Am I going to regret the 26-gallon tank?

[Buyer2021]

I'd ask your dealer about the effect / impact of making the order change in your specific case; then do it if those impacts are acceptable.

The mod after the fact, while do-able, will certainly cost more than the option MSRP if you go with new parts befitting your new truck and its warrranty.

IMO it's not a make-or-break item but it's nice to have the range for a variety of reasons already mentioned even if you don't make long trips. I for one like being able to do fuel-fills when I want, rarely when there's an urgent need .

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[leecm]

I bought it for my 2.7 and I can tell you, I certainly don't regret paying the money it cost to get one. I guess it just depends on how much you hate having to get gas, how much you value your time, and whether the price is worth it to you.

Edit... Just to add context - I don't tow or plan on towing anything for a while. It is just my daily driver.

 

[oncechance]

Modify your order to reflect a 36 tank. You will thank yourself for doing so.

 

[Str8Shooter]

We'll it looks like I'm going to go against the grain here.

It appears to me that you do not need a bigger tank. Therefore, you should not regret not buying a bigger tank. Even if you got only 10mpg with towing you will still have 260 miles of range with a 26 gallon tank - that's a good amount of range. There are not many places in the USA where you can't find a gas station every 20 miles let alone hundreds of miles.

You will get better gas mileage, payload, and more money to use for gas with smaller tank. If you ever have plans to be in an area where you may not be able to find a gas station easily just carry an extra 5-10 gallons with you in those cases.

When I first started shopping for a F-150 I really wanted a moonroof and Bluecruise. I didn't need either one of them and I do not regret not getting them.

 

[Paul Neubauer]

I wish I had a 36 gallon diesel tank on my truck. Not sure why it was not an option.

 

[Vin]

Am I going to regret the 26-gallon tank?

Yes.

 

[tony72cutlass's']

I’m wondering why wasn’t the 36 gallon tank included in the first place?

I ordered less of a truck than you: my 5.0 XLT 4x4 with 301A (mid) and it came standard with a 36 gallon tank.

Might be worth calling and seeing if it was a mistake

 

[trojandawg3]

I’m wondering why wasn’t the 36 gallon tank included in the first place?

I ordered less of a truck than you: my 5.0 XLT 4x4 with 301A (mid) and it came standard with a 36 gallon tank.

Might be worth calling and seeing if it was a mistake

Do you have payload package or max tow? I don't see it on the picture but wasn't sure if it was to the right of the picture.

 

[diambo4life]

I never get these at all. The only reason you may need one is if towing at great distances. I drove my truck from St Louis to Oklahoma City without stopping......26 Gallon tank. That is easily 500+ mile range. You don't need it if you never tow...imo.

 

[tony72cutlass's']

Do you have payload package or max tow? I don't see it on the picture but wasn't sure if it was to the right of the picture.

I figured it out, In canada it seems 4x4 gets you the 36 gallon standard:

 

[trojandawg3]

I figured it out, In canada it seems 4x4 gets you the 36 gallon standard:

I was wondering if it was something to do with Canada. Wonder why?

 

[Vin]

I was wondering if it was something to do with Canada. Wonder why?

It's because Canadian beer is heavier. The truck needs to haul more payload, thereby reducing the range of the 26 gallon tank below what is acceptable to the average beer drinking truck owner. Of course Canadian Rye drinkers do not suffer the same payload penalty vs their bourbon drinking American allies as these liquids have similar mass, but the whiskey drinkers reap the benefits of the standard larger tank nonetheless. Now you know. You're welcome.

 

[Pedaldude]

I never get these at all. The only reason you may need one is if towing at great distances. I drove my truck from St Louis to Oklahoma City without stopping......26 Gallon tank. That is easily 500+ mile range. You don't need it if you never tow...imo.

Driving around states with similar fuel prices, there’s really no huge difference between taking extra stops and just driving on through. However, if you are driving between states where fuel prices are $3-$4 cheaper or more expensive; one would quickly see the benefit of the extra 100 miles of range with proper planning.

The one extra clarification that I would like to make is that the 36 gallon tank is poorly designed and Ford adjusted the reserve/miles to empty to make up for the poor design instead of fixing the problem. Unless driving on perfectly flat roads, the last few gallons of fuel aren’t useable. I even had my truck fail to start after parking at a 3° incline despite still having nearly a quarter tank of gas in it. Which has been a common problem with the 36 gallon tank since it’s introduction. Ford knows this, which is why it’s effectively a 31 gallon tank when compared with the reserve capacity of their other trucks with different tanks.

This post has a few pictures comparing the tanks:

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/upgrading-to-larger-fuel-tank-2021-f-150.7370/post-269861

 

[diambo4life]

Is it a saddle style fuel tank?

 

[Bryan Simon]

Is it a saddle style fuel tank?

Quick answer——no

“saddle tanks” are generally 73-87 Chevrolet/GMC trucks, and heavy duty haulers (semi)

those tanks are mounted outside of the frame rails and are a bit more prone to damage or intrusion in a side impact collision.

outside the rails made it easier to double capacity by hanging the same tank on the opposite side of the truck, but did create filling issues if you ran both tanks out..

In all of my square bodies, I would fill the tank that just ran dry and operate off the other, so I ALWAYS had one full tank.
Necessary in my short 4x4 that got 10mpg on a good day and had only 16 gallon tanks.
My longbed 2-wheelers had a pair of 21 gallons. One always full.

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