ok. i want to get an auxilliary fuel tank for my duramax. here are the companies i know of:


transferflow


tour buddy


atta tanks


supertanks


aerotanks


northerntool


i would like to get a tank that doesn't go across the whole bed. i want to be able to put a snowmobile in the back without it sticking way out. which is best. ? on the transferflow site, it says it is ILLEGAL in all 50 states to have a gravity fed system, but the tour buddy system is how it works (gravity). i don't get it. is it legal. i really like the tourbuddy because it uses the wheel wells and i can fit a snowmobile in easy (a little pricy). what is the law???? any help? thanks. i don't really want to go with all the computer stuff with transfer flow,, i just want a pump and a switch to dump more fuel in my main tank. thank you for any feedback!

I am currently in this same dilemma and have been looking at my options for the last month; I sort of don't mind giving up my bed space for a tank but I have had trouble with filling option on an in bed tank since I have a fiberglass cap to deal with.


You could add www.auxtank.com (http://www.auxtank.com) to your list.


Northern Tools tanks are made by www.rdsaluminum.com (http://www.rdsaluminum.com) ; NT purchases the tanks from RDS and is in no way owned by NT as some people are led to believe (I got the story straight from the owner of RDS when I asked by the NT price is $40 less than the factory price)


I'm not sure about the gravity feed systems, but if you do a search on here, there are more than a few members who are doing a custom gravity feed system into their main tank.


I need to do something soon since most of these companies are noting that they need 2-3 weeks to make the tank before shipping it out.

I think you should consider a custom built tank with a 6 port valve in you fuel line. I had a metal fabricator build an aluminum tank to my specifications and then I ran the fuel line down to the frame rail where I mounted a 6 port valve.


From my cab, I can flip a switch that transfers from one tank to the other and in addition the fuel Gauge in the dash will read the level in whichever tank you are using. I also put a frame mounted fuel filter/water separator (Baldwin 1259) following the switch.


If you are interested in details, let me know.


Jim

If you don't want to give up bed space, then you are looking at the midship replacement tanks from either TransferFlow or Supertanks. The TransferFlow will get you from 26/34 gallons to 45/54 gallons depending if you have the short box or long box. The Supertanks will get you either 60 or 75 gallons depending on the box length.


Also, the Supertanks will have you remove the fuel cooler (replacing it with a finned fuel line) while the Transferflow keeps the cooler.

I'm also looking at this.


Just talked to Supertanks today. Looks like they have a new design that will keep the fuel cooler but loose about 4-5 gallons doing so. I believe they said it was close to 62 gallons before, and 57 gallons after.


I just wonder, how important is that cooler? Is their finned line "good enough".


Also, how does this effect add on filters. Looks like it pretty much eliminates the possibility of the frame rail filter setup... What about lift pumps?

oh yeah, forgot auxtank. hey sprintmod1, i know Transferflow has a sweet set up with a fuel cap and door for the side of your cap with a fill neck going to your aux. tank.


not really interested in losing my main tank. those replacements sit too low for me too. (below the frame).


i suppose i could make my own system. all this decision making is taking more time than i thought. i really want to get the right thing. Thanks for the help!

Ya, good old wonderful Transfer Flow, talked to them for two weeks about their tank and the cap install they sell; problem is on my new ARE cap I have 4 3/4" to put their 6" filler system in; asked them about modifying it somewhat and they took a week to think about it and then said "sorry, no can do"; yea, right; spoke to RDS and gave them my idea and they took 1/2 day to think about it and he said "yep, sounds like a real good setup, go for it". Purchased the RDS system yesterday and saved myself a lot of money but lost over two weeks with Transfer Flow just trying to get them to answer questions. Hey, see you like snowmobiles, I loved the trails in the UP of Michigan!!!!

I just wonder, how important is that cooler? Is their finned line "good enough".


Also, how does this effect add on filters. Looks like it pretty much eliminates the possibility of the frame rail filter setup... What about lift pumps?





From what I have been able to gather, the mid-ship replacement tanks will interfere with the Racor filter kits. The Supertanks uses up every bit of space, so you would have to find a different place to mount the Racor. The TransferFlow also extends into the area where the Racor kit would be, so again you would have to mount it in a different place. The Nicktane kit will work with the TransferFlow tank. It looks like the Nicktane should work with the Supertanks, but no one here has done that installation.


You may be able to get a lift pump to work with the TransferFlow tank, I don't know about the Supertanks. I would ask DieselPower (Nick from Nicktane). He has the TransferFlow in his truck.


I don't know how good the cooling would be with that finned line that Supertanks uses.

Have a Transferflow Tank for about 20,000 miles, with the big filler also, works as advertised. No problem with the Nictane Set-up, They use a heavy gauge steel, keeps the Fuel cooler, Happy Customer!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

master flow has great tanks out of chico california. there is a dealer in elkhart, indiana that carrys master flow tanks 45 gallons..

correction transfer flow not master flow

the tanks go under the bed

too bad transfer flow couldn't help you out sprintmod1. i have talked to them a couple of times with no results in questions i had. and yeah, i am a snowmobile freak! i don't want to lose the optin of putting a sled in the back of the truck. i only have a 2 and 3 place trailer.


glad you're happy with Parker products! i see how we sponsor Danny Shantz (spelling?). we only manufacture hydraulic and pneumatic fittings here. i wish we made pumps!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


i still don't know what the heck i am going to do. probably get the tank from northertool. and find a pump somewhere. northerntool doesn't really have a pump (or one i like that i found yet).

As I said, I ordered the RDS unit; they have their own 6 way switching pump and valve that others have used and everyone seems to really like; I will have my tank in about 2-3 weeks and let you know how the install goes. RDS does do custom tanks, maybe you could talk to Ray and get them to "custom" a tank for you that would fit in the corner of the bed in the front.

No matter what tank you choose you should consider using a 6 port value that will let you switch from one tank to the other while driving and the truck will draw the fuel from the tank you select. This same valve will allow you to switch sending units to the new tank if you wish.


If you have a metal fabrication company in your city, you can design your own tank and have it built for, in my case less money, about the same as a commercial one. If you design your own tank, there are a few things you should make sure you do. I would be glad to make some suggestions if you wish. I love my setup and it really is not difficult if you are a shade tree mechanic or you can hire it done fairly reasonably.

Importance of fuel cooler!


In my opinion, and the Baldwin tech confirmed that I was correct, the cooler is very important. If you put warm fuel in a cool tank, never forget moisture condenses on the warm side of the surface. Look at your ice water glass if you doubt that. If you don't want to encourage condensation in your tank, you will want to cool the fuel as much as you can.


You can put a new fuel cooler for your second tank or just plumb it so the fuel runs through the existing cooler but I strongly recommend you don't by pass the cooler.


By the way, sometime after you have driven your truck for awhile, slide under it and put your hand on the fuel return line. If you are not sure which one it is, it is the warm one. Enough said.

JimC, do you have any pictures of it.

Go with super tanks. I just installed one in my truck and in a friends. They are great. It mounts under the truck so you dont loose space in the bed. You have to remove the fuel cooler, but the give you a replacement hose that does the same job in cooling the fuel. Installation was fairly easy. Factory fuel gauge still works.