We are considering adding a small fuel tank just to run out generator. We could then fuel with the off road fuel in the small tank. Has anybody got any ideas on this?
Auxiliary Fuel Tank
- Thread starter TeamCaffee
- Start date
dieselphreak2K
Expert Expediter
You could try finding a small tank off of a medium duty truck at a salvage yard. I believe older GMC and Chevy c60's had a 35 or 40 gallon tank that mounted to the frame. That's about the smallest i know of. If needing smaller, look at a boat supply, such as Overton's, for a in-hull tank, and then go for dimensions that would fit in a small sidebox.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
I go with the GMC idea from dieselphreak2K.
Also check out companies like http://www.transferflow.com/ for DOT approved tanks.
Also check out companies like http://www.transferflow.com/ for DOT approved tanks.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
You could also try a tank off a refer trailer. I would also figure out a way someone could look and see that it was only for the generater instead of going to the motor. Because if the dot samples the fuel and see the red dye they may get suspcious even though it's not illegal.So if they can clearly see its only for the genrater it could save some time and hassel during that form of inspection. Just a thought.
I'd imagine it'd cost you more than paying the taxes, and, if you put some piece of ##### tank on there think of how it might downgrade the appearance of your truck. How about buying a keg, you might get more good emptying it than using it for a tank, but, that could work too.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
Save your $ just run it from your mains. It will take way to long to pay yourself back after the cost of install and purchase. Plus the extra weight too much hassle.... And how you gona know when your about out?? Stick a wooden stick in it? Save the aggrivation its not worth it.
dieselphreak2K
Expert Expediter
The Broom has a point. I'd hate to have to wake up at 2am, and drive to the fuel island because the genset ran out and you're freezing.
rode2rouen
Expert Expediter
I would look for a used reefer tank. I've noticed some that are about 1/3 the length of a "normal" tank, so it could be an easy mount to the underside of the box floor struts using the mounts it comes with.
I'd guess they might hold 10 or so gallons, and they have a gauge in the end of the tank. If your APU burns .25gph that should be good for approx. 40 hours.
One thing to consider is that they are already DOT approved for that type of application. Mounting something else may lead to hassles at the next scale if it's something the inspector isn't familiar with.
Rex
I'd guess they might hold 10 or so gallons, and they have a gauge in the end of the tank. If your APU burns .25gph that should be good for approx. 40 hours.
One thing to consider is that they are already DOT approved for that type of application. Mounting something else may lead to hassles at the next scale if it's something the inspector isn't familiar with.
Rex
Have The Alliance do your taxes for you. You get a credit for the taxes on the portion of fuel used for the APU so you aren't out any of that money and you don't have the expense of setting up the aux tank. Your only expense will be their fee and for the freedom of not having to mess with the taxes it's a good tradeoff.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
High Estimate in the highest fuel Tax State probably in the low.60 range. Its quite a payback, plus just like I have said about "Another Thing to have to Repair" or maintaine.
I will take the approach keep it simple. Sure I would love to know exactly how much fuel I use in my APU I can only guestimate. At times if I pump the fuel real slow I can actually get another 12 gallons to each side so the next time I do it fast am I getting a true reading? =NO. So I am not sure if my unit in Texas really burned a half a gallon an hour or closer to a third.
Either way it is what is, its working fine, I stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. No stress on the big engine and I know its a whole lot less than ideling the big one.
I will take the approach keep it simple. Sure I would love to know exactly how much fuel I use in my APU I can only guestimate. At times if I pump the fuel real slow I can actually get another 12 gallons to each side so the next time I do it fast am I getting a true reading? =NO. So I am not sure if my unit in Texas really burned a half a gallon an hour or closer to a third.
Either way it is what is, its working fine, I stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. No stress on the big engine and I know its a whole lot less than ideling the big one.
How many hours a year do you run your APU? What is it's consumption rate? Most APU's burn approximately 1/4 gallon per hour so that would be a safe figure to use. If you run your APU 1600 hours in a year that's 400 gallons burned. They take the average fuel tax paid and calculate from that. They get that number from your quarterly fuel tax statements. It probably saves about $100 a year. It's really very simple to calculate. Everyone is making like it's rocket science and way too difficult and not worth the trouble. For those of you that consider a $100 bill nothing please send one to me. I'll gladly accept it and I'll also gladly do 15-20 minutes work on my fuel tax report and taxes to get a $100 credit to my return. Just like my post on where/how to buy fuel this is an area where you can save significant (to me at least) money by doing just a little simple work.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
I think the aux fuel tank will be a good add on. To me I think it would increase the resale value or at least help it stand out from the other ons for sale. Broom it would be easy to know how much fuel they got if the used a refer tank. The same way I knew when I pulled refers. When you do your inspection look at the gauge on the tank. Pretty simple to me. If I were to put on an apu I think I would put on an aux fuel tank as well. I'm sure you could take the mounting hardware and use it to mount it to the truck. I think it would be easy to use those mounting brackt and mount the tank to the beams that run left and right under the box. Sounds like a fun project to me. I wish I could do it to the truck I drive just so I could do it because I think it would be fun.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
Mr. and Mrs. Caffee,
Let me know if you decide to put on the aux tank and would like some help. I think I would enjoy working on that project.
