replacing fuel tank

[Charlie 3931fb]

Hi All,
I was going to replace my fuel tank for a 32 gal to a 70 gal. Some friends of mine think I am wasting my money. It will be about a $1500.00 job when done. What do you all think?

Truck is a 3500 4X4 HD Dodge long bed dully 6.7 Cummings, 9 speed manual transmission,
getting up to 12 mpg while in town at 63 mph. 9 mpg at 70 mph. Driving range now about 275 miles

Charlie

[Recumbent]

We had a Titan 55 gallon installed in our 2017 Ford 6.7 F350 SRW Short Bed and we have enjoyed not having to worry about finding a refueling point as often. We prefer to stop at rest stops verses truck plazas when ever possible. We now can refuel once per day at our favorite brands. The total cost for tank and labor for us was $1,625 in 2019 (plus any applicable tax that you might have).

[lightsout]

I just bought a new Ram 3500 short bed. However I added a Aux tank in the bed 46 gal Cost about $476 and installed myself (easy install). So now I have 78 Gallons. Replacing the Fuel tank would have impacted my warranty whereas the Aux does not. Best part is it is 1/3rd the cost and if I buy a new truck the tank can go with me in the future.

https://www.tankandbarrel.com/rectan...nk-p-1208.html

[Woodworker]

[QUOTE=lightsout;1177821
I just bought a new Ram 3500 short bed. However I added a Aux tank in the bed 46 gal Cost about $476 and installed myself (easy install). So now I have 78 Gallons.

How do you transfer the fuel from this auxiliary tank to your truck tank?

[oakland ironworker]

If the OP average mileage is 11mpg and you could save 30 cents /per gal by haveing a larger tank (some states have higher taxes) It would take 55,000 mi to pay for a 1500 dollar tank This is a savings of 81 dollars per 3000 mile trip. I know this is just one reason to have one. In fact I am shopping for an in bed tank right now.

Just putting the numbers out there as people often spend thousands trying to save hundreds.

[jtcurbo]

Woodworker, there is a hole on the bottom drivers side. I connected a valve in that threaded hole. I attached a rubber fuel line hose to it and ran it through the truck wall facing the back of the cab and then down to my truck filler hose that fills up the reg. fuel tank. There is a kit you can buy just for this. It is gravity flow and works really well.

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by Woodworker

How do you transfer the fuel from this auxiliary tank to your truck tank?

Gravity feed the tank includes all the hardware to connect. Takes about 2-3 hours for total install just need a drill and dremel with cuttoff blade to shorten the stock diesel fill tube, other than that just hose and clamps besides 4 bolts to attach to bed.

2 guys cold easily bang it out in 1 hour. Most of the install time in working in the tight space near the stock tank

[Golfmedik]

Originally Posted by lightsout

I just bought a new Ram 3500 short bed. However I added a Aux tank in the bed 46 gal Cost about $476 and installed myself (easy install). So now I have 78 Gallons. Replacing the Fuel tank would have impacted my warranty whereas the Aux does not. Best part is it is 1/3rd the cost and if I buy a new truck the tank can go with me in the future.

https://www.tankandbarrel.com/rectan...nk-p-1208.html

I bought a tank similar to this from ATI(Aluminum Tank Industries out of Florida) but mine is the 51G version. I looked and researched it to death, as I have a tendency to do. For the S&B or Titan, the price versus the fuel I was getting just didn't compute well enough. The 51G ATI I bought was under $550 and I added a 12V electric valve and manual shutoff(in case of emergency) so I can fill while traveling. Now, before you say you shouldn't drive that long, I don't. I have an incredibly bad back and have to get out every so often and walk and I enjoy not having to find a fuel station that is full of trucks. A simple exit on the interstate or better yet, a rest area does great. I use it to mainly avoid buying the higher priced fuel on the interstates as I can usually make it to most campgrounds and then go to a high volume Wally, Racetrac, etc for a much lower price. Mine does stick up above the rails of the truck, but for me that was fine as I already have a low profile toolbox. I now have 88G theoretically, but I only count on about 80G for the trip. I'm not one of these that runs a truck low anymore after getting caught on an interstate for nearly 5 hours back in 2012 on a bad wreck. So, this works for me. Here's a couple of pics.

[Hornet28]

golfmedik, have you considered putting some sort of shielding around the pump and valve? I'd be concerned that if I were carrying something small enough to go under the toolbox that it might fly forward in a sudden braking and damage or bust the line

[Golfmedik]

Originally Posted by Hornet28

golfmedik, have you considered putting some sort of shielding around the pump and valve? I'd be concerned that if I were carrying something small enough to go under the toolbox that it might fly forward in a sudden braking and damage or bust the line

I have a shield made from pressure treated 2x6 that fully surrounds the valves to protect them. I never took a pic of it because you really can't see it.

[bshgto]

It`s only a waste of money if you don`t take it out and put your old tank back in. Then sell it for least half of what you paid for it when you trade your truck. Cheaper and movable to any truck is the in bed fuel tanks of 35 to 60 gallon which accomplish the same thing for far far less than the Titan type.

