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Jason Foster

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I have a 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn Hemi, looking for information if anybody has installed a gasoline auxiliary fuel tank in the truck bed. I had one in my previous diesel but I am unsure about the volatility of gasoline in the truck bed tank. I had was a complete enclosed unit with the filler neck under the lid in a fuel/box combo.
Has anybody done this or know anybody, any info would be helpful. Looking for safety issues with it and if anybody knows someplace in Phoenix area to have one custom made or preferences on brand.
 

OC455

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When I looked there was no aftermarket in bed tank for gasoline that can be hooked up into the fuel system. There are 15 gallon "saddle" tanks that can be mounted in the bed.

 

crash68

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Gasoline expands more and there is the flammable vapor that needs to be controlled. It will greatly add to the flammability factory in the event of an accident. Diesel fuel you have to work at getting it to catch fire and no vapors.
What's the reasoning behind needing to carry extra fuel? If the extra gas is for off-road expedition range, several fuel jerry-cans when needed would be a lot safe for every day driving.
Does your truck already have the 33 gallon tank?
 

Gondul

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Gasoline Aux Tank
Connects to fuel filler neck

Gasoline needs too be pumped from the *top* of the tank unlike diesel which can be gravity fed.
Description provides information on getting a pump set up.

 

tron67j

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There are other threads in this forum on the topic, a search should find them.

Bottom line, gasoline vapors are very explosive and having a fuel tank in the bed where things could be sliding around into that tank is adding risk to your ride.

Also consider impact to payload/towing. The tank is probably around 100 pounds for a 30 gallon plus gasoline and accessory parts could be around 300 pounds off of payload.
 

GTyankee

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In California
You can only have a Transfer Tank
You can NOT connect into the Vehicles sealed system

For 7 years, i had a 30 gallon Transfer Fuel Tank with its own electric pump & gas station type nozzle.
It would pump 5 GPM

In all the Rams tank was 32 gallons
The Transfer Tank was 30
i also carried Three 6 gallon plastic jugs
80 Gallons

The trucks tank would get me around 350 miles more or less, we were going about 57 mph.
The semi truck driver would stop & check his tires the load chains or straps, i would transfer gas from the transfer tank to the main tank & we would continue on to the next stop, which was about 200 miles, where i would top off my tanks, so i could follow the semi truck to the final destination, which was the Oakland Airport
We made several of those trips.

...........................................

with the eco-diesel, i can travel the same distance on the main tank
I carry the 3 plastic jugs, just in case

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1656103304091.png
 
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Gondul

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There are other threads in this forum on the topic, a search should find them.

Bottom line, gasoline vapors are very explosive and having a fuel tank in the bed where things could be sliding around into that tank is adding risk to your ride.

Also consider impact to payload/towing. The tank is probably around 100 pounds for a 30 gallon plus gasoline and accessory parts could be around 300 pounds off of payload.

All auxiliary fuel tanks have to meet Title 49 CFR 393.65.
Tanks made by ATI meet/exceed this regulation and the provide certification from the DOT.

I'm sorry, but 'adding risk' is a non-starter... you are already riding around with gasoline tank, putting an Auxiliary tank in the bed changes nothing.

Is he gonna lose payload... well yes... 30 gallons of gas is about 180#, I think 100# for the tank and accessories is a bit high, but meh. If he is more concerned with distance than payload, then this is a safe and commonly used option.
 

tron67j

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All auxiliary fuel tanks have to meet Title 49 CFR 393.65.
Tanks made by ATI meet/exceed this regulation and the provide certification from the DOT.

I'm sorry, but 'adding risk' is a non-starter... you are already riding around with gasoline tank, putting an Auxiliary tank in the bed changes nothing.

Is he gonna lose payload... well yes... 30 gallons of gas is about 180#, I think 100# for the tank and accessories is a bit high, but meh. If he is more concerned with distance than payload, then this is a safe and commonly used option.
The normal tank is below the bed between frame rails, safer than one in the bed. That is just common sense. But if the OP never puts anything in the bed and/or has a set up like photo above, then risk mitigated. If the OP treats the bed like the tool it is, then risk is increased. So you may be right or you may be wrong. My purpose was to help think through some additional aspects.
 

GTyankee

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That tank that i had was bolted through the bed & frame
It also had roll over valve, etc.
Also the tank itself was a heavy duty bladder, just like you would find in a race car
 

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Not like the good old days. In high school I had a 1978 short box that came with the stock gas tank. I bought a tank from a junk yard that went behind the seat that held 25 gallons. It was from a earlier 79s Dodge pickup. Then I had a in bed 50 gallon stainless tank. I controlled all three tanks with a valve mounted on the floor by my seat. When the main tank got low I simply turned the valve and let gas trickle into the main tank until the gauge showed full again and then I would turn the valve back to the standard position. Over 100 gallons of on board fuel. I lived to tell about it.
 
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Jason Foster

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Sorry for the late response, the extra tank is for traveling. Taking the trailer and toys out to the desert in cali/az: to have fuel for the toys and generator for camper trailer. Less time spent at the fueling station and more distance when I am filled.
 
