Does anybody have the RDS reserve tank. I was wondering when you tap it into your filler tube if it runs in constantly as your factory tank goes down it automatically keeps filling it up until the RDS tank is empty. Thanks

:exactly:That's the concept. Basically, your fuel gauge will read full until your reserve tank is empty.

Apparently, it may not be legal in some states to "tap into" your "fuel system" or filler tube...

Do you have one? I was wondering if you had any problems. Thanks

I have mine tapped into the the vent line. No problems. I did install a ball valve so I can shut the fuel off.

do you shut the fuel valve off when your main tank is full or do you leave the valve open all the time and just have a return line back to your RDS tank to keep from spilling fuel on the ground

Ya that is what I was wondering too. Do you just leave it open all the time until it is empty?

I have a 60 gal. RDS with gravity feed. If I am just local I will shut valve. When I am on road I leave open. Never had problem either way.

Sorry, took awhile to get back.

I just purchased a 37 gallon tank from RDS, but did a bunch of research before I dropped the money. I had trouble purchasing through Northern Tool, because it says "may not be used for gasoline in California." Their computers have taken that to mean we can't ship it to California and my order was automatically canceled (after I had been waiting a week for delivery!). Funny thing is some of their other sized tanks have a more appropriate label that appears to allow shipping to California for diesel use.

My tank arrived today--unfortunately, the box wasn't well padded and the plastic filler cap was broken in transit. Everything else looks fine and the tank is rugged and well made. It includes a fuel gauge.

The optional gravity feed kit that Northern Tool or RDS sells includes a threaded shutoff valve for the tank, with a barbed fitting for the hose to run down to your truck's filler tube. It contains a metal pipe the ID of your filler tube with a check valve and barbed fitting. This pipe gets grafted into the filler tube by removing a 2-3" section of your filler hose. This receives the fuel delivery hose running from the shutoff valve on auxiliary tank.

I also ordered a quick fill kit from Transfer flow and plan to wait until it arrives to do my install. Their quick fill kit replaces the filler tube and separates the vent line (which is internal in the OEM setup) making it a separate line. It should actually be easier to integrate the gravity feed system.

In theory, you should not have to close the valve on the aux tank. Once the fuel reaches the level where you've tapped into your truck's filler tube, no more fuel will flow out of the transfer tank. As you burn fuel, the tank will replenish.

Diesel install kit at Northern Tool: Model# 011029
Just follow this link and do a search: http://www.northerntool.com

If I can find my camera, I'll post some pictures.

Pics sound great my wife just bought me the 60 gal tool box combo from northern tool but I cant install it untill I get back into town (away on buisness) I have been trying to research on the net what the best way to install this tank is and some have said that you cant leave the oem tank full all the time something about if you drive for many miles the computer sees that the fuel gauge hasnt moved but it should have with all the miles you drove and it will throw a code of some sort, is this true? I was just going to buy the install kit from northern tool and and leave it constantly open then run a return line back to the rds tank so fuel wont spill onto the ground will this work thanks

Randy

OK this is what I have found with using my tank for 1 Yr. and 43000 Miles.
I love my tank and dont know what I would do without it.

Get two locking fuel caps keyed alike, It realy sucks to have just fueled up 80 or so gallons and come out the next morning to the smell of diesel and no fuel-:t

Install per RDS instructions or any better way found. I use a 12V solinoid (sp) with that said if you open your ball valve and drive down the road you will freek out the first time you gauge goes to empty and your little idiot light comes on. Dont worry the truck knows if you gauge has not moved in so many miles or time(not sure which) it will default to empty.

Now you can use this to your advantage because as soon as your gauge moves the gauge will then show full and give you your range back. this when I usually decide to get fuel because my RDS tanks is empty and I have 26 gallons rest.

If you decide to use a electric valve of some sort the when you open it it will take some time to fill per your gauge. But when you hit 3/4 tank then turn it off as you are most lickly full.

If you decide to install a pump then you need to use a return line back to the tank as you dont want to pressurize your stock tank. If you look at the back of the RDS tank you will see two threaded bungs that you will can use as a return.

But the most important thing is if you want fuel to flow then you must REMOVE the black cap on the vent but be sure you dont park so the left front is lower than the rest of the truck with a full tank.

