37 replies to this topic

[Leviticus907]

Hello fellow Alaskan campers! I'm new to the forum. I have a 2016 seven foot camper sitting on a 2500hd 6.0 vortec silverado. The truck handles it no problems cruises up hill in a higher RPM. My only problem is I like to drive out on deep logging roads and it seems as though I'm always almost out of gas and it cramps my style. I'm looking at a duramax 2008 fully deleted.

What are your opinions? Get a bigger gas tank? Switch to diesel? Ford ecotec? What are you driving?

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Auxiliary fuel tank. I also drive the 6.0. Alas, I am “Alaskan-less”.

Edited by Mighty Dodge Ram, 13 July 2019 - 03:31 PM.

[ntsqd]

The buy-in for a new or new-ish diesel truck will be quite high. More than an aux tank or larger than OE tank. In late model trucks I don't see the large MPG delta that diesels used to have over gassers. Since we had a diesel already and were still running low on fuel at times I went with a larger fuel tank.

 

Emissions controlled gasoline fuel tanks have more stringent Fed rules than diesel tanks so there aren't a lot of vendor options.

 

Downside to more fuel capacity is less truck capacity. Our larger tank holds nearly 400 lbs. worth of fuel when full.

[popRoid]

2017 F350 Dually diesel.....48 gal on board tank with 10 additional gal attached to back porch.  Plenty of range....plenty of power....only problem is the payment but that will pass.  

 

[Bill D]

 

Is that how your wife gets in the truck 

[klahanie]

Also Alaskan-less ... but fwiw ,I wanted diesel and picked a chassis that could accommodate a below the frame auxiliary fuel tank for the added range - that's where I put the money.

 

I'd suggest looking at cost and availability (per ntsqd) of your options.

 

Does your truck rear look similar to this ?

 

If so, I'd consider making a platform extending out the rear that supports 2 jerry cans. Maybe even spacing out the rear bumper to provide some protection (and a mount surface). Not ideal, esp with the LPG and toilet doors, but functional and relatively inexpensive, imo. Or I suppose perhaps could mount those flat type jerry cans to the upper rear wall. That might keep you going until a new truck.

 

If you're thinking replacement truck at this time anyway, then I'd say diesel if you can get a bigger or aux tank for that model (check first). And note that a delete may make a difference to the fuel consumption. Might have made a difference on vehicle wear and tear also ...

Edited by klahanie, 13 July 2019 - 06:46 PM.

[Taku]

I had a custom built hitch rack "step" designed that had brackets to attach to the outside points of the hitch. I can easily carry two 5 gallon cans on it (weight is no issue, size is). We use it for water, but gas would work too. Will try to get a photo and upload it. 

[Taku]

BTW - we are in the market for a 3/4 ton gasser and an Alaskan, so am curious as to what size tank you have and gas mileage? If I could afford a newer diesel, might go that way, but too expensive for now.  Thanks.

[nixfwc]

I have a 2008 GMC Duramx diesel 2500 to haul my 2014 Alaskan 8 footer which works great. 19 to 21 mpg on the highway. Handles the camper weight fine with air bags. A larger fuel tank would be great but I for now I carry an extra 5 gals of fuel. Only needed it once in Owahee desert.

[Vic Harder]

switched from a 2002 8.1L gas silverado to a 2006 diesel and am getting 2x the fuel economy.  I also researched tank sizes and aftermarket options, and it is virtually impossible to get an aftermarket GAS tank.  Diesel is no problem.  My truck now has a 38 gal tank, and I can get a 62 gal aftermarket replacement that doesn't change the ground clearance.  

 

VERY happy we made the switch to diesel.