What size upgraded fuel tank recommended?

[Aussie Iron]

If you want to play in the deserts there is no fuel and I would not be surprised to see anything up to 30 litres/hundred climbing dunes all day. In my working out I'm going to be looking for at least 150L per side with a fuel transfer pump between tanks that can put fuel through a filter setup and also pump either way in case of tank damage. Redundancy and fuel polishing being able to be done either way.

Dan.

 

[selfy]

last time I traveled the Nullabor fuel was $1.50,ish/litre at either end and $2.40 in the middle
big tanks can save you alot of coin in the end

 

[gait]

two tanks, 1600km range and redundancy. Water trap / coarse filter on each. Changeover switch. No mod to standard fuel filter. Carry a spare.

Never fill both tanks from same source. Never run one to empty without trying the other one. Record odometer when swapping.

Crossing borders was "fill diesel tanks, stock up with food, fill water" before crossing "somewhere to camp, money / ATM, mobile phone card" after crossing.

I've twice used all 1600km. Once on a loop from Alice Springs because of fuel prices. Once through Assam, Nagaland, Manapur during tanker driver strike / other problems / no diesel at fuel stations, ok over border in Myanmar. Almost through western Tibet - limited fuel stations. Many times needed the second tank.

Luckily never had bad fuel. Broke a couple of tank straps on rough ground before modifying them. Happened with half full tanks.

 

[dlh62c]

last time I traveled the Nullabor fuel was $1.50,ish/litre at either end and $2.40 in the middle
big tanks can save you alot of coin in the end

Could the use of inexpensive portable jerry cans save you even more?

What about the use of fuel bladders?

You can roll them up for storage when not needed and transfer the bladders between vehicles.

 

[Pilat]

Yup, fuel bladders or jerry cans seem like a better solution to use when needed, rather than having a tank with up to three months' old fuel in it.

 

[pugslyyy]

Do you know what your tanks are from?

They are custom made aluminum.


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[pugslyyy]

I do not have a fully redundant fuel system, but Alastair does.
I upgraded my filtration system, but chose not to make each tank independent.

I have the ability to isolate the tanks with a valve, but I have to crawl underneath to do it. I would only use it if I had a problem with a tank and needed to take it offline.

Also, I only have one fuel level sensor for both tanks.


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[pugslyyy]

Yup, fuel bladders or jerry cans seem like a better solution to use when needed, rather than having a tank with up to three months' old fuel in it.

I guess for me it would just be a matter of planning when to do my last fillup on a trip, whether with aux tanks or the main.

A good 5 gallon scepter can will run about $80, so I don't think there is a lot of savings - and not sure where I would put 10 cans anyway!


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[SkiFreak]

Just because you have a large fuel capacity does not mean you have to keep the tanks full all of the time. I definitely don't.
Take my setup as an example...
My main tank is 200L and the reserve tank is 110L. The 110L tank is basically a big jerry can that has a fuel transfer pump attached.
I rarely fill the main tank, instead, I fill the reserve tank then pump that to my main tank, which takes about 4 minutes. This method means that I rarely have "old fuel" in either tank.
The 100L gives me over 500KM, which is more than sufficient if not in remote locations. If I am at a location where diesel is cheap I might put 100L in each tank.
I should also mention that, unlike petrol, diesel does not age the same way, so keeping it in a tank for 3 months is not really an issue.

 

[Pilat]

The 3 months non-use was referring to Alistair's example of selecting the tank if unused for 3 months.

 

[SkiFreak]

The 3 months non-use was referring to Alistair's example of selecting the tank if unused for 3 months.

But, where is the problem with that? I definitely don't see one.

 

[Pilat]

You don't see the unnecessity of storing diesel threee months in varying temperatures, all to avoid potential "lesser" fuel in areas such as the outback of Australia? I thought that would be obvious.

 

[SkiFreak]

As I see it, it's all in the planning. I don't put much fuel in my tanks when I know it will sit unused for an extended period.
But having said that, while doing work on my truck I have had fuel sit in the tank/s for over 6 months. I have never had fuel issues because of this. So no, I don't see a problem.

 

[Pilat]

Most bad diesel if either bad because of water or diesel bug. Diesel bug (be it algea, bacteria, or whatever) thrives in varm environments. Sludge in diesel is usually diesel bug, and although you haven't had any problems with storing it for those months, doesn't mean it's a better solution to carry all that around constantly rather than purchase it from some outback garage if the aim is to avoid what is perceived to be "lesser" fuel.

 

[SkiFreak]

I think we are moving off topic here, so to get back on track...
From what I have seen, and people I have spoken with, around 300 litres seems to be the consensus for a good amount of fuel to carry on an expedition Fuso/Isuzu.
Also, rectangular tanks are more space efficient than cylindrical tanks of the same capacity.