If anyone has any further questions than PM me and I will give you my phone number and we can talk.

Hope this helps Mike

As the others above have said, the fuel gauge will go to empty after a certain amount of time or miles if you leave the valve open. The whole setup is very easy to install. Mine also came in with the fuel cap in pieces, called RDS and they sent a new one next day air.

Does anyone have a pic of the 37 gallon tank from RDS(installed that is).
I hate sound like a retard but, I'm not sure if it lays flat in the bed or does it stand up against the front of the bed?

If it does lay flat in the bed, how much weight can you put on it? For example, can the fron wheels of a quad sit on the tank?

Any pics would be greatly appreciated. I have a short bed and am looking for about a 30 gallon tank that takes up the least amount of room.

Thanks!

How many gallons does the truck burn before flipping the fuel gauge to empty? If I hook a 45 gallon tank to the OEM tank, will it trip to empty?

How many gallons does the truck burn before flipping the fuel gauge to empty? If I hook a 45 gallon tank to the OEM tank, will it trip to empty?

Yes it will. I have the 37 gal. one and I can only run about 150 miles before the fuel gage will go to empty.

Maybe you could leave the valve partly open so it fills the tank but slower than the rate that the truck burns it so you would get some gauge movement. Then when you stop to take a leak or eat, you could open it to allow the fuel to catch up. Just an idea.

I have the RDS 60 gallon tank/toolbox combo. I decided to hook mine up with a pump. I bought a FACET 45 gph pump from JC Whitney for $42, and using the Northern Tool filler hose kit, plumbed it in and put a switch with a bright red light in it on the dash to operate the pump. (Hot only when key is on) I also put a Tee in at the filler hose connection and ran it back to the return line on the auxilary tank. I've left the pump on numerous times after the OEM tank was full and never had a spill. A word of advice......install a anti-siphon fitting ($14 at West Marine) in the fuel pickup line at the tank if using the FACET pump, as the pump does not have a check valve that will prevent it from siphoning from the auxilary tank even when the pump is off. I installed the ball valve that comes with the filler tube kit in the tank drain, in the event I ever have to drain the auxilary tank. I did not use the special fitting with the ball check in it that came with the kit. Using this setup it takes about 30 minutes to transfer enough fuel to go from 1/4 tank to full.

So if I wanted to I could shut the ball valve off and burn down to say 1/4 of the OEM tank. Then crack the aux tank full open (solenoid valve sounds like a good idea)and transfer fuel as I drove. When the gauge reads full shut off the valve and repeat the process as needed. Is that about right? :confused:

What do you guys think of having a toolbox thats only 6 inches high? I use my toobox a lot and am not sure if i could adjust to it. I found a 91 gallon tank that had a 9" high box, but it still seems small to me.

It all depends how big your tool is! :muahaha: :duh:

Dura maxiums,
You are right about how to operate and if you do have pump in the line with valve.with pump turned off it will not over fill tank.Only run pump when towing and in a hurry.
hopr this helps you.

Speaking of pumping vs gravity... There was mention here of running a return line so as not to pressurize the OEM tank. If the aux tank is plumbed into the filler neck with the "T" adapter (NorthernTool) and just slowly dumps in how is pressure built up? Is the fill tube not vented? Where would this return line be installed to relieve pressure? :(

If this is used as a gravity feed, why do you need a return line to the aux. tank?

A return line is recommended only if you have a pump. Not needed for gravity fill.

I ran a return line from the little line by the filler neck to the top or the RDS tank. I went to home depot and bought a "T" fitting with 3/4, 1/2,3/4 barbs then tapped into the little line by the fill neck and ran a 1/2 inch hose from there to the RDS tank. I have had no problems so far with overflow but I did try to get it to overflow once to test it and it will overflow if you leaveit on too long and haave powerful enough pump like my holley blue pump (140gpm).


oh yeah by the way I love my 60gal.RDS tank I get about 850 miles per tank loaded and 1400 miles per tank unloaded I could go a little more but I dont like to get to low on fuel.

Please bear with me as I try to sort this wealth of information out. Is the following installation procedure correct when using a pump?

