Extended range fuel tanks - who has one?

[Boatycall]

I'm looking into replacement fuel tanks. I'd like to hear from folks who have replaced the existing tank with a larger replacement. Since I haul a TC, can't use a bed tank like I did when I had a 5'er. Also don't want a spare tire replacement tank...I like having a spare.

Stock tank is 37 gallons. Fully loaded, depending on where I go, I get 10-11mpg. Usually, it's my arse saying it's time to stop and take a fuel break before my gauge says to. But sometimes, it would be nice to have a little extra range.

I've found three so far for my truck, these are the best prices I could find--.
-Titan 67 gallon, ABS plastic, $1409 free shpg
-Aerotanks Aluminized Steel, 60 gallon, $980 + $170shpg
-TransferFlow Aluminized Steel, 57 gallon $1185 free shpg

The Titan appears to be the most popular, but that doesn't mean it's the best.

Any thoughts?

[fpoole]

djgarcia wrote:

Jaxom wrote:
Like you did with your rig, go big.

I like having the option to fill where I want to instead of where I need to. Different states have different tax rates for fuel. Some states are cheaper than others. Some states I prefer to NOT buy fuel in.

I can't speak to the Titan as I have an in-bed auxiliary tank.
Good Luck.

Price of fuel in different states is very true. Calif. is outrageous and as soon as you cross the state line into Ariz. the price of diesel will drop on the average of 30 cents a gallon:):)

Yep, what he said.
Price differences make a huge difference especially when filling up... Made the mistake of filling up just before the Colorado River crossing from CA into AZ.. heheh, Yikes.....

Won't make that mistake again...

As noted, some $0.30 difference.

Even here in Quartzsite, AZ the local gas varies by $0.30 and that's AZ pricing...
(76 gas at $2.71 gal.... East end ARCO at $2.51gal go figure)

[Bedlam]

My F250 was weight constrained and really did not need the weight of additional fuel even though it had one of those sub 30 gallon fuel tanks. I just planned my fuel stops every 200-250 miles which equated to a mid day break. My 5500 no longer has the weight limits but the stock tank will allow me to run all day, so I see no need to carry more fuel (the following model year had a secondary tank option). There is a convenience factor in carrying a larger capacity of fuel, but I would have a hard time justifying the aftermarket upgrade price knowing ROI is so far out.

[pennysmom09]

We put in the Titan 50 gal. Have never had to stop for fuel while towing and love the convenience. The factory tank was 27 gallons.

[larry_barnhart]

djgarcia wrote:

DWeikert wrote:

djgarcia wrote:

When you have Transfer Flow install an auxiliary fuel tank they recalculate your new auxiliary tank to your current fuel gauge on your dash. i.e. full= 60 gal. 3/4 tank= 45 gal. etc etc etc.

Maybe for your truck. Based on my research GM's computers can only be set to a tank size GM installs at the factory (26 or 34 gallons for my year). Supposedly there's a way to use EFI Live to edit the tables and re-calibrate the fuel level sensor voltages so your fuel gauge displays accurately. Otherwise gallons used would be accurate, but gallons to empty and the gauge itself would be significantly less than accurate.

You are probably right. It dosen't appear that it would be a good idea for you to install an auxiliary fuel tank.

We have this issue on the 55 gal inbed tank for the correct guage reading but the truck has fuel used and it is correct. Just a toggle switch to change tanks.

chevman

[larry_barnhart]

cyntdon2010 wrote:
The extra weight of tank and fuel, will decrease mpg.
fuel and bathroom breaks helps keep the drivers alert.

No reason to need a fuel station for a bathroom break . We buy fuel when we see a good one for our 53 ft and the extra inbed tank allows us to have a choice. chevman

[MarkTwain]

DWeikert wrote:

djgarcia wrote:

When you have Transfer Flow install an auxiliary fuel tank they recalculate your new auxiliary tank to your current fuel gauge on your dash. i.e. full= 60 gal. 3/4 tank= 45 gal. etc etc etc.

Maybe for your truck. Based on my research GM's computers can only be set to a tank size GM installs at the factory (26 or 34 gallons for my year). Supposedly there's a way to use EFI Live to edit the tables and re-calibrate the fuel level sensor voltages so your fuel gauge displays accurately. Otherwise gallons used would be accurate, but gallons to empty and the gauge itself would be significantly less than accurate.

You are probably right. It dosen't appear that it would be a good idea for you to install an auxiliary fuel tank.

[DWeikert]

djgarcia wrote:

When you have Transfer Flow install an auxiliary fuel tank they recalculate your new auxiliary tank to your current fuel gauge on your dash. i.e. full= 60 gal. 3/4 tank= 45 gal. etc etc etc.

