Aux tank plumbing ???"s

[Cattletrkr]

I've ben thinking about adding an aux fuel tank in the bed. A local machine shop quoted me roughly $600 for about 100gal aluminum tank only. I've been thinking about just running a switch that would change which tank the factory lift pump draws from. Anybody run anything like this? I know there's one TDR advertiser who does this. Any info on how it's done? My main hang up is what to do for the in tank pick-up. Would I have to do something similar to the factory setup? I've thought about doing a gravity setup, but I don't like DOT fines, even though I couldn't care less what they think I still have to pay the fines.



Any info anybody can give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ceaman]

I got both my 55 gallon and my 115 gallon tank set up from Dually Depot in Elkhart, In. The tanks they make and sell are DOT approved and have the switch, valve, filter, and all they charge about $1,300 or so installed but they will ship you the kit if you want to self install. Using a 6 way valve and splicing it in to the fuel supply and return, and connects to the factory fuel guage.

 

[barbwire]

gravity feed

. I've thought about doing a gravity setup, but I don't like DOT fines, even though I couldn't care less what they think I still have to pay the fines.



I am at a loss. Why would DOT care if you ran a gravity feed or not? Do they actually check such things?

 

[ichoplin]

I've got a 55gal aux tank. . My tank had pickup tubes already in place for a pump. I built a 't' and spliced a 3/8 line into the vent line in the filler neck. I run a 12volt fuel pump to an illuminated switch on my dash. Works like a charm. Although, the gauge doesn't respond immediately.

I know of 3 or 4 other guys with very similar setups. No one has ever had any complaints as far as I know.

Ian

 

[ceaman]

I am at a loss. Why would DOT care if you ran a gravity feed or not? Do they actually check such things?

DOT care and do check occasionally, they are known to pop the fuel cap off of the truck tank and let the fuel run out, then give you the fine. The law is written to prevent gravity feed incase the line would get cut in an accident or other fuel leak. A gravity feed system will unload the whole tank.

 

[MMeilicke]

May I suggest you call Brian at KSH Fuel Products, Lake Havasu, AZ 928-680-6610. They make a complete line of DOT approved fuel tanks. I had them put in a 55 gal in bed tank using a pump to transfer fuel from the bed tank into the main tank. The only problems I have had, twice, were small particals getting stuck in the anti siphon value. No big deal to get them out. They make a good quality produce and they also have a set up for the engine to pull fuel from each tank individually and still use the fuel gauge. They are priced right and I am sure you would be happy with their products.

 

[OHale]

Another manufacturer to consider is American Tank at: www.auxtank.com



I have a 40 gallon in bed tank on order. It uses an electrically controlled valve to select the stock or the aux tank. The price varies depending on whether or not you have the in-the-tank lift pump or the in-line lift pump.



If you search the posts you will see recommendations for American Tank. The posts here on TDR definitely helped me make a choice.

 

[ERohloff]

Are gravity feed diesel systems (From a aux bed tank to the OEM tank) illegal? In all states or just some?

Thought I've seen on this forum not to long ago where several have set up a gravity feed system. Was said to be illegal with gas but was ok with diesel!

Planning to do this with gravity. Seems a lot simpler than doing a pump to do the transfer.

Comments please... ... ... .

bob r...

 

[ceaman]

The DOT laws that cover this subject are Federal laws.

 

[ichoplin]

You definitely have to have a shut-off valve or some other type of check-valve w/ a gravity setup. Even with my fuel pump, a siphon is created and it will overfill the front tank. Granted, this only happens when the aux tank if full and it takes hours. I have a shut-off valve on my tank. I keep it shut when I'm in town. When I leave for work(675 miles), I open it. Usually, I'll pump for just a couple of seconds(when aux tank is full) and won't have to pump again for another 500 miles of interstate driving.

When I first got my tank, I welded in a bung to gravity feed it. It never worked very well. That could've been how I had my hose routed or a baffle in the way. It always left several inches in the bottom. I ended up having to pump it out anyway.

Ian

 

[LightmanE300]

. I've thought about doing a gravity setup, but I don't like DOT fines, even though I couldn't care less what they think I still have to pay the fines.



I am at a loss. Why would DOT care if you ran a gravity feed or not? Do they actually check such things?

I think this is a silly paranoia that some people have been caught by. Unless you are towing commercially, or live way out where DOT checks for red fuel, you won't have an issue. I've never been checked by DOT and don't worry for a bit about my gravity setup. I installed the 51 gal tool/tank combo myself with a total cost of around $500, and it's foolproof. The fuel goes from the aux tank down thru a 2 micron Racor filter, and from there connects to a T in the fuel filler neck overflow tube. I have a ball valve at the side of the aux tank, so you can stop or open the flow. Someone could come pull my cap anytime and nothing is going to come spilling out because I leave the ball valve closed. I just open it when the tank needs filling.



Speeding is a violation of law, so is having dark tinted windows, and so is not putting a license plate on the front of your rig because you just can't stand how it looks :-laf Most of us do a thing or two that breaks the law- and I think you're much more likely to get caught for doing one of the above things than having an aux tank gravity feed. .

 

[Cattletrkr]

Virtually any well made tank will meet DOT specs. I'm not worried about the tank meeting specs, just the delivery system. I kinda like my dad's idea. Just put a spring loaded button on the dash somewhere that only activates the pump while you're pressing the button--let off and the pump quits. Not the most user-friendly, but would get the job done. A simple electric shut-off in a gravity feed system would work, flip on-flip off, but I'm unsure how DOT views that.



I already did my homework on all the ready made kits out there. Don't want to spend the money for them. That's why I'm asking about delivery set-ups. Thanks for the replys, but please, no more testmonials.



Edit: I do tow commercially and I do live close enough to the cities where DOT is a pain in the arse. I got pulled over 6 times last year in a 2mo. stretch. One of those was a fuel check. What's the point of having a gravity feed system if you leave it closed??

 

[Big_H316]

The gravity feed system works fine. I run about 400 gallons a week through my auxillary tank. I do however have a manual valve to shut the fuel off. If you don't have a valve the fuel WILL run out all over the ground. I too get checked at weigh stations regularly and they have never said anything about my setup.

 

[OHale]

That's why I'm asking about delivery set-ups. Thanks for the replys, but please, no more testmonials.



QUOTE]



If you checked out American Tank they use an electrically switched GRAVITY FEED tank system, which is why I suggested you look there. They have an online installation guide to that will let you see how they do it. You could buy the parts and plumb the parts yourself as other members have done. It would be as you seek, switched from the dash.



You can also read there about why they are DOT approved, or you could call them. They are very nice folks. Shoot, that was testimonial wasn't it? :-laf



If you drive a 2005 with the fuel pump in the tank you will need to consider that as well. Oo.

 

[whamby]

You could use an electric fuel solenoid from NAPA with a switch on the dash to control the gravity feed. Just flip the switch to fill up when done flip it off.