Auxiliary Fuel Tank Opinions?

[HBarlow]

I've been carrying an extra five gallons of diesel fuel in a yellow poly container from Wal-Mart and occasionally have to use the extra fuel to make the next fuel stop. This is not a safe or convenient practice and I'm about ready to grab my credit card and pickup the phone and dial somebody's 800 number for an auxiliary tank.



I've been admiring that new Transfer Flow 74 gallon in-bed aux tank advertised on the back cover of the recent TDR magazine. I discovered a nice fill neck adapter on Transfer Flow's website that will provide a neat, finished opening in my Leer camper shell to permit filling the aux tank without crawling around inside the shell on my hands and knees with the fuel nozzle in hand.



Does anyone have any experience with these tanks and opinions as to their quality, function, value, etc. ? I remember reading an article by Joe Donnelly a while back on his experience with installing an OEM replacement tank from Transfer Flow. As I remember, Joe spoke favorably of the tank.



If not Transfer Flow, can anyone recommend a tank from another manufacturer that is priced better but of similar quality?



All opinions and recommendation welcomed!



Harvey

 

[DHayden]

No personal experience to offer you. But TF is the company I will be going to for my aux tank. I have read alot of threads and just about all have said even though they are more expensive upfront, it pays off in the end. Good luck

 

[HBarlow]

The old adage, "there is no substitute for quality" is almost always true.



I looked at a few tanks at farm supply stores and talked to a couple of RV transporters operating out of Elkhart that I ran into at fuel stops on a recent trip. One of the transporters had a "no brand name" tank from a farm supply store which had split and had to be replaced.



I live in an agriculture area where there are companies that will custom-build a tank from aluminum diamond plate for reasonable prices but I would still have to create a method of filling the tank through my camper shell with a finished look as well as "engineer" my own pump, valve, switches, wiring, etc. or a gravity flow method of transfer. When I consider those challenges the high price of a Transfer Flow tank looks increasingly reasonable.



Unless a TDR member offers a better suggestion I guess I'll call TF when I'm ready to order a tank.



Harvey

 

[GWDiesel]

Transfer Flow Tank

I had my T/F tank installed at the factory in Chico CA, I am very

pleased with the install and the service was the best,It took about 4 hrs. Time in till time out the gate! They were out of locking fuel caps at the time,But I changed that,The plant is the

cleanest I have ever seen,and first class!The reason we went with the 70 gal. in bed tank was DOT approved,Insurance Co. if

there is a crash you know. GWD Oh yes this was with A camper shell.

 

[TomGolden]

TransferFlow is a big thumbs up!

I have the TF OEM replacement tank, installed at their facility in Chico in December 2002. I posted a long winded writeup about the entire experience, you might search for it maybe by my username, from the January 2003 time frame.



It is absolutely built like a tank, and I mean the Army M1 Abrahms type tank. This thing is strong as a well built gun safe I have spoken with people who have another known brand of tank, both Ford and Dodge people, and they were fairly LESS than impressed with that product.



TransferFlow is absolutely worth the money and effort in my humble opinion.



Tom

 

[KBalzuweit]

If your in the the Midwest there is a place in Elkhart, IN called Dually Depot. They are supposed to be the largest installer of aux tanks in the country. Look them up and give them a call. I have plans of going there in Sep. to get mine installed. I have talked to a bunch of people and all have had nothing but good to say about these guys.



Karl



www.duallydepot.com

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks to each of you who replied with suggestions and endorsements. I like Transfer Flow's website and everyone who has knowledge of their product speaks well of them.



Karl, I think Dually Depot is the name given to me by one of the trailer transporters I spoke with at a fuel stop on a recent trip. Unfortunately, their website is not very helpful. Their website lists the categories of products they offer but provides no specific products, features, or prices. I sent them an e-mail requesting a product and price list via e-mail or a catalog by mail.



Harvey

 

[KBalzuweit]

Thats what I thought also. I just called them and got all the answers I needed to make my decision.



Karl

 

[EricBu12]

look at this thread, I made a Aux tank in the spare location, I have a SB so a Trans. flow system is out for me so I went with this. It is a marine below deck tank and so far it is doing well.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=711702#post711702

 

[KBalzuweit]

Problem with making your own is if it is not DOT approved and there is an accident insurance companies can get real funny. Not to mention the safety inspections some states have. In my opinion its worth the money to do it right and get a legal DOT tank.

