Auxiliary fuel tank

[Hodum]

I have just purchased an auxiliary fuel tank (60 gallon) for my F-250 diesel. It is installed with the gravity feed line running into the fill neck of my original truck tank. I am looking for feedback from some who have a similar setup. What are the cautions and drawbacks?

[jdalrymple]

What keeps it from overfilling the bottom tank?


Regards,

JD

[dznf0g]

my thought as well.....a solenoid or manual valve?

[crisen]

I have about the same thing in my Dodge, there is an adapter that goes between the external filler and the standard tank that has a built in check valve. When the fuel level reaches the check valve it shuts off flow from the auxilary tank my holds about 50 gal. Since I built my own aux. tank I also put in a manual shut off at the tank and I don't turn this on until the main tank is down to below 1/2. The line from the aux to the adapter is only about 3/8 ID so flow is pretty slow and by the end of a driving day the main will be back to full and the aux is either empty or nearly so. Never had a problem with overflow in 15k miles towing with this setup.

[Hodum]

Originally Posted by crisen

I have about the same thing in my Dodge, there is an adapter that goes between the external filler and the standard tank that has a built in check valve. When the fuel level reaches the check valve it shuts off flow from the auxilary tank my holds about 50 gal. Since I built my own aux. tank I also put in a manual shut off at the tank and I don't turn this on until the main tank is down to below 1/2. The line from the aux to the adapter is only about 3/8 ID so flow is pretty slow and by the end of a driving day the main will be back to full and the aux is either empty or nearly so. Never had a problem with overflow in 15k miles towing with this setup.

This is the way that the installer explained it to me. I have read where someone had trouble with the original tank overflowing is the reason I wanted feedback. I was told that I should be able to leave the manual shut off valve open and let the aux. tank keep the truck tank filled as long as there was fuel available. I have not yet put any fuel in the aux. tank but will try it soon.

[deauxrite]

I have the same setup and have used it for 4 years..several trips to Alaska and back..never a problem. Open the valve and drive on!

[Bob4x4]

The biggest issue I see is fuel contamination.If the tank is steel it will more prone to adding rust to your system.With the high pressures and very tight tolerance in the modern diesel fuel system I would recommend adding better filtration.

[Hodum]

Thanks to each of you for the input. I filled the tank today for $3.47 per gallon. It held 59 gallons. I am not expecting to travel until mid January but wanted to check things out before really needing it. The price was right so I just filled it up. I can tell shortly if all is well. Thanks again. Oh yes Bob 4x4 the tank is made of aluminum. I hope there will no corrosion to deal with.

[switz]

Titan makes under bed/body diesel tanks so you only need one tank and still have all the bed area. I went from a 34 to 56 gallons in a single tank. The range is between 500 and 650 miles depending on a head wind or tail wind.

[crisen]

Hodum, Hopefully it won't slosh when full,mine holds 55 but I usually don't put in more than 45-48 due to this. As to aux vs oversize underbed tank, my take is while true you loose some bed space with an aux tank the advantage is it is 5 minutes to remove when not towing and since a partially filled tank is more prone to condensation one doesn't need to keep a big under bed tank full to avoid this.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I don't know if this is still true, but diesel fuel used to turn into a green slime if not used; I wouldn't fill these tanks unless I was going on a long trip soon.

[Panama Red]

The diesel doesn't change into a green slime, it grows a fungus in it that makes a green slime... I know, I know, six in one, half dozen in the other. They make fuel stabilizer you can buy to prevent this from happening. Only need it if you aren't using the fuel and replacing it on a regular basis. I maintain large diesel generators that have very large diesel tanks. We use an additive that mixes in at a gallon per thousand of diesel...

[Airstreamer67]

One additive popular with marine and aviation interests to prevent and/or eliminate microbe growth in diesel fuel is Biobar JF. I use it when there is a threat of moisture in the diesel fuel. It works quite well.

I have a 91 gallon RDS auxiliary tank in the bed of my F250. I use it not only for the truck, but also for a diesel tractor, RTV and generator. Yesterday I put in 83 gallons to replenish my fuel supply after a Thanksgiving trip. Now I'm ready for the threat of ice storms coming down the pike which may require the services of my Yanmar diesel generator.

I installed a 10-micron water-removing filter and a 2-micron sediment-removing filter on the tank, along with a 13 gallon-per-minute fuel pump and gauge. All the diesel I use for my equipment first goes through the two filters. I like this additional measure to help assure clean and dry diesel at all times.

[RickDavis]

My 99 Dodge you could just switch tanks.
On my 2013 that is not practical but I already had the 50 gallon transfer flow tank which draws from the top of the tank and I did not want to add a fitting that would allow gravity flow.
I used a small fuel pump, about .5 gallons a minute, and one of those timers like used with bathroom fans to turn it on. More or less dial up 20 minutes and transfer 10 gallons of fuel. I also installed a shut off valve but there does not seem to be any tendency to siphon if its left open.
A little crude and still some what in the engineering stage.
When I removed the tank from the first truck I found little signs of rust or crud in the tank and the sock on the pick up tube was still clean after 14 years and over 500,000 miles.
I am not sure how long fuel needs to sit before it grows fungus but I have never had any problems and sometimes it takes several months to use a tank.

[Panama Red]

I'm not sure how long it takes either. We have fuel in these tanks for three to five years between refills. Most vehicles don't have a ten thousand gallon fuel tank on them, so the turnover is much quicker... I don't think there'd be an issue with a tow vehicle unless you were planning on letting it sit for two or three years.

-Red

[Silver Hawk]

Back to the orig.: I put in this set up on my 2500 dodge diesel - 90 gal. tank. I leave it on all the time and just fill the aux. tank. Works great - refreshes gas. Got back from 3500 mile trip last month with AS - got 1,700 miles on flat roads from the two tanks - 1,400 miles in the mountains. It let me pick out where and when I got gas - let me not go into city gas stations with 31' trailer - and used web site 'gas prices' to find the cheapest fuel.
Best thing I ever did! - wouldn't leave home without it!

[Firedog1]

Anyone know of a Ford Dealer in Southeast that will install the Titan 50 gal fuel tank ? I have a 2015 F250 King Ranch 7.3 diesel with a 26 gal fuel tank, not good. I have called 3 or 4 Ford dealers and they won't do it. Also does anyone know if they are able to reprogram the computer to recognize the 50 gal tank? Need some advise if anyone has installed the Titan replacement fuel tank. I do not want to put a tank in the truck bed.

[SilverEagle6]

I had a guy north of Charlotte NC install mine last May. I ordered it through him and he got me the instructions to have Ford adjust the computer for MTE. All works great.

[Firedog1]

John
I don't mind a stopover in NC, can you give me contact info for the garage. You can send me PM if you wish, Can you give me an Idea on what it cost you.
Russ

[SilverEagle6]

I don't have his contact with me right now, send me a pm with your contact info and I'll get it to you tomorrow