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01-08-2018, 11:20 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,067
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Auxiliary Tank Question
Our new Ford has a 48 gallon tank, nice, but I had a 60 gallon Titan replacement tank on my previous GMC which was just about right for most of our trips. Depending on the trip we will go up to 500 miles in a day which means I need to stop for fuel with the Ford. I would really prefer not to have to find fuel between overnight stops. I like getting to my destination, unhooking and use my Gas Buddy app to find the best place to refuel.
It appears my only option for more gallons is an auxiliary tank of some sort. We tend to spend between 3 and 4 months a year travelling averaging around 4K towing miles, sometimes more, sometimes less. We do hit and miss trips during the travel season, rarely less than 2 weeks and up to 6. Come November we are done till April or May, which leads to my question. I'm pretty sure during our travel season the extra fuel would not be a problem as it would be used on a fairly regular basis but what about the months when my truck mostly sits in my garage? With my 60 gallon tank in the GMC I tried to drive it enough to put in a little fresh fuel every few weeks but with the smallest transfer tanks being around 40 gallons now I'm dealing with potentially 90 gallons. So, during our down period can a transfer tank be drained completely and bypassed or is better to keep it full and use a biocide?
Curious what others do.
__________________
Jim,
2020 Ford F350 Platinum, 4X4, CCLB, SRW, diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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01-09-2018, 05:25 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Morganton, NC
Posts: 50
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I have a 63 gal tank in the bed of my truck and I installed a manual shut off valve, this way I can run the transfer tank empty, shut off the extra tank and use the main tank without putting fuel in the transfer tank.
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01-09-2018, 08:06 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,985
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I have a 100 gal aux tank and only fill it with the fuel needed for my next run. This way my aux tank is always empty (except 3-5 gallons) and gets fresh fuel a week before I need it. The only time I get extra fuel is if we are traveling to a high fuel cost area like, CA or something. I haven't used any fuel additives in the 10 years of using the aux tank. I also very much like the convenience of not stopping for fuel during a trip. For daily trips, I just use and fill the truck tank.
My aux tank uses a transfer pump to get fuel into the truck tank. I can turn the switch off/on while driving if I need to transfer fuel. It's great when the low fuel light goes on and new passengers start to panic, I just reach down and turn on the switch.
Edit: I like the pump because I get full transfer flow even when the aux tank is low. I did have to replace the pump once, $30 local auto parts store. Another option is to get a tank that can be hidden under a tonneau cover, out of sight.
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01-09-2018, 08:13 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,067
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Thanks for the responses which brings up another question. What type of filling apparatus is best, or maybe a better way to put it, more reliable? I see some use the gravity flow type, some use a pump and some have a solenoid which I guess is used to cut the flow off from a gravity feed.
__________________
Jim,
2020 Ford F350 Platinum, 4X4, CCLB, SRW, diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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01-09-2018, 08:40 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 62
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I just use a small napa pump and yes, a solenoid is needed to stop gravity flow. Don't ask me how I know . I never worry about how much fuel is in my pickup when we get to our AZ home for the winter. It doesn't get old, IMHO. I once stored a VW diesel for ten years, started it up and got 40 mpg. Ran great!
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Glenn, 36' DRV 08 36TK3
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01-09-2018, 09:44 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Central Vermont
Posts: 1,485
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I am giving some thought to getting this prior to any cross country trips. Its 25 gallon capacity almost doubles the 26 gallon tank in my F350 short bed. I like it better than the 5 gallon container I carry now (extra 50 miles while towing, plus it has a transfer pump and costs less than half of what a replacement tank would cost.
https://www.ruralking.com/25-gal-pol...sfer-unit.html
__________________
2015 F350 XLT PSD CCSB SRW, Andersen Ultimate hitch
'12 Cougar High Country 299RKS, Mor/Ryde Pinbox
1/77 Armor Bn, 5th Mech, I Corps
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01-09-2018, 11:11 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,067
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs
I am giving some thought to getting this prior to any cross country trips. Its 25 gallon capacity almost doubles the 26 gallon tank in my F350 short bed. I like it better than the 5 gallon container I carry now (extra 50 miles while towing, plus it has a transfer pump and costs less than half of what a replacement tank would cost.
https://www.ruralking.com/25-gal-pol...sfer-unit.html
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You know, you might have something there. The one thing I have been reluctant about the regular transfer tanks is giving up my bed space during the off season. I wonder about the 12 volt hook up though. I guess you could just run the wiring into the bed and use a connector to tie them together when traveling. I have the upfitter switches with my truck and have only used one of them. Should be easy. The other issue is movement. I wonder how it could be secured. Might be able to use a ratcheting cargo strap. It doesn't look like there is much surface area for the strap though.
I can see myself pulling into a rest stop for a break and topping off the Ford tank. That would give me 73 gallons, plenty for any of our day's drives. Thanks for the info.
__________________
Jim,
2020 Ford F350 Platinum, 4X4, CCLB, SRW, diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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01-09-2018, 11:38 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,067
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Did a little more research on the Enduraplas and saw an issue with grounding due to static electricity. It seems filling portable tanks in the back of a truck is not recommended. I guess this is not an issue with mounted auxiliary tanks. It appears the Enduraplas is geared toward agriculture and construction use. Maybe putting the fuel in the truck is different than putting it in something outside the truck when it comes to static electricity discharge. Not addressed in the Enduraplas website but may need some more research.
