Auxiliary tank

gearhead · 06-22-2020, 10:10 AM

I'm trying to figure out how to have an aux diesel tank and keep my cabover camper. I don't want to spend $1500 for a Titan under bed replacement tank. They don't hold that much more anyway. I was thinking a RDS in bed tank/toolbox combo. But that won't work with the cabover. Told the wife I'll just sell the cabover because I'm tired of stressing over fuel after 2 hours of pulling the 5th wheel. I ran my tank down lower than I want to on our current trip. I do carry a 5 gallon VP Racing diesel jug in the truck bed. I get better mileage with the cabover and can get in all gas stations.
I was just looking at the install instructions for the RDS tank. Not but 3 bolts holding it down. Got me to thinking....when I want to use the cabover just spin those bolts out, plug the end of the fuel hose, and cable tie it to the hold down loop in the front corner of the bed. Slide the tank to the tailgate and pick it up with my engine hoist.
What say you?? Especially those that have installed an aux tank.

roadglide · 06-22-2020, 10:31 AM

The RDS empty does not weigh more than 50 pounds I am using a 60 gallon tank with the toolbox it’s nice. I have looked at cab over with a slide and pull a Harley but there again I am looking at the issue of RDS fuel cell. My RDS does not have Lift hooks Chevy and Dodge has the same bed patterns the RDS should fit either vehicle. How much would I really use Cab over Probably in storage like the pontoon boat.

notanlines · 06-22-2020, 12:03 PM

Brent, I PM'd you.

gearhead · 06-22-2020, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadglide

The RDS empty does not weigh more than 50 pounds I am using a 60 gallon tank with the toolbox it’s nice. I have looked at cab over with a slide and pull a Harley but there again I am looking at the issue of RDS fuel cell. My RDS does not have Lift hooks Chevy and Dodge has the same bed patterns the RDS should fit either vehicle. How much would I really use Cab over Probably in storage like the pontoon boat.

I haven't used my cabover in a year, but we've had a lot going on. When we get back home from a month in Colorado, the Bigfoot will get loaded up for some fishing trips. Maybe some "me" trips next year.
Our first RV was a cabover back in the early 1980's. I've always liked them for easy traveling....any camp site, any gas station, any road. Great for one person, OK for 2 or 3. I hauled that first one on a lot of hunting trips, several to Colorado towing a utility trailer with gear and ice chests.
I figured I was just use my Harbor Freight chokers and lift it out with the engine hoist.

hornet28 · 06-24-2020, 02:35 PM

What length camper? I had an 8 1/2 ft that I used with my 50 gal inbed tank installed. It just hung over like a 10 or 10 1/2 footer would

gearhead · 06-24-2020, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hornet28

What length camper? I had an 8 1/2 ft that I used with my 50 gal inbed tank installed. It just hung over like a 10 or 10 1/2 footer would

9' 4".
I thought about that but I believe it would be too much over hang.

KingFisher · 07-01-2020, 03:16 PM

I wouldn't want to take my 60 gallon RDS tank in and out.

There are springs and locknuts on the bottom side of the bed. It takes 2 people to bolt it and unbolt it.
Then there's the stuck down rubber protection on the bed ribs under the tank that would probably roll up the first time it got taken out.

gearhead · 07-01-2020, 05:15 PM

Thanks for the info. This is my 2nd go round with the tank/cabover issue. I'm cooling on it again. Maybe another 5 gallon jug.

notanlines · 07-01-2020, 05:27 PM

Of all the RDS tanks I have seen, I have yet to see a spring on one. Might I ask why you would put springs on a tank. Two screws hold it in place. What more can you do to a tank?

Marauder11 · 07-01-2020, 05:32 PM

How big is your trucks tank. I doubled my fuel volume when I went to a titan tank. I think it is the best mod I have done to my truck.

Javi · 07-02-2020, 06:24 AM

35 gallons to 55 gallons for $1500 bucks... but no bed loss... probably the way I'd go..
I've been looking at the in-bed tanks for two years and I keep coming back to the Titians..

gearhead · 07-02-2020, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

Of all the RDS tanks I have seen, I have yet to see a spring on one. Might I ask why you would put springs on a tank. Two screws hold it in place. What more can you do to a tank?

