Auxillary fuel tanks

[skysix]

Looking at increasing fuel capacity in an '02 Tahoe. Want 1000 miles between fills at max 60mph (can be a long way between open fuel stations in the arctic). With the stock tank get about 360. So I am assuming I will need about another 40-45 gallons.

First idea was to locate a repacement tank with a higher capacity (one of those that uses all the available space in the stock location) but wouldn't hold enough. Even with planned future 3" or so body lift am not sure would do more than add another 6-8 gallons or so.

Another idea was to replace the spare with a custom transfer tank with pump controlled by cab switch and pushing fuel into main tank filler hose - when low manually start pumping until fuel near full. Repeat as needed until transfer tank empty (would need it's own level switch so when empty would shut pump off so wouldn't burn out). The space currently occupied by a 33x12.5 spare would give about 46 galllons - so combined with the first option I could still get the desired fuel capacity and also increase my rear clearance a bit.

Anyone ever seen anything like that done before or know of any shops that have done/can do that sort of custom tank work?

 

[radkon]

Didn't realize stopping for gas was such a pain.

Can I ask why you need this range?

 

[oomindwarpoo]

A guy here on base has a 40 gallon tank on his suburban, but he also has a 454 in it and trailers horses to shows cross country. He didn't say anything about how they installed it, I will ask him next time I see him.

 

[EliteTahoe]

had the same tought.
You could get a fuel tank from another car, install it, a transfer pipe (pump not neccesary, fual tank #2 need to be at least at same height as #1, or higher), and vent pipe, maybe it could use the same pipe as vent at #1?

 

[05Yukon]

A guy here on base has a 40 gallon tank on his suburban, but he also has a 454 in it and trailers horses to shows cross country. He didn't say anything about how they installed it, I will ask him next time I see him.

If it is a GMT 400 it would have come from the factory that way. The 3/4 ton GMT 800 and i dont know about the 900's come with a 38 or 39 gal tank.

 

[skysix]

Didn't realize stopping for gas was such a pain. Can I ask why you need this range?

I work as a flight nurse/medic and we have bases in Inuvik and Yellowknife, I have friends in Whitehorse, and family in Edmonton. Google these cities in Canada as well as Grande Prairie.

Inuvik-Whitehorse = 761 miles, no 24 hour gas stations, Eagle plains only open sporadically in winter. Also need to be able to pull over and sleep in the Tahoe with it running for heat (-40 outside)

Whitehorse - Yellowknife = 1172 miles with one station in Ft. Nelson that is open 24 hours during the tourist season only. The Alaska highway can be a lonely drive the rest of the year.

Yellowknife - Edmonton = 934 miles with one station in High Level that is nominally open 24 hours but I have arrived several times only to find they have sold out and are waiting for a delivery.

Whitehorse to Edmonton (via Grande Prairie) = 957 + 286 miles with 24 our fuel only in Grande Prairie

And all over western Canada, E-85 stations are far between once outside the major highway corridors and big cities.

I used to carry a bunch of Jerry cans when I had a pickup - but I don't want 10 cans of fuel in the back where I sleep and the dogs are - and having to breath any fumes all the time while driving! Plus, ever tried standing at the side of the road filling up your tank from 5 gallon cans in -40 before wind chill? Takes a while. Spill any on your gloves and kiss your fingers goodbye - gas still evaporates and will chill fingers even through the gloves (plus they get soaked) and frostbite is less than 30 seconds if not in gloves

 

[skysix]

a GMT 400 would have come from the factory that way. The 3/4 ton GMT 800 and i dont know about the GMT 900's come with a 38 or 39 gal tank

Please excuse my ignorance, but what are these vehicles?

 

[skysix]

Never mind - found out they are the internal GM platform names behind the badges we see....

 

[667theneighbour]

Maybe a small tank-trailer? Army surplus maybe?

http://gridfree.us/blog/?p=14

 

[oomindwarpoo]

Goddamn canada sucks hard. LOL.. jk, maybe think of getting rid of the tahoe and getting something more fuel efficient if you are doing such long hauls with it..? Get something with above 25 mpg/tank. Say.. a 4Runner orrr.. idk something without a V8.

 

[skysix]

Still better than the 80's 3/4t Suburban I had - but ther problem for me with the smaller vehicles is being able to rack out (6'2") The Tahoe barely makes it as it is because of the way the seats fold forward and needing an inch or two between feet and door (metal conducts cold and sleeping bag needs loft room for insulation).

But hey, I like the idea of a dedicated surplus fuel trailer! Kind of like what the Turtle expedition used in Siberia...