Auxiliary Fuel Tank

[ATeam]

A tax accountant recently suggested that we add a fuel meter or meters to our truck that would guage the amount of fuel our reefer and generator use. The meter readings can be documented and fuel taxes you paid on that fuel can be reclaimed since reefer and generator fuel are not considered on-road uses.

instead of an extra tank, think about an extra meter.

Other business has kept me from researching fuel meters at the moment but the idea seems sound and worthy of consideration. Judging from the number of posts, there seems to be some interest in the topic. Perhaps someone can research fuel meters for trucks and share what they learn.

 

[davekc]

I think the Ateam is on track with the right idea if it has potential savings.
It would be my desired path if I had a need.
Flow meters are much easier and less to fool with. Whether the tax savings is significant is another story.
Here is a link that makes water,fuel, and oil meters.
http://www.buygpi.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=74

http://assuredautomation.com/flow/index.php

$150.00 and you are there. Might be cheaper than the fuel tank route?





Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[greg334]

Actually Dave,
Floscan setups are the best. I have two sets here and used one in my 3500 for a few years. they have an off road gauge, check out the page, it even has the tax refund links on it.

http://www.floscan.com/html/blue/offroad.php

 

[davekc]

I like the floscans but they are pricey. 600 verses 150.
That was my concern on the pricier models.
What did you pay for yours?









Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[LDB]

Everyone is sure making this complicated when it's simple. APU's have an hour meter that records to the hour, and in some cases to the tenth of an hour, just how much the APU has run. It lets you know when it's time for your next service. All you have to do is multiply that many hours times the hourly consumption and there's the number to report for the credit on your taxes. Case closed, or in this instance tax return filed.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
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[greg334]

Your right Leo, We are making it complicated - its fun!

Dave what I have now I paid $200 for one and $50 for the other. They are used, but the what I had on the truck was $450. I like gadgets and had money once upon a time so I figured that why not!

oh the news just said that they caught someone from Taylor driving a T/T in some southern state with a 40 foot trailer full of canabis. Imagine that!

 

[davekc]

I like the meter version alittle better because consumption rates will vary. More fuel on a APU is used when the a/c is running. Same thing on a reefer. The typical reefer will burn more anytime the compressor is running. The farther from the ambient temp you are, the more it will burn. Load or wall blocking blocking will help that, but not everyone does it, and it can be impractical on some loads.










Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[TeamCaffee]

Our generator is on a thermostat so it does not run steady. The meter idea would work the best and is a really good idea. We will have to look at both options. Glad this is back on track and not being ugly.

Thanks

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Ark... I don't think Broom was meaning to be insulting, if that's the way you see it. It's a common thing for ppl to put every gadget known to man in or on a truck, thereby resulting in a 6,000 max payload. Broom brought up the motorcycle because of someone he knows had to turn down at least two loads cause his bike took up too much room in the box. He makes valid points... especially since most trucks can carry 10-13k. Every little thing can take away a possible load. That adds up to a lot more than can be saved by an extra tank.

Jamminjim said it perfectly. Something like that should be put on before it leaves the lot. I like the idea of an extra tank, but Ateam hit the nail on the head. If you don't want Unka Slam to get more than his fair share (like we can stop that anyways), put an extra gauge on it. It's simple, cheap, and forgiving in case you forget to fill the little tank.

 

[LDB]

With a/c running my APU consumes 1/4 gallon per hour. I'll take my hours run, divide by 4 and voila, an acceptable number to use for the tax credit. No extra time at the pump switching over to non-tax to fill it. No extra expense/weight/hassle of the extra tank and plumbing. Nothing except a solution that never breaks down or runs dry or has any problem and is cost free to boot.

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.

 

[davekc]

You got my vote on a APU, but I don't think it would work on a reefer. Way too many variables that affect fuel consumption, unless you are hauling the same thing at the same temp. Even then, climate will make some difference.




Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[LDB]

I agree a reefer would be much more problematical. The original post was to use an extra tank for an APU. Since APU's probably outnumber reefers by a large margin I've concentrated on that application. I think anyone running a reefer would automatically have the extra tank and could just tap into it for their APU if they wanted to. It's the ones working out all sorts of megabuck tank and gauge systems for the APU that are turning an ingrown toenail removal into open heart surgery. That's fine if that's what you want but there's an extremely simple solution and I'm sticking with that one.

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.

 

[Moot]

Even with a reefer you have the hour meter and should be able to arrive at a reasonable fuel consumption average. With this Uncle Sam would be hard pressed to prove otherwise. An average would be better than nothing.

 

[arkjarhead]

I said a reefer tank not a reefer. Plus with the extra tank one could run off road fuel which is cheaper. That was the point i was making.

 

[LDB]

The off road fuel isn't any cheaper if you take the tax credit at the end of the year. It doesn't cost anything to buy and install. It doesn't add any weight to the truck. It doesn't reduce your load capacity. It's the simple way to accomplish this.

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.

 

[arkjarhead]

If it's all the same then why is reefer fuel charged and shown different than on road fuel on the fuel ticket. They asked for advice about an aux fuel tank and I gave it. Everyone says they don't want anything added on the truck after the factory. BS. I hope that didn't come from anyone in a FL-70 or FL-80. Because your sleeper wasn't. Them big sleepers with the queen size bed, bathroom, and all the other household appliances don't add weight but a small reefer tank does. Think about it.

 

[LDB]

You aren't getting it. The question was about adding a tank to be able to buy fuel like a reefer does to not pay tax at the time of purchase on the fuel used in an APU. An APU doesn't burn that much so you don't need a separate tank. If you have the tank you can avoid the tax at time of purchase. If you don't have the tank all you have to do is put the tax amount of the fuel used in the APU on your tax return and get a credit for the taxes paid. I am only telling people how to save the same amount of money without spending any money to do it or adding any more weight to the truck.

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.