Combination Tool Box and Fuel Tank Recommendations?
Terry and Jo said
06:12 PM Feb 27, 2010
I've been wondering whether to purchase a combination tool box and diesel fuel tank to sit behind the cab. I'm not sure that I really want to add the extra weight, so, I'd like to know what everyone thinks about it.
I'm thinking combination fuel and tool box so as to have a little extra room for tools or whatever that I don't necessarily want to put into the basement of the fifth wheel.
If one does go with an auxiliary tank, should it be one that can be plumbed directly to the existing fuel tank on a Ford F450, or one that has a pump and can just be used to transfer the fuel from the auxiliary tank to the main tank?
Or, does anyone have other ideas?
Terry
igotjam said
06:31 PM Feb 27, 2010
Had our 2008 450 since Feb 07. Thought about an auxillary tank but cost and hassle has deterred me. We get 200 miles with the stock tank (4.88 gears) and in 75,000 miles have only been close to running out a few times (did run out once..10 miles from destination). The only places we were concerned that a fuel stop could not be found was in northern Ontario.
Other considerations are being able to take advantage of lower fuel prices or going longer before refueling. I wouldn't worry about needing extra fuel to get to the next gas station...its a non problem.
Luvglass said
07:17 PM Feb 27, 2010
We get about 9 MPG while towing, so therefore are good for well over 300 miles before even worrying about fuel. In 4 years, including going to Alaska we have never had a problem finding fuel that wasn't caused by sheer stupidity.
I think you'll find that there are much better storage options for the back of the truck bed.
I brought a load of tools with us and have been hauling them around for 4 years now. Really all I've ever used are the normal hand tools that you can keep in a fair size toolbox, and it's much easier to get to in the basement.
-- Edited by Luvglass on Saturday 27th of February 2010 07:19:20 PM
53 Merc said
09:18 PM Feb 27, 2010
Well, I wouldn't be without my extra fuel tank. It removes the probability of being forced to purchase fuel at an out of the way place with bad access. bad fuel or higher than normal prices. Ours is only 36 gallons, and is a transfer tank. DOT regs do not allow a "non DOT approved" tank being a fuel source to an operating engine. For some idiot reason. Anyway, most of the affordable tanks are listed as transfer tanks. I refuse to haul so many tools that I need a tool box in the back of the truck. Since the pickups have so many computer operated systems, I am lost anyway. I do carry enough tools to perform minor (read minor) repairs to either the truck or trailer. A cell phone does not take up much room, and a business card with an ERS number on it is very lightweight. I'm kinda like Fred, a small toolbox is easy to get at in the basement.
TxYellowRose said
08:28 AM Feb 28, 2010
I am so glad to see this post, as I have been wondering about adding a supplemental fuel tank. I see the pros and cons of it...still mulling it over.
We get about 200 miles from our tank towing. It's not that I don't mind stopping, it's just making sure I find a place that we can access with the rig.
Is that extra tank worth the peace of mind?
I hope there are some more posts in this thread.
Luvglass said
10:47 AM Feb 28, 2010
FWIW, in 4 years and over 40,000 miles towing, we have NEVER had a problem finding a service station we could fit in when we needed it while towing.
Needless to say, we always start the tow with a full tank. 99% of the time, we are at our destination before we are even close to needing fuel.
You should really try it first, you can always add it later.
Racerguy said
11:42 AM Feb 28, 2010
I'm with Fred on this.We aren't full time yet but have taken extended trips and only once came close to running out and that was my mistake trying to save 3 cents a gallon( less than a dollar saving!).We also always start out with a full tank and can go right at 300 miles depending on terrain .Who wants to go much further than that any way ? IMO it would take a long time to return your initial investment.How many times are you going to find fuel that much cheaper to make it worthwhile.You will burn more fuel to haul around that extra fuel you're carrying.Diesel fuel is around 7 lbs per gallon. As for peace of mind I can't answer that as I have no mind to be at peace with
-- Edited by Racerguy on Sunday 28th of February 2010 11:43:50 AM
Bill and Linda said
11:52 AM Feb 28, 2010
Hey Terry:
In this “opinion” department, here is ours.What works for you may be different.
