Aux. Fuel Tanks

[JandC]

We have a 2012 F350 SRW. The stock diesel tank is only 24 gallons. What are some of the better options for adding another tank, and is the Ford dealer the best place to have complete the job?

[bw2]

Check Titan Tanks and Transfer Flow. I installed an OEM replacement tank (29 to 42 gals) on my 2005 Ford F250

[DQDick]

I looked into it, but my truck still has plenty in the tank when I have to stop and empty mine so we just buy gas while we use the restroom. It's hell getting old.

[rollie41]

I have a 70gal transfer flow in bed tank also. Love it, I chose where and how much I want to pay for diesel.

[HOOK]

Ours has 26 gal tank. Like DQ Dick we find we stop often enough that refueling has not been a problem. We have thought some about it and if we were to change we would buy the larger OEM tank, approx twice as large. You must consider 8 lbs per gallon. The only real advantage I see is maybe a better choice of fuel stops if you want to add that to your list of things to do. We try to refuel, as much as is possible, when we are unhooked. Sometimes is not possible, but rarely. We try to get off the after about 5 hours . After all, this is about relaxing as much as possible, isn't it? That said by one who drove from Goshen Ind to Fayetteville NC in 16 hours, never again! Good luck on your decision, only you know what is best for you. IMHO, Larry

[Tom S.]

As for your second question, the dealership is probably the last place I would go for non-warranty work. Their overhead, and therefore their labor costs, is very high.

[mail2us]

Joe, we replaced our OEM 26 gal for an underneath Titan 52 gal poly. I didn't want to give up space in bed and the poly is lighter for our truck. It's been a great install thus far for us. Good Luck.

[bncinwv]

Here is what we are planning to install this year, designed specifically for fifth wheel applications:
Northern Tool Wedge Tank
Bingo

[pineranch]

Same place as Bingo, model 72747.
Mike

[hunts800]

I had a 45gal. Transfer flow under frame tank installed at transfer flow in Chico,Ca. Great company and dash computer read outs work just like OEM tank. Has virtually eliminated need to fill-up while hooked-up.

[bobsals]

I can vouch for Northern Tool Tanks that are made by RDS. I ordered one custom made so it was the size & mounting method wanted. 37 gallons with the Northern Tool electric pump and filter.
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It was very well constructed and didn't seem to cost much more than a generic one of similar size. The size, mounting, drain size and position, and a lifting tab on top was requested.

[Art-n-Marge]

Don't forget to consider that you lose a little weight capacity with an aux tank. Diesel weighs about 7.3 gallons. For example, if you ADD a 37 gallon tank and all its hardware, then you lose about 300 lbs of cargo carrying/tow capacity. In my case, that IS my margin and I would not be able to add more passengers in my crew cab (right now it me, DW and a little dog, plus the hitch and other items I carry in the bed.

I would have no hesitation to do this with a dually, but a SRW? You can also replace the existing fuel tank and gain some gallons and not lose as much capacity. My '06 long bed with a 38 gallon tank provides over 400 miles range (my magic number), but my '04 short bed with 28 gallons drove me nuts. I can't believe Ford made the tank (24 gallons?) smaller in '12.

I seen have seen replacement tanks of 50 or 60 gallons which would add 26 to 36 gallons, or about 200 lbs for the smaller tank and no extra hardware weight for dispensing.

Bobsals - is the tank not "fastened" to the truck bed, so that the lifting tab allows you to remove it? That's cool. I didn't think about that configuration. I have a truck bed tool box that sometimes I wish I could remove. I'll have to think about this since there's times it's "in the way".

[Slufoot733]

I also have the small 26 gal tank in my '08 F-350. I have a cheap aluminum tool box in the bed so I went to Tractor Supply and bought a 15 gallon fuel tank (looks like an air tank) which I placed inside the tool box. It isn't big but it holds enough extra fuel in the event I get in a tight spot. I use a small battery powered fish tank pump to pump the fuel from the aux. tank, via a rubber hose, into the truck tank. It works great. Fortunately I don't have to use it ofter but I do cycle the fuel so it doesn't sit too long and go stale.

[Jay Bird]

We have a 37 gallon Transflow tank that allows for a retractable Tonneau cover with a 9 inch box to be installed.

[JandC]

Thanks for all the good advise. Since we haven't pulled a 5th Wheel across country I am just guessing on how many miles we would actually want to travel in a day. I also am not sure how many MPG I can expect. I am thinking 9 or 10mpg pulling the 3400RL but I may be dreaming. I now get around 12-13mpg pulling my construction trailer. I may just want to take a couple trips and see how bad I really need the extra fuel capacity.

[bncinwv]

Based on other forum postings, I would say you are probably a little light on your mileage estimate, should expect north of 10 and probably closer to 12, depending on which rear end your truck is equipped with. I have been known to pull 16-17 hours at a time going to Florida, but typically max out at about 9-10 hours. On our truck, that requires a couple of fuel stops, hence our decision for a supplemental tank.
Bingo

[Gkerlin]

I had a 2011 F250 with that same silly tank and put in a Titan 50 gallon. BEST DECISION THAT I EVER MADE WITH THE TRUCK! Had it installed by Ford and they Flashed the computer so that the distance to empty etc all reads correctly. The fuel gauge reads fine as well.

Then I traded that in for an 2012 F350 Long Bed Dually and the FIRST THING THAT I DID was get rid of the 36 gallon tank and upgrade to the Titan 65 gallon. Had the Ford Dealer install that one as well.

I wouldn't be without it... NOT FOR A SECOND. I love it that much.

Its not a question how long my kidneys will last. I can stop in a rest area, hit the head and be back on the road in minutes. Taking on fuel takes time. Finding a place I can fit takes time. Why waste time? Stop for fuel when you want to - not when you HAVE to.

Anyone who does not have one of these long range tanks doesn't really know how great they are until you have one. Everyone that i know who has one and travels long distance say they wouldn't be without it. I can run 700 miles easily without having to worry about finding fuel. Denver to Annapolis last summer and I stopped for fuel twice. I'll never be without mine again.

[exav8tr]

I had a Transfer Flow 56 gal replacement tank installed where the OEM tank went. Gauges worked fine and no hassle in the three years I had it. Pricey, but the best, in my opinion. It hung down just a tad, (maybe 2-3 inches), but I never off roaded anyway. In my 4 years of fulltime driving, I think I pulled into a gas station maybe three or 4 times. Did not like doing that at all. With the 56 gals it gave me more than enough that I could drive in a single day. The plus side was that my bed was free for other junk, like a tool box that I kept Honda gen, tools, jack and extra gas can in for genny. I sat below the rails so I could have put on a full tonneau cover if wanted, but never did........

[Gkerlin]

The main difference between Transfer flow and Titan is the tank material. Transfer flow is aluminized steel and the Titan is a Military Grade type of Plastic. (think of a thick boat fuel tank)

The Transfer flow has a 3-yr warranty and the Titan a 5-yr warranty. I chose the Titan specifically because of the material.

I believe that the Transfer flow is a 56gal for the Ford Long Bed and the Titan is 65 gallon... 100 more miles. The Titan was several hundred dollars more.