Reefer tanks

[Bigsaint]

Anyone every mount one of these in the bed as an aux. fuel tank ? I know that they are DOT certified, but is that if they are only mounted underbody



Here's a link to what I was looking at...



http://www.transfertanks.com/reefer-tank-8575.htm



Thanks in advance !!!



Scott W.

 

[ChillyDog]

I was wondering the same thing. We have 4-5 of them laying around work that I have thought about mounting in the bed. If you need one let me know.

 

[Bigsaint]

Thanks for the offer, ChillyDog, I might take you up on it if we can get a response from the member's who are in the know. I recall seeing it done on atleast one other TDR members truck, did a search but couldn't find it. It looks like a 75 gallon reefer would be a decent set up for the project, just wondering how legal it is or if it would have to used as a transfer tank only without plumbing it into the main tank





edit, just refined my search , lots of info out there !!!



ChillyD, just sent you a PM



Scott W.

 

[TMassoll]

I have both a 100 gal and a smaller 85 gal. tank.

I like the 100 gal tank better becasuse I can see over it and the 85 g tank is higher.

I haven't finished the project yet but have tapped into the overflow line as a supply source from additional tank used a "T" setup then up to aux tank. I want to get a fuel pump for this bigger tank and then I can toggle fuel to main tank for use.

 

[Bigsaint]

TMassoll, that's how I want to set it up, T'd into the overfill line. I already have a large toolbox in the bed, not worried about sight restriction much. I checked around today and located a couple of 75 gal. tanks at a local scrap yard, gonna go check them out a. s. a. p.



I was going to just tap into the bottom (they have drain plugs, no ?) and go with a gravity feed. Have any suggestions if I went with a pump setup ?



Scott W.

 

[TMassoll]

Originally posted by Bigsaint

TMassoll, that's how I want to set it up,



I was going to just tap into the bottom (they have drain plugs, no ?) and go with a gravity feed. Have any suggestions if I went with a pump setup ?



Scott W.



Scott,

The tanks I have are round aluminum and I had a welding shop weld on legs to keep them from bouncing around, and that way I could also bolt them to the bed. There are drain plugs but difficult to get to to use for fuel supply lines I just used the existing supply line fittings and went from there. I need to do some checking on a fuel pump set-up for complete satisfaction. I presently use an automotive fuel pump and temp. tapped the trailer wiring plug for juice (constant hot) and things work OK, takes about 25-30 minutes to refill while driving.

You will want to check for cracks on any tank you get aparently the DOT may require damaged tanks to be drilled and discarded, a good welder can make the repair and for our purposes would work just fine I believe.

I will be out of town for remainder of week but upon return I will get in touch with a fellow that worked for Kenworth and see if he can direct me to a reasonable solution for the fuel pump.

 

[TxDieselKid]

reefer tanks???

I have always heard of reefer being measured in ounces, but if it works for you then great.



I personally have never used the stuff but whatever flots your boat.



AJB

 

[gitchesum]

Tx,

I was sitting here thinking the same exact thing. C'mon guys, this is a family site.



Actually, I was thinking about the same set-up you guy are talking about. Especially since the Flying J 40 miles away has diesel for 20 cents a gallon less than what I am paying here.

 

[Bigsaint]

TxDieselKid, before the TDR, I thought reefer tanks were what we called holding cells for people under the influence



TMassoll, thanks !!!



Scott W.

 

[Ninearrow]

Gravity flow into overfill tube

I've done this and it works ok. I put a valve and automotive fuel filter in line so I can turn it off if I want to. Works great. Only problem is that automotive filter clogs quite often. Some diesel is really dirty. That's not a bad thing, though. It provides one more level of protection pre regular filter.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Bigsaint,



Be interesting to see where you go with this. I was mulling over using a truck fuel tank for a transfer tank for my tractor fuel but ended up with one of those cheap white ones for now.



I see you have a source. It's a bit of a hike but another yard is Kober's on Montana Road off Rt 57 outside of Phillipsburg, NJ. I have not been there for awhile now but they used to have a mess of truck carcasses there.

 

[Bigsaint]

QRTRHRS, thanks for the info . We have a good sized scrap yard just over the line in Warwick NY, I'm going to check out what he has tomorrow. I'll post as soon as I find what I want.



Scott W.

 

[Bigsaint]

I found a set on a old Diamond R. , look like 75 gallon (driver and pass. side). Pretty rough, no dings or dents that I could see though. They said my choice, either tank for $50. 00 if I take it off. Is this a good deal ?, looks like it compared to what they go for new, although I'll have to chance leaks until I get good look at the tank.



Also, is there anyway to polish the tank (guessing aluminum) ?



Scott W.

 

[ChillyDog]

Rubbing compound works pretty good on aluminum

 

[QRTRHRS]

Scott, $50 sounds fair. You can get acid wash from a truck parts place. That will clean it up but will not leave it polished. Some of the acid formulations are pretty nasty to work with. That's the kind of job it pays to have someone who can do it for you in a safe place.

 

[paccool]

Does any one know if these tanks have baffles installed?

 

[Bigsaint]

Stan, that's a good question. From what I have learned so far, some do if the they are over 48 " long. All the ones that I have seen at the junk yards are just that, junk. I looked inside a few, heavy build up of debris inside the tanks, outsides of the tanks look okay until you crawl underneath , scratches, dents, etc. , could be made servicable but not want I want in the bed of my truck. Another thing I don't like about the existing tanks is that all that I have seen thus far, have the fill in the center of the tank. I would really like to have the fill spout on the left side of the tank, for convience. I've been speaking with a couple of fabricators, may just have one built to what I want. It won't be $50. 00, but it will be less than a transferflo tank, with good capacity and it will defintely be unique, at least for around these parts. I'll keep y'all posted, waiting to hear back from the fabricator on a 24" Diameter by 48 " long reefer, with a 3" fill spout, 1/2" NPT vent, 1/2" NPT supply and return inlet/outlets and a 3/4" NPT sump drain plug. If I get this one, it will be mounted with two custom brackets and SS straps. Might even add a 2" NPT on the top for a pump.



Scott W.

 

[Bigsaint]

Would look something like this, but in brushed aluminum. I plan on polishing it myself, if I go this route.



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