I put a 50 gallon Transfer-Flow tank (http://www.transferflow.com/) in the Chevy 3500 day-one and have loved it.It is just the right size and allowed a big heavy duty “stuff box” from Wally World ($50) to be installed (sit) between the tank and the hitch.
Here was my thinking and it still works for me after 4 years:
First, the Transfer-Flow tank automatically “pumps” into the OEM tank via a small pipe into the OEM iller neck.If the Transfer-Flow pump or control system fails, the OEM is still there and unbothered by the failure.No cutting or modifications to the OEM fuel system.A very good thing IMHO.
The tank is DOT legal.I won’t argue what is and isn’t legal. I just know this one is legal and is safe IMO.
It is not that I don’t want to stop often.It is that I don’t have to stop where I don’t want to for fuel.If we get into camp a bit later on a particular day I don’t have to worry about “getting fuel” the next morning or whenever.The 50 gallon tank gives me 84 total gallons and that make it really comfortable to look for fuel on “my terms.”I also have the very nice “how many gallons left” readout - “Trax-II” Transfer-Flow system - in the cab - amazingly accurate - and know for sure my fuel situation.I just like that.
(You’re free to run or keep the aux tank “dry.”You don’t have to have any fuel in it for the “off season” or whatever reason.)
Personally, I don’t care for combo fuel and tool tanks / bins.I looked at this real hard and I feel the space you get in the combo for “tools” etc. isn’t as good as my big $50 Wally World bin that I “steel-cable” to the truck.That’s just a preference.I do carry most tools in the truck because I will always have the truck where I am.Don’t want to need a tool when roaming around and it be in the rig.‘Just personal preference.
BTW, this tank and bin fit totally below the bed top, so nothing is sticking up to get in the way of anything, including the 5’er pin box in a tight turn.
Again, I got this put in “day-one” and have really enjoyed the flexibility it gives Linda and I when traveling and the peace of mind that “low fuel” has, thus far, never been a question.
The web site is very complete and helpful.I do recommend the product if it meets your needs.
My 2 cents
Bill
DZ said
12:06 PM Feb 28, 2010
Transfer Flow also makes a 60 gal. tank that replaces the 38 gal. on your F-450. Installed one on ours two years ago and don't regret it. Just a warning, haven't been able to find anyone to reprogram the computer so the miles to empty feature works, it still thinks you only have 38 gals. and will tell you you're out of fuel when you have 22 gals. left. A little annoying, but we've learned to live with it and estimate our range the old fashioned way. We also have a large tool box behind the cab and works perfect for hauling the golf clubs around.
DorisandDave said
05:46 PM Feb 28, 2010
I also am looking at the toolbox/fuel tank combo. For the fuel just to have a piece of mind. When we went to SD last year we took all back highways and the prices of fuel varied by up to .20 per gallon. Just around here, a 10 mile drive can save me anywhere from 10 to 12 cents a gallon. Because we are determined to find a way to also haul our motorcycles, that would be a place to store our tie down straps and care products for the bikes, the truck and the 5ver. I have found a couple of places in Texas that seem to have some good pricing. One is www.pickuptrucktoolboxes.com
Gandalf said
09:32 PM Feb 28, 2010
We had a Transfer flow 57 gallon tank installed right after we bought our Dmax in 2003 to replace the OEM tank and love the range it gives us. However, our experience has been limited to road warrior runs of 400miles++ per day with our pickup camper and I assume we will slow down to a more leisurely pace once we pick up our Cameo in two weeks. I agree with Fred that it is rarely an issue of not finding a station but I like the extra range.
PINELLAS said
01:28 PM Mar 2, 2010
Our dodge has an OEM 36 gallon diesel tank. I get 9- 10mpg towing. So that gives me over 300 miles for towing. As stated above I always start out with a full tank. However, for piece of mind, I carry two 5 gallon diesel fuel containers in the bed of the truck. I generally don't like to travel over 4 hours but It's good to have the spare fuel on hand if needed. For me, I don't think that carrying 30 plus extra gallons of fuel is cost effective given the extra weight I would have to haul around.
kevinlvy said
11:41 PM Jan 5, 2011
happy new year!
being a new commer here i also want to add extra fuel supply after much consideration it still depends on our needs and the setting of the area.
since i still have room on the truck boxes installed on my f450 i may consider adding fuel tank on it this is just a precaution or back up plan for emergency purposes.
