Is it ever a problem to find diesel fuel in remote - Montana Owners Club

BirdingRVer · 09-09-2006, 11:05 AM

I am looking seriously at buying my first diesel to pull my first 5th wheel. I have some questions about the availability of diesel fuel.

I have been told that diesel isn’t sold in Yosemite and may not be available for 50 miles. Is this a real problem that diesel owners face in remote locations?

Is there a web site or book that helps one find places that sell diesel when you are in a new location?

Thanks

Parrothead · 09-09-2006, 11:33 AM

I don't know if diesel is sold in Yosemite or not. The last time we were there, we didn't have a diesel. However, I'm pretty sure you can find it within 50 miles if you go in the right direction. We have had no problem finding diesel. Remember truckers need it so it is there - sometimes you have to do a little scouting but you will find it.
Happy trails......................

Sue and Ed Rowe
Hemet California

2005 3400RL

2006 GMC 3500 Dually, D/A, Crew Cab, Long Bed

Glenn and Lorraine · 09-09-2006, 11:39 AM

not be available for 50 miles should not be an issue if you know that going in. Fill the tank before hand and you shouldn't have much of a problem and to feel totally at ease caryy an extra 5 gallon can in the back. 5 gallons is enough to get most of us back that 50 miles.
A great locater of fuel stops would be the same place we go to to check current prices. You will find numerous links to fuel pricing HERE.

Glenn
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Glenn and Lorraine

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JH Sechelt · 09-09-2006, 12:07 PM

Maybe not as easy to find as Regular Gas, but I've never ran out.

J&D

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sreigle · 09-09-2006, 01:57 PM

We've never had a problem, either. I don't recall about Yosemite. We stayed outside the park and got diesel but didn't look inside the park. Death Valley NP has two stations. Both carry both gasoline and diesel.

Our truck has just a 29 gallon tank so we do fill up more frequently than those with larger tanks. But finding diesel has never been a problem. Finding diesel in a station we can get in and out of with the Montana is sometimes more challenging but still hasn't been a problem. Both the Next Exit (for interstates) and the Truckers Friend (shows truck stops for all highways) are carried in our truck.

More and more stations are adding diesel pumps and most new stations have diesel.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'07 3400RL
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

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ols1932 · 09-09-2006, 02:19 PM

I have been thinking about a new diesel truck. However the thought of not being able to buy fuel for the 2007's and later models scares me a little. Everywhere we refuel right now there is a sticker that says the fuel is not to be used in the 2007 models. With only 5 months left in the year, how are they ever going to get enough of the new diesel fuel out so we can get it wherever we need it? Makes me begin thinking about Rich's V10.

Orv

Bill and Ann · 09-09-2006, 03:27 PM

When in doubt...carry your own. I always carry 2 extra 5 gal. cans with me just in case.

If you can't play a sport....Be one.

Bill and Ann
Napanee, Ontario, Canada
2004 3670RL Big Sky
2003 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 Short Bed
20K.Reece Hitch
Duramax/Allison
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Montana Sky · 09-09-2006, 08:39 PM

Between the 2 diesel trucks I have owned I covered 90,000 miles. I have never had a problem finding diesel. When towing I try to keep the tank above half, that usually gives me a 100-150 mile reserve.

2004 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD CrewCab Duramax
2004 Montana 3400RL

tbhd2 · 09-10-2006, 09:49 AM

When we first bought our tv it had restrictors in the fuel fill necks (like the small ones for unleaded fuel). We went to Yellowstone and had problems finding fuel stations that had a diesel pump with the small nozzles to fill our tanks. That may have changed now and we changed the fill necks.

Native Tex · 09-10-2006, 12:24 PM

There are so many more stations carrying diesel today due to the popularity of just what we are all doing....that is driving one of the three major car company mande light duty diesels. If it weren't for the added weight, I have thought about adding a flat tank across the bed to carry extra fuel; just to take advantage of cheap prices when I find them.

Native Tex

O.V. & Kathy Bonner
Miss Ko-Ko (Chocolate Lab)
Huntsville, Al
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'05 F250 Ford King Ranch, CC, FX4/4x4, 6.0L PSD

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timandsusan · 09-10-2006, 02:24 PM

We are on an 2 month trip via Salt Lake City from San Antonio to Yellowstone and places in between. Diesel has not been a problem on this trip. The price in SLC is about $3.59/gal and that hurts! Found it for $3.37 in Heber City--hope it improves when we return to this area in about 10 days!

