Extra Capacity Frame MTD Fuel Tank vs In-Bed Fuel Tank

[mwilson]

I would like you all to give me some input regarding extra fuel capacity.



I have looked at both the enlarged frame mount fuel tank and several in bed tanks.

Pros and cons are great, give 'em to me.



I may have to go cross country towing and the stock 34 gallon special ain't gonna' cut it.



I know a lot of you have already installed one or the other and am wondering if you have any regrets, wish you had done something differently, etc.



Thanks in advance and look forward to your comments. . :-laf



Mike

 

[HBarlow]

My experience with an additional auxilliary fuel tank is limited to a Transfer Flow 70 gallon Express bed-mounted tank. I purchased and installed it in my '01 Ram 3500 some time in 2002. I ran that truck over 200k miles with that tank installed then transferred it to a new '06. I purchased and installed a new fuel pump and a new mini-computer module designed for compatibility with the '06 at that time. I ran the same tank for 230k miles in the '06 then moved it once again when I bought the '08 C&C I own now. I purchased another new fuel transfer pump and mini-computer from Transfer Flow when I moved the tank to the new truck. I have been using the tank about eight years now.

I have nothing but praise for the quality of the tank, fuel pump, electronic control module, and wiring harnesses. I can also praise Transfer Flow and, in particular, the young engineer who designed the tank and who I have always communicated with directly. Their customer service and responsiveness to requests has been outstanding. Excellent company, excellent products, and excellent customer service.

Transfer Flow doesn't sell the cheapest tanks but their tanks are worth what they sell for.

 

[jelag]

We used bed mounted tanks so we could make the run from Spokane to Edmonton and return without stopping in Canada to fuel... We stop in ID and fuel up for something close to $1 gallon less than Canada... At the time we were towing large 5th wheel trailers. . so we really didn't need the bed...

We used a simple 1/2 lb back check valve and a electric fuel pump to push the fuel into the main tank... worked great until we traded the trucks for larger equipment. .

 

[CUMMINZ]

We added a Transfer Flow under bed replacement and love it. We needed the bed space.



Replacement tank  installation on Dodge 3500

 

[mwilson]

That's one of the issues that I am bouncing back and forth on is the bed space. I appreciate everyone's reply and advice so far.

Makes it easier to decide with some advice from you guys.

 

[Shadrach]

I too am thinking of another tank, but I want to run a canopy, so that kind of means I need to go underneath. Has anyone adapted a tank between the rails where the spare tire normally is? Will a 5500 C & C tank fit there? Shadrach

 

[jgillott]

I too am thinking of another tank, but I want to run a canopy, so that kind of means I need to go underneath. Has anyone adapted a tank between the rails where the spare tire normally is? Will a 5500 C & C tank fit there? Shadrach

A guy here used to have an in-bed Transfer Flow that had the filler neck routed through the side of the cap. It was a slick little set up. I believe that it was a Transfer Flow item, but I am not sure.

 

[HBarlow]

I was using a camper shell on my first Dodge Ram 3500 when I first installed the Transfer Flow aux tank in that truck. Transfer Flow sells a very nice chromed bezel that finishes out the opening cut throught the side of the camper shell sealing around the opening in the shell and the filler neck extension on the tank. It was a slick installation.

All Gen III cab and chassis trucks, 3500, 4500, and 5500, have a standard 52 gallon fuel tank between the rails at the rear of the frame. I don't think it will fit a pick up frame because the frame rails are wider and shaped differently in the C&C.

I suppose it would be possible to remove the spare tire and carrier and have an aftermarket tank built that would fit the opening between rails but would probably be pretty expensive.

 

[mrtrombley]

I have a 65 gallon in-bed tank made by Auxillary Tank (auxtank.com) in Frisco, TX. This guy makes and installs or ships to you. He is very knowledgeable and knows the tanks and trucks inside out. He makes up to 115 gal tanks in various shapes and combinations with storage boxes.

The tanks are DOT certified. My tank has its own fuel pump, so it can run independently of the onboard tank. I have a switch on my dash to switch from onboard to aux and back. The fuel guage reads the tank I am using.

My tank sits below the top of my bed, which is a requirement of the RV hauling companies. I do lose some bed space, but so far it hasn't been a problem. Together I hold about 100 gallons, which will go about 800 miles pulling or close to 1400 empty. Enough for me. The only problem is the cost when I fill up!!!

Hope this helps.

 

[gerry]

extra fuel for 2nd gen QC short box

One of my pet peeves is that I cannot find any extra fuel tank for my 01 except something to go in the box cross wise. Saddle tanks might work if I could have at least 52 inches between the tanks to allow me to run my Polaris RZR the full length of my box. Anyone have any ideas? 55 gallon total with the OEM tank would be great. I have heard that there was one that sat where the spare mounts but then where to put the spare?

 

[HBarlow]

Back in '01 or '02 Transfer Flow was manufacturing a 50some gallon replacement tank for the Gen II trucks. The OEM tank was removed and the TF tank fit in the same space but was a little longer and hung down a little lower.

Joe Donnelly installed one and wrote a descriptive article in the TDR magazine at the time. Check with Transfer Flow to see it they still sell that tank.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I have a 65 gallon in-bed tank made by Auxillary Tank (auxtank.com) in Frisco, TX. This guy makes and installs or ships to you. He is very knowledgeable and knows the tanks and trucks inside out. He makes up to 115 gal tanks in various shapes and combinations with storage boxes.



The tanks are DOT certified. My tank has its own fuel pump, so it can run independently of the onboard tank. I have a switch on my dash to switch from onboard to aux and back. The fuel guage reads the tank I am using.



My tank sits below the top of my bed, which is a requirement of the RV hauling companies. I do lose some bed space, but so far it hasn't been a problem. Together I hold about 100 gallons, which will go about 800 miles pulling or close to 1400 empty. Enough for me. The only problem is the cost when I fill up!!!



Hope this helps.

I also had one of their tanks. (They were in Farmers Branch/north Dallas at the time. ) It was a custom built 35 gallon aluminum tank that fit between my in-bed toolbox and the front of the truck bed allowing plenty of room for the fifth wheel hitch. The tank and toolbox were bed rail height to clear the fifth wheel trailer. Like the above tank, it was independent of the factory tank and operated by a switch on the dash. The factory gauge worked with either tank. I originally installed it on my previously owned '92 D350 and moved it to my '97 3500 and again to my '00 3500. I used it for a cumulative 250K miles before I sold it to another TDR member.



Bill

 

[Shadrach]

Transfer Flow still makes the canopy fill neck kit. That give me something to think about. Thanks guys. Shadrach

Transfer Flow cross-the-bed tanks