Quote:
quote:Originally posted by gduff
Use a 52 gal tank with transfer pump here. This give me a 78 gallon capacity which will keep us going all day and then some. It does raise some weight concerns for sure. The empty steel tank really isn't very heavy. I am guessing with the 12v pump the whole thing doesn't hit a 100 pounds, so full of fuel it may add 475 pounds or so. The 26 gallon stock tank in my chev just does not cut it for long trips. I often wonder about the rated capacity of the stock tank as I have never been able to squeeze more than 22 gallons into it even when dead empty with the low fuel light on and the mileage remaining down to 20. (Not a recommended practice I know!) Have it mounted in the center in front and with the slider hitch there are no interference problems. As mentioned it does add the option of shopping around on fuel as well. I also have a diesel tractor so it does serve two purposes.
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The stated fuel capacity on your factory tank is correct. In the 1990's (or earlier), GM started putting fuel pumps in the tanks of their gas vehicles. After a few years and many customers having their fuel pumps burn out, GM got more conservative on their fuel gages to ensure enough fuel remained in the tank to keep the fuel pump cool. I know, the premise of cooling a fuel pump with gasoline seems, well dangerous at best, but it works. I strongly suspect that while GM uses an external fuel pump for it diesel vehicles, the sending unit and gage operate the same as the gas models do. Hence when your fuel gage reads empty, the light is on and the truck is chiming at you, there are still a few gallons left. Diesels face another issue with low tanks though, and that is sediment build up. It's better to keep a few gallons in there to keep the sediment dispersed than to let it get concentrated and plug your filter or cause damage to the pump.
To prove my point about the stated capacity, I once was caught in Iowa, where fueling stations on the interstate were few and far between with my S-10 work truck. When I finally found an open station, I put 18.5 gallons in a 18 gallon tank. And it wasn't long after that I had to replace the fuel pump.