I am planning a "loop like" trip from Texas north to Canada then to the Northwest Coast, south to San Diego and back to Texas. I will be pulling a 35ft fifth wheel with my 04.5 3500 DWD diesel on this estimated 6500 mile journey. In addition to the 6500 miles, I will be taking side trips not pulling the RV that will total about 3500 miles. Therefore, the total trip mileage is 10K miles. I get 10mpg pulling the RV. I am considering purchasing an auxillary fuel tank and am looking to others to advice the size and manufacturer. Any feedback or info would be much appreciated.
Would you make this trip without one?

Thanks,
Forwardho

 

I know a few guys running this one and like it.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6721_200306721

 

check out a transferflow setup. they make both in bed tanks and replacement tanks. I'll be getting one of these in the near future

 

I run the plain jane delta L shaped 105 gallon tank in my truck the steel tank got a heck of a deal on it used and just steam cleaned it before use. you know alot of guys diss the steel tank but it's clean NO rust signs on the inside, and I fillter it before the goes in the the truck. now it is a transfer tank so I do have to put the filler in the truck to fill up but by that time I need to sto for a few. I got a 15 gpm pump on there so tank full in 2 mins. I wouldn't ever fill up with fuel in CA to high of cost. what ever you decide Make sure YOU Filter it before going into your main tank...... with mine I only fill the transfer tank at the gas station and then fill my truck from that, filtering the fuel a 2nd time before it goes into my truck, the filter has a clear bowle so I can see whats going into the main tank.

 

I hope this helps.
To answer your question, yes I would have an extra tank. Can you make the trip without one? Yes, you can I have made similar trips but in places you will need to fill up with very high priced fuel and at less than desirable fuel stops. Will you save money buying an auxiliary tank? No, it should be purchased as a convenience only. If you’re only concern is running out of fuel then I suggest that you have one or two 5-gallon cans. If your concern is not having to stop at places that you had rather not stop at then buy the tank.
For a good/ reasonable priced tank I suggest that you go to northern tools and look at some of the tanks that they have.
I have the 60 gallon tank tool box combo so far I have been pleased. If you do buy at Northern get the adapter kit that they sell to tie the auxiliary tank into the factory tank.
I am fairly close to you if you need some help let me know.
I do not suggest that you buy a tank that holds more than 100 gallons CA have been know to give Rv’ers a hard time over being a hazard if the tank where to rupture.

 

I'm was in the same boat. I get about 10 mpg towing and I definitely wanted/needed more fuel capacity.

Does it have to be an auxiliary tank? I went with a Aerotank replacement for my OEM tank that has 75 gallons capacity. That gives me the range and keeps my bed open.

I have the long bed though, and a short bed couldn't get as large a tank to fit underneath. The largest for a short bed that I've seen is 60 gallons.

Tony

 

I love my Tranferflow I went from SLC to San Fran and drove all over San Fran for a week and then had to fill up.

 

I put a steel transfer tank on my new '07. 105 gals. I need one for work anyway. Fueling up tractors and sometimes trucks. On my recent trip, I used it for my own gas station. Came in very handy once. No fuel and I hit a 8% grade with a 40 mph headwind pulling a trailer. Felt good to fill up when I wanted to.

 

Does that tank really hang down low? Does it also interfere with your spare?

 

Northern Tool sells the RDS tank - - very well made. They have a great low profile 50 gallon (or so) with small tool box on top. They also have an extremely easy to do install kit. Total cost about $600. Can't beat it. Sure was nice on the Alaska trip.
Bob

 

I'll speak to your question, just as said above no you don't NEED it but it is convienent. I don't see you in any danger of running out along the trip. When on the Trans-Canada highway there are TONS of of truck stops to fill up at if its the Canadian leg of the route you are worried about.

I found having an Aux tank nice on my old truck as I'm always out on Long Weekends filling up before leaving on Friday and then on Monday before going home always meant waiting in a big lineup. Having the second tank I could fill up a week in adavnce(both tanks) and still have enough to last the entire trip(Calgary AB to Radium BC round trip). Also lets me avoid having to fill up at small, crowded gas stations when pulling the camper/jeep/trailer.

Diesel duel prices here don't fluctuate that much between local stations, maybe $0.02 on the litre. Which would be $2 on the fill up, I'll pay that $2 for the convience of a bigger station with more manouvering room.

 

t-boe,

The Aerotank OEM replacement fuel tank doesn't hang down too far. It's about .25" below the bottom of the frame rail. It's in the same place as the OEM tank, but gets to the 75 gallon capacity on the long bed (60 gallon on the short bed) using an auxiliary "donut" tank that goes between the bed and the spare tire. This makes the spare tire sit about 6" lower. This isn't an issue with stock tire widths on a 4x4 as the spare tire still has a lot of clearance, and I suspect any size tire that would fit underneath normally, would still be okay [on a 4x4].

The donut tank is plumbed into the main tank (their original 60 gallon replacement tank) using four lines. One of the lines is clear, so if you look under the bumper, you have a visual indicator of how close the tank is to full.

This tank is much sturdier than the OEM plastic tank, plus it has drain plugs, so you don't have to drop the tank to empty it. There are only three drawbacks I can see.

One, you can't let the fuel level get as low as the OEM. The OEM has somewhat of a low spot to keep the pickup in fuel; whereas, the Aerotank is pretty much flat with a larger bottom surface area.

Two, the sender doesn't move off full until you've burned off ~40 gallons (so when it does get just below half-way, it should take about 60 gallons to fill up, which is one complete Stanadyne [pint] bottle to add).

Three, if you fill up at a station with bad fuel, you'll have a LOT of bad fuel.

Sorry for the long reply,

Tony

 

I just installed aux tank in my truck over the holidays.
You might want to look at kshmarine.com there prices and make of vertical tanks let me keep my chest and only took up 11" more of my bed for an extra 55 gallons.

I installed it myself after buying an external walbro 255lph pump from ebay. I hung it off a piece of aluminum angle iron that I bought from home depot with the kit that came with it and tied it in like you do a Fass fuel system with a kit that northern tool sells that comes with the 1 1/2" fuel hosefitting and inlet for 3/8".

Ran all the hoses and wired it to an LED switch in the cab. Works like a champ.

I had an RDS tank in my 01 ford and it was great also except just did not have enough tool box space.

 

My butt cannot outdistance the stock tank, but like others have said it's nice to be able to pass a high-priced or undesireable location.

I carry a jerry can on trips to help a little with that.

 

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all of the info.

Boomer58 and bigfoot, I will look into Northern Tools tanks.
3500lly, Transferflow also is something to check into.
I have also found a company nearby called ATTA.
A larger under the bed tank may also work for me.
When I get in my truck ,I just want to GO-GO-GO. I can drive all day and never shut the truck off until I get to my distination. I do not like to stop every couple of days for fuel. So, I will let you know in two weeks what happens.