What Are Legal Implications Of Home Built Transfer Fuel Tank

[tlukasavige172]

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.

[2oldman]

tlukasavige172 wrote:
I have some questions about building my own pickup bed fuel transfer tank....Does anyone know how legal this is?

I guess that depends on how good a welder you are.

I carried 50 gallons of diesel fuel in the bed for years, and the only time it was ever an issue was at Hoover dam. I couldn't park in the garage.

[nayther]

DiskDoctr wrote:

Macman83 wrote:
I believe that the reason for the 'for diesel only' restriction is the evaporation rate quoted in the previous posts. The tank is in the open bed, and subject to extreme heating and cooling, and would therefore evaporate a lot of fuel into the atmosphere.

This may be the case. Heck even 2.5 gal gas cans now require anti-evaporative-cannot-pour-without-spilling nozzles 🙂

You would definitely want a venting system that prevented the buildup of fumes to any dangerous levels. I get the custom shape part. Be sure to weld on brackets for mounting.

no, it was all tied into the vent system of the truck, closed system just like the stock tank. It actually drained into the stock fill neck. But I know that's not what the OP wants, he wants a transfer tank to fill his toys.

[n7bsn]

I know that most states now limit gas-cans to 6 gals. That is you can't fill a gas can if it hold more then six gallons.

Transferflow has what is probably a good place to start from
link

[DiskDoctr]

Macman83 wrote:
I believe that the reason for the 'for diesel only' restriction is the evaporation rate quoted in the previous posts. The tank is in the open bed, and subject to extreme heating and cooling, and would therefore evaporate a lot of fuel into the atmosphere.

This may be the case. Heck even 2.5 gal gas cans now require anti-evaporative-cannot-pour-without-spilling nozzles 🙂

You would definitely want a venting system that prevented the buildup of fumes to any dangerous levels. I get the custom shape part. Be sure to weld on brackets for mounting.

[Macman83]

I believe that the reason for the 'for diesel only' restriction is the evaporation rate quoted in the previous posts. The tank is in the open bed, and subject to extreme heating and cooling, and would therefore evaporate a lot of fuel into the atmosphere.

[coolbreeze01]

As long as it doesn't leak, I don't see a legal problem. Most of our trailers have gas tanks.
Lots of tank shapes and suppliers out there. If you can build what you want, go for it.

[nayther]

I had one in my 2005 that I got from Northern Tool but it was diesel only and I could not have it shipped to CA, sent it to a friend's in NV, who then forwarded it to me. Point being that they are out there, just may not be approved for gasoline. Check them out thought the tank was very nicely made out of polished diamond plate.

[tlukasavige172]

Most of the transfer tanks say ''not to be used with gasoline". I know gas is more volatile but other than that I'm not sure why they say no for gasoline. The shape I need is very specific for my flatbed so that's why I was looking at building my own.

[JIMNLIN]

Try the FMVSS 571.301 fed regs for fuel systems http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f3d3f17a0c7663af0acc75f5bc9aedf3&node=49:6.1.2.3.38.2.7.64&.....
And if your commercial or you sell the truck with the home made aux fuel tank to a commercial operator read this from FMCSA http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/393.67

and

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/393.65.

And as others say contact your state size and weights/commercial division for their input on how your aux fuel tanks needs to comply....if any.

[DiskDoctr]

You can look at fuel cells, which are the tanks used for installing in the trunk of race cars.

I would be thinking thickness, quality of liquid proof welds, certified gasoline pump, GROUNDING of tank and pump, fuel resistant paint, lowpoint drain, purchased gasoline cap, venting.

Here are some options. Prices vary, mostly on looks and shape for a given capacity.

http://www2.northerntool.com/fuel-transfer-lubrication/fuel-transfer-storage/auxiliary-transfer-tank...

Around $250 for the basic 30-ish models.

[valhalla360]

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]

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]

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

[nomad297]

Your best source for information would be the NFPA.

Bbrue