best in-bed combo toolbox/aux fuel tank?

[obie311]

I'm pulling a 5'er with an 8' bed crewcab. I've been thinking a diamond plate aux tank/toolbox might be handy to have and not compromise towing and backing the coach.

Lots of US made brands available but without metal specs posted it's hard to tell who makes the best ones. When I spec'ed truck bodies in my old job we used to make jockey boxes out of 10 ga. steel but with aluminum I don't know what's sufficient for this application.

I'm familiar with Dee Zee and Lund of course. I'm not familiar at all with RDS, Better Built, UWS, Aluminum Tank Industries.

Another 40- 70 gallons would be good and a decent sized tool box for jumper cables, DEF jug, lug wrench, cribbing, etc.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[larry_barnhart]

Our truck is just for towing so adding a 55 gal inbed tank has been great for us.

Only one tank filled at a time and almost always the inbed tank is used so if any bad fuel is pumped the other tank can be used even if I have to change the fuel filter. Never like to run a tank low and worry about running out. so my vote is having extra fuel is wonderful. Having enough truck helps. Cummins has enough truck but a large load to carry and tow. His choice as well as ours. All good.

chevman

[Cummins12V98]

"Only here would a guy with a 60grand truck and 100? Grand trailer 37,000lbs say an aux tank is silly and suggest a plastic Jerry can as a suitable replacement. "

You need to get your story straight!

[PA12DRVR]

I towed for several years a 38' 5th wheel with an F350 with a 26,000# GCVWR.

I had a combo tank/box from American Tank in Frisco Texas put in. 60 gallons (IIRC) with a nice tool area. Worked fine until the truck was stolen.

For me, it was worth it whether or not the cost penciled out (IIRC, $1100 installed):

- Direct plumb to the manufacturer's tank and wired to the fuel guage with an aux switch
- With the factory tank, I had enough, even towing heavy for a 1200 mile run before needing fuel;...never came close to that
- With the aux tank, we could go to wherever we were going, drop the 5ver, drive the truck into town for dinner and fill up wherever the right combo of cost / convenience struck us
- The aux tank meant that I never ran out of fuel (or got so low that I was concerned) in the middle of San Antonio and had to drop the trailer in an HEB lot while I ran the truck across the street to fill up (don't ask me why this is a concern).....
- The aux tank meant I never had to stop somewhere and fill from the 8 five-gallon cans that were my previous backup. I've been filling cars, trucks, airplanes, and snowmachines from 5 gallon cans for 45 years and still can't do it without getting a drop or two of fuel on my hands or shoes

Bottom line, I'm not sure I could justify the cost nor the "need" (which can be avoided with careful planning) of an aux tank or combo tool box /tank....but the convenience factor trumped everything else for me.

[Michelle_S]

Red Diesel is "Off Road Diesel" for use on the Farm, Getting caught with it in your tank on the road will cost you a lot more than you saved.

[Grit_dog]

Only here would a guy with a 60grand truck and 100? Grand trailer 37,000lbs say an aux tank is silly and suggest a plastic Jerry can as a suitable replacement.
To each their own, but that is the perfect situation for more fuel IMO. Some days that setup won’t make it 300mi between fillups!
To the question “Do semis carry extra fuel?” LOL
No they don’t, they carry as much as they carry but it will get them a heck of a lot farther than 300mi between fillups.

The arguments against tanks, aside from it a person doesn’t have the money are silly, as long as we’re talking silly.
I’ve never had slip tanks in my personal trucks and stopping 4x a day for fuel sometimes s ucks , but last trip I popped the little 50gal cube tank out of my work truck and into the old Didge for a x country road trip. Was nice only having to fuel up once between Seattle and WI. Plus I saved a bundle of $. Some places had diesel for like $.50/gal cheaper. It was red.....weird, but seemd to run alright!

[Cummins12V98]

Just to clarify for ONE person on here I was staying with the subject at hand. Read the second 1/2 of the thread title " > best in-bed combo toolbox/aux fuel tank?" it says aux fuel tank and my 5 gallon container is MY aux fuel tank.

