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Old 11-28-2020, 09:38 PM   #1
LERD
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Finding fuel

I had asked this question on a different thread, but I realized almost immediately that it should have been a separate post, sorry.
So I am leaning heavily towards the new Ford 7.3l gas motor. Same power as earlier diesels with the simple life of a gasoline motor. But I'm looking at a 34 gallon fuel tank and between 7-9 mpg. So I'm looking for fuel every 200 miles or so. Is that a problem as I head through the Dakota's, Montana, Wyoming, etc? Especially if I don't have an external fuel tank. We have gas stations everywhere here in Ohio. I'm not opposed to diesel. But I am opposed to all of the DEF issues, fuel pump issues, other exhaust issues that are very prevalent in all of these forums. My next TV is at least a year away. And just for some understanding, I am towing a smaller 5er with an ecoboost. So I'm very aware of gasoline towing.
 
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Old 11-28-2020, 09:52 PM   #2
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I had asked this question on a different thread, but I realized almost immediately that it should have been a separate post, sorry.
So I am leaning heavily towards the new Ford 7.3l gas motor. Same power as earlier diesels with the simple life of a gasoline motor. But I'm looking at a 34 gallon fuel tank and between 7-9 mpg. So I'm looking for fuel every 200 miles or so. Is that a problem as I head through the Dakota's, Montana, Wyoming, etc? Especially if I don't have an external fuel tank. We have gas stations everywhere here in Ohio. I'm not opposed to diesel. But I am opposed to all of the DEF issues, fuel pump issues, other exhaust issues that are very prevalent in all of these forums. My next TV is at least a year away. And just for some understanding, I am towing a smaller 5er with an ecoboost. So I'm very aware of gasoline towing.
If you stick to interstates you should be fine with those distances; we had few issues with our last rig which would go 225 miles, and maybe you could stretch it to 250 miles. Off of the interstates you need to more carefully plan your route. I always carry a 5 gallon jerry can when in more remote areas.

We use Gasbuddy to plan our trip, and I get my wife to use the map view on satellite and drill right in to make sure we can see that there are good entrances and exits; not always can you find a truck stop, and/or the price is a lot lower just down the street... but you need to know you can make it safely in and out with your trailer.

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Old 11-29-2020, 06:47 AM   #3
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The 7.3 does have about the same power as an old Diesel engine but there may be a few things you haven’t thought about. Campers are heavier now and in order to get that 475 pound feet of torque it will be at much higher RPMs. Probably at 4000 RPMs where the diesel develops it’s torque at 2000 or under. And a gasoline engine looses 3.6% of its power for every 1000 feet of elevation. A lot of Wyoming is 7000 feet or over. Laramie is 7200 feet and I80 just before Laramie is 8200 feet. That engine will only be putting out 330 pound feet of torque.

I’m not trying to say don’t buy this engine but be aware of this.
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Old 11-29-2020, 07:00 AM   #4
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Don’t believe everything you hear about The issues you’ve listed, haven’t had any issues at all as most on this site unless you don’t read the date code on the box of def. I use the def at the pump when we travel, you do need to pay attention and don’t pump def in you diesel tank as I’ve seen some do that.

I know your dead set on the 7.3L gas engine, as far as fuel stops down load some apps such as Pilot/FlyJs, TA, loves...they all have gas pumps.

One thing to remember as you won’t be able to safely pull that 5th throw a regular gas station because there not set up for big trailers and your mixed in with a bunch of cars.
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Old 11-29-2020, 07:10 AM   #5
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I have a 15 and i don't nor have ever had a DEF problem. Fuel system is also good. I have towed over 30,000 miles so far. The 7.3 may be a good motor for just going camping for the week but for traveling I would highly recommend the diesel. I get about 12 MPG towing I don't seem to lose power in the mountains. I have found diesel everywhere. Not like the old days when only truck stops had diesel. I only have the 26 gallon tank and it works just fine. Some guys seem to think that they need extra fuel but extra fuel hurts fuel millage. I need a brake after about 200 miles anyway. The route you are going there are lots of mountains. My diesel hasn't been to expensive to operate. All these lock downs have curbed my traveling this year so I haven't had my RV out for a year. I can't remember when the last time I added DEF to my truck. When towing you will use more but it's not a problem. Fuel is easy to find. Good luck finding your truck. Post pictures. Red is a sharp color.
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Old 11-29-2020, 07:36 AM   #6
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Our first Ford truck a 2005 F-350 was the Gasser V-10.We pulled our 06 3400 all over the country. Fuel MPG was in the 7s and 8s and way less the mountains. We went screaming up some of the steep grades at 4 or 5 MPH. It was a good truck. When we returned from out first cross country trip we went to the F-350 diesel .If I were a low use rver or did not pull in the mountains on a regular basis the gasser would have been OK.
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Old 11-29-2020, 08:54 AM   #7
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Have a camping friend. She has a 8000 pound Artic Fox TT. She just went from an F150 to a F250 with the 7.3. She has the 34 gallon gas tank. She loves the 7.3. In Wyoming she hated the range. Twice she pulled into a gas station on fumes.
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Old 11-29-2020, 09:10 AM   #8
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Have been pulling with a diesel since 2007 and never a problem with fuel pumps or the other issues you mention. Pulling with a 2012 F350 diesel now and never a problem. Did have an EGR valve go bad on the old 2007 F350 6.0. But I would not try to convince you to choose the diesel over the gasser if that is what you want.

