight was at 1820 lbs. last trip when I put it on the CAT scales. It was 1134 from the factory with options we ordered. Had to shift some things to the rear of the trailer because our 2016 RAM 2500 SRW short bed diesel cargo capacity is 2077 lbs. I am limited on what I can carry in the truck to stay within max load capacity. I need more cargo capacity so I have been looking (off and on) for a RAM 3500 SRW since late 2020 and though there have been trucks available, they were not configured as I wanted and I refused to pay the dealer markup they added due to vehicle shortages. I checked a month ago and a local dealer said I cannot order until they started taking orders for the 2024 models as they had sold their 2023 model allotment already. The other dealer in town doesn't have 2023 SRW models availabile either. Now I wait to order a 2024 and the teamsters strike may not help me either. I have considered other makes but not ready to give up on RAM yet. I do a lot of towing in the mountains and would miss the power and exhaust brake the diesel engine has. Whatever you decide, make sure you have more cargo capacity than I have. I would verify the yellow door sticker and not what the salesman tells you as most likely they are quoting something published for general sales information.

What was your axle trailer axle weight? Add that to your 1820lbs tongue weight. I'd would not be surprised if you are over the trailer GVW. My tongue weight was just under 1400lbs when I weighed the rig at the start of our summer trip. Trailer axles were right at 10000lbs. This is under the axle rating of 10400lbs, so all good right? Not exactly. 1400+10000=11400lbs total. The 315rlts is rated for 11295lbs. I was 100lbs over GVW. Not a deal breaker, still over. It is very easy to get this model trailer over on both tongue weight and total GVW.
 
We're planning a stop at Livingston specifically for the SmartWeigh. Once I know what we have now I can figure out how to reduce the weight as needed.
 
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.

If you're not in a hurry to buy a truck you could order one with a larger fuel tank. I think Ford has a 48 gallon option in a long wheel base. Just a thought.
 
What was your axle trailer axle weight? Add that to your 1820lbs tongue weight. I'd would not be surprised if you are over the trailer GVW. My tongue weight was just under 1400lbs when I weighed the rig at the start of our summer trip. Trailer axles were right at 10000lbs. This is under the axle rating of 10400lbs, so all good right? Not exactly. 1400+10000=11400lbs total. The 315rlts is rated for 11295lbs. I was 100lbs over GVW. Not a deal breaker, still over. It is very easy to get this model trailer over on both tongue weight and total GVW.

With the 5200 lb axles from the factory, the spec sheet shows GWAR at 10,400 lbs. (5,200 x 2 = 10,400) CAT scale actual axle weight was 10,460 when weighted last trip after all upgrades were completed. Anticipating being close, I had previously upgraded to 7K axles, 3500 lb springs, 8-lug hubs/wheels/tires rated at 4400 lbs each before adding the inverter and solar.

As far as GVW and GVWR that's for a whole different discussion... my trailer's spec sheet shows GVWR is higher than the GAWR so GD must look at hitch weight being transferred to the tow vehicle when towing--I think. Also, I would love an answer for the frame rating from GD or Lippert or anyone that may know how to get it.
 
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We're straying a bit from the refueling question, but still good information.

"...my trailer's spec sheet shows GVWR is higher than the GAWR so GD must look at hitch weight being transferred to the tow vehicle when towing--I think." This is pretty typical, from what I've seen on several different brands and types. The factory GAWR of 2x5200 leaves 895 pounds for the tongue to carry. That's a bit light (just under 8%), so if the tongue is carrying the normal 10% you will have just under 5100 pounds on the axles. I had 1900 on the tongue when Blue Ox weighted the trailer this summer, so that would put me at just under 4700 pounds on each axle. If I can get the tongue down to 1700 (about 15% of gross) I'd have about 4800 pounds on each axle.
 
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.

I'm a little late here, but I felt I could address something mentioned by a few others: The dirty diesel pump lanes.

