Adding an auxiliary gas tank to an F150

[WannaBeFree]

Hi,

I have an F150 with only a 23-gallon fuel tank.  While hauling my travel trailer for the first time I experienced not only the pain of the fuel cost but the pain of navigating fuel islands way too often due to the fuel tank size.  When I was a kid an uncle of mine had a truck with dual tanks.  He had this cool switch inside the truck to switch between the tanks.  Does anyone have experience with auxiliary fuel tanks - brands/installers?

 

[NeedAnEscape]

Older ford and chevy trucks had dual fuel tanks from the factory. What year and cab/bed is your truck? Some trucks have bigger replacement tanks but I'm not finding much for F150s

 

[Goshawk]

Think of options. Two 5 gallon jugs in your cargo bed are not an option at all?


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[ArtW]

I had a Dakota, 87, last year they had carbs, and the gas tank developed a leak, a bad one
My solution was a boat gas tanks from this company
In fact it was this gas tank
https://www.walmart.com/ip/37578368...d-1103062572379&wl12=37578368_0&wl14=&veh=sem

 

[closeanuf]

What year model do you have?  I s there anything in or on your bed?

 

[WannaBeFree]

Thanks Lost in the world, gsfish, & closeanuf,

I have the 2015 F150 with a 6.5' bed.  I don't have anything in the bed but will be adding a cap as high/wide as the cab.  I didn't consider the fuel pump which from what I just read is sometimes stored in the fuel tank.

 

[masterplumber]

You can get transfer tanks that bolt in the front of your bed. Many different configurations depending upon if you want tool boxes or not, and amount of capacity. Most companies offer a kit that allows you to transfer fuel while still driving by pumping into the filler neck. You can usually get up to an additional 99 gallons capacity. Anything over that in a transfer tank requires a hazmat endorsement o. Your driver's license.

 

[WannaBeFree]

Thanks ArtW,

I like the idea of one of these Moeller tanks for storing generator gasoline.

 

[WannaBeFree]

Thanks Goshawk,

The truck's range with my trailer attached on flat terrain is about 299 miles (13MGP with a 23Gallon tank) and closer to 230 miles in mountainous terrain.  So I could use a couple 5Gallon tanks for backup gas but I wouldn't want to regularly depend upon them to increase the truck's range.

 

[WannaBeFree]

Thanks masterplumber,

I was considering something like this for generator fuel but I would like to use a truck cap and was thinking of installing one of those truck boxes to store gear more securely.

 

[masterplumber]

You could still use a cap if you drilled a hole in the side of the cap and run the fill neck to the outside. Make sure the tank is vented to the outside also if you plan to build a bed in the cap like you mentioned in the other thread. I've actually thought of doing this myself but I'd have to rearrange my tool storage.

 

[GotSmart]

What year is your truck? If you could find a used one in a U-Pull-It yard it might be easy to install tank/lines/switch then get a body shop to cut in the fill door. I had an old Travelall with dual tanks but that was with a fuel pump on the engine, might get complicated with fuel pump in the tank.

Guy

All the yards I have been to in several states punch holes in fuel tanks.  I asked why and was told that insurance will not let them sell a used tank.  Too many possibilities of problems.

 

[Canine]

For that new of a truck you'd be better served finding the 36 gallon option tank and getting that installed instead of jury-rigging it. Adding capacity to a gasoline powered truck isn't anywhere as simple as a diesel. My brother had a 2001 1 ton 8.1 liter gas that got 6-7 towing. He wanted to add a 2nd tank but found that safety regulations etc drove the cost well over 1K.

From the FordF150.net forum: (Note he bought a used tank, new is over $1K)

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Re: 2015 F-150 fuel tank swap 23 to 36 gallon
by duckyjohn » Thu May 19, 2016 3:39 am

Update on changing from the 23 gal tank to the 36 gal tank....I bought a used 36 gal tank for 535.00 that was shipped to me I have the V8 and the tank came off the exact truck V8 It was a perfect swap, it came with the factory fuel pump and 2 lines out the front. all lines are quick connect but none are the same. There are a total of 6 connections. 2 out the front,3 on the fuel pump, and the filler tube which is not a quick connect but a screw worm clamp. The straps fit perfect. Thats it. I'm on my 1st tank of gas the fuel gauge reads correct. Miles to empty is adjusting. I read that the computer averages the last 3 to 5 tanks to give you a true avg of miles to empty. So i'm hoping and will find out soon if it adjusts.

 

[highdesertranger]

I vote for finding the larger factory tank. the after market tanks are going to run at least 1k. of course 5 gal cans are an option if you can find a place to mount them. I would only consider real NATO cans like these, https://www.jerrycan.com/product-category/steel-jerry-cans/ . beware of Chinese knock offs they aren't worth 2 bucks. highdesertranger

 

[Scott7022]

I will add and bolster the go stock option. Diesel is a non-issue but gas gets a little dicey in regulatory issues. NATO cans are great we used them on the Siberian expedition. Red, Benzene (auto gas) Green, Diesel. Loads of mounting options. I know we were denied crossing once, years ago, at Bellingham Can/USA because of an auto gas extra capacity bed tank. I wasn't the driver so wasn't privy to the whole conversation but as mentioned it was a hazmat issue. Forerunner makes an add on tank for the newer diesel Jeeps. Fits in a factory empty hole very slick. Seemed out of the way. My buddy wanted one for his gasser, no diesels in North America, and I bought and shipped him one as you can't find them on the North America Fore Runner site. Our jeep rolled on a rock and this compartment got crushed, Factory design perhaps? Diesel spill all over the place. If it had have been bezene we would have had another fire. NATO cans or RotoPax units are easy breezy cover squirrel.