The last time I went (4 yrs ago) we went 80 to 680 (well something 80) and then picked up rt 91
and took 91 through the country over to 2 and then up 2. There were way more fuel stops on 2
than there are on 91.
My truck is a diesel. In the short box 2500 HD's GM only put a 26 gallon tank. Back then before GM and
then I put in the last part that fixed the induction system flaw, I was probably only getting 8+ mpg. It
can get a little hairy when you are running low on diesel. If you run one of these new diesels dry, you
can risk hurting the injectors and you lose your prime. You have to reprime it with a plunger pump.
This year I stuck 3 five gallon cans of diesel in the pickup bed. I bought some busboy trays from Sams
Club and they hold 2 5 gal cans. I have a cap and what is called a "Bedrug" which is carpetting in my
truck bed so I want to keep it clean. (it is chemical impervious though). Next trips that go further
are going to entail more 5 gallon cans of diesel for insurance purposes. Its pretty cheap to stick 10 5
gallon cans back there.
GM covered most of the induction flaw under warranty. The fix was to retrofit the airbox assembly and
intake tubes from an 06 diesel. They fixed the problem in 06. I finished it by buying the turbo inlet
mouthpiece for $115.00 that Garrett redesign for GM to fix GM's big f-up. GM bought back a lot of
trucks because of $300.00 worth of parts. A college boy engineer who didn't have any practical
experience caused a thermal feedback loop that caused the engines to overheat and shut down when
towing.
Anyway, I now get 12 mpg towing and while that doesn't seem like much, 30+ extra miles on 15 gal of
diesel is a bit. The extra mpg + the extra cans that I had, took the worry and pressure off. However,
I still wouldn't want to do rt 2 at night, unless I had enough extra fuel cans to go all the way to Alliance.
I spoke to another Chevy diesel owner pulling a trailer and his comment was that he didn't like the
26 gal tank either, and that for 1000.00 you could buy a replacement 46 gallon tank. I said I could buy
4 5 gal can for about 10.00 to 12.00 each and haul the extra fuel. The only difference is that I would
have to fuel up 1 extra time, but save over 900.00 by using extra cans and his wife nodded agreement
and then so did he. If I ever go real far west, I will haul 10 5 gal cans. That will get me an extra 600
miles worth of fuel.
I realize this is a shooting site and here I am talking diesels, but it is a concern when you go shoot at the
further out shoots. It's best to simply plan ahead and take enough diesel or gasoline that you don't
worry about getting stranded.
I also added an extra spare tire so now I have 2 and hauled a 3 ton jack, some ramps and such to allow
me to change any flats etc.
Dave