I've been wondering whether to purchase a combination tool box and diesel fuel tank to sit behind the cab. I'm not sure that I really want to add the extra weight, so, I'd like to know what everyone thinks about it.
I'm thinking combination fuel and tool box so as to have a little extra room for tools or whatever that I don't necessarily want to put into the basement of the fifth wheel.
If one does go with an auxiliary tank, should it be one that can be plumbed directly to the existing fuel tank on a Ford F450, or one that has a pump and can just be used to transfer the fuel from the auxiliary tank to the main tank?
Or, does anyone have other ideas?
Terry
I think you'll find that there are much better storage options for the back of the truck bed.
I brought a load of tools with us and have been hauling them around for 4 years now. Really all I've ever used are the normal hand tools that you can keep in a fair size toolbox, and it's much easier to get to in the basement.
-- Edited by Luvglass on Saturday 27th of February 2010 07:19:20 PM
I am so glad to see this post, as I have been wondering about adding a supplemental fuel tank. I see the pros and cons of it...still mulling it over.
We get about 200 miles from our tank towing. It's not that I don't mind stopping, it's just making sure I find a place that we can access with the rig.
Is that extra tank worth the peace of mind?
I hope there are some more posts in this thread.
-- Edited by Racerguy on Sunday 28th of February 2010 11:43:50 AM
Hey Terry:
In this “opinion” department, here is ours. What works for you may be different.
I put a 50 gallon Transfer-Flow tank (http://www.transferflow.com/) in the Chevy 3500 day-one and have loved it. It is just the right size and allowed a big heavy duty “stuff box” from Wally World ($50) to be installed (sit) between the tank and the hitch.
Here was my thinking and it still works for me after 4 years:
First, the Transfer-Flow tank automatically “pumps” into the OEM tank via a small pipe into the OEM iller neck. If the Transfer-Flow pump or control system fails, the OEM is still there and unbothered by the failure. No cutting or modifications to the OEM fuel system. A very good thing IMHO.
The tank is DOT legal. I won’t argue what is and isn’t legal. I just know this one is legal and is safe IMO.
It is not that I don’t want to stop often. It is that I don’t have to stop where I don’t want to for fuel. If we get into camp a bit later on a particular day I don’t have to worry about “getting fuel” the next morning or whenever. The 50 gallon tank gives me 84 total gallons and that make it really comfortable to look for fuel on “my terms.” I also have the very nice “how many gallons left” readout - “Trax-II” Transfer-Flow system - in the cab - amazingly accurate - and know for sure my fuel situation. I just like that.
(You’re free to run or keep the aux tank “dry.” You don’t have to have any fuel in it for the “off season” or whatever reason.)
Personally, I don’t care for combo fuel and tool tanks / bins. I looked at this real hard and I feel the space you get in the combo for “tools” etc. isn’t as good as my big $50 Wally World bin that I “steel-cable” to the truck. That’s just a preference. I do carry most tools in the truck because I will always have the truck where I am. Don’t want to need a tool when roaming around and it be in the rig. ‘Just personal preference.
BTW, this tank and bin fit totally below the bed top, so nothing is sticking up to get in the way of anything, including the 5’er pin box in a tight turn.
Again, I got this put in “day-one” and have really enjoyed the flexibility it gives Linda and I when traveling and the peace of mind that “low fuel” has, thus far, never been a question.
The web site is very complete and helpful. I do recommend the product if it meets your needs.
My 2 cents
Bill
being a new commer here i also want to add extra fuel supply after much consideration it still depends on our needs and the setting of the area.
since i still have room on the truck boxes installed on my f450 i may consider adding fuel tank on it this is just a precaution or back up plan for emergency purposes.