Maybe for your truck. Based on my research GM's computers can only be set to a tank size GM installs at the factory (26 or 34 gallons for my year). Supposedly there's a way to use EFI Live to edit the tables and re-calibrate the fuel level sensor voltages so your fuel gauge displays accurately. Otherwise gallons used would be accurate, but gallons to empty and the gauge itself would be significantly less than accurate.

[MarkTwain]

djgarcia wrote:
Auxiliary fuel tanks- Reasons for---
Convience , peace of mind and avoiding the anxiety of having to find a fuel station when you are in areas you are not familiar with. If you have to ask the question about "saving a penny" on a gallon of fuel then you probably should reconsider rather to RV or not!!!!!!!
When you have Transfer Flow install an auxiliary fuel tank they recalculate your new auxiliary tank to your current fuel gauge on your dash. i.e. full= 60 gal. 3/4 tank= 45 gal. etc etc etc.
Regarding the additional weight of carrying more fuel and your miles per gallon, For me, my mpg does not changeI rather I have a full tank of 60 gal , 30 gal. etc etc

My reason for the auxiliary fuel tank is not to drive "marathon" distances, my truck stops at every rest stop. i want to enjoy the trip not end up putting "Ben Gay" on my butt at the end of the driving day:):)

[Steve_83406]

I put a Titan 52 gallon super tank in my 2001 GMC K3500 crew cab dually. When not towing, I had a range of 840 miles with a gallon or two left (Idaho Falls, ID to Ocean Park, WA). Towing at 10 mpg would get me about 500 miles. I wish I had put the fast-fill filler neck on it, but it wasn't that bad with the regular neck. The fuel gauge did not need recalibration.

I have a Titan spare tire 32 gallon transfer tank I need to install in my 2014 Ram 2500, but I haven't been too thrilled about installing the second filler in the body work.

Gotta admit, I'm biased towards Titan... they are based right here in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and have been great to work with.

Steve

[MarkTwain]

Auxiliary fuel tanks- Reasons for---
Convience , peace of mind and avoiding the anxiety of having to find a fuel station when you are in areas you are not familiar with. If you have to ask the question about "saving a penny" on a gallon of fuel then you probably should reconsider rather to RV or not!!!!!!!
When you have Transfer Flow install an auxiliary fuel tank they recalculate your new auxiliary tank to your current fuel gauge on your dash. i.e. full= 60 gal. 3/4 tank= 45 gal. etc etc etc.
Regarding the additional weight of carrying more fuel and your miles per gallon, For me, my mpg does not changeI rather I have a full tank of 60 gal , 30 gal. etc etc

[DWeikert]

Can't offer any info based on experience yet, but in a few weeks I plan to have the Titan Spare Tire Auxiliary Fuel System installed. My Chevy only has a 26 gallon tank and this will add another 30. I like this better than the 39 gallon replacement tank Titan makes for my truck since it adds almost 20 more gallons, doesn't mess with the trucks computer regarding the stock tank, and doesn't decrease the fuel tank's ground clearance. Just press a button and 5 gallons gets pumped from the aux tank to the main tank.

The low fuel light comes on in my truck after around 20 gallons and since Chevy has no lift pump I have no desire to find out just how low I can go before I break suction on the fuel system. Like Boatycall, I generally start my search for fuel at around 1/4 tank, especially out west. With the camper that gives me a range of maybe 200 miles before I start looking for fuel. I'm soooo looking forward to leaving the interstate and not having range anxiety.

[sbryan]

I've toyed with this idea a few times but never pulled the trigger. First there is the weight of 60 additional gallons of fuel over my rear axle - not insignificant for me because I am pretty well balanced right at my front and rear axle weights. To add that much additional weight I'd probably have to invest in wheels and tires. Right now I'm within limits - with an additional 400-500 pounds over the rear axle my comfort cushion would be seriously eroded.

Then there is the economics. We just finished a trip to Florida and the most variation we observed in fuel between states was about $.22. That means to recover the cost of just the tank at $1,000/.22=4,545 gallons assuming I save $.22 on every gallon. At 12 MPG that means I've got to cover over 50,000 miles to make up the investment (if my math is right - I was an English major so feel free to shoot me down:p).

There are advantages to a bigger tank but for me it just doesn't offer enough advantage to justify the investment. I'm sure others will have different opinions.

[MrPhelps]

I got the Titan last year. There have been no issues. I really like the increased range and fuel pricing options that others have covered.

[cyntdon2010]

The extra weight of tank and fuel, will decrease mpg.
fuel and bathroom breaks helps keep the drivers alert.

[edatlanta]

Lwiddis wrote:
Your money but a 370 mile range isn't limiting in my view.

But it definitely is limiting your choices of where and when to buy your diesel. Diesel prices vary a lot from station to station some just a few miles apart and some right down the road from each other. I like having the option of driving to the next cheaper one with my Titan tank. GasBuddy is your friend!

My Titan is 9 years old and never an issue.