Graft Northern's "T" fitting into OEM filler tube
Plumb from tank to pump, pump to "T" fitting inlet,"T" fitting outlet to filler tube "T" fitting.
Plumb from "T" fitting second outlet after pump to tank return bung.
Wire, fill tank, and drive drive drive.........I am assuming this installation will utilize Northerns fill neck "T" that has some sort of back flow preventer to stop over filling. Should that level be reached and the pump is still pumping then the return line installed after the pump (but before Northerns filler "T")will simply recirculate fuel back to the RDS tank. Am I getting it? :o:

I have the 60 gal RDS.I love it.I have it gravity fed.I made a trip at Christmas
that was 1536 miles one way and made it with out stopping for fuel.Still had to stop to let the wife and kids pee.They didn't like my idea about the bottle.Other than the low fuel light coming on after 150 miles,I have no complaints.

I have the 60 gal RDS.I love it.I have it gravity fed.I made a trip at Christmas
that was 1536 miles one way and made it with out stopping for fuel.Still had to stop to let the wife and kids pee.They didn't like my idea about the bottle.Other than the low fuel light coming on after 150 miles,I have no complaints.

When the gauge goes funny and the light comes on, is there an audible warning also? Does the gauge start working automatically when the RDS gets empty and the factory tank takes over out on the road? I have read this and just want to verify so I know what to expect. I have a 100 gallon tank in the bed and it is plumbed in using the Northern kit. Been in for 1 week and have not drove it enough to know what happens. Should need fuel again about June.

I really dont know since we had to stop for pee breaks,I turned off the truck and at restart the light was gone.When it came back on I just put a business card over the light.I knew that I was not going to run out of fuel.

I have had my 60 gal. rds tank for about 75,000 miles. with gravity feed. Low fuel light comes on and stays on through whole tank. But when you turn truck off for break it will reset. small price to pay for ability to find cheap fuel fill it and go a long way!!

I install RDS 60 gal from day one with the truck, I just used the Northen Tools gravity feed. Long trips I leave the valve open, now that winter is here I shut the valve to give extra weight in the truck. Only thing I did different was I ran a vent line from the RDS tank to the filler vent line (lost a few gallons when parked on a hill once). As for only having a 6 inch tool box, I like it better then having a full sized one since truck is so high its easy to reach every thing. My wife hates the tank since it means I don't stop for 1000+ miles. Every day driving I have just been filling up once a month. Well worth it. If you want mounting ideas I can send pictures.

I ran a return line from the little line by the filler neck to the top or the RDS tank. I went to home depot and bought a "T" fitting with 3/4, 1/2,3/4 barbs then tapped into the little line by the fill neck and ran a 1/2 inch hose from there to the RDS tank. I have had no problems so far with overflow but I did try to get it to overflow once to test it and it will overflow if you leaveit on too long and haave powerful enough pump like my holley blue pump (140gpm).


oh yeah by the way I love my 60gal.RDS tank I get about 850 miles per tank loaded and 1400 miles per tank unloaded I could go a little more but I dont like to get to low on fuel.

Are you sure that the "little line" by the filler neck is a fuel/vent line? The rear differential vent line is clipped to the filler hose. Make sure you are not tied into your diff vent!

Correct on the rear diff vent line by the fill neck,but the diff vent is a 3/8 line. On my RDS I ran the vent line up into the bed rail behind the post hole and I haven't had any overflow problems even when parked on an angle.

Just install RDS 60 gal tank/Tool box combo. I love it. Had issues on istallation though, followed directions from manufactor & when I cut filler neck also cut vent tube that was inside...never saw....oh well it's gone now that is from where I installed there desiel kit w/rollover valve down to the tank...seemed to fill up ok today w/o any vapor lock ect...should I expect any problems not having the vent hose into the tank???

The inner vent hose is just to reduce foaming. Shouldn't be a problem, as long as you didn't let the end fall into the tank, then it could jam or interfere with your level sensor float.

No, I realized vent tube was inside & somehow finished cutting the rest of the filler hose only, then pulled out the filler neck & complete vent tube. Your're correct, no problems filling up, I was afraid of getting vapor lock/splash back...actually seemed to get a few gallons more on that last tube into the main tank. Added 25 gal to RDS tank & no problems w/over flow ect. still need to bolt in @ side...very tight space wise??? They sould have put 2 tabs @ rear of tank rather than 1.

