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Missing 37 gallons

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?
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Bob_B –
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?
Herb and Willie
Escapees 90802
2014 IH-45 Build 6581
2002 U320 40' AGDS Build 6021 Sold
1999 U320 36' No Slides Sold
2007 Monaco Dynasty Diamond IV Sold
2005 Discovery 39 Sold
1986 20' Wilderness TT,  Died a natural death after floods, etc.
Walldog's Journeys
And Willie Said

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #2 –
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.
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #3 –
theft?  The fuel is typically very easy to get to.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #4 –
Quote from: oldmattb –
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.
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #5 –
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #6 –
I just checked my fuel tank and I think it has 37 gallons more than it should hold. :))  :))
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #7 –
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.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Dub –
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.
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #9 –
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.

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #10 –
I'm betting the pump kicked off prematurely the one time Bob.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #11 –
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.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #12 –
Adverse winds will eat up a lot of fuel.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #13 –
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
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #14 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
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.
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.
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #15 –
Quote from: turbojack –
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
That would explain a large part of the difference.
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!
 

Re: Missing 37 gallons

Reply #16 –
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
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR