Forum Discussion

tlukasavige172's avatar
tlukasavige172
Explorer
Jul 01, 2014

What Are Legal Implications Of Home Built Transfer Fuel Tank

I have some questions about building my own pickup bed fuel transfer tank. It will hold unleaded gas for the toys when we take them out (motorcycles and snowmobiles). It will not be plumed into my vehicle fuel system and will be a stand along tank with its own transfer pump.

Does anyone know how legal this is? I have a custom made toy hauler from a company in Indiana and don't see any kind of markings on the fuel tank that is on the trailer (onboard fueling system). What do trailer manufacturers have to abide by for their tanks? Thanks for any advice.
Toy Haulers
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Jul 01, 2014
    Assuming you build it well, it's likely no more dangerous than having some 5 gallon jugs in the back but those jugs likely did go thru a design and approval process.

    Seems like it would be simpler to just buy a pre-made one from tractor supply. As long as you aren't plumbing it into the trucks fuel system, it's little more than throwing it in the back and securing it.
  • tlukasavige172's avatar
    tlukasavige172
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2014
    Thanks for all the replies. The tank would only hold an extra 30-40 gallons. I'm not sure how it would be any less/more legal than having a bunch of gas cans on the back of the pickup, which is the current setup. However, I'm sure there is some kind of regulation to it.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2014
    I thought that all of these add ons were just equipped with a transfer pump to fill your vehicle gas tank. sounds like you plan on just transporting a portable gas tank, not unlike carrying one for a boat, etc. of course if you are in an accident and you have 100 gallons of gasoline spraying around, ???
    bumpy
  • Y-Guy's avatar
    Y-Guy
    Moderator
    Jul 01, 2014
    I'd call your State Department of Transportation or State Patrol, they should be able to answer your question, quote the regulation or tell you who to speak with.
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2014
    You can check with a company who used to build gas tanks for some of the trailer manufactures.

    Transferflow.com

    There are a lot of recent regulations (since 2004) that limit the fuel evaporation from fuel tanks. Before 2002, allowing 1 ounce of fuel evaporation per 24 hours was acceptable, however by 2005 Ford had to change their fuel system to meet a less than 10 grams per 24 hour fuel vapor loss. There are 28 grams in 1 ounce. So they can not even have a fuel vapor recovery tank, as it can allow some vapors out of the tank when it is warm out.

    Fred.

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