Road trip

[sactokingsfan]

question? taking our first big road trip, going from Manteca ca to fort collins co. to visit family (aug)
taking hwy 80 across, so the question is looking to take some extra fuel , have fifth wheel
w/ ram 3500, so what i have seen, most fuel cans for diesel are 5 gal. thinking about 6 5gal
cans. my tank is 30gal. and hwy 80 going thru nevada and some other parts are pretty sparse
plastic or metal? thinking of putting in truck bed to keep aired out? any restrictions carrying fuel
across state lines? so basically long road trip and carrying extra fuel the do's & don't"s when doing this?
tips and your experiences!
thx -terry

 

[geotex1]

It's sparse, but not barren. You can carry across State lines. Go larger but still manageable like with a Flomax or Scepter container in the bed. For me personally, I installed the upsized tank from S&B - I use the front of my bed so a transfer tank is just a no for me. So, I've got just about 55 gallons for the Cummins, and when we are going long remote runs, I fill one 5 gallon spare. Even at the worst tow mileage in headwinds that's 40 miles of reserve.

 

[sactokingsfan]

thanks will check it out

 

[Gpo1958]

My recommendation would be to not take any loose cans of fuel with you. While there are not an unlimited number of gas stations along I-80 through Nevada and Utah, there are certainly enough to keep your Ram fed. Most of the stations through there cater to semis, so getting your rig up to a gas pump usually isn't an issue. With a 30 gal. tank in your truck, you should get between 270-300 miles out of a tank. Start looking for a station when you've got 120 miles left until empty. Most stretches without service will give you a warning like "No Services for the Next 68 miles". Take them seriously, pull off, fill up, and go. Also, many of the stations in the remote areas are not open 24 hours, so keep that in mind when planning your hours of travel.

 

[sactokingsfan]

thanks, sounds like you have had a few long road trips i am using rvlife trip wizard to help map out pit stops
thanks again for the feedback, much valued - terry

 

[livinthelife]

thanks, sounds like you have had a few long road trips i am using rvlife trip wizard to help map out pit stops
thanks again for the feedback, much valued - terry

Gas Buddy is also a good source for fueling stops.

 

[sactokingsfan]

thanks haven't heard of that one but will definitly look up
thx again - terry

 

[traveldawg]

I'm with others - there must be plenty of places to fuel up along interstates.

If you must, maybe carry one 5 gallon container if it makes you feel better. Keep it in the bed of the truck and when you stop for overnight or during the day keep it in the shade

Better yet, get an auxiliary fuel tank installed. You like will be much improved as will your sanity.

 

[sactokingsfan]

yeah- just didn't want as issue on our first big trip, great advise & suggestions
thx- terry

 

[WhittleBurner]

My reply comes from sitting at a light on a very hot day, then all the sudden a gas can in the bed of the truck in front of me burst into flames from what I guess was from the heat build up.
After seeing that I would not transport cans for long hauling.

 

[geotex1]

My reply comes from sitting at a light on a very hot day, then all the sudden a gas can in the bed of the truck in front of me burst into flames from what I guess was from the heat build up.
After seeing that I would not transport cans for long hauling.

Gasoline is a little different animal. What you witnessed was vapor ignition from static electricity. This is why good gas containers for transport have both automatic vents and spark arrestors (might want to check out the new law). Horrifying to say, I watched a lawn maintenance gulf get engulfed on a blazing hot, dry day when he popped the cap off an illegal can and touched the truck hopping down. He was lucky he remembered stop, drop and roll drills and there was a clinic in the building across the street, but he had horrible burns to his arm and torso! That said, diesel is appreciably more stable, but plenty of cons not to have large reserves of it not being regularly turned over given issues with biological growth, water, etc. not to mention it's slippery and smelly!

For those of you carrying gas generators in your truck beds - empty tank with loose fill cap is the only safe transport!

 

[Conner58]

I always carry 5 gal can sometimes 4 of them .
For one you can add fuel at a rest stop 2 you can take advantage if you fine it cheap 3 this has happened to us the tall clearance lane was out of order so i filled cans from the other pumps and was on my way.
One can always good insurance !

 

[jsm180]

I put a 48 gal RDS diesel tank in the bed. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GNJR7GB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

60 gal. total gives me plenty of range and eliminates the worry of finding fuel. I thought about carrying cans, but not for long.

 

[jsm180]

I put a 48 gal RDS diesel tank in the bed. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GNJR7GB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

60 gal. total gives me plenty of range and eliminates the worry of finding fuel. I thought about carrying cans, but not for long.

 

[nadkaw1957]

I am currently 5500 miles into a 7300 mile trip across the country and back. I have a RAM 2500 Cummins with a 30 gal tank pulling a Reflection 280RS fifth wheel. Towing, I can safely get anywhere between 240 and 300 miles per tank, depending on roads and winds. I used RV Life Trip Wizard to plan the entire trip. I picked all the fuel stops with the app, choosing truck stops and brands. I rarely go beyond 175 miles without a fuel stop. That gives me stretching time and guarantees I won't run out. Personally, I don't carry extra fuel, though I DO have an empty 5 gal can in the bed of the truck... LOL.

