Extra Fuel Capacity in Short Bed?

[Rider]

From what I understand, there aren't any options for an auxiliary fuel tank under the bed of an '05 short bed, right? I don't want to lose bed space, and want to make sure I haven't missed any options out there.

Thanks much.

 

[JonathanBurk]

Do a search on "vent mod. " I haven't done it myself because it looks a little complicated, but apparently guys doing this are able to get several more gallons in their tanks.

 

[MSLiechty]

I did a write up on my installation of the vent mod. It's not hard at all. Don't talk yourself out of it beacuase it seems complicated it's really not. As for an auxiallary tank that fits under the bed, at the moment I don't think there is one for the SWB trucks.



Hope This Helps.

Michael

 

[Rider]

Thanks. I have the vent mod kit and plan to do it, but I was looking for an auxiliary tank that wasn't in the bed. Just wanted to see if I was missing something.

 

[DCasten]

Did you check http://www.transferflow.com/

I didnt see anything listed but would bet they have or could make something. They have a fourm page http://www.transferflow.com/html/tfi_forum_page.html

 

[Mishkaya]

Transfer flow used to advertise an aft axle tank, 38Gal, but seem to have removed it from their website a little over a month ago. Don't know why. Probably worth a call to see if they still have any available.

mishkaya

 

[Pawpaw]

The vent mod kit will not add any fuel capacity. What it does do is make it much easier and faster to REALLY fill your tank. It is definitely a worthwhile mod.



Without the vent kit, it'll take 10 to 20 minutes to fill all the way up to the filler neck (diesel fuel, not just foam). With it, it only takes a minute.



I would like more capacity too, but can't see shelling out $500+ only to gain 10 or 20 gallons.



What ever happened to saddle tanks? Oh yea, network news planted explosives so they could show how dangerous Ferd gas tanks were.



Bob

 

[Crunch]

What ever happened to saddle tanks? Oh yea, network news planted explosives so they could show how dangerous Ferd gas tanks were.

Don't get me wrong--I'm all for picking on the Ford boys any time the opportunity presents itself, and sometimes when you have to manufacture a reason. But wasn't it Chevy trucks that NBC planted the explosives on? I have an `84 F-150 with dual tanks, and I'm almost sure both are inside the frame. It's been so long since I've driven it since I got the Dodge I've forgotten!

 

[Pawpaw]

Until I read your post, I was sure it was Ford Explorer pickups. Now I'm not so sure.



Doesn't matter really. My comment was not pointed at Ford, but at yet another self serving media campaign that deprived all of us of a very useful item.



Bob

 

[Buddy's Ram]

The vent mod kit will not add any fuel capacity. What it does do is make it much easier and faster to REALLY fill your tank. It is definitely a worthwhile mod.



Without the vent kit, it'll take 10 to 20 minutes to fill all the way up to the filler neck (diesel fuel, not just foam). With it, it only takes a minute.



I would like more capacity too, but can't see shelling out $500+ only to gain 10 or 20 gallons.



What ever happened to saddle tanks? Oh yea, network news planted explosives so they could show how dangerous Ferd gas tanks were.



Bob

After I did the vent mod I gained a good 3 gallons capacity, and the ability to

fill it to the same place every time.

 

[Pawpaw]

After I did the vent mod I gained a good 3 gallons capacity, and the ability to

fill it to the same place every time.

Before the vent kit, I would stand there dribbling fuel in until I finally got fluid (not foam) up to the vent tube. The only thing the kit changed was the amount of time it took to get it that full.



Spooled-up will tell you the same thing.



Bob

 

[JonathanBurk]

Can someone explain to me what they mean by standing their dribbling in fuel for minutes at a time?



I just fill my truck up like a do a gas engine... shove the nozel in 'til it clicks and be on my way.



Am I doing something wrong?

Are you guys just topping off your engines am I to take it?

I thought topping off was bad and how much more are you getting in a stock truck just dribbling fuel in there without the vent mod?

 

[CLAYTON]

You can sit there and top off for 5+ minutes (seems like eternity) to see the fuel in the filler neck or with the vent kit it takes 15 seconds. You'll get a couple of gallons if you sit there and dribble the fuel in after the initial click.

 

[sarj]

I'm lookin' at the same problem. I'd like to pick up 20+ for when I'm in baja, but I want it under the bed, and I'd like to keep it off the bumper. I don't mind the $$ so much if it's clean and will hold up. TransferFlow discontinued the aft-axle for Dodge, and it was only for longbeds. They said it was due to low demand. I'm waiting too.

 

[Nate]

It's the Chevy saddle tanks that had a huge issue. The tanks sit outside the frame rail. Not good for side impacts.

 

[Crunch]

It's the Chevy saddle tanks that had a huge issue. The tanks sit outside the frame rail. Not good for side impacts.

It was the Ford Explorer that had rollover problems, as did its predecessor, the Ford Bronco II. I don't think the Dodge line has had any serious safety issues with either the fuel tanks or the stability of the vehicle. I'm split on the use of plastics for fuel tanks. I guess I'm old-school in liking the metal tanks because they seem to be stronger and longer-lasting. I've never had a metal fuel tank that got a hole in it, which is one of my concerns regarding the plastic tanks. They also seem like they would be easier to seal if they did get a hole in them. On the other hand, a plastic tank getting punctured in an accident is less likely to create a spark that ignites the fuel. Either way, it doesn't seem like it would be that difficult for DC to design a 55 gallon tank for our trucks that would fit in the available space.

 

[GHedrick]

Issue 49 page 119 has an article about Aero Tanks. Says they will be making a 50 gallon tank for the third generation short bed soon. The web site doesn't mention it yet. I emailed them to see when this would be available.



http://www.aerotanks.com/

 

[Pawpaw]

Can someone explain to me what they mean by standing their dribbling in fuel for minutes at a time?



I just fill my truck up like a do a gas engine... shove the nozel in 'til it clicks and be on my way.



Am I doing something wrong?

Are you guys just topping off your engines am I to take it?

I thought topping off was bad and how much more are you getting in a stock truck just dribbling fuel in there without the vent mod?

Dribbling fuel in means one of two things, depending on the pump.



1. On some fuel pumps, you can slightly depress the trigger and get a much slower flow. This gives the foam more time to dissapate.



2. If you can't do #1, you give it a shot of fuel until the foam rises to the filler neck, then you wait for the foam to go down before giving it another shot.



Either way, after the first time the pump clicked off, I could stuff 3. 5 more gallons in my tank before installing the vent kit.



No, you're not doing anything wrong. Neither is there anything wrong with topping off the tank that way if you take your time and know what you're doing.



As I see it, there are two reasons the general public is told not to top off their tank. First, gasoline is much more prone than diesel to expansion in the heat. Second, your average person just won't be careful and wind up spilling gasoline all over the ground.



FWIW, I've filled my tank to the filler neck, driven home and let the truck sit outside in 100+ degree heat. It never leaked a drop before or after the vent kit.



Bob