Aux fuel tanks

[Davison]

6/7/01 UPDATE: I bought the 74 gal 'wedge' back in April from Transfer Flow in Chico. Went to their factory and had them install it. Pricy but quality all the way and have driven several thousand miles and all is performing as promised. Just great! I love it! I can drive forever and when I do refill, I do it where the price per gal is the best.....



old post:



I've been researching for an auxiliary fuel tank for several months. Don't care for the computer stuff with Transfer Flow, and there are a couple of mfgr's in Texas that are promising, but a loooong trip for me (CA). Has anyone heard anything positive or negative regarding Aero Tanks in Corona CA?



They have a 60 gal, METAL replacement tank for the 35 gal OEM, and/or a 40 gal aux that goes underneath, where the spare is, and of course the in-bed unit w/or w/o tool box. They also will put on metal skid plates to protect the tanks for $69 each. Shows promise. Priced competively and logistically compatable. Anybody have any thoughts?



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2001. 5 2500 SLT+, QC/LB 4x4, ETH, 6spd, 3:54 LSD, camper/tow equip. , NV241HD, Bright Silver, Snug Top, Ispro w/3 pod pillar w/tweeter, Pyro, Boost & Mag Hytec cover w/temp guage



[This message has been edited by Davison (edited 11-18-2000). ]

 

[drag racer]

Do an archive search on this topic - it's been covered quite a bit in the past. I have researched all the mfgrs I can find, and think that Transfer Flow is probably the best quality, but also very expensive. Personally, once the wife says "OK", I plan on trying the Aerotanks 60 gal stock replacement + their 40 gallon aft tank. I want 100 gal fuel capacity without compromising my bed space. As you will see, there has been some minor griping about the ease of installing Aerotanks, but if you choose to have them do it, then its not a concern. I will be doing the install myself, since NOONE touches my baby but me.

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[wdixon]

I have been searching for a modestly priced combo (auxiliary tank & tool box) unit for some time now. I have looked at Transfer Flow, Aero Tanks, and American Tank. All three are reputable companies with good units from what I have found out. But the other day while reading on the TDR discussion groups I noticed a link to Northern Tool Co. , and they have on their site, in bed auxiliary fuel tanks & combo units Seen Here, scroll down and hit the button "last page".

However their prices are a fraction of what the other three companies listed are, 3-4 hundred dollars versu 1 thousand + dollars.

To make a long post longer, have any of you out there had any experience with these units that are carried on Northern Tool Company's web site? I know the saying is true That you get what you pay for, but one weeks pay check spent is a lot easier than spending a months pay check.

Any guidance that you fellow TDR members can lend to this Newbie is appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

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Y2K 2500, Auto, 4x4, QC, Short Box, Garnet Red, Westin Nerf Bars, K&N. Synthetic Lubes, Reese 15k Side-to-Side Piviot Hitch

1998 Sea Breeze 37 Ft Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

[This message has been edited by wdixon (edited 11-18-2000). ]

 

[pointerhill]

Davison,
Transfer flow told me they were going to have a replacement ~60 gal tank in a few months. If you check there website they now have one for phord. They also said there's would be 12 ga. I was down south last week and stopped by Aero tanks, 16 ga. and wavey. Would do the job, but not much to look at. I'm going to wait and see what Transfer Flow comes up with.

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99 3500 QC 4x4 a/t 4. 10 SLT loaded except leather Driftwood/agate VA, PS, 18-11-99 reflash, Line-x, Geno's mud flaps/weights

 

[Bill Stockard]

Hey guys,

I have an across the bed 40 gallon auxiliary fuel tank from "one of those Texas companies". Currently, the tank is off the truck. The tank itself is first class welded treadplate aluminum, but the system they use to connect the tanks lacks a lot. When you switch tanks the computerized dash on the Dodge will not register the switch to the aux. tank until you turn off the ignition key and turn it back on. Also, the Pollack 6 way control electric valve isn't as reliable as it should be. If you don't watch it very carefully, you can run out of fuel on one tank because the control valve is stuck and didn't switch tanks.

