Sylvie Willis
U-Haul trucks are available in a variety of sizes, from 10 ft to 26 ft, and are designed for different purposes, such as moving studios, apartments, or larger homes. The size of the fuel tank in a U-Haul truck varies depending on the size of the truck. The smallest 10 ft truck has a fuel tank capacity of 31 gallons, while the larger 15 ft and 20 ft trucks have a fuel tank capacity of 40 gallons. The largest fuel tank is 60 gallons and is found in the biggest 26 ft truck. It is important to note that the fuel efficiency of these trucks can vary based on several factors, including the weight of the load, driving style, road grades, and weather conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank capacity | 31 gallons for 10-ft trucks, 40 gallons for 15-ft, 17-ft, 20-ft and 22-ft trucks, 60 gallons for 26-ft trucks |
| Fuel type | Unleaded gasoline |
| MPG | 10-12 (varies depending on driving style and weight of belongings) |
| Miles per fuel tank | 372 miles for the smallest truck, 400 miles for mid-sized trucks, 600 miles for the largest truck |
| Fuel efficiency | A fully loaded U-Haul truck may be less fuel-efficient than an empty one |
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What You'll Learn
U-Haul trucks' fuel tank sizes range from 31 to 60 gallons
The 15-foot truck, with a 40-gallon tank, is suitable for 1-2 bedroom homes or 2-bedroom apartments. It can accommodate larger items such as a king-size mattress, washer, dryer, and fridge, with plenty of room for boxes.
The largest U-Haul truck, measuring 26 feet, has a 60-gallon fuel tank. While the exact mileage varies, you can expect around 372 miles between fill-ups for the 10-foot truck, about 400 miles for the 15-foot truck, and approximately 600 miles for the 26-foot truck.
It's important to note that U-Haul's estimated MPG is calculated for empty trucks, so a loaded truck will typically use more gas. Additionally, factors such as towing a trailer, driving style, road grades, weather conditions, and vehicle speed can all impact fuel efficiency.
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Fuel efficiency depends on the weight of belongings
U-Haul trucks are designed to be fuel-efficient and affordable, but the weight of your belongings can still impact your fuel efficiency.
U-Haul trucks average around 10-12 miles per gallon, but the exact mileage will vary based on truck size, towing, driving style, and the weight of your belongings. The weight of your belongings can impact fuel efficiency because it takes more power to move a heavier load. A loaded truck will typically use more gas than an empty one. To improve fuel efficiency, U-Haul recommends keeping about 60% of your load closer to the front of the truck. Place heavy items like furniture towards the front, layering lighter items on top, and avoid placing heavy items at the back or sides of the truck. This balanced weight distribution improves your truck's gas mileage and driving stability.
Other factors that can decrease fuel efficiency include towing a trailer, quick acceleration, heavy braking, using the heater or air conditioner, and driving in mountainous areas. The speed at which you drive can also impact fuel efficiency, with gas mileage decreasing rapidly at speeds above 50 mph.
To maximize fuel efficiency, U-Haul suggests driving at a steady speed, avoiding sudden accelerations and decelerations, and keeping the truck's weight distribution in mind when loading your belongings. Properly inflated radial tires can also improve fuel efficiency, and U-Haul ensures that each tire is filled to the appropriate PSI before handing over the keys.
U-Haul trucks range in size from 10 to 26 feet, with tank sizes ranging from 31 gallons for the smallest truck to 60 gallons for the largest. Despite the difference in tank sizes, the number of miles between fill-ups is relatively consistent across the different truck sizes, ranging from 372 miles for the smallest truck to 600 miles for the largest.
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Towing a trailer or car carrier will increase fuel costs
The fuel efficiency of U-Haul trucks varies depending on the truck size, towing, driving style, and the weight of the cargo. The U-Haul trucks' fuel tank capacities range from 31 gallons for 10-foot trucks to 60 gallons for 26-foot trucks. The fuel efficiency of a vehicle is significantly impacted by towing a trailer or car carrier. The added weight and drag of the trailer result in increased fuel consumption and reduced miles per gallon.
When a vehicle pulls a trailer or car carrier, the engine has to work harder to overcome the additional resistance and weight. This leads to a decrease in fuel efficiency and an increase in fuel costs. The impact on fuel efficiency is influenced by various factors, including the weight of the trailer, the aerodynamics of the setup, the speed at which the vehicle is driven, and the driving conditions.
