Underbed fuel tank

[RL7836]

A year ago, I did research on replacing my stock fuel tank with a larger unit in preparation for full-timing w/ RV. Somehow, I managed to lose all those notes, so I'm starting over again. I'd appreciate any experiences or help with aftermarket underbed fuel tanks (not interested in anything that takes space in the bed)

Wish list:

• will handle high input flow (S&B notes that their aftermarket tanks won't handle hi flow from truck stop pumps - will Titan??)
• fuel gauge reads correctly (or close) at low end of range (similar to DEF gauge) - from reading threads, it appears that this is the case - ie: gauge will stay on full for 1st 10-20 gallons of fuel (but I'd like to confirm with users)
• spare tire is not affected (I seem to recall this being an issue w/ some tanks but do not see it mentioned in recent research)

Truck: 2018 3500 SRW LB 4WD Aisin Crew Cab

 

[Topzide]

The DTE (distance to empty) won't read right with the replacement larger tanks. The reason the gauge is off is the length of the tank for same movement. AlfaOBD isn't able to correct the issue that I've found. Others will chime in with more info. I have an in bed transfer tank but have read threads on the others. Wouldn't mind having a 50 gal with the 100 gal in bed. Would hurt the wallet filling up, but sure would be nice in the price savings!

 

[RL7836]

The DTE (distance to empty) won't read right with the replacement larger tanks.

I'm ok with this as long as the readings are close at the bottom end.

I just finished a conversation with a rep @ Titan and he sent instructions for updating Alpha OBD and also said the gauge is accurate @ lower end.

The bad news is he confirmed that, like S&B, the piping will not handle the high flow rates @ truck stops. This may be a deal-killer for me. My experience with truck stop fill ups has been hit or miss - & usually weighted toward the horrible end:
- pumps often don't have an auto-stop when full
- flow rate exceeds my stock piping so diesel is splashed out at high speed & volume creating mess on ground, truck & me.
- my only solutions are to search for low flow pumps (have found one locally), manually nurse flow for entire fill-up (sucks) or have wife do it (haven't opted for this but would probably end in divorce)
- suggestions? Truck stops are where I'm more likely to get fuel that isn't super old (at least this is what I've been led to believe) & not water-filled.

 

[bcbender]

flow rate exceeds my stock piping so diesel is splashed out at high speed & volume

I have not had this issue on any of the RAM trucks I've owned. Only time I've had it overflow is when the station / auto shutoff doesn't catch it, I can hear it coming up the pipe when that happens, usually there is evidence of spillage already present on the ground in those cases. I also have a in bed tank so total about 95 gal, no issues with it and gravity to the OEM tank.

 

[C M McCormick]

This is the tank I have chosen. https://sbfilters.com/products/60-gal-tank-cummins. It is at my diesel guys place ready to install. It will either go in my 2018 2500 that I have now or in my 2024 2500 that I have on order at this time. With that being said this tank will not take the high flow truck stop pumps. The way I'm looking at that you are going to pay more per gal. at a truck stop vs mom and pops services (Speedway, Go-mart, 711 etc..) where you can fill up when stopped for the day without having your trailer behind you..

 

[slowmover]

Or, just stand there and control feed as I do on one of the (120) gal tanks on this FTL.

I do the same with the pickup (stock tank).

FWIW, I do the glass first. Fuel is “last”.

With truck stops it’s in time of day. Least traffic waiting. Pre-dawn always best (any location except mid-metro). 0800-1100 is about right otherwise.

30-60 gls is a top-off when one carries 240-300. You won’t be in anyone’s way (time) even if it’s slower than the car pumps.

Just pull away and park once done. The guy behind you may be a reefer and needing to fill that tank. For which he needs to pull fairly far forward.

A 50-60’ RV combo needs to get out of the way same as any big truck.

Pulling forward after fueling is maybe a 5” window to take a leak, grab a roller dog, and leave. More than that needs a regular parking spot.

.

 

[Learjet]

This is the tank I have chosen. https://sbfilters.com/products/60-gal-tank-cummins. It is at my diesel guys place ready to install. It will either go in my 2018 2500 that I have now or in my 2024 2500 that I have on order at this time. With that being said this tank will not take the high flow truck stop pumps. The way I'm looking at that you are going to pay more per gal. at a truck stop vs mom and pops services (Speedway, Go-mart, 711 etc..) where you can fill up when stopped for the day without having your trailer behind you..

you don't pay more with the right discount card....such as TSD...in fact it is often the cheapest option with the right card and locating the best discount price on the app.

 

[C M McCormick]

you don't pay more with the right discount card....such as TSD...in fact it is often the cheapest option with the right card and locating the best discount price on the app.