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Jason Foster

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Gasoline expands more and there is the flammable vapor that needs to be controlled. It will greatly add to the flammability factory in the event of an accident. Diesel fuel you have to work at getting it to catch fire and no vapors.
What's the reasoning behind needing to carry extra fuel? If the extra gas is for off-road expedition range, several fuel jerry-cans when needed would be a lot safe for every day driving.
Does your truck already have the 33 gallon tank?
Nope it has the 21 gallon tank
 

crash68

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Nope it has the 21 gallon tank
I would look into upgrading the main fuel tank to the larger 33 gallon version. It's probably takes just swapping the tank itself, the sending unit should be the same.
 

Randy Grant

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It sounds like you need a transfer tank for boondocking, etc..
But there are custom tank manufacturers that will build to spec. I found a few when looking to add capacity for RV traveling in the winter.

WHAT IS LEGAL?​


Do It Right the First Time!​

Aluminum Tank & Tank Accessories, Inc., fuel tanks and fuel systems meet or exceed all DOT and EPA regulations. We Strive to provide you with the peace of mind in knowing anytime/anywhere your truck is inspected, you will have a legal fuel tank and fuel system. The following are the basic guidelines (not a complete listing) you need to know when deciding on an auxiliary tank for your truck.
There are many state and federal regulations on fuel tanks and fuel systems that you must comply, such regulations from the Enviromental Protection Agency, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission, National Fire Prevention Association, and the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.

Gravity Feeding is Illegal​

Here are some laws (regulations) which pertain to gravity feed fuel tanks, and why they are illegal.
  1. 49 CFR CH.III (393.65) 6d; Gravity or syphon feeding is prohibited.
  2. 49 CFR CH.III (393.67) 7.4.5.; Fuel withdrawal fittings. The fittings through which fuel is withdrawn from a tank must be located above the noraml level of fuel in the tank when the tank is full.
  3. In other words, the fuel must come from the top of the tank and not from a fitting on the bottom. For safety reasons, all aluminum tanks manufactured by ATTA will have no fittings on the bottom. When in doubt, look at your factory tank.

ATTA Fuel Tanks meet or exceed the following regulations​

FMVSS 301​

  1. Safety Venting System. A liquid fuel tank with a capacity of more than 25 gallons of fuel must have a venting system which, in the event of fire, will prevent internal pressure from rupturing the tank's body, or seams.
  2. Each fuel tank must be equipped with a non-spill air vent (such as a ball check valve). The air vent may be combined with the fill-pipe cap or safety vent.
    ATTA tanks have a minimum of two sources of vents. Atta sending units come with an anti-siphon ball check valve vent and we use an OEM style pressure relief cap.
  3. Fuel tanks must be clearly and permanently marked with the manufacture's name, manufacture date, gallon size, and must state "Meets all FMCSA requirements for non-side mounted fuel tank", and "not to exceed 95% of capacity."

VESC-22​

  1. The fuel connections from the auxiliary fuel tank to the primary system, including a selection control valve, shall not render inoperative any of the functions of the primary system. The auxiliary fuel tank lines, fittings, valves, and connections shall, for purposes of fuel flow, be of a size at least equal to the primary system.
Basically, No connections or selector valve can prevent the factory fule system from working in normal functions from any part failure. if the selector valve fails, it cannot prevent the factory system from working. No portion of the selector valve or fittings shall be of smaller size than the factory fuel lines that might restrict fuel flow.
 
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Jason Foster

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I would look into upgrading the main fuel tank to the larger 33 gallon version. It's probably takes just swapping the tank itself, the sending unit should be the same.
I looked into this and all the dealerships would not even quote me to do it, they cant even look up for the larger fuel tank without a VIN.. useless, didnt think getting a larger tank would be this hard,
 

crash68

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they cant even look up for the larger fuel tank without a VIN.. useless, didnt think getting a larger tank would be this hard,
Go over to the vendor section for AllMoparParts.com and ask Benny ( @AllMoparParts.com ) if he can look up the tank and other parts that would be needed for the larger tank. He will probably need your VIN.
You might want to update your profile as it still shows your 2018, not the 2021 BigHorn that your asking about.
 
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Soooo.....just gonna leave this here. In 2016 I bought a 77 gallon tank/tool box combo from Transfer Flow. Certified for gasoline and is almost completely stealth unless you are looking in the bed at it. Came with electric pump, switch is wired into the cabin. I have made four trips from Virginia to Florida pulling my 38 foot camper, among numerous other trips to Tennessee and around the East Coast. I usually just pull off in a rest stop, while the wife is making a sandwich in the back, I'll pull the pump nozzle out of it's nicely tucked away spot, fill up and then we are off. If I leave with a full load in both tanks I can usually make it all the way depending on how much traffic we hit. I have been inspected twice over the years by LE and have never been given any problem. Annual Virginia State Inspection has never questioned it and they know because they often poke around the switch. I tell them outright what it is and after discovering it's not gravity fed they always move on.
What brings me here is squirrels ate through my return line causing an EVAP leak and the dealership wants $2000 to fix it. I'd still like to get a larger stock tank BUT....to the point, we all want more capacity but my Transfer Flow has been the best solution (for me) that I have found. It was a bit pricey but the ability to store a good amount of tools and equipment in the toolbox is also useful. The only drawback is that I wish I had an 8 foot bed as a result.
 
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