Aux diesel tank in bed question...

[Our_Place]

I purchased a 2008 Silverado and it already had a 74 gallon aux tank in the bed hooked up to the fill pipe of the main tank. I sold the 74 gallon tank and purchased a smaller 37 gallon but was told not to hook it to the main tank, but not given a reason why? The previous owner had the valve open all the time and told me not to remove the main tank fill cap but just to fill the bed tank because they are connected, is that ok??

[TRIPLE8]

Our Place wrote:
I purchased a 2008 Silverado and it already had a 74 gallon aux tank in the bed hooked up to the fill pipe of the main tank. I sold the 74 gallon tank and purchased a smaller 37 gallon but was told not to hook it to the main tank, but not given a reason why? The previous owner had the valve open all the time and told me not to remove the main tank fill cap but just to fill the bed tank because they are connected, is that ok??

Hi, I could be wrong but I think having a "GAS" fed gravity tank is a no no, only diesel from my understanding.

[rhagfo]

Jaxom wrote:

wanderingbob wrote:
I have plumbed the same way except I leave the valve closed , when the gauge on dash gets low I open the valve and let gravity fill the main tank , If I forget and leave it open , nuttin happens ! Of course me and mickey mouse have only been doing it for fourteen years with no mishaps . Myself I would be afraid of electric pumps and automatic******, manual works for me .

Only been about 6 years like that for me. Simple, effective & it just works.

Well in Oregon we can pump our own Diesel, most stations have a fit if you try, that is my issue. Fuel jockey comes out and pops the normal cap off at the wrong time.

[Jaxom]

wanderingbob wrote:
I have plumbed the same way except I leave the valve closed , when the gauge on dash gets low I open the valve and let gravity fill the main tank , If I forget and leave it open , nuttin happens ! Of course me and mickey mouse have only been doing it for fourteen years with no mishaps . Myself I would be afraid of electric pumps and automatic******, manual works for me .

Only been about 6 years like that for me. Simple, effective & it just works.

[Dave_H_M]

wanderingbob wrote:
I have plumbed the same way except I leave the valve closed , when the gauge on dash gets low I open the valve and let gravity fill the main tank , If I forget and leave it open , nuttin happens ! Of course me and mickey mouse have only been doing it for fourteen years with no mishaps . Myself I would be afraid of electric pumps and automatic******, manual works for me .

let me i that boat. I got dem big ears also.

I had mine plumbed exactly like yours without a hitch for 13 years. :R

so why don't you just put a shutoff valve in the feed line, either manual or electric?

[wanderingbob]

I have plumbed the same way except I leave the valve closed , when the gauge on dash gets low I open the valve and let gravity fill the main tank , If I forget and leave it open , nuttin happens ! Of course me and mickey mouse have only been doing it for fourteen years with no mishaps . Myself I would be afraid of electric pumps and automatic******, manual works for me .

[rhagfo]

Our Place wrote:
I purchased a 2008 Silverado and it already had a 74 gallon aux tank in the bed hooked up to the fill pipe of the main tank. I sold the 74 gallon tank and purchased a smaller 37 gallon but was told not to hook it to the main tank, but not given a reason why? The previous owner had the valve open all the time and told me not to remove the main tank fill cap but just to fill the bed tank because they are connected, is that ok??

Can you say Mikey Mouse! :S

That would be an accident waiting to happen. There are far better and safer ways to plumb up the second tank.

[WyoTraveler]

Sounds like he relied on the seal on the gas cap to prevent the fuel from coming out. They used to install valves on floor board for changing over the tanks. Now they put fuel pumps in gas tanks. I would be thinking of disconnecting that pump and installing an eletric fuel pump in the engine compartment and a floor board valve to switch between tanks.. During smog test think it would have to be on main tank to pass. Years ago any welder would weld up a tank before strict smog tests.

[ScottG]

So if someone removes the normal filler cap then the fuel from the second tank would gush out it I suppose.
That was simple but cheasy way to plumb it IMO.