I've seen and read a lot of threads about bed-mounted fuel tanks, but everything I've found regarding the plumbing seems to only lend itself to the LB7s. How are guys plumbing tanks (like the RDS ones) into their LLYs?? I've seen "gravity feed" setups advertised, but that seems a little low-tech.

Any input or suggestions?? Anyone in SoCal (LA area) that does installs??

This 26gal tank isn't gonna cut it this summer!!!!!!

Thanks!!!!!

We bought a 55 gal tank in lake havasu city from KSH and it uses a GM installiton kit that has a switch to one tank to the other and $900.00. KSH tanks are made there. chevman

So was the whole thing $900 or are you just talking about the GM tank selector??

How do you like that setup??

I have a RDS tank bought from Northern Hydraulics. We use an electric fuel pump to transfer down to a tee in the vent line. We have a small "dinger" on the switch so that we don't forget. The entire setup including the tank-tool box combo was around $800 including freight.

I have a aluminum custom built 100 gal tank plus toolbox combo built to my specs by KSH of Lake Havasu as well. It utilizes the decades old electric two tank switch also utilizing the factory guage. Very poorly built tank which had several leaks in it when it arrived. Had to have it pulled (under a Leer canopy with a filler through the side of the Leer) flushed, and rewelded. Then it did not draw properly as the draw tube was about 3" too short and it ran out of fuel with 50 gal in it. KSH not very good on taking care of problems. Never refunded the cost of new tank repair, and the new draw tube they sent was shorter than the original one. Love the 100 gal tank in the bed, but KSH, who built GREAT marine tanks, is a very poorly constructed tank and has poor service. Switching valve works very well. KSH owner Brian admitted to having help problems, but never made it good.

Try Arrow Tank in Corona, I do not have experience with them personally, but have heard they have a set-up for our trucks.

I've used a TransferFlow on 2 trucks. Nice setup but not cheap. 1-800-442-0056

I'm looking at the RDS tank . . . I like transfer flow's stuff, but the dollar/gallon is a little shy and, honestly, Iv'e already got enough gauges, switches and other crap running around my dash without their monitor adding to the clutter.
The RDS stuff seems well priced and good quality, not to mention significantly higher capacity than TFS . . . I'd just like to find a switching system to compliment it, without getting too complicated OR too simplistic.

I'd also like to find someone out here in Southern CA to install all of it, if anyone has and suggestions.

Thanks!!!

I have a RDS tank bought from Northern Hydraulics. We use an electric fuel pump to transfer down to a tee in the vent line.


What do you do for venting the in-bed tank??

I was thinking of running the vent line down into the OEM vent line along with the fill line into the OEM vent line. I was planning on venting into the OEM ventline to prevent the mess of an open tank vent.

The RDS tank comes with a neat roll over safety vent and a vented cap. I just left it at that. I am trying to find a timed relay for it now. You would wait till the fuel gauge dropped to 3/4 tank and hit a button. The timed relay would run the transfer pump for say 5 minutes, just enough to top off the factory tank.

$900.00 total for everything but now I am not sure of KSH being a good place to buy. we have had 3 problems with the fuel pressure going down using the KSH tank. This puts the truck in a limp mode and has to be cleared before the main tank will make the engine run. I am asking KSH at this time because the fuel lines are much smaller than GM uses. If not a good response from Brain at KSH I will be very unhappy but I will give him some time to answer. chevman

I talked to Brain today and he and our chev garage are working on the problem. Brain was very much wanting the problem solved so I am encouraged atthis time. chevman

That's good to hear!!

Can you give me any more details on your plumbing/switching setup?? Is KSH the only source for it??

Not really but they have kits for ford and dodge so they must be different somehow. It isn't a new idea as somebody above has already said. The problem could be the valve not getting enough power to open. This is one of the tests when it gets looked at. I will come back when I learn more. chevman

If you are not stuck on an in bed set-up. I love my supertank. seriously. love it. 62 galllons and 100% of my bed is useable

I'd love to keep all my bed space, but I'm not thrilled about screwing with the stock tank/cooler assembly and have heard too many horror stories about tanks that either don't hold their advertised gallonage or can't/won't draw the last 10 gallons. For the sake of simplicity and reliability, I'll probably go with an in-bed.

GTA,
Depending on your uses of the truck you might consider an in-bed tank behind the wheel wells. I decided to place a low profile tank there for a couple of reasons. First, the extra weight of tank an fuel in the back of truck bed allows better ride then a tank placed in the front of bed. Second, this allows full access length of my short box for longer items. Third, I can still use a storage box in the front of the bed. I fabricated my tank to a height of 9" high so it doesn't interfer with my 5th wheel pin when hitching the 5ver up. My current tank hold around 50 gals. An inline fuel pump transfers the fuel to the trucks 2" filer hose with a switch in the cab. I also use a return/vent line back to the tank incase I forget to turn off the pump while driving; it recycles the over fill back to the tank. You can have a metal machine shop fabricate a tank for under $500 or much less (my tank and connections which I built cost me around $200). Here is pics of my first tank http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=4598413&uid=2339453

We have the v-box in the rear and the same brand tool box in the front of the bed and white in color . We have an easyrider/reese 20K air hitch so the new fuel tank is between the hitch and the front tool box and low enough to unlock the box with the key. Our truck is a tow truck only and so this is ok for us. chevman

I use the LOW TECH GRAVITY method and it works just fine nothing to break or switch basicly just hassel free except when the aux tank still has some fuel in it and you open the gas cap on the trucks tank. (That will make you cus for sure)

Real easy to install I cut the 1/2" burp hose that comes back to the top of the filler neck and installed a 1/2" T run a 1/2" line to the tank with valve and fillter.

Oh yea I'm sure some will say that gravity fed tanks are illegal. Big trucks have been using gravity to equalize thier tanks for years. As long as you install a valve between the two tanks you will be fine. I get DOT' ed all the time and officers never say anything, but they do look for the valve.

there is nothing better than having 80gals on board when your on a long run hauling 17,000lbs...... sure helps keep you out of the truck stops.

our problem is solved. The aux tank's tube was too close to the bottom of the tank and couldn't suck enough fuel so the engine went into limp mode. chevman

our problem is solved. The aux tank's tube was too close to the bottom of the tank and couldn't suck enough fuel so the engine went into limp mode. chevman

Try Arrow Tank in Corona, I do not have experience with them personally, but have heard they have a set-up for our trucks.

I bought their 45 gallon Aux tank / tool box combo. Makes for a nice storage space and sits flush with the bed rails for my 5th wheel. I love it! I had them do the install, and they included the fuel filter with the install kit. Also the filler is concealed by the lid so it just looks like an in bed tool box.
picture here
http://www.geocities.com/jeepgeek04/newtruck.html

The problem for me was every fuel tank that was a storage tank didn't have enough storage because of the height. I use buckets to hold things and just take a bucket out to reach another if needed. We have the sliding top. Awesome thing to have more fuel storage. chevman

i would like to contact arrow tank but i cant find where to contack them could you leave tel # or address thanks

Transflow has a replacement 45 gal midship tank.It is a easy install and uses the factory gauge and sending unit.Also they have the larger filler neck to use the faster pumping truck stop pumps.The whole thing without install was 875.00.

The arrow tank is identical to the one l have hiden filler cap and all KSH marine out of Lake Havasu AZ. makes them there nice tanks well made email address www.kshmarine.com (http://www.kshmarine.com)


pete