Adding an auxiliary gas tank

[DDevers]

I am planning on adding a Moeller marine tank to the truck for our trip to Alaska. I can buy a 50 gallon model from Amazon for $300. Is there anything that I should be aware of prior to attempting this endeavor? Having the added fuel capacity will be nice to use for the generator and help cut cost of fuel by bypassing the expensive northern BC and Yukon stations. I want to place it at the rear of the bed as we have a cap and this will make it easier to use.

Since I do not want it permanently installed, I plan on using an electric transfer pump to move the gas from tank to truck/generator. Any recommendations on transfer assy?

I know this is a diesel web site but have sold the 05 for a Hemi rig and know you guys have invaluable knowledge that I don't want to lose access to.

Thanks

 

[JLandry]

Sorry I don't have experience hauling around that much gasoline in an aux tank so I can't be of any help.

I'm just curious though, how do you plan to secure it in the bed? I sure wouldn't want that thing tumbling around and/or leaking in an accident.

Best regards,

John L.

 

[Terry Jay]

If you get the extra tank.... Fuel up in Ft St John. Skip Ft Nelson and fuel at Contact Creek before you get to Watson Lake. Skip Whitehorse and fuel at the Otter Falls Cutoff before Haines Junction. Next stop Tok, AK Diesel runs about $1.49 per litre. 3.9 litres the gallon, at the places mentioned, gas may be about a dime cheaper. Check the mileages against your consumption and capacity, but it should be doable. Enjoy the trip.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Here in the states I like Transfer flow in part because they are 50 state legal. I suggest you check the laws in Canada.

 

[AnOldBiker]

Not sure of Canada, (would assume they would be the same) but in the states, if you don't secure it properly, your in one heck of a surprise (AND ticket) when a cop sees it. They are very aggressive on properly secured fuel tanks going over the highways. What did the manufacture recommend as properly securing ? If nothing else, they will meet Fed / State standards.

And am I hearing it right, your putting it in the rear of the bed ? Like at the tail gate ? Gasoline being shook that much will develop a large vapor pressure sloshing around, and the lower the level, the larger of volume of vapor. It might be an inconvenience, but behind the cab should be safer, and properly secured to the bed. Since your pumping it out, you should have a drain hole in the bed just behind the driver / passenger side where you could fish it out for this trip, don't you ? It should be a inserted plus that can be popped or poke a hole through to fish the hose.

I pray you have a safe trip.

PS: I have a 110 gal diesel inbed spare with a 60 gal main tank, because I like loooooong runs between fillips, so I can understand.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I'm a boat dealer in Fairbanks Alaska and let me tell you about Moeller, save your money. They are the worst fuel tank ever released on society. The new venting caps don't vent and the fuel level gauge leaks water into it should it be mounted in the weather.

X2 on the transfer flow tanks. They are excellent quality and are road legal.

 

[DDevers]

Thank you all for your input. We made the trip a couple of years ago but it was with our diesel and I carried 5 5gallon jugs with me. They saved us quite a bit by using them to skip the extremely expensive places. Since this trip will be with the gasser and I haven't any idea of the mileage we'll get, I have been apprehensive.

Moeller makes brackets for securing their tanks but I think I will just go with additional 5 gallon jugs again. We use our truck to haul rock in the winter and spring to take care of our road when it washes out. That combined with hauling used cow food for our gardening keeps me from getting a permanently mounted tank.

Do any of you have any experienced pulling a TT with the 5.7 Hemi? We averaged 14.5 with the diesel and one tank we got almost 18 (we we're following a person that wasn't in a hurry that was only doing 45). Too long of a trip to do the whole distance at that speed.

Thank you again for your advice and the poor reputation of the Moeller tanks.

 

[Killgore]

DDevers, you might contact ATI who manufacture aluminum transfer tanks that are DOT compliant for gasoline and get their recommendations. I have one of their auxiliary tanks that has worked out quite well on my truck for increasing my diesel capacity by utilizing limited space between my tool box and fifth-wheel.

