2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 1437 miles on one tank and still going

[JL penner]

I think I should make it to 2200 miles before having to fill up easily. combo of empty highway and city driving and pulling 10k lbs highway and city.











trying out my new in bed fuel tank, gravity fed into my stock tank. No problems at all so far, I can open the cap to my bottom tank and no fuel spills out, so the float valve works great Oo.



It works so well... ... . it's probably illeagal :-laf

 

[TZyckowski]

How many gallon is it? More importantly how much does it cost to fill?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I am willing to bet 190 gallons on board.

 

[p-Bar]

So how many horses in the trailer?.



Don

 

[The patriot]

I can go almost 2K,(empty) but I have over 100 gallons on board.

 

[KB0OU]

125 gallons, 90 gallon in bed, 35 stock tank.

It can cost a lot to fill up!!!

I run on the 90 gallon tank, have an electric pump that pumps from 35 gallon to the 90 gallon when needed.

 

[JL penner]

110 in the top tank... so I figure I've got 140 gallons of useable fuel. I pulled 3 horses to LA and back in a Classic living quarters horse trailer, then I've been around town quite a bit hauling 2 horses in my 3 horse logan (steel trailer).



When I filled it I think it came to around $250 just to fill the back tank. Had a few people chip in so there were a few different receipts (carpooling to the competitions).



oh, I didn't fill it all the way up though... I was worried about it leaking out the cap... I need a new one.

 

[JL penner]

Got around 1900 miles on that try. I filled up last night ($400 to fill both) and I fit 110 gallons in the top tank. I noticed this morning that fuel was leaking out of my bottom cap... haven't had a chance to check it out, but I'll update you guys on it as soon as I figure it out.



JL

 

[Turboman]

I have the same type of set up. I capped the vent on top of the tank and cleaned the vent in the cap real good and sealed it with black RTV. When th top tank is empty it vents the to the bottom. No leaks in 5+ years. Also back when fuel was over $3. 00, I was able to fill up at around $2. 80 or so and ride it out until fuel dropped back below $3. There is no telling how much $$$$ this tank has saved me over the years

 

[CumminsPower98]

As far as I know a gravity type setup like that is not legal. Just don't get stopped by the DOT!! I personally have a 115 gal. DOT approved tank that is plumbed directly into the system with an electric valve. Fuel sender in each tank runs the stock gauge.

 

[JL penner]

found out why fuel was leaking out the bottom cap. At night when it's cold, air gets sucked into the top tank through the vent. Well when it warms up and starts to expand, it has no where to go, so it was pushing more fuel down through the bottom tank and out the weaker stock cap. So my solution is to just keep my manual tank valve off until I go throught the first tank of fuel, then turn it on and let it fill. We'll see how that works. I know this setup isn't legal... . but neither is half the other things I do with my truck!

 

[RonA]

Out of curiosity, does having an extra 700lbs in the bed affect fuel mileage?



Ron

 

[JL penner]

probably when driving around town. I'm not going to be filling this tank on a regular basis. It will be used mostly for the long trips. I'm just testing it out right now. I think for the most part I might fill it up about half way if I think prices are going to jump.

 

[SMolteberg]

I fully understand you guys that does hotshot and travel full time with an RV that need the extra range, but isn't using an aux tank just for saving a few cents on each fuelstop on a daily driver just money down the drain? First you have to purchase and install this tank, and then haul all this fuel around with the added weight in the bed that reduces the milage. It must be many miles before one break even? Just curious since I live in a country where we pay more than double for our fuel, and I haven't even considered putting in an aux tank to reduce my fuelcost.

But I do keep track on what time of the week the fuel are the cheapest Here in my area the fuelprices are fluctuating like crazy, not a single day with the same price But I have found that they are lowest on sunday night and monday morning. That's when you find me at the pumps With my driving I'm never bellow 1/2 tank when I fuel up every week at the lowest possible fuelprice, so that saves me quit a bit of money.

 

[CumminsPower98]

I really haven't noticed any change in mileage out on the road but I bet it would affect more driving around town. I wouldn't run an aux tank in a daily driver but it sure is good for what I'm doing.

 

[JL penner]

I've only got $50 in my setup. Got my tank for free from my Dad, and the gravity feed set up cost $50. I just moved, so my commute is all freeway now. I love this setup!!

 

[JL penner]

Made a trip to New mexico and filled up in Las Cruces on the way back for 2. 76 a gallon. I drove around in Southern Cali for a month on that!! Made it 2550 miles on one fuel stop! Truck got great mileage on the highway because i usually only get about 16 mpg's in town and at least 1/3 of that was in town driving.

 

[Nate]

What do you mean "back when" fuel was over $3 a gallon? I haven't seen it under $3 in a while now.

I have the same type of set up. I capped the vent on top of the tank and cleaned the vent in the cap real good and sealed it with black RTV. When th top tank is empty it vents the to the bottom. No leaks in 5+ years. Also back when fuel was over $3. 00, I was able to fill up at around $2. 80 or so and ride it out until fuel dropped back below $3. There is no telling how much $$$$ this tank has saved me over the years

 

[DBazley]

How a bout a picture of your set up thanks !

Made a trip to New mexico and filled up in Las Cruces on the way back for 2. 76 a gallon. I drove around in Southern Cali for a month on that!! Made it 2550 miles on one fuel stop! Truck got great mileage on the highway because i usually only get about 16 mpg's in town and at least 1/3 of that was in town driving.

Hey there JL, how about a picture of your set up ?



Loved the story - I may do the same very soon if these prices keep rising. - Most of my driving is hwy - freeway, too.



Note on my location - I'm just 'up the hill' from you in Anza, hey neighbor !



Where in the Temecula area are you finding the best Diesel prices now ?



Take Care, David B.

 

[The patriot]

As far as I know a gravity type setup like that is not legal. Just don't get stopped by the DOT!! I personally have a 115 gal. DOT approved tank that is plumbed directly into the system with an electric valve. Fuel sender in each tank runs the stock gauge.

Nice tank. I wish mine was that big.

My tank came with a pollack (sp?) valve. It's an electric valve/manifold setup. I guess it's DOT'ed since that's the way it was sold from Aerotank or transferflow... . I forget which of the two made it.

Eric