I solved the slow fillup problem on my '03

[EErmert]

Great pic's! Could you run the new vent line to the dc vent line closer to the tank it self? Also, Jet fuel (it can be run in diesel eng's but... ) has a "weight", from about 6. 3 to 6. 8 lbs. So, the tank will only hold what the "weight" will allow. Very nice job!!

Eric near Memphis... '03 White, SRW,stock, HO, 6spd, morpar accs. shortbed,3500

 

[Jeremiah]

Patent

I'm tellin' ya, the boy needs a patent on his device. If he don't, DC is gonna build one and say it was their idea all along. Might already have done it. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[jsimpson]

Nope; talked my DC engineer and he says that space is designed into the tank for expansion. Air compresses a WHOLE lot easier than diesel fuel.

 

[Jeremiah]

Nope; talked my DC engineer and he says that space is designed into the tank for expansion. Air compresses a WHOLE lot easier than diesel fuel.

I'm not an engineer but I am a former commercial pilot with a couple of thousand hours flying time. The aircraft I flew didn't have expansion chambers, although they did have fuel vents so av gas could leak out if the plane was left out in the hot sun with full tanks. I understand this wouldn't be a good idea to have mama's truck leaking diesel fuel in the driveway, but diesel fuel is a lot less hazardous than av gas, or automotive fuel either. After viewing the tank on the ground, I believe the expansion chamber where Spooled-up's vent is installed will allow fuel to expand enough under even extreme conditions. However, I admit that more tests are probably needed in Arizona or wherever the sun beats down relentlessly. Nothing like scientific tests to beat anecdotal evidence.

 

[gsbrockman]

After having the kit installed, I fueled up during a trip with my family to Gatlinburg, TN this past weekend. As I was topping off, my wife & 3 year old were getting into the truck, and the rocking motion of the passengers entering the truck caused the fuel tank to "burp" for lack of a better word. Out of curiosity, I placed my foot on the tread area of the LR tire and rolled/rocked the truck back & forth, while the truck was in 1st gear. It burped even more, and I was able to put in a little more fuel. In all actuality, I feel after even pulling away from the fuel pumps & hitting the brakes the first time should alleviate any concerns for fuel expansion. Just my $. 02 worth... ... .....

Greg

 

[Matt400]

Thermal Expansion

I don't think thermal expansion is an issue and here is why,



For an example if you have 37 gal. topped up at an average underground supply tank temperature of 55 deg. and parked the truck immediately- like around the corner after filling in the hot summer heat of say 95 deg you have a temp change of 40 deg. that will expand those 37 to 37. 75 gal.



3/4 of a gallon can easily bulge the plastic tank and not cause any trouble but even so, how many are going to refill that way? And remember 95 deg. is a pretty extreme number because the tank is not in the sun and is shaded by the truck.



The factor I used to find that is . 00046 x 40 = . 02 change per gallon

. 02 x 37 = 3/4 gallon



I found that info from Chevron here at the bottom of the page.



The hump in these tanks could be an expansion zone required for safety should the truck get smashed in an accident leaving the fueling station with a full tank it would be less prone to burst as you cant compress liquid.



Or it may be there to facilitate fuel vapor purging/re-burn on gas rigs as they have an enhanced evaporative system and DC just put the same tank on the diesels that don't require that function.



Or maybe DC just goofed and didn't put the vent hose at the highest point.



Who knows maybe some day we will find out and I would be extremely surprised if it was for thermal expansion

 

[Jeremiah]

Or maybe DC just goofed and didn't put the vent hose at the highest point.



[/i][/QUOTE]



I would buy this 100 percent!

 

[KCJackson]

Or it may be there to facilitate fuel vapor purging/re-burn on gas rigs as they have an enhanced evaporative system and DC just put the same tank on the diesels that don't require that function. [/i]

I tend to believe this only because the folks who are installing the kit are reporting adding as much as 38 gallons to a tank that isn't bone dry. That tells me the usable capacity probably is 35 gallons as sent from the factory, and the total tank is closer to 40. Using the same tank as a gasser facilitates design/construction (frame and crossmembers can stay the same), and there's only one tank to order for parts and manufacturing - money-saver. The kit is a great mod for those who want/need to use that extra tank space, but I likely won't make the change on my 05.

 

[gsbrockman]

The kit is a great mod for those who want/need to use that extra tank space, but I likely won't make the change on my 05.

The extra capacity is only a side benefit from Dave's kit. The extreme speed & ease of filling up & topping off is amazing.



The extra capacity is a plus all in itself (maybe 5% for me personally), but the speed & ease of the fill up & top off (95%) are what it's all about.



After your '05 comes in and you've had the opportunity to fill it up a few times, especially in inclement weather, most likely you'll be changing your mind !