Personally I am already at my RAWR and I am sure many others are not too far behind. So adding a 70 gallon tank plus the tanks weight I would guess add around 7-800 lbs??? Something to consider.

I stop for fuel and usually add around 27 gallons. Take 27 x .30 mentioned earlier that would be a savings of $8.10. The model listed below weighs 175lbs plus fuel will put you at 700#. The cost is $1,700 with shipping plus tax. It would take my 210 fill ups to repay that. Then you need to figure it does cost to carry the extra weight of ? $$$. That .30 savings is VERY optimistic!!!

As mentioned if ya want it buy it not everything pencils out. Personally like I mentioned I would buy the Titan OE replacement at $1,200, less fuel but still plenty and not wasting my tool box space.

Hoping my 5th gen RAM does have a bit bigger tank.

RDS Aluminum Transfer Fuel Tank Toolbox Combo with GPI 12V Fuel Transfer Pump — 70-Gallon, Rectangular, Diamond Plate, 15 GPM, Model# 73956

[2naEagle]

I have a 50 gal RDS from Northern Tool. Would not be without it. I stop where I want not where the tank wants. Been using gravity flow for over 11 years in two different trucks and no problems. I also added a fuel/water separator. 100% of fuel go's through my aux tank. Go to thread #52 to see what I did.My Fuel Tank

[Lantley]

hornet28 wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Pretty sill to compare a aux tank to a 5 gallon container."

Silly? OK if you say so. I was trying to show that a person may not really NEED a extra fuel tank. Also the fact I have only needed it once. Cost was minimal and to add to the Silly conversation it is very unlikely anyone will pay back the cost.

As I showed a real toolbox is a much better thing to have IMHO.

Your alternative is sill. And off topic.

The OP states that he is looking for something with a capacity between 40 - 70 gallons. And you tell him he should look at a 5 gallon plastic tank that will give him an extra what, 40ish miles, but he still has to stop and pour it into his main tank to use it. He didn't ask for a full tool box and plastic jug. He asked for combo tank experience.

Without exception, when these threads come up, you step in with your opinion that a aux fuel tank isn't "needed". Obviously the OP thinks otherwise.

As far as "payback the cost", for most of us that have an aux tank, it isn't about "paying back the cost". Nor is it a matter of "I can only drive for so long before I have to stop to eat or use the restroom". It is about being able to chose where you stop, not be forced to stop because you have driven for 300 miles and are now out of range.

And, since you already brought this off topic, I can tell you with confidence that I in fact have "paid back" the cost multiple times over.

Now, hopefully we can get back to the posts answering the topic at hand.

Exactly. But some people will never understand such simple logic

I'm considering a aux. tank and I am not sure it is just simple logic. Maybe if you full time and are in constant motion chris crossing the country it is an easy decision. But otherwise is the expense worth the convenience?
Is it worth buying and hailing 50 gallons extra worth of fuel just for the convenience of stopping when you want? Sooner or later you will have to stop just like everyone else.
I don't know the answer but do 18 wheeler's carry extra fuel?
I understand the convenience of the aux. tank but I'm not sure of the economy of the aux. tank.
In the end it all boils down to convenience, time savings and some piece of mind. In order to achieve those goals you pay a little extra which is fine. I have been debating with myself, Do I want the ability/convenience to fuel when I want.
I sort of compare it to my built in Onan genset, which is a expensive option. The Onan provides very convenient power,but there are certainly cheaper ways to power the rig that cost a lot less.
I guess it is simple logic, the Aux. tank is very convenient, if you want that convenience you must be willing to spend the $$$.
Convenience is what you are paying for as the savings will be negligible.

[bluefishgary]

RDS 70 gal fuel tank with tool box. I PULL A BIG TOY hauller 44ft goose neck. Just went to Indianapolis from
Baltimore and back saved about 3 hr round trip.Was able
to get fuel in ohio and saved 30 cent a gal. Its great not to have to get fuel when the truck needs it.we get fuel when we want to.

