Expand Your Truck's RV-Towing Range with an Extra Fuel Tank

Expand Your Truck’s RV-Towing Range with an Extra Fuel Tank

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Observing the fuel indicator dip below the 1/8 mark while pulling a caravan or fifth-wheel through unfamiliar regions can induce unease. Being clueless about the proximity of the next refueling spot can also trigger fear. The thought of running out of fuel can loom large. If you had invested in an extra fuel tank for your hauling vehicle, that concern would not exist.

A truck with an auxiliary fuel tank towing a fifth-wheel in a barren desert. Photo: Bruce Smith. — ***Photo: Bruce Smith.***

For RV enthusiasts who seek to enhance the mileage of their pickup to avoid such a predicament, one remedy involves setting up an additional fuel container in the truck bed. An extra fuel tank smoothly and conveniently supplies fuel to the primary tank of the truck.

An added fuel tank allays any worries of running on empty while journeying through regions that might lack a nearby gas station.

Expanding A Truck’s Driving Range

The perfect additional tank for pickups towing trailers, fifth-wheels, and toy haulers is one that does not protrude above the bed height. It should also be slim enough to avoid interfering with fifth-wheel operations. (Pickups towing trailers can opt for taller variants that incorporate a toolbox/tank combo.)

These types typically accommodate 30 to 100 gallons of fuel and have successfully completed all certification tests by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT ensures that the tank can store and transfer fuel to the main tank safely.

Another favored design for fifth-wheel applications is the wedge-shaped model. The wedge optimizes trailer clearance while offering more fuel. These tanks generally hold more fuel than the low-profile models. This is because the upper part of the “wedge” extends above bed height. Most tank producers present wedge-shaped additional fuel tanks.

Additional fuel tanks, whether for petrol or diesel, are commonly mounted by securing the tank at the front of the bed and connecting its supply hose to the OEM tank filler hose. Self-installation is straightforward and typically takes 1–2 hours. Naturally, the duration depends on how the system is constructed in relation to wiring the electric transfer pump, fuel gauge, and switch.

Additional fuel tanks should not be mistaken for refueling tanks. Refueling tanks come with an external pump, hose, and filler nozzle. They are employed to replenish the fuel tanks of generators, ATVs, motorized equipment, or other refill requirements.

Extra Fuel Tanks: Gravity-Feed Versus Automatic Transfer

A critical consideration when purchasing an auxiliary fuel tank is how the fuel is channeled into the OEM tank. Some operate on gravity. However, most use an electric pump to transfer fuel from the auxiliary tank to the primary tank. Some of these are manually operated, while others are controlled via computer or even through your mobile device.

The safest and most convenient auxiliary fuel tank is the one that connects directly to the OEM tank filler hose and automatically transfers fuel via a pump rather than a gravity-fed variant.

“If the valve, connections, or fuel line malfunction (or if you forget to close the valve) in gravity-fed systems, there is no mechanism to prevent spillage due to overflow, which could be hazardous,” as per Transfer Flow. “Installing a gravity-fed system disables the safety features of your vehicle’s fuel system.”

This is a valid point. However, it does not imply that gravity-fed supplementary fuel tanks are illegal. DOT regulations simply stipulate that fuel cannot be fed by gravity “…directly to the carburetor or injector.” All gravity-fed tanks approved by DOT in current production feed into the OEM tank directly.

Premium Additional Fuel Reservoirs

Uncover below some standout supplementary fuel reservoirs that are currently on the market and can enhance your RV adventures:

Transfer Flow

This 50-gallon in-bed extra fuel tank (Recommended Retail Price: $1,750) boasts a sleek design, preserving ample bed space. It is ingeniously controlled by Transfer Flow’s advanced TRAX 4 operational system.

KSH Fuel Products

A KSH auxiliary fuel tank in the bed of a pickup. Photo: KSH. — ***Snapshot by KSH Fuel Products.***

KSH extra gasoline and diesel fuel reservoirs come in various capacities with electric pumps and are customized to suit Ford, GM, and RAM pickups that are equipped for fifth-wheel towing with tonneau covers and roll tops. (Recommended Retail Price: $N/A)