fuel tank on trailer

[Stonewall]

I would like to install a 15-20 gallon fuel tank on my trailer to clear out 3-4 gas cans on the trailer. Any suggestions?

[John DiMartino]

be careful with fuel tanks,I m not sure of this but i think any tank over 7.5 gallons is considered bulk, which brings the DOT and shipping papers into the deal.Im not sure its worth it if thats the case,if not go ahead.I am going to put a t-valve and a fuel pump jumper switch in the bed of my 89 GMC over the winter,so i can draw off its 35 gallon tank.This will make fuel stops for the small tanked dixie chopper a thing of the past,ill fill it right from the truck,which hold enough fuel to refill it 4 times and still go a week.Ill be able to use it in winter to fill the engine on the v-box spreader and fill truck,come home and fill all my snowmobiles without having to lift,or strap 4 5 gallon cans.The EFI pump in the tank will pump all the fuel thru the t and shut off when open,so this should work for me,I try it and report.

[Stonewall]

I'll check on the DOT regulations. I would try your idea of pumping out of your truck's tank, but I have a diesel truck and gas-burning mower.

[cantoo]

I'm considering buying a cube van and I was thinking about the fuel thing too. I was thinking of going to an auto wrecker yard and buying a used fuel tank that would bolt on under the box side. After I get the van saftied of course.

[Eric ELM]

I have the opposite problem, I have a gas truck and a diesel mower. Want to trade trucks? Actually, I only fill up my diesel every 2 days, so that's not a problem. Maybe I'll try you idea John. I have 2 tanks on the truck.

[Cutter1]

Those of you with diesel mowers. Why don't you have a tank at the house? A lot cheaper than filling up at the gas station.

[Scraper]

A gasoline tank at the house in most cases would require permitting from the State. Heating oil tanks are exempt, but gas isn't. In addition if it were to be underground $$$ leak detection equipment is necessary. Probably less of a hassle to just got to the gas station. They are everywhere these days. ;)

I'm gonna p you off yet Cutter! :) P.S. We only got an inch out of that! Send us more!!!

[Edited by Scraper on 12-20-2000 at 01:44 PM]

[Greenkeepers]

I know a guy who runs home heating fuel in his truck. This is his second brand new one and he hasn't had a problem with either one of them. He changes the filter a little more often but the savings is worth it. What do you guys think about that, other than the legalities of it.

[Redmowers]

Just don't get stopped in a DOT checkpoint with red heating fuel in your truck.They are color coded red is home heating ,gold is diesel fuel. It has to do with highway taxes that you pay for when you buy diesel fuel at the pump.I believe there are fines for this if caught,mostly for over the road long haul truckers.May save a few bucks as long as you don't go where the checkpoints are.

[thelawnguy]

Tap into your trucks fuel tank. The tank on my Dodge has a tap from the factory all I need to do is hook up hose, route it and connect a hand pump.

[Cutter1]

Scraper....I know the whole thing about gas at home and permits and undergrund tanks. I was refering to home heating oil. I should of been more specific, again!!! :) Itts a lot cheaper filling up there then at a gas station, do to the road tax. I know someone who got caught running heating oil in a truck, wow!! Big fine, plus they can go back and check gas reciepts and make you pay for what they think is right.

[cat320]

Heating oil is the same a the stuff at the tanks but they make it clear to screw you for the high tax on it.If you run it in a pick up or van you will be fine anything bigger and if they did pull you over they could get you for what your tank holds ,towing of your truck plus the fine and what your truck hold for fuel.

[thelawnguy]

Originally posted by cat320
Heating oil is the same a the stuff at the tanks but they make it clear to screw you for the high tax on it.If you run it in a pick up or van you will be fine anything bigger and if they did pull you over they could get you for what your tank holds ,towing of your truck plus the fine and what your truck hold for fuel.

Id like to see what happens to that heating oil in your truck @20F. Heating oil doesnt have any of the additives diesel does to keep it flowing in the cold, since its either usually in underground tanks or in a basement. You start adding anti-gel to it and there goes the cost savings.

[cat320]

It's not that bad a qouary would treat 250 gal. i always saved money by doing it that way say diesel is $1.65 and heating oil is .98 thats a savings of $167.50 per 250 gal. only gonna cost you litte amount for the additive.

[cat320]

sorry about the spelling (quart)

[TLS]

Guys with diesel mowers, equipment, etc. If you have the room, get a 275 gal Home Heating Oil Tank in you garage! Have a local Oil company come and fill it up. You can buy additives from Stanadyne to make it better than whats at the pumps. I know a local landscaper that was using off road (dyed) fuel in his 1 T dumps and pickups for years. He was at a local trucking company (friend) that was getting checked out by D.O.T., they sampled his tank, just because he was there, and was busted BIG TIME!!! Just not worth it. If your running any off highway (tax exempt) equipment, a tank of your own is cost effictive due to bulk discounts. If not, at tax time you can deduct all road tax for off highway use.

[thelawnguy]

Originally posted by cat320
It's not that bad a qouary would treat 250 gal. i always saved money by doing it that way say diesel is $1.65 and heating oil is .98 thats a savings of $167.50 per 250 gal. only gonna cost you litte amount for the additive.

Whens the last time u bought heating oil? Here its only a dime cheaper than diesel.

[bondlawn]

Gas costs 10 to 15 cents more per gallon here in our town than it does 25 miles closer to Atlanta. Once per week I make a trip north to take care of several customers, and for the past two years had filled 5 gallon gas cans when I made the run. I carried 5 cans on the back of my truck.

When I went full time this summer I knew that fuel was going to be a problem. I bought a 120 gallon fuel tank and electric fuel pump from Northern Hydraulics. Tank and pump cost about $500. The savings between Griffin gas prices and Jonesboro prices as well as the convenience of having gas on site when needed is worth it. The tank fits right behind my cab and under the tool box in the bed of the truck. I now make the fuel run once every couple of weeks. I even fill the gas guzzling pick up out of the tank. In the middle of the summer I was using about 60 gallons of gas per week with the truck, mowers, weedeaters, etc.

If there is any problem with DOT I haven't heard about it, and so far have not been stopped by them.

[John DiMartino]

The only problem with the DOT,involes trailers and fuel tanks.I dont think there is a problem with the tanks on trucks.As for using heating oil in an on road vehicle-do do the crime if you cant pay the fine,its around 10000 for a 1st offense in NY+an audit to get your estimated fuel usage so they can guess how much to fine you.In off road stuff and mowers,its still illegal,because residential home heating oil has no tax,commercial does.So if your not buying commercially,then your cheating uncle Sam.I have an off road tank and you wouldnt catch me paying road tax when im using it in a mower.

[cat320]

the last time that i filled up i paid .78 a gal for 2000 gal. bulk fill.so I am really saving right now Have you asked for pricing on bulk tank deliveries?

[thelawnguy]

Originally posted by cat320
the last time that i filled up i paid .78 a gal for 2000 gal. bulk fill.so I am really saving right now Have you asked for pricing on bulk tank deliveries?

About the best deal here is $1.10 FOB New Haven (plus $150 delivery 6000 gallon minimum unless you have your own tanker truck).

[Redmowers]

The only anti gel additive we use up here is Kero mostly a 50/50 mix but where it hits -25 or 30 they sometimes mix 75% kero 25%fuel.I have a friend who works for a fuel Co. mostly the additive is a dye to distinguish the diesel from home heating fuel

[jimsmowin]

off road or heating oil in truck on highway in pa. fine is $1,0000.00 to driver and $1,000.00 to company. so i hear.

[John DiMartino]

Red dye means no fuel tax paid-off road use only