Thinking about moving up to a fifth wheel(Grand Design 337RLS)

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May 31, 2019 | 09:42 AM

#31

open sky

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaadk

As it’s going to be diesel, you won’t have as many worries about fitting in a gas station with the trailer in tow, but being out west, you also have a greater chance of having further to need to go before you can even find a gas station. I’d still recommend the LB for the bigger tank.

Couldn't this be mitigated by having auxiliary fuel tank in bed? I was thinking maybe tool box/fuel tank combo (possibly both separately). I figured the bed would be empty most of the time except for small generator and occasional firewood and such. There should be enough room for that even in SB. That way, I could get the best of both worlds - shorter wheel base for off road excursions, parking, and turning radius, as well as larger fuel tank.

I suspect this thinking may be incorrect, otherwise more people would be doing it. Am I missing anything?

May 31, 2019 | 09:58 AM

#32

JD'sBigredv10

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From: Poway, CA

I would never consider sacrificing the utility of the longer bed and the larger fuel tank. A CCSB is 250.0" and the CCLB is 266.2". The difference is 16.2". The long bed is only 9% longer overall. Neither will be nimble so the benefits of the long bed have always won out for me.I have never found a parking spot that I couldn't fit into and said to myself, "If I only had a short bed I could have slipped right in there!".

May 31, 2019 | 11:05 AM

#33

Kaadk

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Quote:

Originally Posted by open sky

No, your options are perfectly valid. For that matter, I believe there are a couple of companies out there that will even replace the existing fuel tank with a larger capacity one. But not everyone wants to deal with such modifications on their vehicles. Having it already done from the factory is a lot easier than dealing with aftermarket down the road. Now, if you really wanted huge amounts of capactity, imagine going with a long bed, converting to 65 gallon tank AND adding another 100 gallons in the bed.

As far as the difference in drive-ability, JD sums it up here:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD'sBigredv10

Driving wise, there's not much of difference, and even parking wise, my SB still sticks way out and I'm parking in the boondocks in most lots. For the majority of the cases, the LB and SB are going to park the same. I only went SB because that difference of 16" was make or break for me fitting in my driveway:

But other than my own driveway, I'd have no problem fitting a LB anywhere I can fit my SB.

May 31, 2019 | 12:16 PM

#34

open sky

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[QUOTE=Kaadk;18682124
But other than my own driveway, I'd have no problem fitting a LB anywhere I can fit my SB.[/QUOTE]

That's really funny, and thanks for including the picture!

In my case, neither SB nor LB will fit into garage, but driveway is no problem. When we sell the house next spring, and go full time, even garage won't be an issue.

My main concern are those off road excursions we love taking here in Colorado, like the Alpine Loop in San Juans. It's almost tradition and we take it every time when we are in the area. These new beasts in CCLB form are really long, and my concern is turning radius on some of those switchbacks. There is plenty ground clearance available, and I have seen plenty trucks up there over the years, but I don't think I've seen new CCLB. So that's my dilemma, and while the brain is telling me CCLB is the right choice for towing and fuel tank, my heart tells me CCSB.

Thank you guys for responding, and apologies to OP again - hopefully we are still on track.

May 31, 2019 | 02:51 PM

#35

Alaskan_Warbird

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From: Fairbanks, AK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaadk

...converting to 65 gallon tank...

There is a 65 gallon tank option? Is it gasoline capable? My truck is in my sig and has the 48 gallon OEM tank. A 65 gallon would almost make it worth the upgrade...

May 31, 2019 | 03:18 PM

#36

Kaadk

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Alaskan_Warbird

There is a 65 gallon tank option? Is it gasoline capable? My truck is in my sig and has the 48 gallon OEM tank. A 65 gallon would almost make it worth the upgrade...

I was referring to a guy who was looking at Diesel, so I wasn't worried about the tank I mentioned being diesel only:

2017-19 FORD Crew Cab, Long Bed - Generation 6 TITAN Fuel Tank (7020317)

I'd love a replacement tank with a larger capacity for my gasser, but unfortunately I haven't seen any. If you find one, let me know.

May 31, 2019 | 05:24 PM

#37

Alaskan_Warbird

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From: Fairbanks, AK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaadk

Yeah, makes me wish I had a diesel (don't let the diesel guys know I said that.

).

So, I just called Titan at the number on that page you linked to. The guy I got ahold of was awesome and told it like it is. Here's the skinny:

No one will go larger for a gasoline tank because it's illegal. Would require modifying the EVAP system, fuel pump ratio, and other things. Modifying an EVAP system after the fact is illegal. He said you can sometimes order a truck new and if it's specifically built from the factory that way, you can sometimes do it. Otherwise, us gas guys are stuck with the factory-sized tank.