I have narrowed my search to a couple of fuel tanks. Both are the in the bed style tank. <br> I was curious how people had hooked up their tanks. One tank has it all included the Transfer Flow around $750 plus shipping. The other is From RDS it is around $400 plus shipping, but if I buy the hook up kit they recommend it jumps to $675+, awful close to the Transfer Flow price.<br> The RDS kit hooks up to the fuel system direct. The Transfer Flow keeps refilling the main tank.<br> Has anyone plumbed their fuel tank themselves? If so how did you do it?<br> Thanks Randy<br>

 

Randy,<br>I have the RDS tank/tool box combo. I used gravity flow for mine. If I were going to do it again, I think I would go with the installation kit from RDS. I had arranged to go to RDS and have them install the transfer valve, but things happened and I am still running the gravity. The more I use it the fewer complaints I have about it. I like the idea of pulling from each tank (RDS) rather than refilling the main like Transfer flow. Transfer requires a transfer pump - - more intensive to hook up and something else to go out. <br><br>Gravity flow is quite easy to do if it is legal in your state. It works great. Our 2003's are a sealed tank, so you can't overfill. Just reach over the bed, turn on the valve, and you are refilling your main tank. It will quit when the tank is full. <br><br>Installation was not that hard. I included a pic of the valve setup. It flows into the filler pipe. I drilled the side of pipe, then threaded it to receive a nipple. <br><br>I am quite surprised if you can get Transfer Flow for the numbers quoted. My quote was something like $1200 plus installation.<br><br>Bob

 

Randy,<br><br>Here is shot of the connection to the fuel fill pipe - - looking up from under the truck.

 

I had a custom tank made (52 gallons) that goes behind the rear axle. I fill it, then transfer to the main tank with an electric fuel pump. I found a NAPA spin on fuel filter/water separator to go between the two tanks.<br><br>The tank has a 1/4&quot; pipe thread outlet at an inch above the bottom (the tank is slanted on the bottom, so I'm only missing 1 quart of fuel) and a drain below that. I hit the electric pump switch, and it transfers through the filter, into the main tank via a 3/8&quot; fuel line. I tied the vent from the aux tank into the vent line of the factory tank.<br><br>Pretty simple, and if it fails for some reason, I can gravity feed a container and fill the main tank by hand.<br><br>Tackett

 

Bob,<br> Yes Transfer Flow has a 70 gal tank for $750 and some change. It is a complete set up. It is advertised as a new product on there web page.<br> The main drawback for me is the Transfer Flow takes up more room in the bed than I would prefer. Something like 20 inches deep, the RDS 45 gal is only 9 inches deep.<br> On Tackett's approach I guess you could fill the main tank quicker but then you have a fuel pump to deal with.<br> I will have to check on the law for aux tanks in Texas.<br> Randy<br> <br>

 

OK, I was looking at the 70 gallon tank. Black, no tool box. It was on a Ferd F450 I test drove. I priced out their tank/box combo in diamond plate. I think it was about 50 gallon. <br><br>My RDS seems to be well made. I am happy with it. And, at the price of diesel today, who could fill up a 70 gallon tank anyhow? Mercy. No reason for it.

 

Bob,<br> I agree 70 gallons is a lot of extra fuel. I would just like to be able to pick and choose my fill ups when towing the fifth wheel.<br> I think I am going to go for the RDS and hook it up like yours. I need a seperate tool box to carry an outboard motor otherwise I would go for the fuel and toolbox combo. They have the RDS 60 gallon version fuel/tool here locally at Northern Tool for $539 plus tax. <br> I will have to order the one I want and pay shipping. But RDS will still be around half the price of similar tanks I have priced locally.<br> I called about what is legal for an auxiliary tank hook up in Texas. As long as your tank is under 119 gallons and you are not refueling other vehicles they don't care what you do.<br> Randy<br>

 