RDS has coil springs that mount over the bolts under the bed. Then a washer and nut on the bolt.
Not sure if I would use them though.

gearhead · 07-02-2020, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javi

35 gallons to 55 gallons for $1500 bucks... but no bed loss... probably the way I'd go..
I've been looking at the in-bed tanks for two years and I keep coming back to the Titians..

I'm sorta like if spending for the RDS, may as well double down for the Titan even though it has less capacity. I obviously go back and forth on this issue.

I changed out the gas tank on our 1987 Class C soon after we bought it. Went from 35 gallon to 55 gallon. That Ford 460 couldn't get from Houston to San Antonio. Did it by myself in a barn in July. Not sure if I want to do that again. Maybe November.

Javi · 07-02-2020, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

I'm sorta like if spending for the RDS, may as well double down for the Titan even though it has less capacity. I obviously go back and forth on this issue.

I changed out the gas tank on our 1987 Class C soon after we bought it. Went from 35 gallon to 55 gallon. That Ford 460 couldn't get from Houston to San Antonio. Did it by myself in a barn in July. Not sure if I want to do that again. Maybe November.

I got a guy that'll swap mine out for $200 while I watch and drink beer.. seems like the way I'm going to go..

Big 417 · 07-02-2020, 08:52 AM

Could always get a custom one made. Full height, width of box, but keep it real narrow, like 4" or something. Still be good volume. And wouldn't push the camper back much. And likely have room for filler access on the side. Get the inline auto fill kit and your good to go.

LewisB · 07-09-2020, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingFisher

I wouldn't want to take my 60 gallon RDS tank in and out.

There are springs and locknuts on the bottom side of the bed. It takes 2 people to bolt it and unbolt it.
Then there's the stuck down rubber protection on the bed ribs under the tank that would probably roll up the first time it got taken out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

RDS has coil springs that mount over the bolts under the bed. Then a washer and nut on the bolt.
Not sure if I would use them though.

I sure wouldn't want to "move" mine on a regular basis. We have a 2017 F350 DRW with a 48 gallon OE tank; I added a 90 gallon RDS tank. We love the combination because we can go all the way to Colorado without a fuel stop. And weight is not an issue.

Also understand your quandary because we have a 16' cargo trailer and SxS; we've considered a truck camper to use with the cargo trailer but haven't found a resolution. Love our Toy Hauler, so we probably won't ever get a camper. Good luck with your quest; watching thread with interest...

MCBadgett · 08-30-2021, 07:12 AM

I know this thread is a year old, just wanted to say that I mounted my RDS with Jack Nuts. Makes removing the tank a 1 person job. I haven't taken the tank all the way out, but I have taken the bolts out to get to something I dropped behind the tank (I mounted my tank with too much room between tank and front bed wall). I decided to use jack nuts when removing the tank from my old truck (I'm gettin' too old to be climbing in the bed, then out and getting under the truck several times to do one job).

gearhead · 08-30-2021, 12:55 PM

That's a pretty good idea. Only place I've used those type nuts is on an interior house wall. Did you use a special installation tool?
Which Dayton are you in? I've got one 7 miles down the road from me.

gearhead · 08-31-2021, 05:19 AM

Oh the magic of the internet...up pops an ad for a underbody fuel tank from sbfilters. 60 gallon tank to replace the OEM 32 gallon. A bit over $1300.
https://www.sbfilters.com/fuel-tanks

**flybouy** · 08-31-2021, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCBadgett

I know this thread is a year old, just wanted to say that I mounted my RDS with Jack Nuts. Makes removing the tank a 1 person job. I haven't taken the tank all the way out, but I have taken the bolts out to get to something I dropped behind the tank (I mounted my tank with too much room between tank and front bed wall). I decided to use jack nuts when removing the tank from my old truck (I'm gettin' too old to be climbing in the bed, then out and getting under the truck several times to do one job).

I've used nut certs on box frames but I wouldn't trust them in the relativly thin metal of a truck bed. If I were going to go that route I would have used some 1/8" plate under the bed to distribute the force over a larger area in the event of an accident.

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