If I had it to do over again, it would be Transfer Flow in a heartbeat. They don't use the Pollack 6 way fuel control valve and your fuel gauge is always monitoring the original equipment fuel tank. Also they don't cut up your fuel lines under your truck.

My $0. 02 FWITW.

Bill

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, Rancho 9000, Air Lift 5000 Air Bags, 80% Towing Hitchhiker II 31', 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW, Lance 990 Camper, Torque-Lift Camper Tiedowns

 

[LandShark]

Some of the Northern fuel tanks are NOT DOT approved! (If you care)

 

[Barry]

Installed a 36 gallon Aux tank from Delta in the bed of my truck. Took up 9" of bed behind the cab and still left space for my 23" tool box in front of my 5th wheel. Cost me $230 and works like a dream. Can now run 750 miles in a day with a 12,000# 5th wheel without refueling. No, it is not DOT approved and frankly my dear,... ... ... ... ... ... .

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, VA Magic Box, Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag- Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. (RV Dealer)

 

[BCFAST]

I had a 100gal in my 95 in the bed... was same size as a tool box. I paid $300 from a welding/muffler shop... was very pretty tread plates, pretty welds. I installed myself using an electric fuel pump from a hot-rod shop, toggle switch in dash, plumbed into the vent line on top of stock tank. When dash guage gets down to 1/4, flip switch and watch needle rise, shut off when close to top and keep on drivin'! 130gal capacity, you gotta love it, baby!

 

[David Phipps/Mike Hurd]

Since DOT has been on the rag the last few months I guess I'll add 150 gal Round Freightliner or Peterbuilt tank in my bed. my 105 gal aux tank is not DOT approved. Would be nice to gain another few gallons anyway. Mike

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92 Std cab. LE. 215 P-pump reman cummins motor. 5-speed, 3. 54, 105 gal Aux tank in bed. Borgeson shaft, Banks Power pack. 12cm Hot end housing w/wastegate. 4" Exh, Pyro & boost guage, oil temp guage. E-brake. Galaxy DX99V, Used as a Hotshot/express Reg. at 36,000 lbs in 48 states. Custom built DOT approved Sleeper unit. & Texas Star 400 http://hometown. aol.com/hotshothauler/myhomepage/business.html 2000, 3500 being setup for Hotshot work as we speak. 9500 miles todate
2000 FL-70 Pulling a 48' low boy.

 

[Turbo Thom]

David:
In the state of Georgia, by what I was told by the DOT here,as long as the tank is used as it was initially intented there is no problem. You cannot use a round tank to pump fuel into another tank. I put one in my truck but the fifth-wheel RV in a tight turn was into it. I have a 105 and a 92 gal. tank I can't use.
Good luck
Preston

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96 3500 Black 5 speed turbo diesel, SLT, with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , with other goodys on the way.

 

[David Phipps/Mike Hurd]

Preston, Ga is fairly lax on their DOT inspections. actually Tx is the state that DOT is being a pain in the rear. Most Hotshoters use aux tanks. I'm running a RDS tank 105 gal that I got a warning on because it does not have DOT approval on it. I am looking for another sourse for DOT approved tanks. If anyone has a good one out there at 100-150 gals I'd buy it in a heart beat. Mike

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92 Std cab. LE. 215 P-pump reman cummins motor. 5-speed, 3. 54, 105 gal Aux tank in bed. Borgeson shaft, Banks Power pack. 12cm Hot end housing w/wastegate. 4" Exh, Pyro & boost guage, oil temp guage. E-brake. Galaxy DX99V, Used as a Hotshot/express Reg. at 36,000 lbs in 48 states. Custom built DOT approved Sleeper unit. & Texas Star 400 http://hometown. aol.com/hotshothauler/myhomepage/business.html 2000, 3500 being setup for Hotshot work as we speak. 9500 miles todate
2000 FL-70 Pulling a 48' low boy.

