I seem to have 37 gallons of fuel unaccounted for.
I started out Pennsylvania with a full tank and drove 836 miles South to fill up 98 gallons at a Petro in Georgia. I drove around Florida and filled up again the same Petro. I drove along the same route North and filled up with 135 gallons near my house.
My speed was 62-65 mph and the weather conditions were perfect. I ran the generator less on the return route.
What could account for this?
Do you level your coach before filling?
Nope. They seem somewhat level at the fill station, but I don't level. I wonder if that could account for that much fuel.
I'll be doing the same route in a few months. I'll level it when I fill.
theft? The fuel is typically very easy to get to.
That did go through my mind. We stayed at two campgrounds and unhooked the truck for a hour-long dinner trip both times. Both campgrounds didn't seem sketchy and were crowded with campers. Our Bulldog would have barked and attracted attention.
When you filled up the first time are you sure it was full or did you stop when the nozzle kicked off? Also I can get much more fuel in by leaning my coach away from the side I am filling. Many places I have fueled up at had the platform leaning one way or the other which could change the amount of gallons you are missing.
I just checked my fuel tank and I think it has 37 gallons more than it should hold. :)) :))
Unless you let the pump shut itself off each time then hung it up I can't imagine that much difference. I imagine you do as myself and manually pump the last to top off fuel.
In both instances at the Petro, I did just let the pump shut off and then I hung it up. Due to my TSD card, I was able to pump once. At home fueling location, my TSD card isn't valid, so I had to fill 8 (yes, eight) times using my Debit card. That would have allowed some time for the bubbles to settle between authorizations.
We always use a flashlight to see top of fuel level to know when we want to stop filling.
On seldom special occasions we tilt coach with our streetside fill opening higher, to maximize # of gallons purchased.
Curbside filler in unlocked propane tank area has a locking fuel cap that we never remove. Keeping streetside compartment door locked, eliminates the need for a locking fuel cap on that side.
I'm betting the pump kicked off prematurely the one time Bob.
You mentioned the generator but not the Aquahot. I assume your U320 has one...and I assume you used it for hot water, etc. That will burn 0.5gal/hr, or so I've read.
Adverse winds will eat up a lot of fuel.
Head and tail winds make a big difference to a brick
My coach tells me how many gallons I have. When full it shows 198 There are many times when I think I filled all the way it will show in the 170's
Actually, I've been running the Aquahot on electric in anything but the coldest weather. I do run the diesel burner once a month just keep it fit.
That would explain a large part of the difference.
I have filled our coach up to the neck with coach being level, then tilted it by raising fill side and lowering off side. after doing that i was able to add an additional 15 gallon to tank.
Chris