The weight of the trailer or car carrier plays a significant role in fuel efficiency. Heavier loads require more energy to accelerate and decelerate, especially when navigating hilly terrain. According to the EPA, for every extra 100 pounds of weight, there is approximately a 1% reduction in miles per gallon. Therefore, the heavier the trailer or car carrier, the higher the fuel costs will be.
Aerodynamics also come into play when towing. The air resistance increases as the vehicle and trailer move through the air, causing the engine to use more energy to maintain speed. The shape and size of the trailer or car carrier contribute to the aerodynamic drag, with boxier and larger setups experiencing greater drag. Driving at higher speeds further exacerbates the impact of aerodynamics on fuel efficiency, resulting in increased fuel costs.
In addition to weight and aerodynamics, driving conditions can also affect fuel efficiency when towing. Driving on mountainous or hilly roads requires more energy to ascend slopes, leading to higher fuel consumption. Similarly, frequent acceleration and deceleration, as well as quick acceleration and heavy braking, can negatively impact fuel efficiency.
To mitigate the increase in fuel costs when towing a trailer or car carrier, it is advisable to reduce the weight of the load as much as possible. Additionally, maintaining proper tire pressure and minimizing the use of air conditioning or heating can help improve fuel efficiency. Choosing routes with flatter terrain and driving at slower, consistent speeds can also help optimize fuel economy.
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Trucks' MPG is estimated for ideal driving circumstances
U-Haul trucks are designed to be fuel-efficient and affordable. However, the MPG of a U-Haul truck will vary depending on several factors, including the driving style, the weight of belongings, and the load. The MPG calculations are estimations for ideal driving circumstances, and the actual MPG may vary.
U-Haul's estimated MPG is calculated for empty trucks, so a loaded truck typically uses more gas. The added weight of a tow trailer, for example, will decrease the gas mileage as it takes more power to move a heavier load. If you plan to tow a trailer or car carrier behind the truck, you can expect lower gas mileage and higher fuel costs.
Other factors that can affect the MPG include quick acceleration, heavy braking, and the use of the heater or air conditioner. Driving in mountainous areas can also reduce fuel economy, as the truck must work harder to pull the load uphill. Additionally, factors such as dirty air filters or under-inflated tires can lower fuel economy.
To improve the MPG, it is recommended to maintain a steady speed while driving and to find a route that minimizes idling. U-Haul trucks are also designed with aerodynamic elements to reduce wind resistance and increase fuel economy. Properly inflated radial tires can also improve fuel efficiency.
According to U-Haul's website, the average MPG for their trucks is 10. However, this may vary depending on the size of the truck and other factors. For example, a 15-foot U-Haul truck with a full load can expect around 9 MPG, while a 26-foot truck with a full load may get around 7 MPG or even lower.
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Trucks' MPG is calculated for empty trucks
The MPG for trucks is calculated differently depending on the company and the type of truck. For example, U-Haul estimates the MPG of its trucks for empty trucks, so a loaded truck will typically use more gas. The exact mileage will vary based on truck size, towing, driving style, and the weight of belongings. Most U-Haul trucks average 10 miles per gallon, with tank sizes ranging from 31 gallons for 10-foot trucks to 60 gallons for 26-foot trucks.
On the other hand, some companies like Shell and Airflow Truck Company, along with the Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office, focus on developing trucks with improved energy efficiency and productivity by using freight-ton calculations. They argue that focusing solely on MPG can lead to transporting fewer goods more slowly, as drivers would need to drive slower and haul lighter cargo.
Additionally, factors such as vehicle load, driving environment, road grades, weather conditions, vehicle speed, and terrain can all impact a truck's MPG. For example, a 2005 Columbia Pre-emissions ACERT C15 truck can achieve 5.7-6.78 MPG when empty and 4-6.23 MPG when loaded. Similarly, an International Prostar truck can achieve 10-10.5 MPG when empty and 6.5-8.5 MPG when fully loaded.
It's important to note that the numbers provided by manufacturers may not always be accurate, and real-world testing may yield different results.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel tank capacity of the 10-foot U-Haul truck is 31 gallons.
The fuel tank capacity of the 15-foot U-Haul truck is 40 gallons.
The fuel tank capacity of the 20-foot U-Haul truck is 40 gallons.
The fuel tank capacity of the 26-foot U-Haul truck, the largest option, is 60 gallons.
