Then only time that I have ever desired a bigger tank is on the Dempster where the first gas stop is 370 km’s and my range is 300 km’s. Now there is 10 gallons on the rear bumper and all is good.I was railing at stopping for gas approx. every 200 miles and just happened to mention that there's such a thing called a LRA extra 12.5 gallon tank.
ME: "Gee honey wouldn't it be great if we got another 100 miles?"
HER: "Ummm well I usually have to pee by then anyway".
Poof goes the LRA.
Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser (1 Viewer)
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I fully agree. I’ve never wished for a bigger tank. When I go up north (Alaska, Canada) I just carry fuel cans.
I'm the opposite - I'd love to have an extra 20-30 gallons in fuel capacity and not have to stop/worry about it so often, especially when towing. I don't like dealing with fuel cans - that's a last resort kind of thing to me.
I was railing at stopping for gas approx. every 200 miles and just happened to mention that there's such a thing called a LRA extra 12.5 gallon tank.
ME: "Gee honey wouldn't it be great if we got another 100 miles?"
HER: "Ummm well I usually have to pee by then anyway".
Poof goes the LRA.
LRA 12.5-Gallon Auxiliary Fuel Tank for 2008-2021 200-Series Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX570 - BTB Products - Land Cruiser Restoration and Parts
Part Type: Long Range America 12.5-Gallon Auxiliary Fuel Tank General Fitment: 2008-2021 200-Series Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX570 SKU: TLC200SA-12.5GAL Model Fitment: URJ200, URJ202, UZJ200, VDJ200, LX570 Years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020...
btbprod.com
I suppose this is still gettable?
I've lived on both sides of this with stock tank and range. Versus addition of an aux tank.
It's a great point that in the majority of North American travel, about 200 miles range is all you need. To be able to reach far enough between gas services. Also the need for food and bathroom breaks. The stock capacity and range is fine. Having a small jerry can maximize that range just a bit further even if the intent is not to reach for it regularly, because additional safety reserve is available just in case. 200 miles is ideal if there's plenty of services, but there's places you can't count on good fuel coverage so there's times when fueling short of using that range.
The opportunity with an aux tank, even a smaller one like the 12.5G LRA, is the ability to get off the beaten path and not be stuck to every stop being centered around gas stations. It's so good to be off the short tether and makes lunch stops and other stops possible at more interesting and scenic places away from expensive towns and gas traps. It opens up the opportunity to fuel up when convenient versus being required every stop. On long travel days, 3+ stops of constant fueling gets old.
12.5G may sound small but in practice it's more than it seems. There's no reserve that needs to be kept in the aux tank. Whereas I generally will leave some more reserve in the main tank because range can drop precipitously with grades and wind. A big part of the aux tank benefit is reduced overall stress in longer trips into the unknown. Not all stations are conducive to pulling in with larger trailer. Even the longest days are no more than 2 fuel stops.
It's a great point that in the majority of North American travel, about 200 miles range is all you need. To be able to reach far enough between gas services. Also the need for food and bathroom breaks. The stock capacity and range is fine. Having a small jerry can maximize that range just a bit further even if the intent is not to reach for it regularly, because additional safety reserve is available just in case. 200 miles is ideal if there's plenty of services, but there's places you can't count on good fuel coverage so there's times when fueling short of using that range.
The opportunity with an aux tank, even a smaller one like the 12.5G LRA, is the ability to get off the beaten path and not be stuck to every stop being centered around gas stations. It's so good to be off the short tether and makes lunch stops and other stops possible at more interesting and scenic places away from expensive towns and gas traps. It opens up the opportunity to fuel up when convenient versus being required every stop. On long travel days, 3+ stops of constant fueling gets old.
12.5G may sound small but in practice it's more than it seems. There's no reserve that needs to be kept in the aux tank. Whereas I generally will leave some more reserve in the main tank because range can drop precipitously with grades and wind. A big part of the aux tank benefit is reduced overall stress in longer trips into the unknown. Not all stations are conducive to pulling in with larger trailer. Even the longest days are no more than 2 fuel stops.
My problem is some of the boondocking sites I go to are 100 miles each way from a gas station plus the driving around I do while I’m there. Since I’ve yet to get over 9 mpg with this truck, there is zero chance I am making it. Yeah I could bring cans but the LRA seems a lot more convenient.
FrazzledHunter
SILVER Star
I have cans. They're a bit of a PITA to hoist up and down but I can do it if I lift them onto the lift-gate and then on to the roof. I have a siphon with ball so I could fill the tank without having to take the cans off the roof. Knowing me I'd get a LRA AND take the cans because well...running out of gas is bad.