Yes, they can be dirty... Spilled fuel and Diesel on the pump handle. I have only been in a few that were really bad, none are pleasant, but most are not horrible. There are gas pumps that are worse. I have found that if I use hand sanitizer (alcohol based) afterwards and wipe with a paper towel, it gets rid of all the smells. This is only needed about 50% of the time. Gloves would work, but I don't want smelly diesel gloves in my truck either.

Rob
 
For me it is simple. I keep a package of disposable latex gloves in the center console. I just use one and grab the handle with that hand. Toss it in the trash when done. Diesel never enters my cab.
 
I use some coated cloth gloves which I store under the front seat. Have never, ever noticed a diesel smell in the cab. Mainly hate the waste of all those disposable gloves. I use them sometimes when putting the sewer hose away, but try not to.
 
Jim I have to agree turning radius on SD sucks compared to my 95 F-350. Currently have 2021 Short bed F-350 crewcab with 7.3 gas. Milage depending on wind is 7-11 mpg with 260 RD. Does not tow as well as my 95 Powerstroke, less torque and hate the automatic transmission that sometimes over revs on the downslope. I chose to go for gas because I did not expect to do sufficient milage not to kill the Diesel, so far under 20K on the truck, so definitely not enough to justify diesel. As for fueling I too have a concern about access, I am 12’9” and with the 30’ trailer I am about 45’ long. MY simple solution as back up is to carry an EMPTY 5 gal Jerry can that I can walk up to aa pump.
 
Jim I have to agree turning radius on SD sucks compared to my 95 F-350. Currently have 2021 Short bed F-350 crewcab with 7.3 gas. Milage depending on wind is 7-11 mpg with 260 RD. Does not tow as well as my 95 Powerstroke, less torque and hate the automatic transmission that sometimes over revs on the downslope. I chose to go for gas because I did not expect to do sufficient milage not to kill the Diesel, so far under 20K on the truck, so definitely not enough to justify diesel. As for fueling I too have a concern about access, I am 12’9” and with the 30’ trailer I am about 45’ long. MY simple solution as back up is to carry an EMPTY 5 gal Jerry can that I can walk up to aa pump.

The diesel powerband and exhaust brake for downhill braking are two of the long list of many things that make a diesel king of the hill for towing and payloads---especially when altitudes and hills are concerned. We put on about 5K miles per year on our diesel truck here in CO. How many miles justify the purchase and use of a diesel over gas? I'm guessing that answer must be different for each person.
 
Jim I have to agree turning radius on SD sucks compared to my 95 F-350. Currently have 2021 Short bed F-350 crewcab with 7.3 gas. Milage depending on wind is 7-11 mpg with 260 RD. Does not tow as well as my 95 Powerstroke, less torque and hate the automatic transmission that sometimes over revs on the downslope. I chose to go for gas because I did not expect to do sufficient milage not to kill the Diesel, so far under 20K on the truck, so definitely not enough to justify diesel. As for fueling I too have a concern about access, I am 12’9” and with the 30’ trailer I am about 45’ long. MY simple solution as back up is to carry an EMPTY 5 gal Jerry can that I can walk up to aa pump.

That's the KEY always have can save your bacon!
 
Jim I have to agree turning radius on SD sucks compared to my 95 F-350. Currently have 2021 Short bed F-350 crewcab with 7.3 gas. Milage depending on wind is 7-11 mpg with 260 RD. Does not tow as well as my 95 Powerstroke, less torque and hate the automatic transmission that sometimes over revs on the downslope. I chose to go for gas because I did not expect to do sufficient milage not to kill the Diesel, so far under 20K on the truck, so definitely not enough to justify diesel. As for fueling I too have a concern about access, I am 12’9” and with the 30’ trailer I am about 45’ long. MY simple solution as back up is to carry an EMPTY 5 gal Jerry can that I can walk up to aa pump.

I hear you... our '23 F250 7.3 gasser is also a guzzler! Wish they made replacement gas tanks for the gassers like they do the deisels. Been kicking around the aux tank idea... just have to give up bed space for those. But another 20 gals on board would be nice!
 

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