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Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Yahoo Message Number: 79077
I was just told never to go below 1/4 tank as Country Coach did NOT included baffles in any of their fuel tanks...turning corners or grades could lead to air being sucked up in the intake line.

Could this possibly be true?

How low have you allowed the fuel level to go (and were you on flat ground or going through a lot of terrain changes?

Thanks!
Mark

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79079
I'm embarrased to say I had my fingers crossed and the fuel guage down to E.

Steve & Jane

1998 Intrigue

#10557

______

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79081
110 gallon tank. 9.5+ on the Silverleaf and I've spluttered at 620 miles! No generator use.
Go figure. I never go past 600 miles. Ever.

Bruce 2001 Intrigue. #11278

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79083
My gauge reads empty at around 25 gallons so I now can justify why?

Brian O'Day

2006 Inspire #51565
2011 Escape Hybrid Toad
Portland Oregon

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79086
I also have a 110 gallon fuel tank. Please don't ask me how I know but I only have 80 gallons of useful fuel! At that point my gauge does show empty and as stated, it really is empty!

I was on the straight and level when I ran out...

Barney

07 Inspire 52059

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79088
I as I was embarrased to admit earlier I let my fuel gauge go to" E" . I know the tank was actually just about empty. It took almost 110 gallons to fill it up. There are two reasons as t why I'll never do that again. First is I do not want to have to prime an air bound fuel system. Second It hurt like hell when I had to pay for almost 110 gallons of fuel. So now when I start to approch 1/4 tank I start looking for fuel. I also reset my trip meter on the odometer every time I fuel up. So even if the fuel gauge quits I still know how many miles I can do before I need to fuel up again.

Steve & Jane

1998 Intrigue

#10557

______

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79090
I am sure every coach may be different.
My SOB has a 125 Gallon tank.

When I ran out, many years ago, on a level freeway, 5 miles from the Flying J I was trying to get to, I could only squeeze 115 gallons in the tank.
I had to prime the fuel system, but didn't have a clue how to do it.
I called AAA for a tow to the Cummins dealer 2 miles away. The tow truck they sent was on a 150 pick up chassis. However I lucked out. The driver had prior experience on diesels and was able to prime the system and get me going. No need to stop at Cummins.
I still watch the mileage but I now know the tank has only 115 gallons useable. I have put in over 100 gallons, but never 110 since my experience.
I now know my coach limits. You all need to learn yours, but not by running dry.

Bob Wexler
SOB

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79093
I am not sure but if the fuel tank is poly like the other tanks they can not add baffles in the rotational molding process Bob 06 intrigue 12047

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79097
CC did a few things that stretch the "good " decision process. On my 09 Magna I ran out of fuel twice after I switched to a Silverleaf Accutrac system, for accurate fuel gauge reading. Accurate , it is NOT!!. Typical , garbage in , garbage out , computer settings. Anyway , that's another story. In discussions with CC after they started up for the last time , before bankruptcy, my tank rated at 150 gallons holds 149.3 gallons , absolutely full with no air space. There are no baffles , and all their tanks are steel. In order to reach the 5% expansion, they included, the volume on the filler necks ! Go figure! The tank intake tube runs from the top to about 3/8 inch from the bottom, and is cut at an angle. The generator intake is about 1 inch shorter. My intakes are a bit to the passenger side, and since the roads are somewhat tilted to the ditch side, you have a bias in your favor, however sloshing around, means that you need about 15 gallons in the tank, which is about 2 inches of fuel depth, to avoid getting air in the line. If you add a bit of safety margin to that, it means that the 150 gallon tank only has about 120 gallons useable! However , there is a very important, reason , for not running too low. That is because the diesel pumped to the cylinder is actually higher the the amount used, because the injector is cooled by the fuel bypassed. Therefor when you run the tank down low the fuel temperature increases, and not much cooling gets done. I suspect if you continually run low you could get injector damage, and that wouldn't be cheap! On my Silverleaf, I monitor fuel used and make an allowance for generator and Aquahot use, and usually fill up up at around 100 gallons. Fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate, so following fuel used is a better bet. I believe almost all Silverleaf units will give fuel used and i reset at each fill. Hope this helps.

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79098
I agree with Ron's analysis and the use of the Silverleaf to determine gallons consumed. The 30 gallon take-away is a good way to determine your ceiling for maximum fuel to use. I have a tank rated for 135 gallons and use 100 gallons as my maximum to use. I have gone to 110 twice without a problem, but was looking for the truck stop!
At just about all my fill-ups (over 30,000 miles) the gallons added are within 1 gallon of the Silverleaf reading of gallons used.

