Gas tank
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2008
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Gas tank
My new SD supposedly has a 30.5 gallon gas tank. Twice now, I have driven it until it says that I have less than 10 miles to empty. Both times, it took just over 25 gallons to fill the tank. Is this normal? 5.5 gallons in reserve? Is there an easy way to lower the fuel sending unit so that it only has 2 gallons in reserve? Or is it possible that I just need to drive the truck past where it thinks its empty, and it will learn the new empty point? I don't know how smart the electronics on this truck are. I work in the electronics field, so I know that its possible.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: NorCal
The tank is actually over 30 gallons but for some reason due to the emission control equiptment they are designed to keep several gallons worth of air space in them. If your truck was a diesel then you could do the Harpoon mod which would let you fill up the tank all the way but I wouldn't suggest it with a gas engine.
Just take a gas can with you so you can run it all the way out once, then you will know how far you can push it! (no pun intended)
Just take a gas can with you so you can run it all the way out once, then you will know how far you can push it! (no pun intended)
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Ohio
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
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my long bed has a 38 gallon tank,at half a tank I can put 23 to 25 gallon in it,this keeps the fuel pump submerged and cool and not quite so hard on the wallet.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: SW Indiana melon fields.
I've run mine to a couple miles past "0 to empty" and I got 27.5 gallons in it, with the last gallon going in an eyedropperful at a time. I also have a 5.4 with the 30.5 gallon tank.
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fordman8- I am going to be purchasing a fifth wheel shortly. When towing, I am told that my fuel economy will suffer greatly. 7 to 8 mpg. If i only used half the tank, that would have me stopping for fuel every 100 miles or less. I thought that the 30.5 gal. tank would give me a range of 300 to 320 miles, but being unable to use the rated capacity, that comes down to around 200 to 225. Some of my camping will be 250 to 400 miles from home, so that means that I will have to stop for gas on the trip out and on the trip home.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Ohio
You aren't going to run it to 0 gallons before you fillup. When towing you are not going to get 300 miles even with the 3 or 4 gallons your after. I haul a 30' tt all over the country as part of my work with a V10 and 38 gallon tank at about 7 mpg. I can go about 250 miles max.