Most larger fuel stations with the pumps out front have built in enough room to pull a 5er thru and out in front of the station. I will more often than not use the diesel pumps out front rather than go thru the truck pumps in the rear, if they have them. Just have to take it slow and watch the turns. Google satellite view and street view are great if you have the time to plan ahead and find the next convenient fuel stop. Knowing my range and approximately where I will want to fuel, I typically plan that before we even hit the highway for the day.
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Old 11-29-2020, 10:29 AM   #9
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I guess it's a good thing I'm a year away. Lots to mull over. Thank you everyone
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Old 11-29-2020, 11:59 AM   #10
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When on the road we fuel at FJ or loves there are plenty of them all over the country. When off the interstates or TPKs you may have a problem but we never did.
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Old 11-29-2020, 01:48 PM   #11
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One more thought...

One more thought... you never know when you may decide to upgrade to a larger coach.

I'm currently using a 2020 GMC 3500 Denali HD SRW pulling my 41' 3781RL Montana and I absolutely LOVE it! She runs 1800 to 1900rpm's all day and I get 10.9 to 11.4 MPG all day long towing 16,000lbs and 2,900lbs pin weight. Not an ounce of sway or chucking and soooo comfortable. As a daily driver I get around 18.7 to 19.1 depending on how heavy my foot is. I purchased a 20K slider hitch and can turn a full 90 degrees. Best move I ever made!!
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Old 11-29-2020, 02:43 PM   #12
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Another thing to consider - if you can go 200 miles on a tank, that is really about 150-160 because you have to have a little reserve in case the next rest area may not have a station. That happened to me in WY on my first trip. Headed south from near Cody and I had planned for 2 different towns to fuel up, depending on what my gauge looked like. First town, I was still at 2/3. Next town - one restaurant and 8-10 houses - no fuel at all. I had a 25 gallon tank and when I got to Rawlings (I think it was) I added 24.5 gallons to the tank. WAY TOO CLOSE.
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Old 11-29-2020, 03:01 PM   #13
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Another thing to consider - if you can go 200 miles on a tank, that is really about 150-160 because you have to have a little reserve in case the next rest area may not have a station. That happened to me in WY on my first trip. Headed south from near Cody and I had planned for 2 different towns to fuel up, depending on what my gauge looked like. First town, I was still at 2/3. Next town - one restaurant and 8-10 houses - no fuel at all. I had a 25 gallon tank and when I got to Rawlings (I think it was) I added 24.5 gallons to the tank. WAY TOO CLOSE.
Yup, once I went just a bit more than that... really fun to try to get fuel in the middle of nowhere. I started to carry a jerry can after that; only used it once, but really glad I had it when I needed it

On my new truck, I got a 52 gallon titanfuel tank installed... no more jerry can!

B
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Old 11-29-2020, 03:42 PM   #14
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Strange but just a few weeks ago I put 40 gallons in my 36 gallon Ford fuel tank on my 08 Ford. So your 25 gallon tank might hold more than you realize.
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Old 11-29-2020, 03:47 PM   #15
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Strange but just a few weeks ago I put 40 gallons in my 36 gallon Ford fuel tank on my 08 Ford. So your 25 gallon tank might hold more than you realize.
Lynwood
Man I wish that was the case for me!
My 2016 RAM apparently had a 32 gallon tank and the most I ever put in was 29 gallons... and that was driving around town, and after the distance to empty disappeared and I kept driving for a few more miles with just the "low fuel" blinking rapidly.
My normal when towing was to quit when it said 25-30 miles range and I would squeeze 25 or 26 gallons in at that point.

RAM vs Ford thing... should I duck now?

Brad
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Old 11-29-2020, 04:59 PM   #16
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Man I wish that was the case for me!
My 2016 RAM apparently had a 32 gallon tank and the most I ever put in was 29 gallons... and that was driving around town, and after the distance to empty disappeared and I kept driving for a few more miles with just the "low fuel" blinking rapidly.
My normal when towing was to quit when it said 25-30 miles range and I would squeeze 25 or 26 gallons in at that point.

RAM vs Ford thing... should I duck now?

Brad
I have the same Ford truck and I have also put 40 gallons in the tank.
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Old 11-29-2020, 05:20 PM   #17
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I have the same Ford truck and I have also put 40 gallons in the tank.

Thanks Rich. I thought I was going crazy.
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Old 11-29-2020, 05:24 PM   #18
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Thanks Rich. I thought I was going crazy.
Lynwood
...oh man and I bought another RAM, lol.

I didn't even put a single tank through the OEM tank before I upgraded it to a 52 gallon titan tank.

Oh well, it cost a few bucks but now I should have enough

Brad
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Old 11-29-2020, 05:44 PM   #19
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[QUOTE=BobStack;1205252]One more thought... you never know when you may decide to upgrade to a larger coach.

That was one of the things the DW and I talked about early on. Our dream coach is the 3120RL. It's actually just a bit longer than we want. But the layout for us is perfect. We're used to packing light, and being fine with it. Plastic cups, melamine plates etc. We've had good practice keeping our current rig light as I tow with an ecoboost and keep the RV around 8300-8500 lbs. I'm fairly sure if we get one, our travel weight will be well below the maximum cargo rating. We'll see how it plays out. Thanks for everyone's help
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Old 11-29-2020, 06:54 PM   #20
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[QUOTE=LERD;1205322]
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One more thought... you never know when you may decide to upgrade to a larger coach.

We've had good practice keeping our current rig light as I tow with an ecoboost and keep the RV around 8300-8500 lbs.

I’m just waiting for Ford to build a 6.7 Ecoboost. I’d be first in line to get one. It could easily put out 600 HP and 800 Torque at 2500 RPMs. I have had 2, 2.7 Ecoboost F150s. Great and very little impressive engine.
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