Border crossers - aux fuel tank?

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LostAfrican

LostAfrican

10 Year
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
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Location
Chandler AZ
Wondering if any of you have had issues crossing the border back into the US from MX with an aux tank under your cruiser?

I think I can get myself an aux tank for the hundy, but it did occur to me that it might be a hassle-magnet at the border....

Experiences?
A

PS - also, anyone interested in getting one too? I might be able to get a few....
 
LostAfrican said:
Wondering if any of you have had issues crossing the border back into the US from MX with an aux tank under your cruiser?

I think I can get myself an aux tank for the hundy, but it did occur to me that it might be a hassle-magnet at the border....

Experiences?
A

PS - also, anyone interested in getting one too? I might be able to get a few....
Click to expand...

Not sure if this is an option for you , but perhaps signing up for the Sentri program would speed the border crossing. They do an inspection of your vehicle in advance, along with a background check, then you theoretically "speed" through a designated lane to cross back into the US.

I don't have an aux tank, but would be very interested if I could find one that would work in my '03 (which has the charcoal filter thing near where the tank would mount) without a ton of work.
 
Having spent a fair amount of time in baja, and crossing back, I'd say it would probably get you to secondary more often than not. Then after the x-ray they'd probably move you on.
 
Ive done it in my lx450... no issues. If it looks stock no reason for them to be suspicious of anything.
 
Crossed last week in my aux tank equipped 80 without the filler neck installed:hillbilly:

The only time it would even come up is if the border drug dog sits at the back of your LC after the lap around.:eek: Then they will take the dog away and return in a minute for another lap around your LC. If it stops again off to the side for a detailed inspection. My border experience has been the dog does not give false alarms.

They now have a several new hand held devices to aid in vehicle oddities.

I cross US/MX 10 -12 times a year and never had anyone look under any vehicle I have been driving or open a door for that matter.

The federal police side of the road checks.../now that a different deal all together
 
I'm interested in an aux tank. What size? 47gal ?
 
I would like to do this but for fresh water. I'm in.
 
Never had a problem. I have the OEM aux tank. I installed it last year. I do frequent Mex. I have family in Calexico and El Centro CA. Couple of months ago, the ICE agent was spending a lot of time in the rear area and looking at the aux tank. Before he said anything, I popped open the gas door. He took a look and closed it. Asked how many miles does the tank gets me. Said it was cool. If you are inside Mex, you will not get questioned, mainly because any authority will not know about the aux tank. Sentri pass is a big PITA....the pass only gives you and your vehicle passage. If you are traveling with your family or anyone else, they are not permitted to use the sentri lane, unless they themselves have the pass. If you frequent Mex, its the way to go. If its once in a while, no so. There are new "Ready" lanes opening soon for american passport owners.

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/sentri
 
I have an aux tank for a 100 that I got on the forums group buy. Its still in the box it came in. Let me know if you are interest.
I have one already in my LX and wanted one for the TLC, but decided just to use the LX for long hauls.
cheers
 
Thanks for all the info....the new ready lanes sound promising. I looked into the Sentry thing a while ago (both for air travel and Mexican crossings) and in the end decided against it - although a pass for the vehicle would be nice if it would work?

Its sounds like a vehicle tear down to examine the fuel tanks is pretty unlikely - we also have a long history of crossings and have never been stopped for an inspection. We cross in Douglas, Berrendo and sometimes Nogales. Berrendo is my favorite - its a dirt road (being generous), a cow gate with a car port on the MX side...US side was recently upgraded.

