Planning
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
Based on the helpful input, and to be on the conservative side, since my trailer is lighter than most on here I'll plan on fuel stops every 170 to 180 miles. That should allow for unplanned things such as head winds, long steep hills, etc. And it works out time-wise to when everyone is about ready for a bathroom break anyhow. So all's good on that front.
I did get the weather maps to work on the console based on the input here too. Thanks again!!
Dave
I did get the weather maps to work on the console based on the input here too. Thanks again!!
Dave
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Mexico
I tow an Arctic Fox 25' travel trailer at about 8500 lbs at 65 mph on the interstates. I use 22 gallons of usable fuel volume in the tank and an assumed 10 mpg, to be conservative, for my fuel logistics. My actual mileage is about 11-12 mpg with no big winds. I have tracked my displayed mpg as compared to calculated mpg since I purchased the truck. Displayed mpg is about 0.5-0.7 mpg higher (more optimistic) than calculated mpg. As a double check, I also track displayed gallons used (trip A) as compared to gallons added on a fill up. The displayed gallons used is always about 0.5 to 0.8 gallons less than the fill up volume. In the west we typically have relatively large distances between fuel stations .... 30-50 miles or more. So this fact shortens your range considerably to make certain not to run out of fuel. I carry a 5 gallon jug of fuel also! 
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
You can plan it that way which is good, but you can always modify your plans based on what you are actually getting. I plan out trips and stops, but I am also very flexible too. I check the weather (often) and I have made many a route change based on not wanting to drive through nasty storms. I don't need any more bad weather driving experience. I have also found that at different times my fuel mileage can vary widely.
When I stop, I typically try to find a place to top off, even if all I need is 5 gals. That way I also have the ability to keep on trucking longer. (This has happened before as someone in the car needs to stop right after we just stopped - usually after just having eaten at the previous stop) This is especially good for you to do, since you only have a 26 gal tank. Since I bring extra fuel, when we stop at a rest area, I generally top the tank off there as well... I do this so if I can skip a stop and make some time I have the fuel to do it. Just sharing our trip taking philosophy, take it or leave it.
When I stop, I typically try to find a place to top off, even if all I need is 5 gals. That way I also have the ability to keep on trucking longer. (This has happened before as someone in the car needs to stop right after we just stopped - usually after just having eaten at the previous stop) This is especially good for you to do, since you only have a 26 gal tank. Since I bring extra fuel, when we stop at a rest area, I generally top the tank off there as well... I do this so if I can skip a stop and make some time I have the fuel to do it. Just sharing our trip taking philosophy, take it or leave it.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Florida
I've always found the people on this forum so helpful and this post proves it again.
Thank you all. The replies here are very helpful.
I've been towing campers of this size for about 5 years now and usually hang at 62 mph due to that being the sweet spot for my old gas engine truck and the ST tire ratings. I won't go above 65 mph now simply because of the ST tires.
Dave
Thank you all. The replies here are very helpful.
I've been towing campers of this size for about 5 years now and usually hang at 62 mph due to that being the sweet spot for my old gas engine truck and the ST tire ratings. I won't go above 65 mph now simply because of the ST tires.
Dave
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
If I was retired maybe I wouldn't mind slowing down, but the little time I get off I don't want to spend it driving
Not encouraging anything unsafe, my tires are rated for more weight then I have and for more faster speeds then I drive. I always keep plenty of distance so I have room to stop, and if traffic is busy I slow it down. When you get to Wyoming though you don't deal with much traffic.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 5
We are leaving this friday on a 6000 mile cross country trip. Can someone tell me why y'all are refueling every 170-180 miles? I've only towed the tt one time so far with the new truck, and it was only 150+/- miles round trip. But I still had half a tank when we got home. Why would I refuel then?
I was "planning" on stopping once between fillups to stretch or use the bathroom, there will be five of us in the truck. But I was hoping for 350-400 miles out of a tank, not 180.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
Ken
I was "planning" on stopping once between fillups to stretch or use the bathroom, there will be five of us in the truck. But I was hoping for 350-400 miles out of a tank, not 180.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
Ken
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
We are leaving this friday on a 6000 mile cross country trip. Can someone tell me why y'all are refueling every 170-180 miles? I've only towed the tt one time so far with the new truck, and it was only 150+/- miles round trip. But I still had half a tank when we got home. Why would I refuel then?
I was "planning" on stopping once between fillups to stretch or use the bathroom, there will be five of us in the truck. But I was hoping for 350-400 miles out of a tank, not 180.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
Ken
I was "planning" on stopping once between fillups to stretch or use the bathroom, there will be five of us in the truck. But I was hoping for 350-400 miles out of a tank, not 180.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
Ken
my 5er is 40'. So truck stops are the only way to go.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 427
Likes: 4
From: Prescott, Michigan
I have "G" rated LT tires on my trailer, got tired of the cheap unreliable ST tires. I have had no problems with these so far. Knock on wood!
