aux fuel tank in a trailer

samibattlemaiden · 06-01-07, 11:38 AM

so the question is when i make my mini truck bed trailer thats in planing stages now is there a way/has any one doen it/is it legal to keep the fuel tank under the bed and some how attach it to my existing tank as a disconnectable aux tank for long excursions? the only real concearns are safety, and legality, im sure if its not a huge rolling fire ball waiting to happen theres a way to do it and id be happy to be the pioneer in this department, cause hey someones gotta be the first to do it.

let me know what yah think, even if it's not advisable to have it attached while rolling has any one made a way to do so at a stop?

again thoughts concearns or horibly obvious things ive over looked?

spressomon · 06-01-07, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samibattlemaiden

so the question is when i make my mini truck bed trailer thats in planing stages now is there a way/has any one doen it/is it legal to keep the fuel tank under the bed and some how attach it to my existing tank as a disconnectable aux tank for long excursions? the only real concearns are safety, and legality, im sure if its not a huge rolling fire ball waiting to happen theres a way to do it and id be happy to be the pioneer in this department, cause hey someones gotta be the first to do it.

let me know what yah think, even if it's not advisable to have it attached while rolling has any one made a way to do so at a stop?

again thoughts concearns or horibly obvious things ive over looked?

I don't know for sure...but can't imagine why it would be a problem. Afterall most trailers, home-built or otherwise, utilize aux fuel containers (my AT Horizon came with dual 5-gal fuel cans...). I would think, just like in a vehicle, you would want to make sure you either have thick bottom portion of the tank for protection or some type of skid plate to protect it if its exposed...

sirenmoses · 06-01-07, 01:01 PM

from a firefighter's perspective, please placard it so we know there is fuel in it (the red cans/white propane bottles are usually a clue). when you do use it, keep it totally full or totally empty: it's the vapors that burn.

With a constant feed you have to protect all that fuel line, especially where the trailer joins the truck. Not an engineer, but seems like a siphon or smallish pump could move the fuel for ya. might ask somebody at a construction site if you could eyeball their fuel truck, see how the big boys do it.

here's a linky that might be useful to generate ideas: http://www.aerotanks.com/veh/trailer.htm

is the fab worth it for 12 more gallons of fuel (minitruck tank)? not that it wouldn't be cool, just asking.

good luck!

samibattlemaiden · 06-01-07, 02:03 PM

good point it only beeing 12 gal i could throw 3 jerry cans on and have 3 extra gal, but thinking about it it doesn't seem like alot of fab, aux tank is already plumbed for out put and sence the truck its coming from is parting out all i need to do is get fuel lines and pump then figure out a way to plumb it into the LC tank probly into the fill neck and hook up some kind of quick connect, and route it right back with the wiring harness for the trailer.

again doesn't sound like alot of work but... maybe while im at it i should look for a LC gas tank and give my self a couple extra gal's to really make it worth it.

REZARF · 06-01-07, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samibattlemaiden

good point it only beeing 12 gal i could throw 3 jerry cans on and have 3 extra gal

Actually, three jerry cans will net 15 gallons of fuel.

It isn't worth it in my opinion, but its just that... my opinion. I say go for it if you want to.

Rezarf <><

samibattlemaiden · 06-01-07, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REZARF

Actually, three jerry cans will net 15 gallons of fuel.

It isn't worth it in my opinion, but its just that... my opinion. I say go for it if you want to.

Rezarf <><

too true however i was mearly pointing out that i would have 3 gallons over that of the 12 gallon gas tank under the mini trucks......

spressomon · 06-01-07, 10:01 PM

Plus if you add the fuel/water tank to the bottom of the main trailer box the COG is going to be lower than jerry cans sitting atop...every little bit helps especially if you're going to run 35" tires!!! Since you are thinking about fabbing your own fuel cell...you might think about adding internal baffles to keep the fuel from rapidly moving any direction when/if you need to make a sudden manuever...believe me...a trailer isn't that hard to flip!

Rubiconcruiser · 06-01-07, 10:26 PM

Technically it has to be a fuel cell, however if you are clever enough and plate the tank you can use it here in Calif. Most states follow suit to us. The pump is the stickler, must be DOT certified. Deparftment of Transportation (in case)

sirenmoses · 06-01-07, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samibattlemaiden

... keep the fuel tank under the bed and some how attach it to my existing tank as a disconnectable aux tank...

If it's a factory tank, would it still be considered a fuel cell requireing baffles? 12 gal +/- shouldn't slosh around that much.