Tim and Susan Millington
F-350 King Ranch Crew Cab (2006), Single Wheel, Diesel
2006 3475RL San Antonio, Texas
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Montana Sky · 09-10-2006, 06:29 PM

Tim,
Once you head east out of Salt Lake, you are going to find diesel gets cheaper. SLC had the highest price I have paid so far on this trip.

2004 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD CrewCab Duramax
2004 Montana 3400RL

Devildog · 09-11-2006, 10:26 AM

AS with anything you do these days, plan ahead. Many good responses ahead of mine, and I second the one for fill up when halp full, expecially when pulling your 5ver. Several national parks that I have visited lately (including Yellowstone) carry diesel inside the park, as their equipment runs on it. I have put almost 100,000 miles on this diesel, and was initially scared to start with about finding diesel. Just like owning a new car. you never see that anyone else owns the same thing, until you buy one. While towing, watch the pump locations. Truck stops are a guarantee that you can get in and out, but must use the bigger pump nozzle, which is no problem. Actually, it pumps fuel faster.

Jim, Angie and Anna the Wonder Retriever
2001 GMC Sierra 4X4, CC, D/A
Air Helper Springs, New Engine
2006 3295RK fitted with some of the improvements from valuable MOC owners!

Cat320 · 09-11-2006, 11:12 AM

Here are the big three in my part of the country. Granted most are on or near interstates, but there are lots of them:

Flying J: www.flyingj.com
Loves: www.loves.com
Pilot: www.pilotcorp.com

Bert and Betty
Fort Smith, AR
2007 Silverado Classic 3500, DRW, D/A, CC
2007 Montana 3400RL

BirdingRVer · 09-11-2006, 11:37 AM

I bought the truck yesterday and I didn’t even get to bring it home.

This truck is so new, we had to take the plastic off the seats to find the seat belts for the test drive. The dealer kept the truck to detail it and add the running boards (my wife can barely get in with the running boards).

I have know idea where the gas tank is (I hope it comes with a full tank).

Can the 3500 use the bigger pump nozzles?
Do many of you have auxiliary tanks?

Grant

Parrothead · 09-11-2006, 01:42 PM

Grant, I hope it does also. That was part of the deal we made with our dealer - full tank and bed liner. With the long bed you have a larger fuel tank (one of the main reasons we buy long beds). We haven't had a problem. One nice thing about the truck unless they've changed for 07 for there is that much difference in Chevy and GMC, there is a nice handle to grab onto for the passenger to get in. I am leg length challenged and really need the running boards and handle to get in. When we brought ours home, they had to go find a step stool for me to get in the truck. Enjoy!
Happy trails....................

Sue and Ed Rowe
Hemet California

2005 3400RL

2006 GMC 3500 Dually, D/A, Crew Cab, Long Bed

Cat320 · 09-11-2006, 01:43 PM

If you got a good dealer, he'll top the tank for you. The gas cap is driver's side aft of the rear door and foward of the dually fender. Looks like it will take the larger nozzle. Comes with a 34 gallon tank, don't know about the other dually guys, but I do not plan on a aux tank.

Bert and Betty
Fort Smith, AR
2007 Silverado Classic 3500, DRW, D/A, CC
2007 Montana 3400RL

firetrucker · 09-11-2006, 03:03 PM

Tim, go to www.utahgasprices.com and check diesel prices (there's a button abut half way down the left side). Currently, the best price in Utah is in St George area at a Flying J. They show a price of $3.11.

Bob

'99 Volvo / '05 3400RL
2 Shih Tzu guard dogs
1 lonely Siberian Husky

scattershot · 09-11-2006, 03:10 PM

+I have had a couple of touchy situations with diesel. Once I was planning to stop at an exit that was supposed to have it, according to The Next Exit, but that station was closed for repairs. Eventually found some, but it was white knuckle city for a while. Now I plan a little better and carry a 5 gallon can.

"Experience is a series of non-fatal mistakes."

sreigle · 09-11-2006, 05:33 PM

For those of you headed to the rally from the west, diesel (and gasoline) is considerably higher in Illinois than in the states on either side, Missouri and Indiana. I intend to stop short of the IL line and fill up while in MO and not fill again until Indiana.

TimandSusan, it generally gets cheaper as you move east from SLC. I paid 2.659 in Blue Springs, MO (Kansas City) yesterday. I saw today it's 2.659 on the Kansas Turnpike and MO is usually cheaper than KS (taxes) so it's probably dropped here in MO.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'07 3400RL
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

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