Large On-board fuel tank?

[R_Lefebvre]

While thinking about trailer design, I got to thinking about making a large on-board fuel tank. Something on the order of 20 gallons or maybe more. In a single large tank, with a transfer pump of some sort with a hose. I'd like to be able to carry more fuel, but think maybe this is a better option than carrying a bunch of jerry cans.

Has anybody else ever thought of it? Pros/Cons?

Rob

 

[Superu]

Interesting idea.

A couple of thoughts spring up immediately.

• You'd be carrying about 120+ lbs. of fuel that may have significant movement within a single tank on rough terrain versus the subdued motion of 5 gallons in each can.
• If you were to have an incident that causes a rupture, you'd be looking at potential loss of all your auxiliary fuel as well as greater environmental impact in a single location.
• You'd give up flexibility in location of aux. fuel as it would be fixed in one location.
• You'd probably still need to carry at least one 20l can in the event you needed to walk for fuel.

That being said, there are plenty of fuel cell options available that would likely suit your needs.

A 20 gallon racing fuel cell with built in sender unit and feed line fittings would allow you to tie in a pump and delivery line.

You could get something like this in a 15 gallon size.

You could also look into having something custom built for your trailer by a place like Aero Tanks.


For simple fuel delivery, I'm still a big fan of the super siphon with extension! Simple, effective, inexpensive and lightweight.

 

[whatcharterboat]

As you may know I just converted my Subaru L series Sedan from 2wd Auto to 4wd Dual range and 5 speed with all the running gear from my old rusty wagon. The old wagon body wasn't that bad . Most of the rust was in the front gaurds.

I had so much trouble coming to terms with throwing the body away. It would have been the perfect trailer for the sedan. Cut off the front somewhere through where the front doors are and put a swing up front over the cut. Weld a tube to the rear suspension crossmember and run it up the transmission tunnel as the drawbar and hey presto . Instant mini camper trailer. It was even the same colour.

Obviously it already had a fuel tank, lockable filler, fuel pump, hatchback, and side doors, interior and signal lights, independent suspension, hydraulic brakes and even wind up windows. Then I was going to put a flat deck inside over the wheel arches to sleep on with a full length roller draw kitchen under that. The fridge then could have gone at the front.

Up to the kitchen stage i think the cost wold have been hardly anything just using some recycled stuff from around here. A friend here on ExPo said "I want to live in theory. Everything works there. " Well I''m I sure that's where my new Subaru trailer is parked waiting for me to hook it up.

Coulda, shoulda , woulda. Haha.

 

[mog]

Check out Adventure Trailer's 66 gallon (250 liter) tank they made for the Italian Expedition Company.
That has to be the best set-up around (like all of their other stuff).

Expo Thread --- http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17897

 

[JeepN95YJ]

I plan the same thing when I mod my trailer.

Makes perfect sense for me. I am using a straight axle and my tank will be mounted right above that. I have a stock Jeep TJ gas tank and skidplate I'll be using.

 

[mog]

On a way less cool scale I've mounted two 40 gallons tanks (1 for water & 1 for fuel) on my trailer build. It is more of a expo support trailer then a expo trailer since it is large (14' long) to hold a Pinz 712 ambulance box and 2 full size ATVs.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Mog, so you're going to use a standard water tank for gasoline?

I guess one thing we have to be mindful of is the requirements for grounding and whatnot with these tanks. I know there is some kind of requirement to prevent the potential for sparks, but I don't know what that requirement is yet.

BTW, where are you guys buying the water tanks?

 

[highlandercj-7]

Alot of the toy hauler trailers, have a fuel pump and tank on board to refuel ATV's You may take a look and see what they are offering. They use gas station style nozels so I'm gonning to bet that's about a 500.00 - 1000.00 option on them. I was going to put the OEM Jeep Cj fuel tank into my Jeep trailer for additional fuel. They are 15 gal with a 20 gal optional tank. They have skid plates and everything available. The cionstruction equiptment folks as well as Nothern Hydraulics have the pumps and nozzles.
Here's a nice electric pump hose nozzle assy $244 beans though.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200322214_200322214

 

[Curtis in Texas]

If I may offer my 2 cents here on this subject.

