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12-25-2013, 12:02 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 23
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Extra Fuel Capacity
I just retuned from a fairly long drive to Key West. A lot of the speed limits are 70 MPH going down there and the Solera mpg drops at those speeds. Range was about 300 miles between fill-ups. Does anyone carry extra diesel and if so how? Jerry cans? can the lower compartments take the weight of them? It got pretty close looking for diesel with the fuel light on.
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2013 Solera 24S
Charleston, SC
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12-25-2013, 12:17 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 496
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RDS #72773 41 gallon truck box/fuel tank with gravity feed is what I am putting in my truck.
I do remember a thread about this very issue recently. I will try and find a link for you.
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12-25-2013, 12:57 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
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Never tried it. At times I agree it would be nice. I have just got in the habit of looking for fuel way before I need it.
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get
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12-25-2013, 01:22 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 496
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The thread is titled "extra fuel tank". I would link it but haven't figured that out On the new FR app for my iPhone yet. Do a quick search and it should come right up.
Another option other than an in bed tank is a larger fuel tank that replaces the factory tank. Companies such as Titan make them and I hear good things.
Personally I would not store 5 gallon jerry cans in my RV. The only fuel I store in my RV is propane.
__________________
2001 Ford F250 7.3l converted to F350 specs
2014 Flagstaff 8528RKWS
2006 model year Border Collie
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12-25-2013, 01:29 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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12-25-2013, 09:02 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 196
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I am about 1800 miles into a 2800 mile trip and I would greatly appreciate a way to improve the range of this chassis. Stopping for fuel every 250 miles or so is tedious. Also the fuel gauge is exceptionally vague. Seems odd to me that MB does not make a larger tank available for this chassis.
Mike
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12-25-2013, 09:58 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 632
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boats742
I just retuned from a fairly long drive to Key West. A lot of the speed limits are 70 MPH going down there and the Solera mpg drops at those speeds. Range was about 300 miles between fill-ups. Does anyone carry extra diesel and if so how? Jerry cans? can the lower compartments take the weight of them? It got pretty close looking for diesel with the fuel light on.
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That happened to me on our way back from Key West. We were on that Everglades road and were sweating bullets trying to find a gas station with diesel! Learned my lesson, now fill up at a half tank if I haven't been that way before and don't know if a station is ahead!
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12-26-2013, 12:23 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 149
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Gas buddy app works for finding Diesel stations
I use this app. it helps a lot to find stations with Diesel fuel.
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12-26-2013, 02:22 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 46
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I'm going to northern tool and get a 45 gallon tank and get a kit and hook it up I'm tired of looking for a truck stop it's hard to get in some places to get fuel !
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12-26-2013, 03:25 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowboy52
I'm going to northern tool and get a 45 gallon tank and get a kit and hook it up I'm tired of looking for a truck stop it's hard to get in some places to get fuel !
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Gravity or pump?
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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12-26-2013, 03:27 PM
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#11
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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Folks, keep in mind that in this thread- the OP is driving a motorhome and can't add an extra tank to his truck bed. He needs options for the motorhome chassis itself.
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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12-26-2013, 04:22 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,074
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Sprinter store has a 17.5 gal one that adds to our current tank but 1500 plus install buys a lot of diesel so I decided not to buy
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12-26-2013, 05:18 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 46
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Gravity I'm going to put a water separator on it cost about $575
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12-26-2013, 05:36 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowboy52
I'm going to northern tool and get a 45 gallon tank and get a kit and hook it up I'm tired of looking for a truck stop it's hard to get in some places to get fuel !
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What are you putting this in?
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12-26-2013, 06:18 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 496
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Isn't the Solera built on a Ford chassis? My suggestion for a company like Titan was because they build specialty oversize tanks that fit into the existing truck frames. If you can't find a pre made tank, likely your other option is to find a welding shop and have one made.
It's probably best to crawl around and do some exploring under that motorhome and see if there is room for an enlarged tank. Keep in mind it is NOT cheap to upgrade or have a custom tank built.
__________________
2001 Ford F250 7.3l converted to F350 specs
2014 Flagstaff 8528RKWS
2006 model year Border Collie
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12-26-2013, 06:22 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,074
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Solera is built on a Mercedes sprinter chassis
Check out the sprinter store
They even have a picture
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12-26-2013, 06:49 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 222
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I seriously doubt that the OP, a Solera owner, really cares about suggestions from M1 tank owners as to ways to increase fuel capacity.
The fact is, the Solera has a finite cargo capacity so any solution to extend range (with gas at 6.3 lbs per gallon) will come at a cost to cargo carrying ability.
Over the past two years I made trips of 10,400 and 5,300 miles and really never had a problem reaching a convenient fuel stop. As for stopping too much, well that's why you have a refrigerator and a nice place to relax and enjoy a quick snack.
No place to go and all day to get there!
__________________
2011 Solera 235S
Freightliner Badge
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12-26-2013, 06:52 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
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I usually need to stop and stretch my legs and use restroom by the time I need fuel anyway. LOL
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get
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12-26-2013, 07:07 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 812
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The negative side of adding extra fuel capacity is that the extra fuel weight will quickly eat up what little weight carrying capacity that a Class C has to offer.
My suggestion would be to either slow down or plan a head better for fueling while on the road. You really don't want to run a diesel tank down that low.
__________________
2018 Berkshire XL 40B
Past RVs: National Pacifica 40', Kenworth T300 Toterhome, Jayco Class C 32'. American Eagle 40',
American Eagle 40', Bounder 38' tag axle
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12-27-2013, 07:13 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Orange Park Fl.
Posts: 1,876
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My four legged friend usually makes the call for when I need to stop for her to de-fuel and for me to add fuel. That's when I top off.
__________________
2014 Solera 24R
USN Retired
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