The transfer tank saga.....
Started w/ I just wanted to increase my range and plan fuel stops on my timeframe. Pretty much from the start I ended up w/ runs where a fuel stop would have cost me a motel room (we run ELD and I am not sleeping in my truck), I was in the office since 2014 so this is my 1st AZ summer working outside since and unapologetically my idle time is sky high (I want / need a cool spot to retreat to), we have mountains, canyons, very remote client sites, I've seen 7.1 average mpg on a 707 mi run / loop (Phx area to eastern / northern AZ and back, 560 mi loaded)(and my current overall average is a whole 9.2 mpg..), I have substantially more control over fuel cost when I decide where to fuel vs where I need to fuel (has this happen in July when I was only running the main tank due to a leak w/ V-1 transfer tank, costed me an additional $2.00 per ga, never again).
Add to the saga the transfer tank and Weatherguard tool box needed to "fit together". I specifically went w/ Weatherguard as it was the only heavy duty cross bed box (planning on multiple life cycles) that was offered w/ side latches (I can access my gloves, standing at the side of the truck) and it's shiny..lol. Again, for a personal application I would have approached this differently.
Summary... for my business model / needs a transfer tank is very important. For a personal application I would have taken a different approach.
Ok, so what happened w/ V-1? Well, free acquisition ended up being not so free by the time I installed it and I was not pleased w/ the way I ended up having to secured it. The gap I had to keep between the box and the tank for the lid to open drove me nuts..lol. I swore then if I had to remove it it was being scrapped. It did hold 88.1 ga, about 86 usable. 1st run out it leaked. Changed vent setup, cleaned up the mess in my bed, still leaked. And we're done.
Could not source a ready made tank that would fit w/ the deep tool box. Found Daves Tanks in Phoenix on FB. Went over, discussed options, took lots of measurements, gave a deposit and waited. 2 months worth of waiting.
Finally picking it up. They only offer black powder coat, not on my ride. Now to powder coat.
Based on a referral, went straight to SM Powder Coating in Mesa, did call ahead a week earlier but just showed up, picked a color to match the RAM and dropped off the tank on a Wednesday, picked it up the following Thursday. They were a pleasure to work with.
Tank swap day and my son helping out big time. Crane made life a whole bunch easier vs the engine hoist I used 1st round.
V-1 out, cleaning / prepping for V-2.
Very pleased with how V-2 fits w/ the tool box and my color match. It's as close as it gets w/ out special ordering a color match.
Only needed 1 adjustment to the lid cylinders and it clears the tank perfectly.