Let me know if you decide to put on the aux tank and would like some help. I think I would enjoy working on that project.
Thanks Everyone for all your thoughts. We are going to do some more research and see what the actual cost would be to add the tank. If we do it we will really want it to look right as we have a pretty nice looking truck now. It will also be nice to have a more accurate take on what our actual mpg is. We have added the Air Tabs and have also changed our transmission from a 5 speed to a 6 speed and using Howe's fuel conditioner. Arkjarhead we will let you know how it goes and if you have any thought please share them!!
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
What style tanks do you have now? If you have the aluminum round ones the refer tank will look good in line with it. If you go to a pro tank polisher they can polish the three up and you can maintain it pretty easily with a bottle of green what a shine. It works great. If you have a different style tank you could possibly get a chrome or stainless side box and mount it in there. I'm not sure what type of truck you are in but that will make a difference to.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
AK jar I would rather save all my weight for WHY I AM IN THIS BUSINESS IN THE FIRST PLACE. TO CARRY FREIGHT. Go ahead put extras on there, carry a motorocyle carry all you want but when it comes to making $ I hate turning down loads cause I am to close to the weight. Wait and see your still NEW but there advantages of taking advantage of whats already on the truck...
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
Broom,
The truck I drive can carry 20,000 pounds can your's do that? I didn't mean to offend you. I didn't know if you knew there was a gauge on a reefer tank when you made your stick comment. I know i'm new to xpedite you and your friends bring that up everytime you get the chance. Just remember you were new at one time to. You blew this out of proportion when you made your motorcycle statement. How big is your sleeper? Why didn't you say anything about those big 80 and 90 inch sleepers? Aren't they limiting what they can haul? If not then how is a small tank going to affect it that much?Like I said I know new to expedite, but I'm not new to trucking. Yes expedite is different than general trucking. I dealt with a lot friendlier people before I got in expedite. Not with people who are always talking smack that always has to end or begin with your still new. Oh well. I can still haul the same freight you do, I'm sure my truck will get paid about the same for it.If i'm doing something wrong by being able to haul 20,000 lbs. please enlighten me on why I should limt myself to less than that oh great wise azz.
The truck I drive can carry 20,000 pounds can your's do that? I didn't mean to offend you. I didn't know if you knew there was a gauge on a reefer tank when you made your stick comment. I know i'm new to xpedite you and your friends bring that up everytime you get the chance. Just remember you were new at one time to. You blew this out of proportion when you made your motorcycle statement. How big is your sleeper? Why didn't you say anything about those big 80 and 90 inch sleepers? Aren't they limiting what they can haul? If not then how is a small tank going to affect it that much?Like I said I know new to expedite, but I'm not new to trucking. Yes expedite is different than general trucking. I dealt with a lot friendlier people before I got in expedite. Not with people who are always talking smack that always has to end or begin with your still new. Oh well. I can still haul the same freight you do, I'm sure my truck will get paid about the same for it.If i'm doing something wrong by being able to haul 20,000 lbs. please enlighten me on why I should limt myself to less than that oh great wise azz.
jaminjim
Veteran Expediter
Leo Said:
For those of you that consider a $100 bill nothing please send one to me.
Leo here is your bill for $100.00, Please make check payable to me.
Now for a couple of you, Calm your shorts down. There is no reason for you to see who can pi$$ the highest on the tree.
Personaly I would not to run a third tank, It could take up to three and a half years to see the pay back. And then you will be getting ready to trade the truck off in another year or so.
As far as resale, just me personaly I tend to shy away from things that are added after the truck leaves the factory. As an example I would much prefer to see a truck come from the factory with long frame rails set up as a straight truck, than come upon one that was welded together by who knows who. (even thou I was in the fabrication bis for years and a certified welder to boot.)
For those of you that consider a $100 bill nothing please send one to me.
Leo here is your bill for $100.00, Please make check payable to me.
Now for a couple of you, Calm your shorts down. There is no reason for you to see who can pi$$ the highest on the tree.
Personaly I would not to run a third tank, It could take up to three and a half years to see the pay back. And then you will be getting ready to trade the truck off in another year or so.
As far as resale, just me personaly I tend to shy away from things that are added after the truck leaves the factory. As an example I would much prefer to see a truck come from the factory with long frame rails set up as a straight truck, than come upon one that was welded together by who knows who. (even thou I was in the fabrication bis for years and a certified welder to boot.)