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Sweating the fuel gauge

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Neal

Staff member
RVF Administrator
Joined
Jul 27, 2019
Messages
11,477
Location
Midlothian, VA
RV Year
2017
RV Make
Newmar
RV Model
Ventana 4037
RV Length
40' 10"
Chassis
Freightliner XCR
Engine
Cummins 400 HP
TOW/TOAD
2017 Chevy Colorado
Fulltimer
No
I don’t care to validate how accurate RV fuel gauges are. I knew where I wanted to hit a Love’s enroute to Gaffney but decided to hit one prior as although the math said I’d make it the low fuel warnings were giving me an ulcer. I took on nearly 80 of 100 gal capacity. I don’t think I would have made it 30 miles to the desired stop. Avoid drama at all costs.
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How many MPG do you get? At 5 MPG you could go 100 miles. No problem..... Live on the edge... :)

In reality I don't blame you... :)
 
I use a 7 mpg rule of thumb and that's all fine IF it's all usable fuel. Where is the pickup line? I've been lower, barely in the red, it's just not comfortable :sick:
 
We drive on the "top half" of the tank! That prevents ulcers and unneeded drama.

Generally, when our fuel gauge shows 1/2 full, it takes slightly less than 75 gallons to fill our 150-gallon tank. On the few times when we've found ourselves at the 1/4-full mark, LadyDi and I have been more than a bit uncomfortable. So, we plan ahead and schedule a fuel stop every 500-550 miles.

TJ
 
That’s exactly what I do. At half a tank, I start looking for a fuel stop.
 
Wow @Neal that odometer reading is impressive...Lots of happy miles in the Ventessex..
 
Haha, she's just breaking in. I love her now! It took long, we had many arguments, we didn't quite see things eye to eye. But we are happy together now :)

As to the fuel gauge, this is a route I've taken several times so I know the area, know the fuel stops, etc. I was trying to see how well it could be planned out based on known fuel, known locations, I simply just couldn't stand the alarms going off. I could see on this gorgeous sunny day me on the side of the road out of gas and causing problems from running a diesel dry, whatever those problems may be.
 
This is where RV trip wizard shines as I do my planning in it and it indicates where you need to refuel and I like to top off before the final stop so I have a full tank to start in the AM. RVTW is not perfect but I find the actual to be pretty close to what I plan. But then I am a newbie in miles compared to @Neal
 
This is not a criticism, Neal, but I don't know why anyone would not refuel at 1/2 a tank. I know many are more organized than I, but that method has saved me on more than one occasion in my working days hen I ended up running very late (not always my fault, when dealing with customers), with no time to refuel or like today, sitting in traffic for and hour.

I always tell young people - it costs the same to fill it from empty to half, as from half to full.?
 

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