Thoughts on adding an auxiliary fuel tank in the truck bed

[Joe Jansen]

I’d like to expand my diesel capacity beyond the factory short bed tank. Has anyone ever installed an auxiliary vertical tank at the front of the bed? The tank you choose would obviously have to be plenty strong to handle some of the weight of the camper when off road and/or going downhill.

Example tank that is 9 inches deep.

I think I could slide my camper back 5-9 inches and the weight distribution would still be fine, but I’m not sure how to assess the strength of a tank for the sideways force of the camper.

2008 Ford F-250 6.4L 4×4 short bed
2021 Palomino SS-1200

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[Anonymous]

Well, I wouldn’t think it would be any less strong than the front of the truck bed, and you could always add a couple of aft of tank angle-stops to the bed floor, but either way, diesel is not as critical as gasoline, and is classified by the DOT as a combustible (like fire wood) rather than flammable material…When full, it might even improve your COG…

Phil

[Anonymous]

So long as you have the slack in your cargo capacity to handle the added weight, that sounds pretty intriguing. Keep us posted if you do anything with this, ok?
Bryan

[Jefe4x4]

This is an interesting idea.
Does it fit inside the flange on the top side front of the truck bed? That would add a couple inches of clearance.
Our new Ford F-350’s 3 inch longer bed than our old Dodge demands that we locate the N*Laredo about 4 inches to the rear so as not to damage the tail lights.
I could not find any definitive auto make application table.
If the tank is full it will move the center of gravity of the camper box forward- a good thing.
A 30 gallon tank would be ideal.
Now, would it work for a gasoline engine?
jefe

2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.

[Tim]

I ended up using a Titan.
I am glad I did. The extra range 53 Gallon tank allowed me tool around Big Bend and home again with one tank.

[Joe Jansen]

Thanks Tim. Did you have to mount the spare tire somewhere else to use a larger frame mounted Titan tank?

[Tor]

I recently had my factory 26 gal fuel tank replaced with an Aero Tanks 52 gallon in the factory location. It does not hang lower than the frame rail, it just extends longer.
My truck is an 07 Chevy Duramax classic but it appears Aero makes a 55 gallon replacement for your truck.

https://www.aerotanks.com/vehicles/ford.html

Best mod I’ve done. Extends your range and allows you to fill up when you want to…not when you need to. I recently filled up where I live in the central AZ mountains for $2.85 a gallon, drove to CA and back passing stations selling diesel for $4.35 with a big ol grin.

[Joe Jansen]

Thanks Tor. Did you have to move your spare tire?

[Squish]

I would be more tempted to either install a larger main tank, or see if I could find a second frame mounted tank. But then I don’t want to give up any bed room for those rare times my camper is out of the bed.

[Joe Jansen]

Thanks Squish. That does seem like a sensible approach, but I’m not sure if I want to move the spare tire.

[Alex Blasingame]

Could you post a photo on how your fuel tank project came out?

[Joe Jansen]

Hi Alex. I haven’t decided which approach to take yet. I will post here with any updates.

[Tor]

Joe Jansen wrote:

Thanks Tor. Did you have to move your spare tire?

Nope! Nothing changed, the new tank sits where the old sat but extends longer and maybe is shaped differently at the top to fit into empty spaces.

[Author]

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