DTE and Actual empty
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New User
Joined: Sep 2018
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DTE and Actual empty
2018 gas F250 longbed. The truck should have a 34 gallon tank, but I've never put more than 26 and change at a fill up. Last weekend I took a trip and went down to 30 and 50 miles DTE and still 26 gallons at the pump (with camper I was averaging 12.5 MPG on both tanks)
Is this normal? I'm planning a much longer trip shortly and would like to minimize stopping, the 8 gallon reserve seems a bit excessive.
Is this normal? I'm planning a much longer trip shortly and would like to minimize stopping, the 8 gallon reserve seems a bit excessive.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 426
From: Too close to Houston
You could throw a 5-gallon gas can in the back and run it to actual empty to find out for yourself...
What you may find out is the total volume is not the same as the usable volume. While your tank may well hold 34 gallons from empty some minimum level is required to cool the fuel pump, provide emergency range to reach a station, etc. I'll guess you have about 28 "usable" gallons running the DTE to zero.
What you may find out is the total volume is not the same as the usable volume. While your tank may well hold 34 gallons from empty some minimum level is required to cool the fuel pump, provide emergency range to reach a station, etc. I'll guess you have about 28 "usable" gallons running the DTE to zero.
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 97
Likes: 24
From: South Florida
The DTE # is a guestimate at best. The DTE miles countdown never matches the actual odometer #, sometimes it close but most of the time its no where near actual. If you get down to a quarter of a tank or less on the fuel guage, I would be looking to fuel up.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 618
Likes: 6
2018 gas F250 longbed. The truck should have a 34 gallon tank, but I've never put more than 26 and change at a fill up. Last weekend I took a trip and went down to 30 and 50 miles DTE and still 26 gallons at the pump (with camper I was averaging 12.5 MPG on both tanks)
Is this normal? I'm planning a much longer trip shortly and would like to minimize stopping, the 8 gallon reserve seems a bit excessive.
Is this normal? I'm planning a much longer trip shortly and would like to minimize stopping, the 8 gallon reserve seems a bit excessive.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 13
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Not to whine but the giant fuel door on the truck means removing the camper tie downs every fill (the frame mounted tie downs are in exactly the wrong spot). It gets old.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
Likes: 306
From: Mills River
The “34 gallon” tank on our 2019 F350 6.2 crewcab short bed takes ~30-1/2 gallons when DTE gets down to about zero. I’m OK with an ~10% reserve. 300+ miles per tank is doable unless driving uphill and/or into a strong headwind.
I use TorkLift Fast Guns for our camper’s front turnbuckles. Removing the driver-side TB when refueling adds less than a minute to the pit stop.
Finally, switch your DTE calculation from “Normal” (?) to “Towing”.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
I use TorkLift Fast Guns for our camper’s front turnbuckles. Removing the driver-side TB when refueling adds less than a minute to the pit stop.
Finally, switch your DTE calculation from “Normal” (?) to “Towing”.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 737
Likes: 13
I see in your sig you've got a 30 gallon auxiliary! I was hoping to get at least 300 between fill ups on my cross country trip. Right now when the gauge is "empty" I'm consistently at 8 gallons left. That would mean at 1/4 I'm at 14 gallons left. I'm not a risk taker but that means filling up every 225 or so miles on the remaining 20 gallons.
Another option might be to look at a replacement tank. They don't make them for gassers, (there was a post a little while ago about that: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post18682632) but if you've got a diesel, there are replacement tanks available.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Port Townsend, Washington
Pulling trailer last month I pulled in to fill up just as DTE hit 0 miles and put in 32 gallons. I don't know if I'd depend on getting to use that last two gallons though. 2019 F250 6.7
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 133
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I have a 2019 f450 cc. I have run out when the dte says 2 miles left when towing. I also had it say 0 miles ànd I made it another 5 miles. I then filled up with 48 gallons. Mine leaves no reserve. I regularly fill with almost nothing left. I noticed when not towing or loaded there is more reserve I guess because of the angle of the truck. Fuel gauge must be closer to the back of the tank.
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