I'm thinking about installing an auxillary tank in my short box w/Durmax. I'm an old farm boy used to having field tanks with the pump in the back of pickups. At this point, I really don't need the pump for transfering fuel to anything but the pickup itself. But, I really don't feel like installing all the wiring needed for a transfer tank. There might come a day when I want it out of the box - for some reason. What have most of you guys done in this situation? The cost is about the same either way purchasing the stuff from Northern Tool. I'll be occasionally be pulling my fifth wheel camper and/or gooseneck trailer. Most times, just the boat.
Thanks

I used the Northern Tool 41 gal tank and tool box combo. I had it in my 01 short bed and when I traded for the 03 3500 long beed I took it out of the 01 and installed it in my 03. I used a kit similiar to the Northern Tool kit. They didn't have it at the time. I like it. I know the fuel level in the aux and main tank and can select the tank I want. The wiring is not bad at all. Just follow the instructions. You have to find a place to locate the toggle switch. Location can be anywhere you want to put it.


Tom

I have a Tool Box Fuel tank comb in my truck. I have 12volt pump and hooked it up to my filller neck on my truck. When the tank get's MT I turn the pump on take's about 1 hour to fill it and work's great. You do have to pay attention as it could overfill!

I have the 60 gal. fuel/tool box combo from Northern. I didn't buy their install kit as I was adding filtration at the same time and needed several fittings and lines. If I were to do just the tank, I would buy their install kit. Saves alot of time for about the same $ as finding all the parts yourself. Mine is a selectable Aux tank, using the 6-port fuel selector valve. OEM fuel gauge reads the tank that's currently in use. I didn't like the idea of a simple toggle switch so I had my dealer order me one of the fuel selector switches from the older Chev's that came with dual tanks. Looks better, IMO. I, too, want to be able to remove the tank if needed so I mounted bulkhead fittings in the left front corner of my box - simply spin off the connectors, install the caps (in the yellow keepers in my photos), disconnect the quick disconnects for the sending unit, spin out a couple of bolts, and lift the tank out. I have some photos of the tank in My Pictures.

The benefit to having a selectable tank is not having to worry about either remembering to turn the transfer pump off - or set up a timing circuit for it - and the abilityto draw down the aux tank independantly of the OEM tank if you want to take the aux tank out for any reason and want it nearly empty. The down side to this setup is that you have to cut into the OEM fuel lines to plumb the selector valve. And, if this valve fails, you're pretty much stuck on the tank it's on at the time unless you pull and re-route hoses.

It sure is nice to have the extra fuel capacity - I filled up at a station about 30 miles away three weeks ago and saved 19 cents per gallon over what diesel is going for here.

Good luck!

The system connected into the stock fuel system and a tank with a roll over valve are the only installations that meet DOT requirements. Hope you don't have an accident and fire if you don't have it that way.


Tom