__________________
Jim,
2020 Ford F350 Platinum, 4X4, CCLB, SRW, diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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01-09-2018, 05:58 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: AR
Posts: 315
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JDT
Did a little more research on the Enduraplas and saw an issue with grounding due to static electricity. It seems filling portable tanks in the back of a truck is not recommended. I guess this is not an issue with mounted auxiliary tanks. It appears the Enduraplas is geared toward agriculture and construction use. Maybe putting the fuel in the truck is different than putting it in something outside the truck when it comes to static electricity discharge. Not addressed in the Enduraplas website but may need some more research.
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Static is mainly an issue with gas not much of a problem with diesel. Diesel does not vaporize like gas.
I was out today getting quotes on how much it would cost to install the 51 gallon Titan replacement in my Ram. I have 31 but the extra 20 gallons would be nice to have . That would be over 200 miles extra. That is a long ways when you are in the middle of nowhere and getting low. That happened to us with our gasser Ford going to Alaska a few years back. We had plenty to make to the next fuel location but when we got there they were out of gas but had plenty of diesel. We did make it to the next town to fuel up. We were also carrying an extra 5 gallons of gas for the generator and didn't have to use it.
__________________
Butch
2017 Ram Mega Cab DRW
2018 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS
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01-09-2018, 07:26 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JDT
Did a little more research on the Enduraplas and saw an issue with grounding due to static electricity. It seems filling portable tanks in the back of a truck is not recommended. I guess this is not an issue with mounted auxiliary tanks. It appears the Enduraplas is geared toward agriculture and construction use. Maybe putting the fuel in the truck is different than putting it in something outside the truck when it comes to static electricity discharge. Not addressed in the Enduraplas website but may need some more research.
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I had looked into a 100 US gallon Enduraplas tank as I found a new one for sale on Kijiji for 1/3 of the cost from a dealer. I had went to a dealer to find out the cost of one to make sure that the seller was right on the price. The dealer told me that these tanks were for agriculture and construction use only and couldn't sell me one if I didn't own a farm. He proceeded to tell me that if I bought the one off of Kijiji and got caught with it that there would be a big fine. This was in Saskatchewan Canada so I don't know what the law is in the US. I'm still debating about an aux. tank but not sure if I need one now with my 48 gallon tank on my Ford.
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01-09-2018, 11:14 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SLC, UT
Posts: 1,172
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I imagine if you wait long enough titan tanks will do a midship tank for the long beds. Look like they only have the one for the shortbed out for now. Had that in my last truck and loved it. Downside was...you can't move to the new truck!!
__________________
2017 F-350 6.7 Diesel, CCSB SRW - 2005 F350 6.0
2018 Alpine 3660FL - 2005 Alfa SYF30RLIK
--Full time 2016 to 2019-- Seasonal now
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01-10-2018, 06:53 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Central Vermont
Posts: 1,485
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Re: Enduraplas diesel tanks. It would almost take a roadside flare or leaking onto exhaust components to light up diesel so I don't see the issue with filling in the truck bed. I also don't see much difference between construction use which requires driving on the highway and just driving on the highway. These tanks do come in about 4 sizes, but the 25 gallon looks like the only one to both fit between the cab and hitch, and under my tonneau cover. I was alerted to these by someone else using it for the same purpose. I had been considering a second 5 gallon container before seeing these and it seems safer to strap an Enduraplas down than to have 2 smaller containers rattling around in the bed.
__________________
2015 F350 XLT PSD CCSB SRW, Andersen Ultimate hitch
'12 Cougar High Country 299RKS, Mor/Ryde Pinbox
1/77 Armor Bn, 5th Mech, I Corps
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01-10-2018, 08:18 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,067
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrgrayaz
I imagine if you wait long enough titan tanks will do a midship tank for the long beds. Look like they only have the one for the shortbed out for now. Had that in my last truck and loved it. Downside was...you can't move to the new truck!!
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I had a Titan in my last 2 trucks and they are great. When trade in time came around no one cared that they were there. I guess I got my money's worth in just using them but they are a little pricey to not get anything back. It would be nice to have something that could be taken in and out.
I'm coming around to the Enduraplas as being ideal for my situation and maybe overthinking the static electricity thing. It should fit under the 20 1/2 inch clearance under my bed cover. If it can be strapped down enough to keep it from banging around it might be my solution.
__________________
Jim,
2020 Ford F350 Platinum, 4X4, CCLB, SRW, diesel, 12,400 GVWR
2020 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Reese Goose Box
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01-10-2018, 08:55 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: AR
Posts: 315
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As I said I'm looking at put in the Titan replacement tank. My question to the folks that have added the Titan replacement tank did you add in the Shield for the tank for a little more protection for the fuel tank or did you just go without it? Also how much lower did your fuel tank sit compared to the stock?
__________________
Butch
2017 Ram Mega Cab DRW
2018 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS
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