The CG consideration is a good one, I'd overlooked that. Might could 'balance' the fuel tank w/H20 tank, depending on locations. Just a thot.

samibattlemaiden · 06-02-07, 09:29 AM

yeah the cog point is well taken i really hadn't thought about it but i was doing some drawings just to get my thoughts out of my head and on to paper, the only thing i really couldn't remember was the actual size (dimensions of the fuel tank) seems to me though that if its 12 gallons i should be able to squeeze a decent size H20 tank in there next to it (that is assuming i can find an H2O tank that size and shape, any thoughts on that any one?) which will help the front / back ballance of the thing. i think i lined my self up with a long bed which also helps from what ive been informed by the mud brain i want 60% front 40% behind the wheels so all i gotta do is find my water tank figure size add 12 gallons and X by 8.whatever it is that a gallon weighs, then guestimate the over all weight of the trailer and start loading gear to the back half and i should be set.

sirenmoses · 06-04-07, 03:26 PM

sounds like you are well on the path.

h20 tanks readily available at RV supply places. some links: http://www.tank-depot.com/browse.aspx?id=9, http://www.watertanks.com/rectangulartanks/, http://www.campingworld.com/browse/p...ks/prodID=1801

(8.33 lbs/gallon). ya might wanna check on true size of fuel tank: 12 gal was ballpark from my lil car, lil truck is 19gal.

show us the drawings, eh?

spressomon · 06-04-07, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samibattlemaiden

yeah the cog point is well taken i really hadn't thought about it but i was doing some drawings just to get my thoughts out of my head and on to paper, the only thing i really couldn't remember was the actual size (dimensions of the fuel tank) seems to me though that if its 12 gallons i should be able to squeeze a decent size H20 tank in there next to it (that is assuming i can find an H2O tank that size and shape, any thoughts on that any one?) which will help the front / back ballance of the thing. i think i lined my self up with a long bed which also helps from what ive been informed by the mud brain i want 60% front 40% behind the wheels so all i gotta do is find my water tank figure size add 12 gallons and X by 8.whatever it is that a gallon weighs, then guestimate the over all weight of the trailer and start loading gear to the back half and i should be set.

There are probably sources for tanks out there... However if you know a sheet metal guy/shop you can have them weld up a SS water and/or fuel tank. I am not an engineer however I would think you ideally would want some type of screen baffle inside the tanks to keep the fluid from sloshing quickly in any direction...otherwise it would certainly, if enough enough air space (like after you've used 10 of the 20-gallons of water, etc.), effect handling during emergency/sudden manuevers...something to consider or speak to a bonafide engineer about...

hammerhead · 06-05-07, 11:51 AM

The stock mini-truck tank will work just fine. Get a regular 12v puel pump from the parts house and mount it next to the tank. I usually run mine disconnected from the Cruiser while driving so as to avoid any fuel spillage in the event of a accidental hitch failure. You can use a dry lock for the quick disconnect. On the tow vehicle (My FJ40) I have connected to the return fuel line at the tank. Fuel transfer is as easy as connecting the lines and letting the pump do its job. I also can use it to fill my ATVs and dirtbikes with fuel. My trailer has it's own battery so I don't even need to hook up the cruiser to use the aux fuel tank.

samibattlemaiden · 06-05-07, 07:41 PM

hammerhead any pics of your set up? it sounds like pretty much what im after. the plumbimg especially.
sirenmoses yeah i got a pretty good idea what i wanna do we'll see how close it is when im doen but, ill like it cause im gunna be my creation, thanks for the links and ill see if i can get the pics up soon (gotta go to my parents house to scannem or see if i can draw em again with paint).

hammerhead · 06-06-07, 06:28 PM

Here are a few pics of the dry-lock set-up. I picked it up at a hydraulics shop.

samibattlemaiden · 06-06-07, 07:11 PM

nice do you have any other pics im interested in your whole set up? did you do a write up?

spaldam · 06-12-07, 03:15 PM

I'd think it would be easier and safer to just attached a hand crank pump to it, and fill your tank when needed from the trailer's tank. Then you could sell gas to people stranded on the side of the road, or on the trail.

samibattlemaiden · 06-12-07, 09:02 PM

good point i could turn it into a business, but naw just for me

samibattlemaiden · 06-12-07, 09:06 PM

ok heres some horible pics but i think u can kinda get the idea, basically i plan to get a contractor style camper shell with the actual door style rear door so it's easier to get into and out of

so i know the pic of the rear is kinda confusing but the plan is to have like a swing out style bumper but it will be doors 1 to open to either side and lockable in the open and closed positions (in the open position im gunna make a canvas auning to give a porch for if its raining) tire carrier on 1 side and water or jerry cans on the other the top will be taller than it needs to be to give a full lenght basket (im debating on this if i do it it will probly be removeable so i can take the shell off and haul something tall if needed) and the points above the basket will be to act as a lumber/ladder rack so i can tie off whatever i might need to put up there.
ill probly trim the lower parts of the pannels and make some kind of sliders cause my trailer should match the tow rig right.... any way well see how it actually come out but, what do you guys think other than that i need to get a real photochop program?

hammerhead · 06-12-07, 09:30 PM

Hehe, that's my trailer.

I fixed the pics in the link I have in the Mini-truck conversion to trailer thread. Take a look at how I set up my back door. It is much easier to use than a hatch and the tailgate works great for a porch.

http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=791