If I was retired maybe I wouldn't mind slowing down, but the little time I get off I don't want to spend it driving
Not encouraging anything unsafe, my tires are rated for more weight then I have and for more faster speeds then I drive. I always keep plenty of distance so I have room to stop, and if traffic is busy I slow it down. When you get to Wyoming though you don't deal with much traffic.
If I was retired maybe I wouldn't mind slowing down, but the little time I get off I don't want to spend it driving
Not encouraging anything unsafe, my tires are rated for more weight then I have and for more faster speeds then I drive. I always keep plenty of distance so I have room to stop, and if traffic is busy I slow it down. When you get to Wyoming though you don't deal with much traffic.
That's what I run. I couldn't bear the thought of running all those miles out west on the stock ST's. I have read too many people state their ST tires look great then BOOM!
Just wanted the OP, who might not be aware of ST limitations, that they should restrict themselves to 65 mph. Your original post did not mention you upgraded your tires.
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Florida
I have "G" rated LT tires on my trailer, got tired of the cheap unreliable ST tires. I have had no problems with these so far. Knock on wood!
If I was retired maybe I wouldn't mind slowing down, but the little time I get off I don't want to spend it driving
Not encouraging anything unsafe, my tires are rated for more weight then I have and for more faster speeds then I drive. I always keep plenty of distance so I have room to stop, and if traffic is busy I slow it down. When you get to Wyoming though you don't deal with much traffic.
If I was retired maybe I wouldn't mind slowing down, but the little time I get off I don't want to spend it driving
Not encouraging anything unsafe, my tires are rated for more weight then I have and for more faster speeds then I drive. I always keep plenty of distance so I have room to stop, and if traffic is busy I slow it down. When you get to Wyoming though you don't deal with much traffic.
I agree on the rating of the cheap st tires, but I also think about the fact that trailer tires are not balanced as well, the faster you go with an unbalanced tire the worse the vibration and wear.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
G614's?
That's what I run. I couldn't bear the thought of running all those miles out west on the stock ST's. I have read too many people state their ST tires look great then BOOM!
Just wanted the OP, who might not be aware of ST limitations, that they should restrict themselves to 65 mph. Your original post did not mention you upgraded your tires.
That's what I run. I couldn't bear the thought of running all those miles out west on the stock ST's. I have read too many people state their ST tires look great then BOOM!
Just wanted the OP, who might not be aware of ST limitations, that they should restrict themselves to 65 mph. Your original post did not mention you upgraded your tires.
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
One of the few radios I have seen with radar on the map and not just a weather forecast. Even my wife's radio in her newer than my truck car doesn't do a weather map.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
I had let my sub run out. HOWEVER, since I am doing a round trip and a half to Alaska I decided to re-up... $60.20 with taxes and fees, for 5 months including Nav Traffic and Travel Link... I now it doesn't work in AK - but it does work in a lot of Canada.
One of the few radios I have seen with radar on the map and not just a weather forecast. Even my wife's radio in her newer than my truck car doesn't do a weather map.
One of the few radios I have seen with radar on the map and not just a weather forecast. Even my wife's radio in her newer than my truck car doesn't do a weather map.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10,107
Likes: 96
From: Hempstead, TX
We are leaving this friday on a 6000 mile cross country trip. Can someone tell me why y'all are refueling every 170-180 miles? I've only towed the tt one time so far with the new truck, and it was only 150+/- miles round trip. But I still had half a tank when we got home. Why would I refuel then?
I was "planning" on stopping once between fillups to stretch or use the bathroom, there will be five of us in the truck. But I was hoping for 350-400 miles out of a tank, not 180.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
Ken
I was "planning" on stopping once between fillups to stretch or use the bathroom, there will be five of us in the truck. But I was hoping for 350-400 miles out of a tank, not 180.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
Ken
A lot of the guys that are fueling up at 180 miles are running short bed trucks with the 26 gallon tanks. With the long bed, you should be able to make it much farther down the road.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 427
Likes: 4
From: Prescott, Michigan
We are leaving this friday on a 6000 mile cross country trip. Can someone tell me why y'all are refueling every 170-180 miles? I've only towed the tt one time so far with the new truck, and it was only 150+/- miles round trip. But I still had half a tank when we got home. Why would I refuel then?
I was "planning" on stopping once between fillups to stretch or use the bathroom, there will be five of us in the truck. But I was hoping for 350-400 miles out of a tank, not 180.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
Ken
I was "planning" on stopping once between fillups to stretch or use the bathroom, there will be five of us in the truck. But I was hoping for 350-400 miles out of a tank, not 180.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
Ken