Range is a real problem - I'm heading to do the Trans Tiaga Road this month

[griso]

My biggest disappointment in this vehicle is the range. WIth a rooftop tent and slightly upsized AT tires my fuel economy is about 14-15mpg. You can only put about 15 gal into the stupid thing so range can be as low as 210 miles and that is not leaving some reserve. I'm going on this trip with friends and I actually embarrased for this Land Cruiser that can't go even 250 miles between fuel stops.

As soon as I "sign in" to enter the backcountry at Matagami I won't even be able to make it the first (easiest) paved leg up the James Bay road to Relais Routier to "start" the trip as that is a 236 mile leg. I'll need to get into a fuel jug before we even reach the first stop.

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Then after visiting Hudson Bay and Radison I can't make it from Radison to the next remote fuel stop which I understand is a pretty informal/remote place about half way out the Trans Tiaga.

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From there at MINIMUM i want to get to the end of the road and back to this same place for fuel. That is AT LEAST 382 miles not counting side trips or exploring the remote road south from the end of the Trans Tiaga. I need close to DOUBLE the range of the vehicle. And we want to go exploring on side quests etc so the situation is actually far worse.


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This problem can't be solved by 1 or 2 or even 3 jerry cans. I think I need to carry at minimum 4x5gal cans and even then I will need to keep a close eye on things. Luckily one of my buddies is doing the trip in a pickup and he said I can throw fuel in the truck bed. I think I'm just going to get a 4-pack of VP Racing fuel jugs. If it were not for my buddy carrying the fuel for me I'm not sure I would be making this trip in this supposed "Land Cruiser."

I think the range is almost a deal breaker for me. I will admit I had not considerd it fully when purchasing the vehicle. I wish I could have gotten the diesel and forget the hybrid. Though I will admit that I like the integrated high output inverter.

I’ve done James Bay on my BMW 1200 GS Adventure and had to carry a spare two gallons. Trans Taiga is even more remote. Two options - a small trailer or do you have a cheap hitch rack? You can put a lot of jerry cans on that. Mine is rated for 400 lbs.

 

[ultane]

Okay here's an interesting piece of information to add to this issue. I decided to let my tank run down past indicated empty and indicated zero range. I drove maybe another 20 to 25 miles but I didn't keep track of it exactly because I didn't notice exactly when the gauge went to zero.

But the point is I drove it for a while after empty and then just now I brimmed the tank until it's splashed out and put over 19 gallons in assuming I can trust a regulated/ inspected pump.

I usually pump in about 15 gallons if I'm down near empty so this extra reserve in the tank is significant. Also seem surprising that they rate the tank 17.9 but I got over a gallon more than that. I guess some is in the filler neck but still seems like a big discrepancy.

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The Car Care Nut has warned not to keep adding gasoline to the tank after the hose shuts off. You will fill up your charcoal canister, ruining it. They are expensive to buy, and expensive to replace. YRMV.

I replaced one in a GF’s ‘06 Pathfinder 4 or 5 years ago, and it was a beotch of a job..

 

[ultane]

Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed or something? Your reply to the Op is not only rude but also redundant and unhelpful.
The reason I like this forum is because most members are mature, polite and helpful. Please learn from that example in your future interactions in the forum.

It’s people like him that make the ‘ignore’ function so valuable.

 

[Sugarloafer80]

You are beyond insufferable and a net negative to the group.

and thanks for your support.

 

[l00semarble]

I'm on the trans taiga road illegally voice to text writing while driving. I've made every leg of the trip so far up the James Bay road and side trips without going to the Jerry cans .... Last fill up was in Radisson and currently driving east heading out the trans taiga. my fuel gauge just hit E with 0 miles of range reported remaining. Mirage outfitters 32 miles ahead.... Driving about 50 mph with tires at 22 PSI.... I think I'm going to make it.

I'm going to take back some of my complaints as you can definitely squeeze some more rage out of the car by slowing down. Driving
more economically. Adding an extra gallon or so when the pump clicks off. And going into the substantial two plus gallon reserve.

By the way it's freaking glorious up here.

 

[AgRN16]

I'm on the trans taiga road illegally voice to text writing while driving. I've made every leg of the trip so far up the James Bay road and side trips without going to the Jerry cans .... Last fill up was in Radisson and currently driving east heading out the trans taiga. my fuel gauge just hit E with 0 miles of range reported remaining. Mirage outfitters 32 miles ahead.... Driving about 50 mph with tires at 22 PSI.... I think I'm going to make it.

I'm going to take back some of my complaints as you can definitely squeeze some more rage out of the car by slowing down. Driving
more economically. Adding an extra gallon or so when the pump clicks off. And going into the substantial two plus gallon reserve.

By the way it's freaking glorious up here.

Fantastic!! This is what these are made for ALSO respect for acknowledging your misjudgment.

 

[l00semarble]

Made it. Round trip to end of road and back to here is over 600 km so I'll definitely need jerry cans to make the end and side trips.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Sounds like an amazing trip!

 

[l00semarble]

Fantastic!! This is what these are made for ALSO respect for acknowledging your misjudgment.

I said I took back some of my opinion but I still think that a real Land Cruiser should have more range or at least the option to equip your vehicle with more range like the auxiliary tank. And I also think that leaving two and a half gallons out of 17 rated as an unmeasurable reserve is not how I would prefer it to be designed. There is also at least a gallon at the top of the tank that's unmeasurable as well

I just pumped in 19.9 gallons filling it to the brim evap system be damned for this one time excursion 200 plus miles into the wilderness

Basically none of the numbers from Toyota correspond with reality

 

[RideWithYanu]

Real LaNd CrUiSeR

 

[APIOQM]

Looks like fun! How’s the 250 handling the dirt roads? Seeing many other vehicles out there?

 

[l00semarble]

Looks like fun! How’s the 250 handling the dirt roads? Seeing many other vehicles out there?

Very very few vehicles out here and almost all are Quebec hydro. Have only seen a few other recreational users including a couple on bicycles loaded with saddle bags it did not look fun at all.

The road is in pretty good condition so with air down tires can maintain 50 mph easily sometimes pushing to 70 mph and comfortably while enjoying some nice rally style drifting before stability control intervenes. This is definitely high speed off-roading though we have found some much more interesting side quests to do some low speed Wheeling.

Lots and lots of dust though so it's much better to be the lead vehicle than the trailing vehicle

 

[sf jakey]

LOL, 36 Gal in my 7.3 Godzilla v8 in my F350 tremor goes about the same distance as my LC.

You should have bought the diesel. I go 550 plus

 

[AgRN16]

You should have bought the diesel. I go 550 plus

Diesel is not sold in North America

 

[sf jakey]

Diesel is not sold in North America

I was speaking about the Ford super duty he says he can’t get 300 miles out of.

 

[AgRN16]

I was speaking about the Ford super duty he says he can’t get 300 miles out of.

Ah ok

 

[Defender-LC]

Yeah, it was a difficult decision, but it’s my wifes daily driver and I didn’t want her to have to deal with def/regeneration, etc. 7.3 is just easier and still has way more capability than we need. The 6.7 is really overkill for hauling some horses.