Auxiliary tank. Pump or gravity?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 172
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From: Wisconsin
Auxiliary tank. Pump or gravity?
I'm going to install a RDS 45 gallon auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of my truck. I would like to either,
A. Put a electric solenoid shut off valve, tied into an upfitter switch for gravity feed.
Or
B. Put an inline fuel pump in and tie it to an upfitter switch.
Im OK with the gravity set up but the question is, will it keep up?
I'd love to hear some first hand advice.
Thanks!!
A. Put a electric solenoid shut off valve, tied into an upfitter switch for gravity feed.
Or
B. Put an inline fuel pump in and tie it to an upfitter switch.
Im OK with the gravity set up but the question is, will it keep up?
I'd love to hear some first hand advice.
Thanks!!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 220
Likes: 1
From: Central TX
Have an RDS 60 gal. Have it installed as your option A. Keeps up fine. Pull a heavy 5th wheel in all kinds of terrain and its always kept up fine. When I am not pulling or using the truck a lot, always keep a little fresh diesel in both tanks and use the gravity feed switch to keep all fuel in good shape.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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I use an RDS 60 gallon tank. I originally used a solenoid valve and pump. It worked fine until the pump quit. Since then I removed the pump and just use gravity feed through the solenoid valve. I pull my fifthwheel from Florida to Colorado and haven't had any issue with it not keeping up. believe I'll just keep it simple from here on.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 220
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From: Central TX
When pulling the trailer, with both tanks being full, I have the Solenoid Valve off until the truck tank is between 1/2 to 3/4 full. Then I flip the switch to turn on the Valve.
Solenoid Valve is from EhcoTech International Inc., Item No: 300876957423 3/8". dba as "valves4projects on eBay. Price was right around $34, delivered 2 years ago. Have not had any trouble with valve. Use it a lot.
Side Notes: I used a wood yard stick the first time I partially filled the tank with 20 gals of diesel and marked the yard stick at 5 gal intervals. The Cap Fuel gauge works good but if you have questions about how many gallons of fuel you have in tank, your question can be easily answered. Yard stick fits between truck bed and tank. Been in there for just about 2 years now. Also don't expect your tank to drain totally dry, so there can be perhaps several gallons of diesel actually in tank, because the tank drains from the bottom side corner.
Solenoid Valve is from EhcoTech International Inc., Item No: 300876957423 3/8". dba as "valves4projects on eBay. Price was right around $34, delivered 2 years ago. Have not had any trouble with valve. Use it a lot.
Side Notes: I used a wood yard stick the first time I partially filled the tank with 20 gals of diesel and marked the yard stick at 5 gal intervals. The Cap Fuel gauge works good but if you have questions about how many gallons of fuel you have in tank, your question can be easily answered. Yard stick fits between truck bed and tank. Been in there for just about 2 years now. Also don't expect your tank to drain totally dry, so there can be perhaps several gallons of diesel actually in tank, because the tank drains from the bottom side corner.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Wisconsin
Great advice Gary! Thanks for the info!
Great idea about the yard stick too. I don't believe that the tank I'm getting has a gauge.
Did you locate your solenoid in the truck box or did you put it under the truck?
Great idea about the yard stick too. I don't believe that the tank I'm getting has a gauge.
Did you locate your solenoid in the truck box or did you put it under the truck?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 220
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From: Central TX
This is how mine ended up. Several people have done different things. I just had fun making it this way.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Central TX
After everything was done. Watch that your fastener holes for your tank are not in a place where you can not get a nut on a fastener tank bolt. I had to move my tank forward possible an inch to not be in the middle of a main bed support for the front bolt fastener on the tank.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Wisconsin
Gotcha. I'll definitely have to on some double checking under the bed before drilling. I'm going with the 45 so I can still use my weather guard tool box. I'd like to get a combo like yours but the tool box section has little to be desired. But I'm really excited to be able to drive like day without worrying about stopping for fuel.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: McCalla Alabama
I had a 60gal gravity feed in to 08 for 9 years. Manual valve just open it up at a rest stop at about 1/2 tank. Added a fuel filter water separater NAPA 3123 under the bed. Put the same thing in the 17 just used a 50gal tank. Always has worked good and simple.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Las Cruces, NM
I have the RDS 45 gallon tank. It only takes up nine inches of bed space. I went with the manual valve for a while, then went with option A. I turn it on after about 10 gallons used and have never had a problem with it. I experimented with turning it on and leaving it on when both tanks were full (I only put 40 gallons in the aux tank--supposed to only fill it 90% full). The indicator was pegged at F until I had used 40 gallons and then it started to decrease.