[quote author=Tackett link=board=7;threadid=13084;start=0#123506 date=1049304492]<br>I had a custom tank made (52 gallons) that goes behind the rear axle. I fill it, then transfer to the main tank with an electric fuel pump. I found a NAPA spin on fuel filter/water separator to go between the two tanks.<br><br>The tank has a 1/4&quot; pipe thread outlet at an inch above the bottom (the tank is slanted on the bottom, so I'm only missing 1 quart of fuel) and a drain below that. I hit the electric pump switch, and it transfers through the filter, into the main tank via a 3/8&quot; fuel line. I tied the vent from the aux tank into the vent line of the factory tank.<br><br>Pretty simple, and if it fails for some reason, I can gravity feed a container and fill the main tank by hand.<br><br>Tackett<br>[/quote]<br><br>Wheres the filler for your under bed tank?<br>Any pix? Did you move the spare tire to the bed?<br><br>Thanks,<br>Scotty

 

I custom build &quot;water tanks&quot; and gravity feed them<br>very simple install<br><br>I learned the hard way that my 99 dodge had an over flow on ttop of the tank but it was an easy fix. the overflow is actually a little nipple that if I remember correctly a 1/4&quot; hose fits very well. put on a little stub of hose and plug it.<br><br>then just take the filler neck out.<br><br>Now u should have 2 hoses. One is a vent (3/4&quot and the other is a filler (1 1/2&quot. splice into the vent and run it into the bed and get it above the aux tank ( so fuel dont run out).<br>Run hose from drain of aux tank into an adaptor (made from sprayer plumbing fittings from yer local farm store) and into the filler hose. Be sure all fittings are leak free and tight and protected and yer done. <br><br>Oh ya , put a valve on the drain of the aux tank cause its just smart (in case of a broken hose or a leak)<br><br>this install takes about an hour and you dont have to mess with wiring or pumps or worry about fuel running out on the highway<br><br>basically you are just making your factory tank bigger<br><br>I have run this settup 3 years and love it and it gets rid of the suction that helps in the demise of our lift pump

 

Moss,<br>I fully understand about picking your spot to fill up when towing. For some reason, the stupid truck does not give me 21 mpg when towing - - I just don't understand that. :P Initial estimate is about is about 650 - 700 miles on a fill up. I have not had the pleasure of being able to hit the road long enough to try that out, dratit. :'( :'(<br><br>Please note that the pic I attached above shows a screw up on the part of yours truly. When in doubt, read the directions. I installed an air vent - - - that didn't work. It vented fuel all over the bed of the truck. The pipe about 6&quot; long is my attempt at venting. If you read the directions, you will see the tank all ready has a vent built in (DUUUUUHHHHH). [undecided] You can see it right beside the filler cap. Just take the black plastic cover off and you are vented. If you use the other method of install, you leave the cap on due to the flow back line. Oh, my box has a fuel gauge inside the tool box.<br><br>If you need any list of materials, let me know. All of the piping and the shut off valve are available at any plumbing supply. The tricky part is the drilling and fitting of the nipple on the filler pipe. I think the pic shows that pretty well.<br><br>Good luck. Bob

 

I built my own tank to fit under my tool box initial fill worked out to 45 us gal. and now when it is empty I can only put 43.3 in it. I use gravity like some of the others did and it enters the vent pipe in the fuel filler. I drilled a 11/32 hole and used a 1/8 npt tap and treaded in a 1/8 npt to an 3/8 nipple. I also used a Caterpiller primary fuel filter( this is just a screen that would keep piano stools and bowling ***** out but it allows sediment to fall out. This has worked well for me.<br>I also like to pick and choose where I fill up. Last week I was able to go ( pulling my fiver) from Idaho Falls, Idaho to <br>Ft. Mcleod, Alberta a distance of 615 miles ( with lots of fuel to spare). This allowed me to not have to by any fuel in Montana where it is the same price as Premium Unleaded Gas.<br>Jim O