Extra Fuel Storage

[Soupflakes]

Alright folks. Just bought a 2020 XLT with the HD tow package. We pull a 9k 37 foot camper with our current 2013 F150, and get amazingly bad fuel mileage (to be expected) about 7.7 mpgs pulling the beast. My question is, it already seems like we stop a TON with a 37 gallon tank in that. So I'm worried about the smaller 28 gallon tank in the Expy. I highly doubt its going to get 3 mpg better (maybe) but what options do I have for expanding the fuel capabilities on this? Thanks!

 

[Calidad]

Umm 9200 is your max 37ft bumper pull? Plus passengers and stuff? ‍
Get a smaller trailer. OR a F250. Its pretty much impossible to even find a parking spot for 37ft from the Rockies West today anyway.

 

[Alwaysthinkin]

Seems like this is a topic that pops up but never really has an answer on this forum. At least that I could find. Looked a little bit on the internet and seems there are places that fabricate gas tanks but you start hitting the $1,000 plus+++ mark pretty fast! Also, you need to provide dimensions, if not an actual CAD drawing. If you pursue this, please keep the forum updated, because there is interest.

 

[Soupflakes]

Edit*

 

[Soupflakes]

Umm 9200 is your max 37ft bumper pull? Plus passengers and stuff? ‍
Get a smaller trailer. OR a F250. Its pretty much impossible to even find a parking spot for 37ft from the Rockies West today anyway.

Lol thanks but I'm good. We currently pull it with an F150 about 5 to 6000 miles a year rated less than the expedition. I normally run 80,000 lbs so 16 isn't a big deal. Also have sumo springs coming to help with the squat. Its rated at 9k, so imma use all of it. Ive gotten this 37 footer into tighter spots that a lot of people can get their 24 footers. Im just concerned with stopping all the time for fuel. Below picture is before I added sumos to that and was working on getting wd hitch set up right.

 

[Soupflakes]

Seems like this is a topic that pops up but never really has an answer on this forum. At least that I could find. Looked a little bit on the internet and seems there are places that fabricate gas tanks but you start hitting the $1,000 plus+++ mark pretty fast! Also, you need to provide dimensions, if not an actual CAD drawing. If you pursue this, please keep the forum updated, because there is interest.

Yeah I was really hoping for maybe a replacement tank around 40. Hopefully it'll get better mpgs than the f150 so we stop about the same amount.

 

[mwl001]

Yeah I was really hoping for maybe a replacement tank around 40. Hopefully it'll get better mpgs than the f150 so we stop about the same amount.

Mileage will be the same.

 

[Soupflakes]

Keep in mind. Our f150 is the 5.0. Maybe the ecoboost will tow a little better and get better fuel mileage? It makes WAY more torque.

Mileage will be the same.

 

[Squark]

Our travel trailer is 33' and weighs in a little over 7600lbs when loaded for a trip. I get 8.5-9.5mpg depending on the terrain and wind. With your extra weight and length, I'd expect a little less than that. Stopping for gas is my least favorite part of a long trip. One time I couldn't find a gas station for a long stretch and the range was down to 3mi when I finally stopped. To prevent that anxiety again I stop early, and with 28 gallons that means every 200 miles or so. I haven't found a larger tank, but even if I did I'd be pushing the payload limit. With 900lbs of tongue weight, there's less than 800lbs left for passengers and cargo. My biggest issue is the giant sail behind me. With a ProPride hitch I still get pushed around by crosswinds more than I'd like. I really wish Ford would bring the Excursion back. FWIW, I have replaced the front and rear sway bars and am looking at LT tires next. I might do shocks one day too.

 

[Soupflakes]

Our travel trailer is 33' and weighs in a little over 7600lbs when loaded for a trip. I get 8.5-9.5mpg depending on the terrain and wind. With your extra weight and length, I'd expect a little less than that. Stopping for gas is my least favorite part of a long trip. One time I couldn't find a gas station for a long stretch and the range was down to 3mi when I finally stopped. To prevent that anxiety again I stop early, and with 28 gallons that means every 200 miles or so. I haven't found a larger tank, but even if I did I'd be pushing the payload limit. With 900lbs of tongue weight, there's less than 800lbs left for passengers and cargo. My biggest issue is the giant sail behind me. With a ProPride hitch I still get pushed around by crosswinds more than I'd like. I really wish Ford would bring the Excursion back. FWIW, I have replaced the front and rear sway bars and am looking at LT tires next. I might do shocks one day too.

