Auxilliary Fuel tanks and systems

[Ed Sigman]

Need some advice.



My wife and I just completed a 4,000 mile RV trip to look at potential retirement communities in our fifth wheel. An extra fuel tank would have been very useful. Has anybody answered this question to their level of satisfaction, or have any suggestions as to where to look and what to look for?



I would appreciate listening your advice and suggestions.



thanks,



Ed

 

[dslcummins]

Ed



Go to the links section, look under fuel, for Transfer Flow Inc. They have tanks of various types and they are suppose to have one that will replace the main fuel tank, with a larger one, if you have the latest of the second gens and it has the long bed. Check them out and email them, you might find what you want.



Rodney

 

[garyndufresne]

aux. fuel tank

build your own. I built mine by using semi truck aluminum tank. I bought a 100 gal tank at wrecking ward . For scrap price. then cut it down to fit in bed forward of 5th wheel. Tank now holds 80 gal. has large fill cap and two baffels.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Geez that's a future thang.........

Andy P, Gave me some Ideas on the AFT AXLE UNIT from transfer~Flow but I just DUNNO on keeping the spare in the bed.

 

[JSchooley]

I can't remember the manufacturer, but Camping World carries a 50 Gal with tool box. The tool box is handy for a bunch of stuff.



I plumbed mine in by running the outlet through a filter, a cutoff valve to prevent siphoning (I had one and threw it in, it probably isn't needed), and a fuel pump into a double T I assembled from 3/8 Brass fittings and inserted into the fill vent hose. The other connection of the double T is routed back to the overflow of the aux fuel tank.



This setup keeps both tanks at the same pressure and if I forget and leave the fuel pump on, it recirculates the fuel back to the aux tank when the main gets full. Also, if I fill the aux up to the top and then park in the sun, the aux will overflow as the diesel expands. The overflow will drain into the main tank.



This is a lot easier than it sounds, and carrying 84 Gal of fuel sure takes the pain out of looking for fuel stops.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Hi Ed

I just finished installing a 45 gallon verticle mount diamond plate tank from Aero Tanks at www.aerotanks.com. They have a good selection of tanks plus decent prices. You can also check my thread in 1st Gen. Good Luck

Happy Trails

Bob

 

[DBR]

I approached this issue in a slightly different way. My requirements were capacity, ability to remove easily, and finally, cost. I have two diesels for towing and am constantly flip flopping between trucks, so I chose to purchase a 105 gallon L-shaped transfer tank with 12 volt transfer pump. I purchased the tank / pump for a total of $600 at Farm & Fleet while I was vacationing in Wisconsin. All I can say is that I wished I purchased it before leaving Washington. It enabled me to travel for two full days before having to refuel the transfer tank, and there was never a hassel to stop during the day to refuel the truck from the transfer tank (we just incorporated it with rest stops/lunch breaks). I only needed to do this (at most) twice a day and would do it whenever stopping for a break. The pump transfers 15 gallons per minute, so topping off the tank is a quick and easy task. Now that I am home, I can easily remove the tank from the truck to regain the bed space.

 

[David Muench]

I put a 38 gallon aft-axle Transfer Flow in my truck. I love it.

 

[Ted Constantine]

I would love to put a second tank in my truck but the transferflow and aerotanks are just to expensive. The electronic system in the transferflow is awsome (reliable? I don't know) it gives you acurate amounts in both tanks and given that our stock fuel gauges suck it would a nice to actually know what I have on board. I looked at the toolbox tanks that Northern Tools sell. They are very cheep but I then read on here that since they come with no hardware or pluming the actual cost was comprible to the transfer flow tanks. I just can not justify over a thousand for extra fuel capacity. If any one has a cheaper method of setting up an aftaxle tank I would love to see it.

 

[Eric_77]

Okay I saw one that was simple and guy said worked real well. The guy had mounted a 30 gallon drum on its side wide small opening down large opening up. He then used a ball valve on small fitting and ran line into vent tube down through the tie down opening in the bed. Top he then used a 45 dergee bend and cap. He said once he got down to 1/4 tank he would open ball valve and it would fill tank over the next 30 minutes. I have since heard when mentioning this that it is illegal but he was trying to sell me a $1000 tank. Does anyone know for sure? I would do this in a heartbeat total cost <$50.



Also does anyone know where to find out fuel prices in different states; by city would be even better. I don't mind stopping for fuel but I hate paying 10% more when fuel is cheaper in this state or just over the line. Larger fuel cell for me would not be for distance as much as it would be to haul cheap fuel around.

 

[Ed Sigman]

Initial Findings

The initial examination of adding a larger fuel tank under the bed of the truck is not as pleasant as we had hoped it would be. Transfer flow makes a good tank which will hold 54 gallons and replaces the OEM 35 gallon tank. The price of this tank is less than $700. Transfer Flow has a special on installation for $99. 00 if you live close enough to go to their site. An incremental 38 gallon tank in addtion to the original OEM 35 gallon tank is very pricey and over $1,000. Installation is priced at $99. 00 as special till the end of July. If you cannot go to Transfer Flow, they have installers who sell their product all over the country. Installation from a local firm in Albuquerque is estimated to be 8 hours @ $60. 00 per hour or $480. 00. Add shipping to this cost and this will be another $100 to 150. 00. So to purchase 19 more gallons of available fuel supply, it will cost over $68. 00 per gallon. This is a little pricey and performance does not seem to be cost justified for 19 gallons.



I think for now, that it is probably more worthwhile to just live with the OEM tank unless both labor and cost can be more reasonable. Or someday, we may have the opportunity to visit

Transfer Flow and have them do the install. They are much more reasonable than the locals.



Thank you every one for your input.



regards,



Ed

 

[SLVRBLT]

Aux. Fuel Tank

Ed-



I have an "American Tank & Tool Box" combo fuel tank and tool box. It has a small tool box and 90 gal. fuel tank. It takes up the portion of the bed forward of the wheel wells, but since I bought it with the idea of fuel capacity for pulling a 5th wheel I didn't worry about the loss of bed space.



These tanks are pretty PRICEY, but they are top quality and the savings over the long haul in being able to buy cheap fuel will probably pay for the tank if you keep a CTD for a couple of hundred thousand miles. Oklahoma normally has about the cheapest fuel in U. S. so I have already seen what buying cheap fuel and being able to run 1800 miles or so without fueling can save. I went to far Northern Minn. (20 miles from Canada) on a fishing trip in June (2,000 miles round trip) and didn't buy fuel until I was about 300 miles from home on the way back.



I just bought a 5th wheel and don't know yet what kind of mpg I'll get towing, but it's going to be nice not having to stop for fuel very often.



My humble $. 02



Dave

 

[Big John]

Purchased a 60 gal tank with tool box on top at the most recent Texas Rally for $450. Northern Tools box. I installed the plumbing and switch myself for a total cost of $90.



Tank actually holds 57. 8 gals. No problems so far. I love the idea of having enough fuel to drive in and out of high price areas, empty or towing.



The install was simple and clean. I do not have gauge on the 60 gal tank inside the cab. So what! How often do I need to check the level when I have that much fuel? Run the 60gals out and switch to the OEM tank and gauge.



I priced tanks and systems for over a year. Everything up to $2400 systems. They do the same thing mine does. I am pleased so far.



Big John