Adding a fuel tank to bed of truck??

[Philip Saran]

I just purchased a "new to me" 2012 Ram 3500 crew cab 6-1/2 foot bed with a B&W slider hitch
in the bed.

Is there room in front of the hitch to mount a secondary fuel tank in the bed or is it better to
purchase a replacement larger capacity fuel tank for under the bed?
Factory fuel tank is 34 gallons.

 

[HHhuntitall]

There are tanks and toolbox/tank combos available that will fit, anything from 33 to 90 gallon, perhaps larger. You'll need to measure to make sure it will clear your hitch once installed, but most 20-22" wide tanks will clear the majority of hitches. Here is a link as an example to a popular combo tank I've used before.... https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200373145_200373145

 

[6V92TA]

should be room . measure the distance from the fiver hitch to the front of the bed, as long as the fuel tank doesn't extend above the bed rails you shouldn't have a clearance problem.

I have the 8 foot bed with this 60 gallon toolbox/tank combo in it and there is plenty of clearance between hitch and tank.

 

[929erfan]

I just purchased a "new to me" 2012 Ram 3500 crew cab 6-1/2 foot bed with a B&W slider hitch
in the bed.

Is there room in front of the hitch to mount a secondary fuel tank in the bed or is it better to
purchase a replacement larger capacity fuel tank for under the bed?
Factory fuel tank is 34 gallons.

Measure the bed space between the hitch and head rail. I found several tanks from RDS that fit and are below or same height as rails. I personally have a 45 gallon rds tank with gravity feed to my truck tank an it sits below rails and does not interfere with fifth wheel! Good luck, happy shopping!

 

[HHhuntitall]

As per the above comments, while good suggestions, those tanks won't fit between the fenders and the front of bed. A 4' wide tank will fit between the fenders, but some leave inadequate room between the tank and hitch. A 6' wide tank will need to be tapered on the lower section to clear the short bed inner fender wells..... There are also some rather affordable steel 30gl tanks that are only about 10" wide, 60" long, and sit up about even with the bed. Easy and affordable way to double your fuel capacity.

 

[6V92TA]

these guys have all sort of tanks available, auxiliary, transfer marine etc check the sizes on here, I'm sure you can find one that will work http://www.rdsaluminum.com/auto-auxiliary.html

 

[JR]

Have you measured the distance between the front edge of your slider and the bed?
I've also got the B&W slider, it's a larger than average foot print. I am going by memory from last year (the first year I had that particular hitch), and I'm thinking there's just not much room .

My personal preference would be a larger replacement tank anyhow. Especially on a short bed truck where real estate is limited to begin with.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I've used dozens of the RDS product. I think they're pretty well made. I even have several installed in my own trucks. I've installed a few of the Titan and Transfer flow tanks, and they are very well made, too. I think I would prefer the under truck replacement, were it not for the cost and the fact I need aux fuel for tractors and equipment. You can buy an RDS aluminum tank and have it installed for almost half of a Titan or Transfer Flow tank's cost. But if bed space is that needed, they are not a bad option.

 

[Cummins12V98]

For the money spent and loss of storage space I will stick to my 30" front to back bed height HighwayProducts tool box and my modified 5 gallon can.

"IF" I were to do anything I would add the 55g tank replacement by TITAN.

 

[6V92TA]

For the money spent and loss of storage space I will stick to my 30" front to back bed height HighwayProducts tool box and my modified 5 gallon can.

"IF" I were to do anything I would add the 55g tank replacement by TITAN.

View attachment 107287 View attachment 107288

I've used dozens of the RDS product. I think they're pretty well made. I even have several installed in my own trucks. I've installed a few of the Titan and Transfer flow tanks, and they are very well made, too. I think I would prefer the under truck replacement, were it not for the cost and the fact I need aux fuel for tractors and equipment. You can buy an RDS aluminum tank and have it installed for almost half of a Titan or Transfer Flow tank's cost. But if bed space is that needed, they are not a bad option.

just depends on how far you tend to drive with a trailer.. all of us could live with the 300 mile range the stock tank has, but its sure nice being able to go cross country with that RV and not being tethered to a fuel pump every five or six hours of driving time. when we came back from Glacier MT I went all the way from Concordia Kansas to Naples Fl with a fifth wheel in tow on two fuel stops and reality is I could have made it home without the last fuel stop.

 

[Bug Out]

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...MIzYfnk-KF2wIV1UsNCh3Obgj1EAQYASABEgKnl_D_BwE
This tank fits in my short bed 3500 fine. 40gals

 

[Cummins12V98]

Well I don't and won't wear a diaper, so it's a given I need tp stop every few hours. Wife loved LOVE's so it makes her happy to stop.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I have the 75 gallon Transfer Flow tank and it fits with the B&W Companion fifth wheel hitch.

 

[jacknife]

I have the same size bed with a 50 gal transfer flow tank. No problems been in there for over 3 yrs.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

For the money spent and loss of storage space I will stick to my 30" front to back bed height HighwayProducts tool box and my modified 5 gallon can.

For your "modified" 5 gallon fuel can - what did you do to modify it other than the aftermarket old fashion vent on it?
What sort of funnel do you use to fill your truck? I've been thinking of making one out of PVC that will hopefully stay put and fill faster than anything I can buy. I did that for filling the camper water tank and it works great - just no sure if Diesel will quickly affect the PVC. The I also have the problem of where do I store the funnel after I have diesel on it.

Thanks!
Dan

 

[12LaramieHO]

For your "modified" 5 gallon fuel can - what did you do to modify it other than the aftermarket old fashion vent on it?
What sort of funnel do you use to fill your truck? I've been thinking of making one out of PVC that will hopefully stay put and fill faster than anything I can buy. I did that for filling the camper water tank and it works great - just no sure if Diesel will quickly affect the PVC. The I also have the problem of where do I store the funnel after I have diesel on it.

Thanks!
Dan

Phil,

I vote with Joe Donnelly and Jackknife.
And I believe Mr. Donnelly did a TDR article on this exact setup when he did the modification to his truck. Excellent article! It finalized my decision when I venture to a 5th wheel hitch and extra tank worlds based on that article. Thanks Joe!
Transfer flow has and excellent reputation and meet or EXCEED all state and federal standards, cost may be a little high, but I wont sacrifice safety or security/reliability for $$$$. Not worth it.
Go check Transfer Flow here and read about their systems.
https://www.transferflow.com/

~Chad
12LaramieHO

 

[Cummins12V98]

For your "modified" 5 gallon fuel can - what did you do to modify it other than the aftermarket old fashion vent on it?
What sort of funnel do you use to fill your truck? I've been thinking of making one out of PVC that will hopefully stay put and fill faster than anything I can buy. I did that for filling the camper water tank and it works great - just no sure if Diesel will quickly affect the PVC. The I also have the problem of where do I store the funnel after I have diesel on it.

Thanks!
Dan

Look at the picture, the nozzle is old school along with the vent. Both pcs are from AMAZON. I keep nozzle in plastic bag.