The only app I've seen at the truck stop in Cumberland MD is .10 off diesel on the front pumps. And those pumps are normally full with all the car and pickup truck traffic. I'm thinking last fall diesel was 3.84. Another 130 miles down the road where we camp Upperco, Hampstead MD it's 3.15 at the Marathon. From there we go to Lancaster PA for around 10 days. Diesel in PA is normally .75 higher then MD. I can normally get there and back to MD with the fuel I get before leaving MD. If not I just put how many gallons it will take to get back to Upperco, Hampstead.

 

[PRS]

In your example of Cumberland Maryland, there is a Loves on I-68 east of Cumberland where, according to the Open Roads app(TSD), the posted price is $4.179 and your discount price would be $3.606.

 

[RL7836]

the only app I've seen at the truck stop in Cumberland MD is .10 off diesel on the front pumps.

If you're near there, the Loves price on TDS is currently $3.606/gal. A quick scan of Gas Buddy area prices shows roughly $3.57-3.85/gal. This has roughly been my experience. The truckstop's posted prices are stupid-high but actual truckers don't pay those prices. When you use a fleet card (like TDS), you tend to pay near the lower end of local 'normal' gas station prices and you can easily pull your rig through the pumps (unlike many 'normal' stations). You're also almost guaranteed to get fresh diesel.

However, as I mentioned above, there are also downsides to truck stop fuelling.

 

[C M McCormick]

If you're near there, the Loves price on TDS is currently $3.606/gal. A quick scan of Gas Buddy area prices shows roughly $3.57-3.85/gal. This has roughly been my experience. The truckstop's posted prices are stupid-high but actual truckers don't pay those prices. When you use a fleet card (like TDS), you tend to pay near the lower end of local 'normal' gas station prices and you can easily pull your rig through the pumps (unlike many 'normal' stations). You're also almost guaranteed to get fresh diesel.

However, as I mentioned above, there are also downsides to truck stop fuelling.

Thanks I will do some checking on TDS. As for fresh diesel where I get it at the Marathon there is a lot of dump truck traffic at the station.

 

[PRS]

Thanks I will do some checking on TDS. As for fresh diesel where I get it at the Marathon there is a lot of dump truck traffic at the station.

www.tsdlogistics.com

 

[C M McCormick]

www.tsdlogistics.com

Thanks.

 

[slowmover]

https://www.mudflapinc.com/app?utm_...=audio&utm_campaign=sirius_test&utm_id=sirius

 

[AH64ID]

I ran a 55 gallon Titan in my 18 and it refueled with truck pumps just like the OEM tank did, which makes sense since they use the same piping.

The low level reading was adequate, and better than the DTE and high level readings. I got used to how it worked in 2-3 tanks and never looked back.

 

[SBeretz]

I have the Titan 55 gallon tank in my truck and can't remember any issues with filling it at high flow truck stops. Not saying it doesn't but I just don't remember any.

My gauge reads full until it gets down to where a normal tank would start reading. The DTE will recalculate around then as well.

Overall, I have not had any issues with the larger tank other than the pain of filling it on my wallet at times.

 

[RL7836]

This is the tank I have chosen. https://sbfilters.com/products/60-gal-tank-cummins.

This is also the tank I went with: S&B 60 gallon tank. If the pumps are correct, it took 62.8 gallons to fill.

 

[C M McCormick]

This is also the tank I went with: S&B 60 gallon tank. If the pumps are correct, it took 62.8 gallons to fill.

Thanks for the info @RL7836 I've read the reviews on the tank and thinking someone said there was a "65" embossed on the tank. The day I went over to my diesel guy to pay for it it was in the building beside his shop still boxed up and I didn't go over to look at it. Question, how does the fuel gauge read with how many gallons are in the tank? i.e. when the gauge reads empty is it empty?
Thanks
Craig

 

[RL7836]

Question, how does the fuel gauge read with how many gallons are in the tank? i.e. when the gauge reads empty is it empty?

Sorry - no clue. I told the service manager that I wanted the bare minimum fuel in the tank to get me to a station just down the road. I planned to take a photo of the gauge after every 5 gallons (until it maxed out). However the service manager apparently never relayed that to the actual guy doing the installation. He filled the tank to ensure there were no leaks. Hard to blame the guy for doing a good job. Now I plan to let the fuel drop to 1/4 on the gauge and fill it up to see how many gallons it takes from there. I may also do that at some other gauge levels ...

 

[C M McCormick]

Sorry - no clue. I told the service manager that I wanted the bare minimum fuel in the tank to get me to a station just down the road. I planned to take a photo of the gauge after every 5 gallons (until it maxed out). However the service manager apparently never relayed that to the actual guy doing the installation. He filled the tank to ensure there were no leaks. Hard to blame the guy for doing a good job. Now I plan to let the fuel drop to 1/4 on the gauge and fill it up to see how many gallons it takes from there. I may also do that at some other gauge levels ...

Thanks, I was planning to do the 1/4 tank thing. Please keep me updated..