Aux. Fuel Tanks for Trucks?

V

Valkyrie

New member
Hi Brats,

I am considering getting an auxiliary, bed-mounted fuel tank for our Dodge 2500 diesel truck. I have been looking at 37 and 50 gallon units from Transfer-Flow and wondered if anyone here has had any experience or advice on such an installation.

Thanks in advance.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Nick,

We've added auxillary saddle tanks to the trucks on our farm. These are tanks that mount below the bed within the frame rails.

We tried the bed mounted tanks and quickly discovered that they raise the truck's center of gravity too much.

With bed mounted tanks, the fuel will slosh within the tank as you corner, resulting in some interesting handling characteristics.

For safety, keep the tanks as low on the frame as possible.

Bill
 
Wow, good advice on the sloshing factor. The replacement tanks drop 3.5 inches below the frame and that scares me when tackling the "roads" in national forests when in search of trout and seclusion.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Nick --

I understand the concern about having the tank hang down by 3 inches. Wonder if the manufacturer sells an optional skid plate. You might get high centered but you would not rupture the tank to add to your problems and a winch or a high lift jack would get you going again.
 
Nick

I bought the 56 gal tank from this outfit for our 1 ton chev duelly duramax. http://www.transferflow.com/
Check them out. They make them for ford chev and dodge both long and shortbed. Before buying I checked the different truck forums and these had the top recommendation though they are pricy. Have been very pleased with mine.

Jay
 
I had the 50 gallon tank installed in my 2002 2500 Cummins. It worked very well, but if you anticipate getting a bed cover, I don't think the larger one will fit with a tonneau.

Any specific questions, just ask.

Warren
 
Well, another problem has developed. Neither Transfer-Flow nor Titan make a mid-ships replacement tank for my vehicle - a Dodge Ram 2500 diesel four door with a short bed, which leaves only the in-bed models and it sounds like they are problematic on turns with shifting fuel

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Valkyrie":397fbyqt said:
which leaves only the in-bed models and it sounds like they are problematic on turns with shifting fuelNick
"Valkyrie"
Click to expand...

I have no idea if any of the "in-bed" models have baffles to lessen the "problematic" shifting of fuels in turns. However, years ago I had a 55 gallon in-bed auxillary fuel tank in a 3/4 ton 2WD pick-up and I highly doubt that it contained any baffles. I never recall a time where I felt that the shifting fuel was problematic.
My personal observation on this issue is that a vehicle operator must always be aware of any possibility of shifting cargo...ie: water in holding tanks on campers mounted to pick-up trucks etc.....this is certainly no different than fuel in an in-bed tank. In fact, an individual seeking a commercial driver's license, must study, take, and successfully pass a designated exam for the safe operation of "tanker" trucks, if that is the type of commercial vehicle they need to operate.

In my line of work we are always operating vehicles with as much as 3,000 gallons water in their tanks (baffled of course). But we always have to be mentally aware of the added weight and potential fluid shift when it comes to operating the vehicle and drive accordingly.

Perhaps, the most "down to earth" comparison is would you drive a jeep at an excessive rate of speed that is prone to tipping over around a tight corner? ....hopefully not. But, you can drive it safely if you realize its' peculiarities and limitations.

Hope this is a help in your consideration.
 
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