I've thought about doing this to my trailer that I have in the planning stages.
I have several Isuzu Trooper fuel tanks in my shop and thought I'd put one between the frame rails and use the in tank fuel pump as a transfer pump.
They hold 26 gallons when full and have a fuel sending unit built in too!
Not to mention they have a nice skid plate that mounts under them. The filler tank filler neck will be easy to remote mount and locate the filler hose through the trailer body work.
I will be using a marine style fuel tank connnect coupler to hook it up to my truck. It will be controlled by a rotary timer so I won't have to worry about forgetting to turn it off and overfilling the main. I use this system on my Dodge to tranfer fuel from my bed tank to the main tank for simplicity sake. It works well, so far. Fifteen minutes transfers 3/4 tank of fuel.
My only problem in my design is I want to be able to haul my Dual Sport Motorcycle in the trailer too, which will mean the trailer will need to be taller and longer than most I've seen built here.

Curtis

 

[Rhode Trip]

I don't see where there is an advantage in having a fixed tank. The jerry cans are easy to handle.

This is 45 gallons of capacity.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

My only problem in my design is I want to be able to haul my Dual Sport Motorcycle in the trailer too, which will mean the trailer will need to be taller and longer than most I've seen built here.

I plan on that as well, but instead of going in the trailer, the bike will sit cross-wise on the tongue, just in front of the box. That's another main reason why I'm thinking about the built in tank, because I won't have the space available on the tongue.

I already have one of those reciever mounted motorcycle racks that I use. The bike is a little longer than the truck is wide, but it works well. The rear sags because of the weight, but if it's on a trailer tongue, it will work out better.

I don't see where there is an advantage in having a fixed tank. The jerry cans are easy to handle.

Yeah, I don't have a big problem with the jerry cans other than my tongue will already be occupied, and also the cost. They are relatively expensive. Regardless, I'm not set on this yet. That's why I'm asking here on the pros and cons.

 

[mog]

Mog, so you're going to use a standard water tank for gasoline?
I guess one thing we have to be mindful of is the requirements for grounding and what not with these tanks. I know there is some kind of requirement to prevent the potential for sparks, but I don't know what that requirement is yet.
BTW, where are you guys buying the water tanks?

Yes the tank is the same polyxxxxx( on the road so not sure of the ending) as the current automobile fuel tanks. A lot of current vehicles have 'plastic' tanks for weight savings, no rust, cheaper, etc. I'm guessing my tank might be thinner then a fuel tank, maybe not, but I'm erroring on the safe side with a full duel walled skid plate under and in front of it. Grounding is important with any fuel transfer (aviation mechanice here), so that is in the plans. I got my tanks via eBay, even with shipping, a hold bunch cheaper then locally behind the Redwood Curtain.

 

[mog]

I don't see where there is an advantage in having a fixed tank.

Jerry cans are great, I must have 20+, but for my build there is no space (the tongue has the spare tire and is flat so I can use it as a bridge to load ATV number 3 in the bed of my truck without disconnecting the trailer), no locking issues (pump, hose and nozzle are inside the side box under the trailer), less chance of spilling fuel when refilling the ATVs (green points there), and my kids can refill their own ATVs without hefting 45 pound cans. A downside of onboard tank(s) compaired to Jerry cans, is if you have to share fuel away from the vehicle/trailer, the Jerry can is the only way to go (so I always have one with me)

 

[CoastalDefender]

As a Fuel Truck Driver for a living, I feel... Compelled, in this regard-

You guys need to be careful. This country has certain requirements regarding the transportation of HAZMAT material. First off anything more than 150gal of gasoline requires placards. You also need venting requirements on the tank. DO NOT HAUL GASLOINE IN PLASTIC TANKS NOT DESIGNED FOR THEM. It's illegal and dangerous as hell. You WILL get serious fines (thousands, not hundreds of dollars) if you are caught. The reason for this is buildup of static electricity + gas fumes = explosion.

Also, for gasoline tanks, you need to get the type that is designed for it. These tanks have evaporation and pressure releases to guard against buildup of dangerous gasses and explosions.

If you're really interested in hauling gas on a trailer, get a tank that is designed for it. Do it the legal and proper way.

Diesel, however, is another story. It's not flammable (it's combustable) and does not present the same hazards gasoline does. That's why the diesel tanks are so much cheaper. BUT YOU STILL NEED TO HAVE A HAZMAT LICENSE TO HAUL MORE THAN 139gal OF DIESEL.

It's fine to wargame ideas, but in the end it's super serious business to keep things legal in this day and age. Please don't go outside the bounds of the law, the risks and dangers far outweigh the rewards.

 

[mog]

As a Fuel Truck Driver for a living, I feel... Compelled, in this regard-

Good info there, thanks. Time to re-think that tank (heck I can't even afford 40 gallons of gas at one time now)