Fuel tank/toolbox combo

I agree with Mitch800. It is almost impossible to ignite diesel fuel with a static discharge. Gas is easy!

PACKNRAT - For me there are 2 main advantages to getting one of these tanks -

1. I don't have to start thinking about where to get fuel after I've driven for only a few hundred miles. I've been in parts of this country where you definitely need to be aware of the distances to the nearest fuel station. With my 900 mile towing range, I can drive for 3 days without looking for fuel if I want to. Or take a weekend excursion and then buy fuel at my local known-quality station when I get back.

2. A longer range allows me to drive right through states that have higher taxes then their neighbor states. Just 2 weeks ago I planned a fuel stop in South Carolina because of their cheaper fuel prices (Gas Buddy is my new best friend !). Also allows me to skip stations that don't do much volume which I might have to choose if I didn't have the aux tank. I always favor stations that pump high volumes of diesel fuel as generally the fuel quality is better.

I do understand that I probably won't save enough money in cheaper fuel prices to pay for the tank - #1 above is most important to me.

I still pull into rest stops, etc, for lunch and bladder breaks. I don't have a 900 mile bladder either !

Tim B.

I have a 30 gallon tank/toolbox combo by Aluminum Tank & Tank Accessories, Inc. www.attatank.com The unit is plumbed into the OEM tank selector switch on my dash. My only gripe is that it does not work with the Ford fuel gauge. IMHO, ATTA should offer a Ford-style sender as an optional accessory. They do not, so I'm looking for a replacement sending unit that will correct this inconvenience.

Other than that, it's nice to have the extra range. I can tow about 750 miles between fill-ups, but I still cry a little when the diesel pump goes over $300.00.

just wished the fuel / tool combo units were not that expensive.

but then between tools spare parts, diesel fuel (20 gallon almost doubles the miles),
gasoline (generator only really needs 10 gallons).
this make for a lot to carry.
but how long can your bladder hold out?
last diesel (7.3) i could get 700 miles with a empty bed. stock fuel tank.
even if while towing only got 1/2 that miles still 350 miles. thats better than 6 hrs on the rd.
---legal speed-----

.

Dave H M wrote:

GoPackGo wrote:
ROYB - The RDS unit I have has a cover that is full-width and completely covers the filler cap and vent tube. I wanted everything out of the elements.

Also you might want to read up on the gasoline vs. diesel rules as regards to these tanks - I believe there are some differences. For instance, I just read on the Northern Tools site, that they can be used to transport gasoline, but not to transfer gasoline to another vehicle. I'm sure it's because it's much easier to have an accidental BOOM ! using gas as opposed to diesel.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200370676_200370676

Tim B.

Sounds like the Northern Tool Lawyer is a city slicker.

How do the farmers get gas to the field. Answer, In a tank in the bed of their pick up.

I don't know. :h

I am guessing it is a certification thing. Maybe the certification is too expensive for the manufactures to obtain. Doesn't necessarily mean it is unsafe. Just they cannot sell it for gasoline transfer.

I just re-read the NT disclaimer. It says it is for transport but not transfer. So now I have no idea the rational.

Fuel only goes thru a 1/4" hose so it is slow. The 1/4" hose will supply more than the engine needs so as you go down the road it will gain in the OEM tank. I run with it (Valve) off. Take a break and turn it on, drive until nature calls and then turn it off. and so on and so forth.

FYI they have moved to Pilot Point, a little north of Frisco. You can get their address and phone number at auxtank.com.

KBfiredog wrote:
American Tank and Toolbox. Frisco, Texas. KB
2011 Cameo 37 RESLS
2012 Ford 3500 PSD DRW

x2

I bought two from them....1st one was in a truck that got stolen. :M

Had them install the tanks. Suspect they are not the cheapest way to go, but good stout materials, they did the installation, and it was really a no hassle experience.

I think that might be the process if you have a tank with an electric pump hooked up to it as some people on this forum have. But I also think that will add cost and complexity. Hopefully one of them will jump in.

Tim B.

GoPackGo wrote:
I honestly do not know. It takes a while (hours). The aux fuel line is pretty small and I also wonder if there is some restriction due to the 1-way valve where it meets the OEM fuel filler hose.

I decided to top off the OEM tank once at home so I opened the aux tank on/off valve and checked the dash gage after an hour - the fuel gage had hardly moved.

But the overnight method works great. I have almost 38 gallons in the stock tank and I get 11 1/2 - 12 mpg so that's about 450 miles towing on the OEM tank. And I don't really intend to go that far in one day. I'm now retired and officially not-in-a-hurry.

I'm in favor of the gravity method; it's nice and simple, no electricity needed. And the RDS tanks do have a simple gage built in that appears to be pretty accurate so you can tell how much is left after refilling.

I don't want this to sound like I'm advertising for RDS. I have no connection to them. Their prices are good and the tank as well as the attachment kit work exactly like they're supposed to. I'm real happy with mine.

One last thing - I read somewhere that they will build a tank to your dimensions but I have not verified that. The advantage that I see would be that you could have it built to fit under a specific tonneau cover.

Thanks for the response. I guess I always thought that a guy could run the main tank down, then refill from the aux tank within a few minutes. Doesn't sound like that is the process. I might need to rethink.