Auxiliary fuel tank?

fj12ryder wrote:

PA12DRVR wrote:
FWIW, something to consider beyond "when will it run out" and "when do I have to stop for the facilities" is what you're towing and how that impacts where you are when either of the two above criteria kick in.

I had an F350 towing a 39' 5th wheel. Stock tank was (IIRC) 34 gallons. Enough to go as long as was really practical. However, with the biga** trailer, I had to start looking for suitable stations (generally meaning truck stops) at about the 1/2 tank level. This became a real pain the behind, particularly if traveling on secondary roads, and after having to unhook the trailer and run the truck to a station one midnight, it became worth the $$ to add a auxiliary tank.

I went with an in-bed extra 70 gallon tank and it was great. For the next 5-8 years (until the end of the RV chapter of life), I didn't have to stop at all during the "day" but could simply fill up the truck and aux tank once I was stopped for the evening and had parked the trailer.

Wow, I could have written exactly that post. :) Except my tank is 34 gallons and not 70. And I'm still RVing.

What year is your RAM? Second gen LB trucks are 35 gallon.

I have an in bed RDS tank I bought used. It really makes it nice. I’m a little paranoid and if my gauge drops below 1/2 I get nervous. Below 1/4 and I’m in a panic. So now just as soon as my gauge drops off from full, I know my auxiliary tank is empty and I only have 28 gallons left. I will usually start looking for fuel when I only have 3/4 of my tank left. This will usually keep me above half and out of the panic zone. Depending on where I’m at, that gives me a range of about 350 miles. If I were to run all the way to empty, I could probably go 550 miles or so. For me to run that low it would have to be a life or death situation.

PA12DRVR wrote:
FWIW, something to consider beyond "when will it run out" and "when do I have to stop for the facilities" is what you're towing and how that impacts where you are when either of the two above criteria kick in.

I had an F350 towing a 39' 5th wheel. Stock tank was (IIRC) 34 gallons. Enough to go as long as was really practical. However, with the biga** trailer, I had to start looking for suitable stations (generally meaning truck stops) at about the 1/2 tank level. This became a real pain the behind, particularly if traveling on secondary roads, and after having to unhook the trailer and run the truck to a station one midnight, it became worth the $$ to add a auxiliary tank.

I went with an in-bed extra 70 gallon tank and it was great. For the next 5-8 years (until the end of the RV chapter of life), I didn't have to stop at all during the "day" but could simply fill up the truck and aux tank once I was stopped for the evening and had parked the trailer.

Wow, I could have written exactly that post. :) Except my tank is 34 gallons and not 70. And I'm still RVing.

FWIW, something to consider beyond "when will it run out" and "when do I have to stop for the facilities" is what you're towing and how that impacts where you are when either of the two above criteria kick in.

I had an F350 towing a 39' 5th wheel. Stock tank was (IIRC) 34 gallons. Enough to go as long as was really practical. However, with the biga** trailer, I had to start looking for suitable stations (generally meaning truck stops) at about the 1/2 tank level. This became a real pain the behind, particularly if traveling on secondary roads, and after having to unhook the trailer and run the truck to a station one midnight, it became worth the $$ to add a auxiliary tank.

I went with an in-bed extra 70 gallon tank and it was great. For the next 5-8 years (until the end of the RV chapter of life), I didn't have to stop at all during the "day" but could simply fill up the truck and aux tank once I was stopped for the evening and had parked the trailer.

"And no, a 5 gallon portable can isn’t a reasonable substitute for either of the above options."

You must have a hell of a bladder! A stop is a stop as far as I am concerned. No I don't care if I spend a few bucks more for a truck stop fill.

I do miss my 35 gallon tank, I know only 3 gallons less now but it makes a difference as I had specific stops along the West Coast. Used the 5 one time as I had not calculated in the long grade from the Columbia River to Yakima, WA.

Bottom line people need to do what works for them. I just think everyone should decide with real world experience before spending BIG $$$.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Personally I would use one of these to see if you really want to spend the $$$.

"IF" I were to do anything I would go with the TITAN 55g for my DRW RAM.

Given that we're all about safety here on rvnet, don't you think posting a plastic fuel jug that is not up to OSHA/NFPA standards is a bit risky? Lol

My last 2 short beds had the tank swapped for the Titan 51 gallon before I even drove it..

The new one will come in with a 48 gallon stock ! ! :B

One of the best upgrades I’ve done with my truck was the 60 gallon auxiliary tank. 95 gallons of fuel capacity let’s me stop when and where I want to not where I have to.

But with a short bed I’m not sure I could afford to lose the space. But I also wouldn’t want that tiny tank, so I’d bite the bullet and install one of the 50 gallon replacement tanks.

And no, a 5 gallon portable can isn’t a reasonable substitute for either of the above options. :R

Personally I would use one of these to see if you really want to spend the $$$.

"IF" I were to do anything I would go with the TITAN 55g for my DRW RAM.

Last 2 SB trucks I had, got rid of stock tanks and replaced them w/ 50 Gal Transfer Flow tanks. Much better. If you figure 10 mpg, that's 40 gal/400 miles, 10 gal to spare, time to stretch legs/potty break, re-fuel.