From a trip we took without the RV:
Yup, that's me.Knowing me I'd get a LRA AND take the cans because well...running out of gas is bad.
Me as well.
The LRA has been our most bang for the buck modification, it’s not even close. We have 2 boys and myself so peeing in the bushes is no big deal but our family super power is my wife has otherworldly bladder control and will also go in the bushes. Towing range with the 40 gallon is 550, if you like to live dangerously you can stretch it to almost 600 but you gotta be hitting double digit MPG’s for a fair amount of those miles.
So, for $5,000 installed, the LRA tanks are worth it?
Everyone’s financial situation is different so that’s an impossible question to really answer.
I think a better way to ask is, at what price are you willing to make fuel anxiety disappear? We drag our camper into some real remote places and having 2 flat tires is higher on my worry list than fuel is. Fuel may not even be an our top 10 priorities. It comes at a cost but being able to expand our range has really opened up our ability to change plans on the fly and see or do things we hadn’t planned for. Every summer we take a 3 week trip where we leave Georgia and head west with the intention of getting to the other side of Texas as quickly as possible and once we do that we try to avoid paved roads as much as possible. Added fuel range makes both of these things easier.
I should add that we travel alone, it’s me, my wife, and our 2 kids. If we went in a group our planning would likely be different because there’s more vehicles to spread around resources. Also, we don’t daily drive our Cruiser either.
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FrazzledHunter
SILVER Star
We're almost birds of a feather except for the kids; we travel alone and like wilderness areas too. I'm constantly thinking "what if" when it comes to what can go wrong and how to prepare for it. For example, right now our trailer is in the shop getting outfitted with a high end TPMS.
I can carry 2 20L Wavians on the roof and I guess even more if needed.
But they're kind of a pain.
Fuel anxiety isn't first on our list but it's in the top 5 I think.
Did you install the tank yourself or have it professionally done?
I think the other dimension of this is be judicious in modifying the LC200. Or maybe don't modify at all (where's the fun in that
).Stock range is solid. And there is ample reserve fuel of ~60 miles after range-o-meter goes to 0.
Range only becomes a problem when modding with larger and poor rolling resistance tires, lifts that ruin drag coefficients, non-aerodynamic roof racks and armor, etc. And doing heavy towing work.
I had mine professionally done… I had the vast majority of the mods done. I’ve always done my own stuff but this time around we decided we wanted something turn key which is fine if your comfortable with the possibility of going in behind some one if you need to repair in the future. We’re 30k miles in on this tank with zero issues. I believe the install is straight forward.
If you go any larger than the 12.5 gallon LRA you’ll need to relocate your spare. Your spare will go nicely on a rear bumper swing out. Odd number swing outs is bad fung shui, or so I’ve been told, so you should get a second swing out to solve your water on the roof situation…. Just something to consider, the snowball effect is real.
If we had a second stock cruiser I think we’d do the 12.5. If you take road trips its there if you need it.I think the other dimension of this is be judicious in modifying the LC200. Or maybe don't modify at all (where's the fun in that
Stock range is solid. And there is ample reserve fuel of ~60 miles after range-o-meter goes to 0.
Range only becomes a problem when modding with larger and poor rolling resistance tires, lifts that ruin drag coefficients, non-aerodynamic roof racks and armor, etc. And doing heavy towing work.
I’m in Alaska also a family of 4 also alone and pull our camper ~5-7k miles a summer mostly in Alaska with some northern Canada on the side. We we do our fall Above the arctic circle trip I only pass 3 fast food restaurants and 6-7 gas stations in ~700 miles. I’m also at the stage in the game where we stop every 3-4 hours and I try and only drive 5-6 hours a day max. There are also many places I am ~150 miles between gas stations and a LRA will only get me an extra ~90 miles. I made a carrier that holds two 5 gallon gas cans on my trailer bumper and can carry four more on a hitch tray. All that said I do possibly one trip a summer where a LRA would help.
Another log for the fire…the 12.5 / 24 / 40 gallon tanks are all the same price…most people I’ve seen get the 24 gallon installed…for the $$$ what are the reasons to go 12.5 and not at least 24? 40 gallons is probably overkill for most people and bulky for clearance and weight.
12.5 allows your spare to stay under the truck. 24 means a swing out for your spare.
Agreed with @JohnPW .
That is no small thing when it comes to overall packaging and weight. To maintain payload to do heavy work. Weight also affects overall performance.
I would pick the 12.5G every time.
