auxiliary fuel tank

IMHO not worth space lost, extra weight,

Cummins12V98 wrote:
IMHO not worth space lost, extra weight,

X2-Have you added the extra weight of 70 gallons of fuel and the tank to the towing capacity of your truck? Done a calculation on how long a pay back of $1100 and slightly less mileage you would get?

Unless you frequently take trips where the difference in the cost of fuel could pay for the tank...I'd say no. Every time I plan an Alcan trip...I consider buying a tank....typically diesel costs ~50-75 cents a gallon more across canada. At that rate, it would take 2 alcan trips to justify the cost of a larger tank for me. I'd rather bring that much more weight in "stuff" though.

I feel different because we had our 55 gal fuel tank built in Havasu in March of 05 for $1000.00 and really enjoy having the extra fuel so we can fill when we want and not have to. the 55 gal tank was a nice fit between the tool box and the air hitch. I would go for it.
chevman

I put a 106 gal 100 usable aux tank in our diesel truck I'd purchased from Quality Farm & Fleet (now called Tractor Supply) for $297+ tx but the aux tank's not hooked up to the truck's fuel tank at all. I have a lockable hand pump (one quart delivered with each motion of the handle) (20 motions up and down is 10 gallons) is in the driver's side bung opening and a short real fuel hose to reach the truck's fill neck. The hose has a water line white PVC ball valve on the end and about a 6" long 1" dia piece of PVC glued in the valve for a nozzle. Has a simple PVC not glued on cap to keep the dirt from getting in the nozzle when driving etc. No mess! Works super and saved us a ton of money in the 9 years we've had it. One truck tank of fuel lasts an entire day + of driving so what's the big deal of 10 minutes for refilling it each day from the aux tank? Buy fuel where it's cheap and we have 134 gallons and around 1000 miles range before refilling. I can only use it when we pull a trailer etc and it comes out when the Lance TC goes on. No problem!

I made a welded cradle out of 1" X 1" X 1/8 wall square steel tube picked up on the end corners with 2 made up chains with S hooks that supports the middle of the tank also when I take the take the full or whatever's in it out with the hoist in my building/toy barn behind our home. Four 3/8 SS bolts thru the tank feet from the top secure it in and so easy to spin them out with the SS nut welded to a 1/4" thick steel plate flathead screwed to the underside of the bed from the top. My 5th wheel hitch rails are mounted the same way with four 5/8 grade 8 hex bolts from the top into the 4 frame mounted bolted on "L" brackets. So quick! Takes about 10 minutes to put the hitch or tank in or take it out. When out, both sit on their 2 X 4 frames with 4 HD steel swivel casters under them so I can push it where it want them on the concrete floor.

Didn't put the tank in for this trip and we are sorry now. Wanted more room for my wife's electric scooter but next time, the scooter goes on the cargo rack that's on the back of the 5th wheel and the aux tank will be on the truck! Seen $.53/gal difference in diesel price between home and here in Florida so far. That's $71. for one fillup alone and we'll need a min of 3 fillups or over $200. wasted on one trip! Rolling resistance from 700 lbs extra weight isn't squat. It's the air resistance as it's roughly 3 times the rolling resistance.

Edited to fix a couple typos.

I had installed the Transfer Flow 50 gal. that fits below my BakFlip tonneau cover, and I still had room between the tank and hitch for my below cover tool box. Pretty much fills the truck bed, but I love the convenience... Can I justify the cost? No. The only worth to me is the convenience. But, I do really like it.

If I were to change my capacity I would get a stock tank replacement from TransferFlow. You loose no room and your fuel gauge will still work.

I want my bed to be clear if I want to use it as a pickup.

Plan out your fuel stops.

My fuel gauge works on both tanks as well as fuel used but our truck is just a towing truck. When we are done rving the truck goes.

chevman

I wouldn't be without my auxiliary tank!! Pure and simple.

It's only a 40 gallon tank but that gives me the flexibility to stop for fuel when I want to stop and not when the fuel tank dictates. I usually fill up in the evenings after we're stopped and unhooked, so I don't have to find a station that my 40' toyhauler will fit in easily.

Personally I wouldn't want a 100 gallon auxiliary tank, just too much weight for my truck, and I don't need to be hauling around an extra 300 pounds of dead weight all the time. I'm cheap so the tank is from the Farm Store and the electric fuel pump/nozzle was off Craig's List. Total amount spent was about $550. I have to manually pump the fuel into the main tank but that is really no big deal, IMO anyway.

But another few gallons so you can stop at a rest area instead of a smelly gas stop is another plus to the auxiliary tank.

I have a 80gal custom made in-bed tank by KSH Marine in Lake Havasu, they do great work at reasonable prices, would not be without it.