 

[mbarry1834]

Road Trip to Fort Collins

question? taking our first big road trip, going from Manteca ca to fort collins co. to visit family (aug)
taking hwy 80 across, so the question is looking to take some extra fuel , have fifth wheel
w/ ram 3500, so what i have seen, most fuel cans for diesel are 5 gal. thinking about 6 5gal
cans. my tank is 30gal. and hwy 80 going thru nevada and some other parts are pretty sparse
plastic or metal? thinking of putting in truck bed to keep aired out? any restrictions carrying fuel
across state lines? so basically long road trip and carrying extra fuel the do's & don't"s when doing this?
tips and your experiences!
thx -terry

Fuel stops
Reno to Lovelock NV 91 Miles
Lovelock to Winnemucca NV 72 Miles
Winnemucca to Elko NV 124 Miles
Elko to Wells NV 50 Miles
Wells to Salt Lake City 181 Miles
Salt Lake to Evanston WY 83 Miles
Evanston to Rock Springs WY 104 Miles
Rock Springs to Rawlins WY 108 Miles
Rawlins to Fort Collins CO 163 Miles

 

[Imagine Traveling]

I used to live in Sacramento and now live in Salt Lake City, with lots of kids in both places, so I have driven I80 many times, both ways. Don't worry about gas; there are plenty of places. I usually gas up in Roseville to climb over the mountains. Then again, in Reno, go south on 395 for a couple of miles, and you will find diesel a little cheaper. Gas and diesel are about 35 cents per gallon cheaper outside of California. There are lots of little places along the way, but they are more expensive than the bigger cities. I usually use either Flying J, Pilot, or Loves because they are easier to get in and out with a trailer, have fast-food places, and pretty clean restrooms. The next stop is Winnemucca, then Elko, then sometimes the little city of Wells because from there to Salt Lake City, you have to cross over a set of mountains before dropping down to Wendover, which is the last stop before crossing the 120 miles of salt flats into Salt Lake City. Use Google Maps to get distances between cities, and then knowing your miles per gallon will give you the number of gallons you will need for that distance. When we travel, we like to go non-interstate, so I ordered a 5-gallon jerry can, a longer flexible filler, and a holder from Amazon. Had the holder welded inside the truck bed. Have only needed it once when traveling all over the country.

 

[MikenKerri]

I used to live in Sacramento and now live in Salt Lake City, with lots of kids in both places, so I have driven I80 many times, both ways. Don't worry about gas; there are plenty of places. I usually gas up in Roseville to climb over the mountains. Then again, in Reno, go south on 395 for a couple of miles, and you will find diesel a little cheaper. Gas and diesel are about 35 cents per gallon cheaper outside of California. There are lots of little places along the way, but they are more expensive than the bigger cities. I usually use either Flying J, Pilot, or Loves because they are easier to get in and out with a trailer, have fast-food places, and pretty clean restrooms. The next stop is Winnemucca, then Elko, then sometimes the little city of Wells because from there to Salt Lake City, you have to cross over a set of mountains before dropping down to Wendover, which is the last stop before crossing the 120 miles of salt flats into Salt Lake City. Use Google Maps to get distances between cities, and then knowing your miles per gallon will give you the number of gallons you will need for that distance. When we travel, we like to go non-interstate, so I ordered a 5-gallon jerry can, a longer flexible filler, and a holder from Amazon. Had the holder welded inside the truck bed. Have only needed it once when traveling all over the country.

I 100% disagree with the $0.35 mentioned above. We go from Twin Falls ID, to Modesto, regularly to see our granddaughter. Never go to a Loves or Flying J, their prices are way high, there are plenty of Maverik's that are way cheaper, and if you join the rewards program, you get $.02 off per gallon. 3.90 a gallon at those 2, but there is a Shell a mile east that is cheaper. At the north end of town in Winnemucca is a Maverks - is usually 3.35 - 3.40, which you will see in Battle Mtn, Elko, Wellls, and Wendover. You will see it at the same places in UT and CO,

I know - Ive done it

 

[lorend]

question? taking our first big road trip, going from Manteca ca to fort collins co. to visit family (aug)
taking hwy 80 across, so the question is looking to take some extra fuel , have fifth wheel
w/ ram 3500, so what i have seen, most fuel cans for diesel are 5 gal. thinking about 6 5gal
cans. my tank is 30gal. and hwy 80 going thru nevada and some other parts are pretty sparse
plastic or metal? thinking of putting in truck bed to keep aired out? any restrictions carrying fuel
across state lines? so basically long road trip and carrying extra fuel the do's & don't"s when doing this?
tips and your experiences!
thx -terry

I have done a couple of 4K to 6K mile trips with a 5er and a 36 gal tank. Never had any problems with fueling up. All of the places I have been have had signs up when there are long stretches without services. Such as on I-90 going thru Wyoming, "next services 64 miles". Check your trip meter and see what it has for miles left on the tank and plan accordingly. Even if you are only getting 7 mpg, I have never heard of any location that is 210 miles between fuel stops. It may exist somewhere but I have never heard of it. Yet?? If it exists, somebody on this forum has seen it and will let us know where it is. The extra fuel cans would not be worth the hassle nor the potential savings from getting extra fuel at the cheaper stations to me.

 

[Gary1984]

We took a 5,000 mile trip a year ago with our Ram 3500 and our 5th wheel. It started in south west Georgia, Nashville, Tennessee, St. Louis, on to Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Yellow Stone, Grand Tetons, and then back across to Georgia. The Cummins averaged 12.8 mpg. We traveled a lot of interstates and never had a problem finding fuel. We averaged 65 mph. Hope this is an encouragement.