Auxiliary Fuel Tank/Tool Box Thoughts/Advise

Hello once again, been awhile since last post, probably a good thing meaning I haven't had any problems.

The short and sweet:

Looking for a combo Auxiliary Fuel Tank/Tool Chest. If you don't want to read any further by all means go ahead and tell me what you know, Ill read it. If you want more details read on.

Long Story long:

Looking to get an auxiliary fuel tank to add to my truck. I did some minor research several weeks back but not much since. It was enough to raise some questions. Id like to get a combo unit that has the fuel tank and tool box because I have always had a tool box on my trucks and don't want to be with out one. I have found three options,

Option 1 is a siphon/gravity fed type that as fuel is used in the OEM tank it is automatically replaced with fuel from the aux tank above and basically your fuel gage never shows a drop in fuel until you have used all fuel in the aux tank. The Option 2 I have seen is the pump fed tanks that once the OEM tank drops below a 1/4 tank a pump in the aux tank kicks in and refills the OEM tank. First option being much cheaper than the second.

My concerns about option 1 came from reading the sales info from a manufacture of a option 2 type tank. They said with their system you wont get the check engine light that you would from using a option 1 style (syphon/gravity). Basically they stated that with a option 1 the fuel gage always reads full and the truck assumes something is wrong with the gage and then the check engine light comes on. Is this true? Anyone have first hand experience? According to reviews it was Chevy and Ford owners who were having this problem. Maybe Dodge/Ram owners are as well and just didn't say anything about it. (I have a Ram incase you didn't know)

Option 3 Is replacing the OEM fuel tank for an aftermarket one that is much bigger. Don't really want to do this one....

Thanks in advance for any advise and words of wisdom or caution you might have.

Tow Vehicles

lawnspecialties
Explorer
Jun 25, 2016
I've had option 1 twice. My 2011 F450 that is sold. My 2015 F350 I have now. Never had the check engine scenario in three years. We're camping now. Maybe I can post some pics when I get home tomorrow.

Both tanks I've had were 90 gallon RDS tanks from Northern Tool. Gravity fed with a ball valve shutoff in the line.
2naEagle
Explorer
Jun 25, 2016
I have or had option 1 (sold truck have new one on order).
Used it for 9ys with no problems. 60 gal. RDS I will be putting it in new truck.
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Jun 25, 2016
lawnspecialties wrote:
I've had option 1 twice. My 2011 F450 that is sold. My 2015 F350 I have now. Never had the check engine scenario in three years. We're camping now. Maybe I can post some pics when I get home tomorrow.

Both tanks I've had were 90 gallon RDS tanks from Northern Tool. Gravity fed with a ball valve shutoff in the line.
Installed same system in two 2015 F350's. Over 200K on both trucks and never had a check light.
Tiger02
Explorer
Jun 26, 2016
I have an RDS 50 gallon plumbed into the front tank filler neck close to the cap. The fuel is gravity fed through a filter/water separator then into a 12 volt diesel fuel pump with a switch that I control from my dashboard.

After seeing how much water I can get out of my filter I wouldn't go without a filter/water separator.
wanderingbob
Explorer II
Jun 26, 2016
We fixed ours were when main tank got 1/3 empty I would stop the truck , get out , open a valve in bed of truck . Fuel would gravity flow until I shut the valve off .If I forgot , nuttin happened . Worked fine for seven years . 90 gallon , homemade tank , made it outta epoxy resin and fiberglass fabric over plywood , kinda like a boat tank .The plywood was the mold , but I said , what to hell , leave it on there , looked like a wood toolbox .
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer
Jun 26, 2016
Check your 2500 MegaCab truck's payload capacity (GVWR - actual loaded weight of truck) and rear axle load capacity (RGAWR - actual loaded rear axle weight) first, before spending money on an expensive tank and box. Weigh the truck, axle by axle, on a scale, with trailer hooked up. You may not have an extra 500-800 lbs of carrying capacity for the weight of the tank, tools and 50 gal of fuel. Gas and diesel are in the 7 to 7.5 lbs/gal weight range.
FireRob
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
Many thanks for all the replies and information. It is in fact the RDS brand from Northern Tool that I was/am leaning towards.

Any advise, tips, words of caution/wisdom or photos of the install process?
PA12DRVR
Explorer
Jun 27, 2016
Late to the party, but would offer a suggestion what worked for me (twice after a truck was stolen):

I got a combo tank from American Tank in Frisco. Fair amount of $$, but a good product and I really liked the fact that it was entirely separate from the factory tank....it sat in the bed, was wired to one of the upfitter switches and plumbed to the fuel line:with a flick of that switch, the fuel gauge read from the aux tank and the truck fed from that tank. Positive feed, positive info on supply, and worth the $$ in my view. FWIW, I considered it worth the drive from Ewe-stun.

Tank was expensive, but at the time they did the install for free if I went to their factory.
Doss
Explorer
Jul 13, 2016
Interesting topic. I don't make as many long trips as you guys do so I would be interested in something easily removable.
I am thinking of getting a tank with a transfer pump. When I get home, I can use up the fuel, unbolt it and set it out till next time.
Anyone used this type of setup?

Thanks
transamz9
Explorer
Jul 13, 2016
FireRob wrote:
Hello once again, been awhile since last post, probably a good thing meaning I haven't had any problems.

The short and sweet:

Looking for a combo Auxiliary Fuel Tank/Tool Chest. If you don't want to read any further by all means go ahead and tell me what you know, Ill read it. If you want more details read on.

Long Story long:

Looking to get an auxiliary fuel tank to add to my truck. I did some minor research several weeks back but not much since. It was enough to raise some questions. Id like to get a combo unit that has the fuel tank and tool box because I have always had a tool box on my trucks and don't want to be with out one. I have found three options,

Option 1 is a siphon/gravity fed type that as fuel is used in the OEM tank it is automatically replaced with fuel from the aux tank above and basically your fuel gage never shows a drop in fuel until you have used all fuel in the aux tank. The Option 2 I have seen is the pump fed tanks that once the OEM tank drops below a 1/4 tank a pump in the aux tank kicks in and refills the OEM tank. First option being much cheaper than the second.

My concerns about option 1 came from reading the sales info from a manufacture of a option 2 type tank. They said with their system you wont get the check engine light that you would from using a option 1 style (syphon/gravity). Basically they stated that with a option 1 the fuel gage always reads full and the truck assumes something is wrong with the gage and then the check engine light comes on. Is this true? Anyone have first hand experience? According to reviews it was Chevy and Ford owners who were having this problem. Maybe Dodge/Ram owners are as well and just didn't say anything about it. (I have a Ram incase you didn't know)

Option 3 Is replacing the OEM fuel tank for an aftermarket one that is much bigger. Don't really want to do this one....

Thanks in advance for any advise and words of wisdom or caution you might have.

I have had a gravity feed in a 2013 Ram Cummins and now in my 2016. No problems what's so ever.I even go as far as when I don't need both tanks (in between long trips) I just fill up the tank in the back of the truck and let it gravity feed into the main tank. I hate sticking a nozzle in the capless filler neck on the truck. It feels like it's going to rip the flaps right out of it every time I pull it out. One of these days I'm going to be seen with a fuel nozzle sticking out of the side of my truck going down the road. LOL