Lee
--

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79100
For those of you that have an Android based smart phone or tablet there is a very useful apk available at the Google Play Store called Truck Stops. It lists truck stops as well as rest areas, Walmarts etc. by state, highway, exit #/mile marker. It also will list them locally using the gps in your device. I have found it very handy in planning my next fuel stop and when it is lunch time and I need a rest stop.

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Lee Zaborowski wrote:

I agree with Ron's analysis and the use of the Silverleaf to determine gallons consumed. The 30 gallon take-away is a good way to determine your ceiling for maximum fuel to use. I have a tank rated for 135 gallons and use 100 gallons as my maximum to use. I have gone to 110 twice without a problem, but was looking for the truck stop!
At just about all my fill-ups (over 30,000 miles) the gallons added are within 1 gallon of the Silverleaf reading of gallons used.

Lee
--

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79117
Mark,

Not sure what coach you have, but my coach has baffles. The tank CC used was manufactured by:

Transfer Flow, Inc.
1444 Fortress Street
Chico, CA 95973

Telephone: (530) 893-5209
or 1-800-442-0056

I make it a habit not to run below 1/4 tank. I always wanted to be able to use generator if I broke down somewhere while waiting for service. Although, I have to admit I did run it to 'E' one time because of not gauging the next fuel stop as I went past the one I had planned to stop at. Fortunately, I did not run it dry.
BTW TFI also made most of the fuel sending units for the tanks as well.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

P.S. Please identify your coach in your posts. Year, model and coach number helps to provide specific information and experiences in responses.

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79122
Thanks for the continued information! The knowledge on this board is limit-less! I have not responded with model, year and coach number...because it's not been purchased yet! Looking very hard at a 2008 Affinity Stag's Leap and another 2008 Magna Rembrandt. They are the same floorplan.
While the owners certainly paid a lot for them, it's not like they are inexpensive ~ even after some significant depreciation! Trying to make as informed decision as possible, and when someone threw the "well, it can hold 150 gallons, but due to the lack of baffels you can only use 100 of those gallons" I couldn't believe it! With the relatively low mileage, even with a Cummins 600, I was counting on using most of the 150 gallons to get some significant range.
Especially if we get to travel up to Canada and on into Alaska where there isn't fuel for very long stretches of road. I'm very surprised by this development, as all other aspects of CC seem engineered to the highest standards! Thanks to everyone that shared their insight! Mark

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79123
When I attended my last Home Coming in 2008 I attended both the Allure Intrigue chassis seminar and

the Magna and Affinity chassis seminars. I know for sure the Intrigues and Allures had baffled fuel

tanks, but am not sure about the Affin ity and Magna. If over all range is that imporatant to you and

your willing to spend the kind of money Magnas and Affinities demand then adding an auxilary fuel tank

with supplemental fuel pump should not be to much of an issue. I would recommend it be placed as

close to the rear axles as possible. TWI 2004 INTRIGUE 11731

Original Message:
-----------------

From: marksperos marksperos@... Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 01:19:34 -0000 To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Thanks for the continued information! The knowledge on this board is limit-less!

I have not responded with model, year and coach number...because it's not been purchased yet! Looking very hard at a 2008 Affinity Stag's Leap and another 2008 Magna Rembrandt. They are the same floorplan.
While the owners certainly paid a lot for them, it's not like they are inexpensive ~ even after some significant depreciation! Trying to make as informed decision as possible, and when someone threw the "well, it can hold 150 gallons, but due to the lack of baffels you can only use 100 of those gallons" I couldn't believe it! With the relatively low mileage, even with a Cummins 600, I was counting on using most of the 150 gallons to get some significant range.
Especially if we get to travel up to Canada and on into Alaska where there isn't fuel for very long stretches of road. I'm very surprised by this development, as all other aspects of CC seem engineered to the highest standards!

Thanks to everyone that shared their insight!

