Flatbed Question - built in auxiliary tank?

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I'm getting ready to start on a 7' skirted flatbed for my '01 Dodge 3/4 ton. I've got alot of it figured out on how it's going to be built, but I really would like to add an auxiliary tank between the uprights of the headache rack that goes up to where the stock bed would end below the rear window.  It will only be about 6" deep and hold somewhere between 20-25 gallons, but I make a trip very often that requires me to stop halfway home to fill up and the extra 250 miles would be awesome! The rear-facing wall of the tank I would build a little thicker than the rest to withstand stuff hitting it, maybe 3/16" floor plate, I would add baffles as well.  Has anybody done anything like this before?  Pics or design ideas would be great.
Reply:I use a lot of the DOT rated transfer tanks.  I wouldnt want to build one myself without the rating if it could be avoided.  25 gallons would go a very long way in a spill.Multimatic 200Ellis 1800Haberle S225 9" cold sawMM 300;  Spoolmate 30A w/ WC-24TB 302GDynasty 280 DX Tigrunner
Reply:Given a choice, I'd look at finding a 2nd under body tank to save bed space. The only reason I have had bed mounted tanks regularly has been because I also filled equipment, but given a choice I'd go under body to save space. I really wanted a 2nd tank in my 08, but with the new DPF, they didn't offer that option on diesels any longer.In my 00 pickup, it's been nice to be able to pump in fuel when needed, but it was a lot easier in our old 97 flat bed to simply hit the dash switch and change over to the aux tank when needed. The 100-130 gallon transfer tanks took up a lot of bed space in both trucks..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:While pertaining to commercial vehicles (which yours may/may not be).  The following regs are quite specific.  Other regs apply to private vehicles, or may apply by inclusion.http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations...section/393.67Only tank I've built is a nurse tank (150gal), and because I'm farm plated, I escape a lot of regulations when hauling it.  Long as my tanks are clearly labeled, I don't have to placard the vehicle, or be hazmat endorsed on my license.  I'm allowed to carry up to 500gal in this manner.It's constructed with 10ga steel, properly baffled, but not spill protected, or properly vented.  I DO imagine it would survive the drop test, weighs about 350ish empty because of the heavy material.  But under close scrutiny, I'd probably be shut down on the spot.  We get a pass on these sort of things here in farm country.(electric fuel pumps are for sissies)I remember the build (modification of the trailer coupler)  Usual collection of morons KNEW it would self destruct."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:It's not cheap, but it is slick...There's a company, Titan Tank I think, that does oversize replacements for OEM fuel tanks on pickup trucks.  They basically make a tank that fills all the empty volume underneath the bed, in the stock location.  https://titanfueltanks.comI checked, my 08 chevy crew cab long bed as an example.  Standard tank is 34 gallons.  Titan makes a replacement that's 62 gallons for the same location underneath the truck.If you're willing to give up the spare tire under the bed, you can replace it as well.  That's another 30 gallons of fuel, if you can stomach the price....Might be worth it with runflat tires...If you're subject to DOT regs for commercial vehicles, this is what I'd use.  The cost of the first ticket you dodge will more than cover the cost of the titan tank.Last edited by A_DAB_will_do; 04-13-2015 at 05:14 PM.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:I had an idea for a friend of mine. He was wanting me to build him a bed and wanted the same thing… He ended up buying one so it never came about, but… My concept was to space the front two cross members of the bed so that a standard L shaped pickup truck tank would sit between them and the top of the L would be flush with the floor.  A protective floor plate would go over it and then the upright of the L would be up against the headache rack and end up somewhere below the window. Thats as far as I got. Not sure if it would really work, or if you could get a standard tank to fit or not. Hope that made sense- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Thanks for the replies fellas. I do like the idea of adding one in place of a tool box under the bed, the only concern I have is with if someone were to T bone me it could be punctured. The only thing I could do is to skirt the bed like normal then have the actual fuel tank recessed farther towards the frame. I wish I could find some examples of them done that way!
Reply:Originally Posted by Slumpbuster36Thanks for the replies fellas. I do like the idea of adding one in place of a tool box under the bed, the only concern I have is with if someone were to T bone me it could be punctured. The only thing I could do is to skirt the bed like normal then have the actual fuel tank recessed farther towards the frame. I wish I could find some examples of them done that way!
Reply:If I were you I would just build it how you want it and not worry about all the fear mongering. I have a DOT number and run up to five trucks and yes the DOT can be a pain but I haven't seen them shaking down guys with 25 gallon tanks though I guess technically they could. If you build it nice I doubt anyone will ever question it. If it is built right and using a little thicker material I wouldn't worry about leaks. It is 25 gallons not 2500. I had a 100 gallon factory made  tank crack and leak out about fifty gallons once. I wasn't on the news alongside the Exxon Valdez.