[Westcoasting]

obie311 wrote:
I'm pulling a 5'er with an 8' bed crewcab. I've been thinking a diamond plate aux tank/toolbox might be handy to have and not compromise towing and backing the coach.

Lots of US made brands available but without metal specs posted it's hard to tell who makes the best ones. When I spec'ed truck bodies in my old job we used to make jockey boxes out of 10 ga. steel but with aluminum I don't know what's sufficient for this application.

I'm familiar with Dee Zee and Lund of course. I'm not familiar at all with RDS, Better Built, UWS, Aluminum Tank Industries.

Another 40- 70 gallons would be good and a decent sized tool box for jumper cables, DEF jug, lug wrench, cribbing, etc.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Check into getting one custom made for your truck.

[hornet28]

Bionic Man wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Pretty sill to compare a aux tank to a 5 gallon container."

Silly? OK if you say so. I was trying to show that a person may not really NEED a extra fuel tank. Also the fact I have only needed it once. Cost was minimal and to add to the Silly conversation it is very unlikely anyone will pay back the cost.

As I showed a real toolbox is a much better thing to have IMHO.

Your alternative is sill. And off topic.

The OP states that he is looking for something with a capacity between 40 - 70 gallons. And you tell him he should look at a 5 gallon plastic tank that will give him an extra what, 40ish miles, but he still has to stop and pour it into his main tank to use it. He didn't ask for a full tool box and plastic jug. He asked for combo tank experience.

Without exception, when these threads come up, you step in with your opinion that a aux fuel tank isn't "needed". Obviously the OP thinks otherwise.

As far as "payback the cost", for most of us that have an aux tank, it isn't about "paying back the cost". Nor is it a matter of "I can only drive for so long before I have to stop to eat or use the restroom". It is about being able to chose where you stop, not be forced to stop because you have driven for 300 miles and are now out of range.

And, since you already brought this off topic, I can tell you with confidence that I in fact have "paid back" the cost multiple times over.

Now, hopefully we can get back to the posts answering the topic at hand.

Exactly. But some people will never understand such simple logic

[Cummins12V98]

Don't like what I have to say PLEASE BLOCK ME.

I WAS NOT giving advice to anyone in particular. Just getting people to THINK about whether or not to spend their hard earned dollars. So sorry to offend YOU!

[Bionic_Man]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Pretty sill to compare a aux tank to a 5 gallon container."

Silly? OK if you say so. I was trying to show that a person may not really NEED a extra fuel tank. Also the fact I have only needed it once. Cost was minimal and to add to the Silly conversation it is very unlikely anyone will pay back the cost.

As I showed a real toolbox is a much better thing to have IMHO.

Your alternative is sill. And off topic.

The OP states that he is looking for something with a capacity between 40 - 70 gallons. And you tell him he should look at a 5 gallon plastic tank that will give him an extra what, 40ish miles, but he still has to stop and pour it into his main tank to use it. He didn't ask for a full tool box and plastic jug. He asked for combo tank experience.

Without exception, when these threads come up, you step in with your opinion that a aux fuel tank isn't "needed". Obviously the OP thinks otherwise.

As far as "payback the cost", for most of us that have an aux tank, it isn't about "paying back the cost". Nor is it a matter of "I can only drive for so long before I have to stop to eat or use the restroom". It is about being able to chose where you stop, not be forced to stop because you have driven for 300 miles and are now out of range.

And, since you already brought this off topic, I can tell you with confidence that I in fact have "paid back" the cost multiple times over.

Now, hopefully we can get back to the posts answering the topic at hand.

[Cummins12V98]

"Pretty sill to compare a aux tank to a 5 gallon container."

Silly? OK if you say so. I was trying to show that a person may not really NEED a extra fuel tank. Also the fact I have only needed it once. Cost was minimal and to add to the Silly conversation it is very unlikely anyone will pay back the cost.

As I showed a real toolbox is a much better thing to have IMHO.