Mark

mail2web.com ? Enhanced email for the mobile individual based on Microsoft® Exchange - http://link.mail2web.com/Personal/EnhancedEmail

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79124
Mark Both of the coaches you are looking at have the same tank , although the Affinity might be 200 gallons. You misread my post a bit ! I fill at 100 gallons used , but I could go to about 135, if I filled and got on the road immediately. The overflow lines are to the top of the tank , plus an inch or so, so you could probably get 135 out of the tank. The cooling of the injectors with excess fuel, means that as you get low in the tank, and if it is hot outside, the remaining fuel will be very warm, and you could damage the injectors. This applies to all makes , not only CC. Additionally, if you wanted to get some extra fuel use, you could raise the overflow line to the level of the fuel fill neck, you could get in 160 gallons in the tank . if you tilted the coach , and filled into the neck. I had an 06 Monaco Dynasty, that you could put in 175 gallons, by tilting, when filling and get a full 150 useable. Monaco , in that year, had the airspace expansion area in the tank and that is where CC cheated a bit, in my view. It would be nice, if all manufacturers gave you the useable gallons, rather than the volume of the tank. All the intakes have to be off the bottom , a bit, so as not to pick up any accumulated dirt and debris that may get into the tank. most cars have the useable amount of fuel listed, because they would surely get sued, by someone who was a couple of gallons short. Of course , due to foaming , it is harder to completely fill a diesel fuel tank. If you are considering going to Alaska, I would suggest the modification I suggested and then maybe carry a couple of 5 gallon cans . The lack of baffles doesn't create a big problem, when one considers the fuel heating issue and you really shouldn't run that low, because of the potential damage to the engine.

Ron Baran 09 Magna

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79125
Mark and others. You have to be careful , if adding another tank. Between 08 and 09 Magna and Affinity went from 18000 to 20,000# front ends, and that was because the Carrying Capacity was less, and the front end didn't have all that much extra weight carrying ability, and the fuel tank is in the front. Before I added an extra tank, I would have the coach weighed , with your normal load and see whether the extra weight would put you over the axle limit.

Ron Baran 08 Magna 7025

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79130
Mark

I have run out of fuel twice with the tank actually close to 1/4 full. Once pulling off the road on to a bumpy shoulder and once when buffeted by high winds going down the freeway. Both times air sucked into system and ergo shutdown. On one of the occasions the computer reset by itself after a couple of hours and before the tow truck could get to us for assistance the other time was a tow job with no repair but a computer reset. 1/4 on the gauge is my empty.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79132
Dan,

It makes me question whether the fuel lines to the generator and the engine are reversed as the generator pickup should be about a quarter of a tank off of the bottom of the tank.
Kevin Burns

2000 Affinity #5865

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79133
Guys the discussion here is great. It makes me think that my running out of fuel twice probably was as result of air getting in the intake. In both cases , of running out, I had made a hard turn one time and then a steep off ramp and turn following the ramp. I filled the tank afterwards and found that I still had about 20 gallons left. I , too , thought that the intakes were reversed -generator/engine, so I had the tank dropped and found that they were connected right, and the engine intake was about 3/8 inch off the bottom and angled. If the computer senses that air and shuts the engine down, that probably is the answer. Now that this has my brain spinning , I wonder if a little reservoir tank between the tank and the filter might alleviate the problem. Adding baffles now would be a big problem. Any ideas out there?

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Truck Stop Android app ... Can also be downloaded to the iPhone (was

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79137
I used this app on my Droid and now have it on my iPhone. The biggest negatives about it is that it is rarely updated and it misses many truck stops. The RVers Friend is far better, though it requires having the hard copy because they no longer keep up their website. I do like the Truck Stop app for finding rest areas, though the app incorrectly states nearly every rest area has dump stations, when most do not. It is good for finding and mapping WalMarts. You can add truck stops to the list on this app, for future reference if you travel in a specific area again.
I recently added another app to the iPhone, but haven't used it much yet so cannot report on it yet. I think Truck Stops is a good place to start.

Carol Dahlberg
2004 Inspire 51046

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79157
Kevin

I intended to say that I now consider ¼ full to be my new empty. When I had both experiences the generator and the hydro-hot would also not work and it was miserable.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Fuel Level - How low do you go (really no baffles in tank?!?!)

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79170
Nice Thread on Fuel Tank level issue. Working for Cat our rental units all had low fuel warning amber lamps with buzzer and a low fuel level engine shutdown red lamp! I have seen the damage that hot fuel return to a low tank level does on Pumps and Injectors! Lack of fuel lubracation! I had endusers disconnect these sensors only to have Major dollar failures! Remember gauges are like Idiot lights dont believe them. Years ago in Boats fuel was measured by a fuel level stick. I never let my tank go below one third and its easier on the wallet. Ken 99 Allure 30356.