 

[Barry]

NEWS FLASH: Got my Northern Tool catalog today. On page 120 they have their combo aluminum diamond tool/fuel tanks on sale. Get this: 90 gal. DOT approved combo is less than 500 bucks! That's the big one! notherntool.com

 

[wdixon]

Well after much debate and penny saving I commited to Transfer Flow and purchased a 30 gal tool box tank combo.

I will be installing this myself and was wondering if anyone out there have put one of these in themselves? If so are there any tips / tricks that you learned during your install that you would not mind passing along.

Thanks in advance.
WD

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Y2K 2500, Auto, 4x4, QC, Short Box, Garnet Red, Westin Nerf Bars, K&N, Gatorback Belt, Synthetic Lubes, Reese 15k Side-to-Side Piviot Hitch

1998 Sea Breeze 37 Ft Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

 

[Okie-Go]

Guys, I have one. Cost about a grand cause I don't mechanic work. Don't know how. But it is teh best thing you will ever do especially if you pull. Like Barry said you can run almost two days without having to refuel. I carry a 100 gallon between the aux and oem tank. Love it. It is stange cause the fuel gauge will not work when immediately flipped over.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have seen Aero tanks and i have seen Transfer flow, no contest, Transfer flow is much better tank. Thicker steel, better welds, easier installation, excellent customer service. I dont drive that far so i dont need a monster tank right now. Something to aware of before adding an Auxillary tank though, the longer fuel sits in a tank (especially in warm weather) the more condensation you will have in your tank. Which equals algae and slime, not to mention the problem with moisture in general going through your injector pump. You should always try and use as much fuel in the Aux tank as possible before refilling to keep the fuel fresh. And dont fill up your 90 gallon bed tank and leave it full for weeks on end to have it "in case you need it". Within a few weeks you will have ALOT of moisture in that fuel. Anyone who has a boat with large diesel tanks will know what i am talking about, i have changed lots of fuel filters clogged with slime on engines that have huge fuel tanks and are not used often (thats another reason why alot of back up generators are Propane powered so the fuel storage wont become contaminated). The best way to avoid problems is to wait as long as you can before refueling your tanks to get as much old fuel out as possible. Good luck all

 

[redram]

Agree in theory with your comments EMD, but let's not cry wolf here.

I think Houston would qualify as hot and humid and I personally can attest to running 1500 miles intervals on the aux / main combination of 75 gallons of fuel on my 89 for 5 years and 100,000 miles and NEVER had any problems using just the standard OE fuel filter. Use a biocide and you should be fine.
Let's not scare everybody about fuel life in aux tanks.

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[rob10858]

my problemn is the venting of a full tank during hot conditions. ive had one of my trucks lose about 5 gallons out of the fuel cap because it wasnt tight enough. i keep mine tight but loosen it about twice a day let some of the pressure out. ive since learned to fill the aux tanks only 3/4 full. does anyone else have this problemn, or is there a vent cap that ive overlooked? their both 90 gal from nt, installed by my dealer, who did all the set up on our 2001. 5's

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[Joseph Donnelly]

Transfer Flow tanks meet all the gov't regs. You don't need to get the TRAX electronics in many cases--my replacement 54 gallon tank uses the Dodge fuel sender/pickup assembly.

Also, I don't prefer tanks that require drilling holes in the frame crossmembers and --worse--into the frame flanges (a no-no according to Dodge) in strength-related areas. The Transfer Flow midships tank uses the stock mounting arrangement, but with their own heavier duty straps.

 

[BillGotthelf]

I have the 98 gal in bed Transfer Flow tank with the computerized Trac Flow setup. Love it-works as promised and allows me to fill up at the cheapest places on long trips. Also don't have any problems with algae in fuel-I believe West Palm Beach qualifies as one of those hot and humid places.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Was not trying to scare anyobody. But i have seen it happen to fuel tanks that go unused for long periods of time. It CAN happen, but only if it sits for a LONG period of time. We had to remove and flush the entire fuel tank on a front end loader that sat for 3 months. But i would guess nobody will be keeping the same fuel in a tank for that long in a Ram.