I've been thinking about a propride. It worth that crazy high cost? Of course its better than nothing, we use an e2. Is it worth it over that?

 

[Squark]

I've been thinking about a propride. It worth that crazy high cost? Of course its better than nothing, we use an e2. Is it worth it over that?

I had a Blue Ox SwayPro before the ProPride. My biggest complaint was getting sucked towards semi trucks as they passed. The ProPride definitely helped with that. I still feel them, but I'm no longer white-knuckled. But even with the ProPride I have to fight crosswinds. I never feel like I'm going to get blown out of my lane, but it requires constant focus to counter the wind. I'm hoping stiffer tires will help some, but I realize there's only so much I can do with the huge forces at play. I'd move to a 3/4 ton truck, but my wife doesn't want to lose the third row with 3 kids (I drive while she keeps the kids from strangling each other ).

To me the ProPride is worth the money for the extra safety, but it is ridiculously expensive. It's noticeably better than the SwapPro, but not 4x better as the price would indicate. But I'm pushing the limits of the Expy and will spend extra to get as much of a safety margin as I can.

 

[sjwelds]

F150 = solid rear axle, leaf springs

Expedition = independent rear suspension, coil springs

There's a lot more to it than just ratings.

If you crash and burn, don't say we didn't warn you lol.

 

[Soupflakes]

F150 = solid rear axle, leaf springs

Expedition = independent rear suspension, coil springs

There's a lot more to it than just ratings.

If you crash and burn, don't say we didn't warn you lol.

F150s are going to coilovers. Actually help to keep the rear tires independently planted to the road. Don't worry. It's not a guy with a class A cdl with tanker and doubles and triples endorsements that runs 80,000 lb rigs up and down mountains you have to warn about towing...

 

[Fizzy]

RIP your powertrain warranty.

 

[sjwhiteley]

Fuel economy is likely to be similar: both engines are running closer to their most efficient operating point so you are looking at pure physics.

As far as a tank goes, you are looking at a custom fabrication, and installation, as noted.

 

[Zig10]

Mileage will be the same.

Or worse. Honestly, the fuel tank is my biggest gripe about this vehicle. It just kills me on long tows with be boat on the hook.

 

[mwl001]

I've been thinking about a propride. It worth that crazy high cost? Of course its better than nothing, we use an e2. Is it worth it over that?

I don’t own one but based on my research they only make sense if nothing else will control your sway (basically your tow vehicle is too short and too light). So all that money will probably save you from upgrading your tow vehicle or downsizing your trailer. A well-matched trailer size will be well controlled by all the reputable weight distribution systems available.

 

[MHay]

I had a Blue Ox SwayPro before the ProPride. My biggest complaint was getting sucked towards semi trucks as they passed. The ProPride definitely helped with that. I still feel them, but I'm no longer white-knuckled. But even with the ProPride I have to fight crosswinds. I never feel like I'm going to get blown out of my lane, but it requires constant focus to counter the wind. I'm hoping stiffer tires will help some, but I realize there's only so much I can do with the huge forces at play. I'd move to a 3/4 ton truck, but my wife doesn't want to lose the third row with 3 kids (I drive while she keeps the kids from strangling each other ).

To me the ProPride is worth the money for the extra safety, but it is ridiculously expensive. It's noticeably better than the SwapPro, but not 4x better as the price would indicate. But I'm pushing the limits of the Expy and will spend extra to get as much of a safety margin as I can.

I have a similar setup as @Squark (7500 lb, 35 ft travel trailer) and the ProPride was a necessity for me. I added Sumhos and front and rear sway bars. Those helped a bit, but I was constantly getting sucked in by semis and blown around by the wind. I just upgraded to the ProPride before our trip through New England and it’s been a huge improvement over my Curt WDH anti-sway hitch. I still get pushed by the wind a bit, but it’s much more manageable now.

 

[FlyBry]

No doubt, the Hensley & ProPride have great reputations.
I have always had very good luck controlling cross wind & Semi trailer sway with dual Cam Lock WDH. I cant find any with the round torsion bars, but same concept as this: https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Reese/RP26002.html

 

[ColoradoJon]

F150s are going to coilovers. Actually help to keep the rear tires independently planted to the road. Don't worry. It's not a guy with a class A cdl with tanker and doubles and triples endorsements that runs 80,000 lb rigs up and down mountains you have to warn about towing...

Looks like you haven't posted in a long while but I am curious if you ever figured anything out. My brother has the same occupation as you but in Alaska doing some of the most remote hauls in the world. Huge respect for the profession. How has towing been with your trailer?