Gas vs Diesel

[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”.

 

[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 ...

 

[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.

 

[Leviticus907]

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.

Yeah that sounds perfect, having a 400mile range would be ideal!! I could traverse mountains get stuck, use lots of fuel and no worries!

 

[Leviticus907]

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.

Yeah that sounds perfect, having a 400mile range would be ideal!! I could traverse mountains get stuck, use lots of fuel and no worries!

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 ...

That is basically the model year truck I'm looking to get the gasser I have now is the older body style. And I was planning on having a rack made, but I was thinking more for a generator which is gonna use up even more of my gasoline so I should probably get solar.....

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.

 

[Leviticus907]

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.

I have a 2004 extended cab 4x4 with 33x11 tires and 4.1 gears. With alaskan camper on I get 10mpg if there is alot of highway driving otherwise it's like 8mpg.And I have 26 gallon tank. And i looked into a larger fuel tank but they dont make one. Unless i wanted to jury rig a transfer tank underneath somehow.

 

[Leviticus907]

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.

If I buy a diesel I'll sell you mine, I'm in Nor Cal.

 

[klahanie]

I have a 2004 extended cab 4x4 with 33x11 tires and 4.1 gears. With alaskan camper on I get 10mpg if there is alot of highway driving otherwise it's like 8mpg.And I have 26 gallon tank. And i looked into a larger fuel tank but they dont make one. Unless i wanted to jury rig a transfer tank underneath somehow.

Well with that information given ... I'd say, change the truck if you can swing it. Couple J cans aren't gonna cut it to give you the security you'll want in the bush.

Now, if you happen to go long bed with a 7" camper ... could get creative with storage for the genny, fuel, etc.

 

[Leviticus907]

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.

This is exactly what I am hoping to achieve!

 

[ntsqd]

When I posted above I was thinking later model gassers than the 8.1's. Those are basically a 500 c.i. Big Block Chevy no matter how you dress them up. Probably not a high water mark in mpg's. No surprise that a diesel does better.

FWIW we went with an Aero Tanks 60 gal. replacement fuel tank under our diesel. Based on prior performance that gives us a 780 to 1100 mile range depending on where and how we drive it. We rarely exploit that. The large capacity means that we now buy fuel where we want to (truck stops), not where we needed to (June Lake Loop @ 395). It does hang down a bit lower than OEM did, but not by a lot. It is the break-over zone though, so there is increased potential for ground contact. With the arrival of the new to us Cuchara XL I don't see taking this truck the kinds of places that we took it with the Phoenix in the bed, so this isn't a big worry.

 

[Rdy2Roam]

I have a 06 dodge diesel 3500 with the 8' Alaskan ridding in the back. I get around 14 mpg which I'm happy with. I like the idea of a bigger tank which I might have to check in to.

 

[PackRat]

I'm sure that axle ratios have something to do with RPMs on the highway which in turn effect MPGs. If you were to drive the majority of the trips on highways where you could do higher MPHs, you'd be burning either fuel at a higher rate and consequently have lower MPGs.

Any thoughts on that or can you guys post the axle ratios along with engine/transmission options?

 

[Leviticus907]

I'm sure that axle ratios have something to do with RPMs on the highway which in turn effect MPGs. If you were to drive the majority of the trips on highways where you could do higher MPHs, you'd be burning either fuel at a higher rate and consequently have lower MPGs.

Any thoughts on that or can you guys post the axle ratios along with engine/transmission options?

Post #13 6.0 with 4.1 gears. Any stock 250phd is 4.1. Any stock duramax is 3.73. Idk about dodge ke ford. What are you driving??