Greg

 

[JohnnyH]

Yeah, I just went 750 miles on my last tank, which is more than I have ever gone. 660 was my personal best prior to installing the kit. I even towed my 5er about 25 miles on this last tank. I put 38. 333 gallons in, very quickly I might add. I can go at least another day between fueling and the process goes much quicker. If you value your time, this is a great mod.

 

[Dean Upson]

The extra capacity is only a side benefit from Dave's kit. The extreme speed & ease of filling up & topping off is amazing.



The extra capacity is a plus all in itself (maybe 5% for me personally), but the speed & ease of the fill up & top off (95%) are what it's all about.



After your '05 comes in and you've had the opportunity to fill it up a few times, especially in inclement weather, most likely you'll be changing your mind !

Greg

I agree with Greg. The frustration of attempting to get a full tank is now a thing of the past for me and I say "Good ridance". The extra few gallons of fuel are especially nice when towing the fiver.

I personally think this is the best little mod that one can do to these trucks and the cost and effort is insignificant. Dave's kit is very reasonably priced, if I were to go out and buy those parts and market them, I would get at least $50 for the kit. Thanks again, Dave.



Dean

 

[sfr1047]

A truly full tank

After driving for 100 miles after the fuel light came on and putting in 40. 4 gallons I knew our tanks would hold more than the stated 35 gallons. Now with the tank modification filling all the way up is quick and painless. With the high summer temperatures here in Arizona when it is 112 deg I do not fill to the top for daily driving use but when towing I will fill all the way up because before the fuel has time to expand I am 20 miles down the road and a couple gallons less in the tank. It sure is nice to have the extra range when traveling.

 

[KCJackson]

After your '05 comes in and you've had the opportunity to fill it up a few times, especially in inclement weather, most likely you'll be changing your mind!

This is NJ, Greg... we don't pump it ourselves here :-laf



Seriously, I plan my fuel stops so that it's usually when time is not a factor (considering how much I'm taking in). And the station that I use most takes in plenty of class 8s, so they're used to trucks being there a while!

 

[Jeremiah]

After your '05 comes in and you've had the opportunity to fill it up a few times, especially in inclement weather, most likely you'll be changing your mind !

Greg

I couldn't agree more! I can run mine down to 0 miles on the DTE and it won't hold much more than 35 gallons. I don't know where these guys are coming up with 37 or 38 gallons - inaccurate DTE maybe. But it doesn't much matter because, as you pointed out, the rapid fill-up is the main advantage.

 

[Buzzer]

I couldn't agree more! I can run mine down to 0 miles on the DTE and it won't hold much more than 35 gallons. I don't know where these guys are coming up with 37 or 38 gallons - inaccurate DTE maybe. But it doesn't much matter because, as you pointed out, the rapid fill-up is the main advantage.

0 on the DTE probably means you have a minimum of 2 or 3 gallons left. Some have said 5. Add that to your 35 and there you go.

 

[Jeremiah]

Gallons left in tank

0 on the DTE probably means you have a minimum of 2 or 3 gallons left. Some have said 5. Add that to your 35 and there you go.

Right, which is why Spooled-up needs something other than anecdotal information. If he plans to patent his device or market it beyond the TDR, he'll need these data quickly. But that's his problem, not mine. All I can do is encourage him. After all, he is a professional pilot who has his hands full doing other things. I respect what he's done for us for basically no charge. Thirty-six dollars ain't much to pay for the testing he did on his own dime.

 

[Spooled-up]

Jeremiah,

I've done some checking into a patent. It costs around $390 to apply for one. I've talked to a few people and I've heard that I would need to hire a lawyer to defend the patent.

The idea of a fuel vent is obviously not a new one. The location of the vent on the tank is what would have to be patented. There are 2 types of patents.



"A utility patent may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, compositions of matter, or any new useful improvement thereof. A design patent may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. "



I think that my vent kit would fall under utility patents, but the cost of applying for the patent with the help of a lawyer as recommended by the U. S. Patent office would be prohibitive. If I was making enough money to justify this expense, It might be worth it, but as it stands now, patenting the vent kit would cost much more than I've made on all the kits I've sold.



I plan on keeping the vent kit available for anyone that wants one. I may start advertising in the TDR Magazine to generate more sales as I think there are many more people out there who would buy the kit if they just knew about it.

 

[Jeremiah]

I understand, Dave. At least you've looked into it. I'll bet it won't be long before DC fuel vents are located on top of the tank. There's still room for expansion because fuel stops going in when the main body of the tank is full. Whatever foam develops goes into the expansion chamber. I see plusses and no downside to your kit.

 

[JohnnyH]

Dave... What has been improved on your kit. I was real happy with the one I got a few months ago. Just wondering what changes you made.

 

[Buzzer]

Dave... What has been improved on your kit. I was real happy with the one I got a few months ago. Just wondering what changes you made.

John... Just to let you know since we last met I also installed the kit and love it. Should have done it alot sooner. Thanks for the incentive and push!!