Sorry for the stupid question (I seem to have a few) but you're saying the vent line is inside the filler neck? I just assumed you cut the filler neck and t in. Where is this vent line some people say they tap into?

Yes, My '03 has the vent tube inside the filler neck...most other models have the vent tube on the outside & that it hooks back up top where you fill OEM tank. The RDS kit wants you to cut the " Filler Neck" to put the "T" into fillerneck...that is 2"..the T has a rollover valve built into it to prevent over filling when using the gravity feed system. Others have done things differently, not to say that any of there ways is wrong. RDS gave you there way for $70, some can do the same for under $25.

From what I have read here the inner tube is to control foaming during fill up. The vent runs seperate along the outside of the fill hose. Check this link for more info.
http://www.gravityfeed.4t.com/

Great picture here from fellow member "bricklef"

36039

Dont know why it wont go any larger. Click on this link to find the thread it came from. Its the first post.

http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124317&highlight=rds

Thanks Dura....yes you are correct....I didn't know how good the truck would fill after removing the inner tube....from the RDS "T" down..it fills fine...I try to let the pump go as slow as it can anyway. On to the other small tube...I never followed it back...never touched it but saw it...thats the 1/4" tube that clips onto the filler neck you'll are talking about that is the rear end vent???? Thankyou for that info. My friend's 06 has a separate tube outside the filler tube that hooks up at the top of filler neck....that is about 1/2"....that is his vent tube correct???

Here you go:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31115&d=1167080835

Thanks to all. I know understand.

since the tank was droped to begin with
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=27892&d=1173631104

Nice pics...thanks......Idle...I did mine like yours. I can clearly see your filler setup is different from the one I've got...I do not have that 3/4" vent tube. Got my truck used..I'm wondering now if someone didn't modify before me. But all installed & working great w/RDS tank..I Love it.

You're welcome, that's not my setup - I just "upsized" the picture previously posted.

Installed my 51gal RDS tank today with the ball valve. No vent tube inside the 2" tube on a 2007 LMM. I think I'd like to add a solenoid valve. Does anyone have a part number or source?

no, you shouldn't have a vent tube inside....I don't know of part# your asking for.....did you install the gravity feed system??? I like that system.. it's simple & no problems.....no electrical switches ect...DM

I used a Murphy 12V Solenoid valve pn sv-12 I think. It is controlled by the plow lamps button on my dash (I don't plow). My blonde girlfriend still has not figured out why I turn the lamps on in the middle of the day....

I was really dissapointed when I tried to fill my RDS tank at the fast fill pump and the nozzle would not fit. It looked like a little kid made the hole for the filler......

nozzle wouldn't fit......was this @ a truck stop w/the bigger nozzles???

Used my RDS tank yesterday for the first time. Put 10 gallons in, main tank full, valve open. Drove 155 miles, RDS tank shows empty, fuel gauge just under full and no codes or warnings. My credit card should close tomorrow, then I will fill the 51 gallon tank.

Used my RDS tank yesterday for the first time. Put 10 gallons in, main tank full, valve open. Drove 155 miles, RDS tank shows empty, fuel gauge just under full and no codes or warnings. My credit card should close tomorrow, then I will fill the 51 gallon tank.
Does the RDS come with a gauge?

Quiky
There is a gauge inside the toolbox.

Could you take a picture? Thanks!

I used a Murphy 12V Solenoid valve pn sv-12 I think. It is controlled by the plow lamps button on my dash (I don't plow). My blonde girlfriend still has not figured out why I turn the lamps on in the middle of the day....

I was really dissapointed when I tried to fill my RDS tank at the fast fill pump and the nozzle would not fit. It looked like a little kid made the hole for the filler......



The large nozzle fits my RDS,It also fits in the truck filler neck.I dont know if it was in 06 or earlier when they changed the fill necks. It sure doesnt take long to fill up at those pumps.

I guess I got a bad one. It was not even close and I asked RDS about it and they had nothing to say.

I am thinking of making the hole bigger if I can do it somehow without getting metal in the tank. Doubtful.

I guess $700 is not what it used to be just comparing the value to say... EFI live.

Now that I have the tank I could not live without it though (not counting the 20+ minute fillups....)

Yes it was the bigger nozzle. They have the bigger nozzle at the regular pumps around where I live now. (maine)