As far as a portable tank that can be easily removed, I have looked at the Hy-Pro Fuel Station which is manufactured in several different capacities and meets UN/DOT regulations (available from Northern Tool, Hardware World, etc.). Unfortunately, my understanding is that they must be mounted outside of the truck (open bed).

It may be more aggravation than it's worth. However, keep us informed because there are several on here that would like to know the options available.
- Ed

 

[DonFitzwater]

Pulled a small 20' bumper pull with a 2500 QC 5.7 Hemi short box to Valdez........once. Averaged something in the neighborhood of 8 mpg's. Truck was getting 14 empty.

 

[DDevers]

Pulled a small 20' bumper pull with a 2500 QC 5.7 Hemi short box to Valdez........once. Averaged something in the neighborhood of 8 mpg's. Truck was getting 14 empty.

OUCH! I better get prepared to stimulate the economy as well as carry some reserve for the isolated areas we go through.

 

[Bob4x4]

Pulled a small 20' bumper pull with a 2500 QC 5.7 Hemi short box to Valdez........once. Averaged something in the neighborhood of 8 mpg's. Truck was getting 14 empty.

The new hemis do a bit better

 

[DDevers]

Well, thanks to the advice I received from this site, we decided to go with the ATI 110 gal tank. From what I have found out there are but two manufacturers of transfer tanks that are DOT approved for gas; ATI and Transfer Flow. I went with the ATI because it's less and a decent size for our needs.

The hand crank pump clears our canopy by 2 1/2" but my fingers will have a tight squeeze when I use the rotary crank on the hand pump. Oh well, another 10 days and we'll be on our way and, thanks to Terry Jay, we know where to get the least expensive gas on our trip to Alaska.

Thank you all again for your kind advice.

 

[Shadrach]

I added a 75 gal tank at the front of my 8' box. Since I have a canopy I changed the left window to a windoor ( a glass door hinged on top ). When I want to fill it with fuel I just open the door and reach in and fill it like normal.

#ad

 

[AnOldBiker]

Good job Shadrach. I run diesel and so I did it another way. With a cab high shell and wanting to easily refill my in-bed tank, I went to a boat dealer and found a stainless steel fill nozzle used on larger boats. I did make one mistake and bought the 1 1/2" fill, but now changed my thoughts and I am considering changing it to the 2" fill. Then I can fill at any pump, standard or big rig. The coast was about $50 and you can get it in a keyed or keyless style. The O-ring seal is a common size available in any hardware store for the cost of pocket change. Then just mount on the shell, change the fill of the tank to a barbed hose fitting and done. Total cost was under $100.00.

I really like the swing window, but don't want the extra moving parts, and in my area, I saved a handful of money. And by the way, there should be a tank vent on top of the tank, make sure it's vented and grounded properly or you'll have major problems.

 

[Shadrach]

The fill cap is vented and the aluminum tank ( hidden under the black wooden tool box ) is bolted to the box. I have a remote fuel gauge in my cab as well. The one I still have to do is add a light so I can see to fill after dark. I decided on the windoor because there wasn't enough room between the window and the front of the canopy to add a fuel filler door. David

 

[RikDavis]

I prefer lift up side windows on a truck cap. Not only easy fuel tank access but a lot easier to fish stuff out of the bed , particularly a long bed truck. Much better than the pole with a hook on the end I used to use

 

[DDevers]

I added a 75 gal tank at the front of my 8' box. Since I have a canopy I changed the left window to a windoor ( a glass door hinged on top ). When I want to fill it with fuel I just open the door and reach in and fill it like normal.

#ad

That looks like a grand idea, using a side windoor for filling. I called the place where I got my canopy and they want $400 for a windoor. Can't believe it as the canopy was $1600 installed. My truck sits so high that I'd need to take a step stool with me also.