So about the aux tank.
#1 - please note I am not a MUD vendor, or business owner - I am doing everything here as an individual - just trying to save some $$ and share with MUD.
Here's my understanding and thoughts. Front Runner and the other vendors can't or won't sell aux tanks in the US due to liability concerns (I spoke with them at the recent Overland Expo in Flagstaff). They will also not order them/ship them under their name. I also am not offering any liability (see #1)

So, no problem - I have family in SA, I'll buy one there and ship it here.
See here: http://www.frontrunner.co.za/fuel-s...ank-toyota-land-cruiser-100.html#.U6LdTPkhjD5

This is the gravity feed tank - so no extra pumps gauges or wiring - just plumbing. Its the one used in Kurt's build :
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/project-hundy-build-thread-2000-uzj100-land-cruiser.647636/page-8
post #153

25G + 16G ~ 600 miles at 15 mpg

I am not sure what currency the price is on the website, but its not US$ - or at least I was quoted a lot cheaper than that.

The interesting thing is the shipping. The freight company we use in SA ships via sea/surface and air. The air price is cheaper, but, the sea price is for anything up to 1 ton or 1m^3 - which is about 3 tanks (4 at a stretch). So my thought is to ship 3 tanks, and share the cost of the shipping.

My intention is not to make money, only share costs, so all invoices etc will be shared. My family are double checking the combined shipping idea for me and I will report back. Also, I might be able to get a discount if I order 3 tanks together. Something I still need to check on is what duties are due on arrival in the US. (Explaining to US customs that 3 stainless fuel tanks are a gift seems a little OTT).

OK, so if you are still interested, and patient (remember we're talking shipping via sea through Cape Town and New York....) PM me and I will share actual figures privately - since this is not the vendors forum, nor am I a vendor. Since there are only (for now 3 spots) first come first served I guess. Also they all dont need to be the exact same tank/item, as long as the volume is about the same.

:worms:<< this very much might be the case....but its educational right?
 
I crossed with my aux. fuel tank hanging where the spare tire used to sit....no drama and no secondary.
 
I ordered my Aux tank from http://outbackproven.com/ two weeks ago. Shipped from their warehouse in Las Vegas and arrived in Virginia in about a week. No muss no fuss. This is the Long Range Automotive (not to be confused with Long Ranger) tank, model TLC100AX.
 
Diplodocus said:
I ordered my Aux tank from http://outbackproven.com/ two weeks ago. Shipped from their warehouse in Las Vegas and arrived in Virginia in about a week. No muss no fuss. This is the Long Range Automotive (not to be confused with Long Ranger) tank, model TLC100AX.
Click to expand...

Would love to see a write-up once you get it installed. 42 gallons is a descent amount of fuel! This may have been addressed in a previous thread, but what is their testing/certification process? You have pretty stringent VDOT inspections, no?
 
I'm happy to post a write-up when I get it installed...but that is going to be a couple months.

The tanks are manufactured to Australian road safety standards, so I am not the least bit concerned about safety. You can read about their manufacturing process here: http://www.longrangeautomotive.com.au/quality.html

I have no concerns about VDOT inspections...or really any inspections for that matter. First the tank needs to be shipped from VA to Zimbabwe. Then I need to get shipped from VA to Zimbabwe. Then hopefully I will meet (for the first time) My JDM UZJ100, which is currently being shipped from Japan to Zimbabwe.

After a quick look-over I will get straight to work modifiying the truck, per the SOP :D.
 
Whoaa!!! Zim!? I grew up there, and still have family there. Be sure to contact Shane Drummond over there too. Also, tons more interesting stuff for LC's available from SA than Vegas.... ;-) Kind of ironic that I am trying to get a tank from SA and you are shipping one out there...

(Couldn't start a conversation with you Diplo...)
 
Yeah I had a rather circular search. I first looked at buying locally in Zim, but the locally made tanks seem to have a reputation for cracking and leaking. With my mind set on an Australian-made tank, I looked at importing one directly from Australia to Zim. Unfortunately no vendors in Zim were able to do so and in the end the easiest (only) solution was to have the tank shipped to me in the U.S. so it can be packed with the rest of my stuff when I move. Of course now the tank will have traveled over 20,000 miles before it is even installed! :lol::doh:
 
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