[Texan]

I bought a 60 gal. RDS tank for my 2012 short bed Ram and kept the truck for a year. I traded the truck for a 2013 Ram and took the tank out of the 2012 and the dealer suggested it as they didn't want it. The portable tanks are much less expensive and what previously has been said, it can go with you to the next truck. This tank has more than paid for itself by keeping me out of the truckstops which are usually 30 to 40 cents more than regular service stations. The convenience of not having to fuel frequently is just icing on the cake. This is the best mod you can do to your truck.

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by Texan

I bought a 60 gal. RDS tank for my 2012 short bed Ram and kept the truck for a year. I traded the truck for a 2013 Ram and took the tank out of the 2012 and the dealer suggested it as they didn't want it. The portable tanks are much less expensive and what previously has been said, it can go with you to the next truck. This tank has more than paid for itself by keeping me out of the truckstops which are usually 30 to 40 cents more than regular service stations. The convenience of not having to fuel frequently is just icing on the cake. This is the best mod you can do to your truck.

Whats a Service Station?

[Montana Man]

I just installed a Titan in my Ram. Wouldn't have another truck without a larger tank. The in bed tanks didn't appeal to me for various reasons.

[mazboy]

If you want to actually replace your fuel tank there are 3 major players. S&B, Titan and Transferflow (metal).

I've had a Titan put into my last truck and I tried to install the S&B in my current Ford F350; ended up having more costs and someone else install it.
And of course you never get your money back but you will always have room in your truck box.
Pulling a trailer and getting 10 miles (or less) per mile with a small fuel tank is crazy. The newer short box trucks have larger tanks.

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by mazboy

If you want to actually replace your fuel tank there are 3 major players. S&B, Titan and Transferflow (metal).

I've had a Titan put into my last truck and I tried to install the S&B in my current Ford F350; ended up having more costs and someone else install it.
And of course you never get your money back but you will always have room in your truck box.
Pulling a trailer and getting 10 miles (or less) per mile with a small fuel tank is crazy. The newer short box trucks have larger tanks.

My Titan was not an easy install either. The manual had errors and lacked proper detail. A full day working alone.

Note that mine was advertised as 52 gallon. It holds 48 actual gallons. With a five gallon safety, that leaves 43 usable gallons which in my case is 430 miles of towing.

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

My Titan was not an easy install either. The manual had errors and lacked proper detail. A full day working alone.

Note that mine was advertised as 52 gallon. It holds 48 actual gallons. With a five gallon safety, that leaves 43 usable gallons which in my case is 430 miles of towing.

The Titan OEM replacement tank for the long bed RAMs is rated for 55 gallons with about 51 usable.... 510 miles towing range.... plenty for most. That would be a very long towing day. 2-300 miles per day is about all I would want to do. I can refill later at my convenience. A friend of mine installed one, took about three hours. It's in our future outfitting plan.

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by BiggarView

The Titan OEM replacement tank for the long bed RAMs is rated for 55 gallons with about 51 usable.... 510 miles towing range.... plenty for most. That would be a very long towing day. 2-300 miles per day is about all I would want to do. I can refill later at my convenience. A friend of mine installed one, took about three hours. It's in our future outfitting plan.

Note that 51 gals usable is not practical. I never tow up to the last gallon of fuel. Also with the Ram, the fuel gauge will not even be close to accurate. The latest info on reprogramming the Ram fuel level is forget it. The factory won't allow it. Hopefully they change that. When installing the new tank I recommend putting in 5 gallons and note the gauge. Then 20 more gallons. Then fill to the gills.

You are right about fueling at your convenience. That in itself is worth it.

[Walt & Vicki]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

Note that 51 gals usable is not practical. I never tow up to the last gallon of fuel. Also with the Ram, the fuel gauge will not even be close to accurate. The latest info on reprogramming the Ram fuel level is forget it. The factory won't allow it. Hopefully they change that. When installing the new tank I recommend putting in 5 gallons and note the gauge. Then 20 more gallons. Then fill to the gills.

You are right about fueling at your convenience. That in itself is worth it.

With the right app, yes you can make your gauge as close to accurate as possible. To me, with a gravity fed tank, it makes no difference what the gauge says until my transfer tank is empty and I am on my main tank. I never close the ball valve on my aux tank. My RDS tank came with a gauge installed from the manufacture. And as I said before, I would rather stop when I want to also, not because I have to.

[Charlie 3931fb]

Originally Posted by BiggarView

The Titan OEM replacement tank for the long bed RAMs is rated for 55 gallons with about 51 usable.... 510 miles towing range.... plenty for most. That would be a very long towing day. 2-300 miles per day is about all I would want to do. I can refill later at my convenience. A friend of mine installed one, took about three hours. It's in our future outfitting plan.

Would not go that low on fuel. I always fill just before my 5 gal left light comes on. 500 miles would be lovely to have. When we go back to California in the holiday season we drive 650 mile days. We have 3000 miles to our furthest daughters house form N. Carolina to Bishop CA. Anyway, on a 650 day drive it could be up to 3 times in a truck stop. Thanks for the good information, all of you guys ROCK!!!!!!

Charlie