 

[Barry]

I have run an RDS 90 gallon Tank Tool box Combo for over 100K. I had it in my 01 and switched it to my 02. Just put a new one in my 03.

For $500 you get an Alum. Diamond Plate Combo tank. If you can find a better deal... ... ... ... . buy it.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I once bought a steel transfer tank from W company. It rusted constantly, causing a large expense in fuel filters and buying a bulk tank filter to try to keep the rust out of the pump. I lost one lift pump anyway. The tank developed a stress crack where one of the baffles was welded to the outside wall. The baffling (or minimalist treatment of such) and shape of the tank made me feel I was on the high seas when stopping for a traffic light with the tank partially full.



On the other hand, Transfer Flow @ 800-442-0056 or transferflow.com is everything you could want, a complete kit and a perfect fit.



This is not just a tank and a challenge "bet ya can't figure out how to make this sucker work. "



Do give TF a call

 

[Shooter]

American Tank in Frisco, TX has tanks, install kits that read on the dash gauge( no seperate gauge, transfer valve and pre made wire harness. Their tanks / toolbox tanks are all less than 19" tall so no goosneck or 5th wheel interfearance.



I have a 40 gal unit that I moved from my 97 PSD to my 00 and have just moved it to the new truck. They have 3 baffels and are DOT certified. It is still bright and shinny and clean as a wistle inside. It has over 175k mi on it with no cracks or other defects. Sure beats a steel/ aluminized ( except at the welds ) steel rust container.



www.auxtank.com



Good luck with what ever you choose.

 

[hoverlover]

Aux Tank

I have an American Tank 45gal tank/box combo! I installed it my self. Very easy to follow instructions "includes pictures" reads on trucks main fuel gauge, switched like the old ford's, fantastic customer service! Love the tank!

 

[The patriot]

I got the aluminum diamond plate 57 gallon TF used for $260. 00

Best purchase I made for the truck yet.

You will not be disappointed.

Eric

 

[ctopp]

Shooter,

I also installed aa American auxillary tank. Have you ever had this problem? When I switch tanks, the factory fuel gauge wll not register the fuel level until I restart the engine.

I called the factory in Texas but they could not explain or offer a fix.

It is inconvenient on a long trip.

ctopp

 

[FDziurda]

Transfer Flow

Harvey,



I had Transfer Flow install a 54 gallon OEM replacement tank last Spring and love it! They do a first rate professional job. Like others have said, it takes about 4 hours. Their 54 gallon OEM replacement tank has an additional 10% air space for fuel expansion. If you "top off" the tank, it will hold very close to 60 gallons. When towing my travel trailer, I have a 700 mile range. Making a trip, with our trailer to South Carolina last Summer, I only had to fuel 5 times! Without the trailer I have a 1,200 mile range. It sure is nice being able to pick when and where you want to buy fuel.



Am very pleased.



Good Luck with whatever you decide on doing,



Frank Dz

 

[guava]

Has anyone used the through canopy fill neck from Transferflow? Anything good or bad to report?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I just got the 74 gallon aluminum diamond plate wedge tank with TRAX computer system for my 2004. You should see the write up in the issue that comes out in May 2004.



Their stuff is top rate. Their kit is complete. You are not chasing parts to finish the job. What you need is included and works right. The tanks are pressure tested, cleaned thoroughly, and 50 state legal.

 

[HBarlow]

Guava:



I am using the Transfer Flow camper shell fill neck kit with my TF 70 gallon Express-UFS tank.



The fill neck kit includes an attractive chrome or stainless bezel surrounding the fill neck providing a finished look to the opening cut in the side of the camper shell. The kit is nicely finished and looks like original equipment.



The only minor deficiency is that the kit does not include gaskets between the bezel and the body of the camper shell and between the bezel and the filler neck where the fill tube passes through the bezel. I used RV caulk, the kind that comes in a roll, for the gasket between the bezel and camper shell. I probably should have bought a sheet of rubber gasket material and made a gasket as diesel fuel will dissolve the RV caulk when spilled. I haven't made a gasket between the bezel and fill neck. A tiny amount of rain or truck wash water can enter the bed through the small gap. It is a minor problem I haven't fixed yet.



Overall I recommend the kit.



Harvey