Originally Posted by
Huwmungus
I did a trip recently in a 300 tdi defender to the red centre and oodnadatta track, dalhousie etc. Towing a tent trailer. averaged about 450 - 500 km from a tank, around 17L/100. Always seemed to be stopping for fuel. Don't know how anyone gets 10-12 L/100 touring - must all drive at 70km/h in fifth (I used the cruise control a bit - foot to the boards 90-110km/h depending on terrain). Best I seem to get running local (around town and a hilly drive to a major town close by) is 12 L/100. I'll definately be fitting a long range tank before my next outback trip. We travelled with a Patrol (180L capacity) which only filled every second time - and got the cheaper fuel stops! Got about the same economy though.
I have a long range tank in my work Ford Ranger (130L) and get about 950 -1000 km from a tank. Very Handy when driving around the countryside (and even handier that they're paying to fill it up!)
So in summing up - if you just do short trips and round town, the normal tank'll do (doesn't cost as much in one hit to fill) - if you plan to do some longer trips and otback touring, get the long range tank, cause you're gotta spend the money on fuel anyway so you may as well be able to pick and choose where to buy it a bit without having to stuff around handling and carrying jerry cans (I lost the hose out of mine while filling at one stage and covered myself and some of our gear with diesel - took days to get the smell out of me!!)