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03-24-2020, 04:07 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 52
Year: 1991
Chassis: Wayne Lifeguard
Engine: 7.3L IDI
Rated Cap: 23,600 lb
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DIY Fuel Tank
Hi all,
Currently I have two fuel tanks, a 35 gallon and a 20 gallon with an electrical selector valve. The valve has not been reliable and it's annoying having to fill two tanks. I'd like to go to a single, 70-100 gallon tank.
I'd prefer to buy a used, professionally built tank, but I've found it hard to find a rectangular tank that fits my space efficiently. The space I have available under the floor is 58" long by 26" wide.
I have the facilities, tools, and skills to build my own tank but I'm wondering about the rules regulating tanks on RVs. Does anyone know what's allowed or have resources to how DIY tanks can be built?
Any ideas about DIY tanks or resources for commercially available tanks?
I'm in Arizona, if that makes a difference.
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03-24-2020, 05:12 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: arkensas
Posts: 1,109
Year: 1997
Coachwork: bluebird
Chassis: chevy
Engine: 3116 catapillar
Rated Cap: 71 now 2 humans 1 cat
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call your local dot and speak to a truck inspector i wont do anything like that
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03-24-2020, 06:04 PM
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#3
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Skoolie
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Motor City
Posts: 150
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I had a 1977 Ford based class C motorhome. It had a fabricated rectangular box for a fuel tank. So at least 40 years ago, manufacturers could do that.
That said, I think I'd be looking at a 55 gallon tank from a recent Ford cutaway, or a 75/80 gallon one from a Class A Ford motorhome. The Class A one is probably too big though, it's around 63.5" x 27" x 14". It has about 25 gallons of vapor space though, a bit more than the 10% DOT requires for diesel tanks. The 55 gallon one is smaller than the Class A. It's 36.25" x 31.75" x 16.75". Sure 26" is all you have? Going between the frame rails? Aren't they like 34" wide?
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03-24-2020, 06:15 PM
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#4
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 52
Year: 1991
Chassis: Wayne Lifeguard
Engine: 7.3L IDI
Rated Cap: 23,600 lb
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ennonne
I had a 1977 Ford based class C motorhome. It had a fabricated rectangular box for a fuel tank. So at least 40 years ago, manufacturers could do that.
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That's what I was thinking, too. I've seen older RVs with straight up shop-made rectangular tanks, hence my consideration of building one myself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ennonne
Sure 26" is all you have? Going between the frame rails?
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This will be going on the side of the frame rails between the rear wheels and the stairwell. The gross available space is 64" long by 30" wide with a maximum height of 22" (although I'd like to keep it under 16" tall for clearance and looks).
I can find plenty of truck fuel tanks that fit the length but they're typically cylindrical and are too big in diameter. Rectangular is what I need, for sure.
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03-24-2020, 10:42 PM
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#5
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2006
Location: mid Mo.
Posts: 942
Year: 1976
Coachwork: bluebird
Chassis: F33695
Engine: 427 chevy converted to 466
Rated Cap: 84
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most boats have rectangular tanks, find one!
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03-24-2020, 11:20 PM
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#6
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Skoolie
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Motor City
Posts: 150
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Might be worth a call to Arizona RV Salvage in Glendale/Phoenix. They might have something.
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03-24-2020, 11:22 PM
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#7
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 52
Year: 1991
Chassis: Wayne Lifeguard
Engine: 7.3L IDI
Rated Cap: 23,600 lb
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Thanks, all! I hope you're staying safe and sound out there.
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03-25-2020, 12:57 AM
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#8
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2018
Location: topeka kansas
Posts: 1,815
Year: 1954
Coachwork: wayne
Chassis: old f500- new 2005 f-450
Engine: cummins 12 valve
Rated Cap: 20? five rows of 4?
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this one might do you
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04-08-2020, 05:55 PM
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#9
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Almost There
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: AZ
Posts: 95
Year: ‘09
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Vision
Engine: 6.7
Rated Cap: 35’
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AAA Bus Sales in Phoenix has all sorts of used bus parts. If he doesn't have one, I'm sure he can get you one.
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04-08-2020, 09:54 PM
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#10
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 52
Year: 1991
Chassis: Wayne Lifeguard
Engine: 7.3L IDI
Rated Cap: 23,600 lb
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Thanks! I’ll give them a ring!
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04-09-2020, 12:39 AM
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#11
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 271
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Just put a crossover line. So that both tanks are connected at the lowest point. Secure the cross overline so it doesn’t get ripped off if you hit a pile
Of trash in the road.
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04-09-2020, 03:00 PM
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#12
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 52
Year: 1991
Chassis: Wayne Lifeguard
Engine: 7.3L IDI
Rated Cap: 23,600 lb
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Interesting idea but the tanks are at different heights and a crossover line would end up overfilling the lower tank.
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04-10-2020, 04:52 AM
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#13
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,860
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas Built Bus
Chassis: Freightliner FS65
Engine: Caterpillar 3126E Diesel
Rated Cap: 71 Passenger- 30,000 lbs.
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em bothh
Quote:
Originally Posted by AzironaZack
Interesting idea but the tanks are at different heights and a crossover line would end up overfilling the lower tank.
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Seal up or remove and seal up the lower tank's filler tube.
Put in the cross-over tube and draw fuel only from the lower tank.
Fill them both from the higher tank.
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04-10-2020, 11:54 AM
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#14
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 52
Year: 1991
Chassis: Wayne Lifeguard
Engine: 7.3L IDI
Rated Cap: 23,600 lb
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Seems to me that a crossover system would introduce a couple of dangerous conditions. If you fill the lower tank from the upper how do you leave 10% headroom in the lower tank? When the lower gets to 100% full the fuel would start spilling out of the tank vent. Also, a small crossover tube would take ages for the lower tank to fill from the upper when fueling up, but a big one would be scary easy to dump all the fuel with in the event of damage. Lastly, hasn’t gravity feed been against the rules for a long time?
A single tank is the simplest way to go, I’m thinking.
I appreciate the ideas! Thanks!
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04-10-2020, 02:02 PM
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#15
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Almost There
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: AZ
Posts: 95
Year: ‘09
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Vision
Engine: 6.7
Rated Cap: 35’
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Single tank. Make it easy on yourself.
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04-10-2020, 02:29 PM
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#16
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: arkensas
Posts: 1,109
Year: 1997
Coachwork: bluebird
Chassis: chevy
Engine: 3116 catapillar
Rated Cap: 71 now 2 humans 1 cat
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crossover lines along with bottom feed are no longer allowed. too many got hit and broke off so the fed dot outlawed them. suction tubes are your only choice as for fuel supply. if you want a second tank you must use a duel draw/return or install a pump to pump it to your feed tank. if you use a duel draw the tanks must be the same height
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04-17-2020, 10:29 AM
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#17
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 52
Year: 1991
Chassis: Wayne Lifeguard
Engine: 7.3L IDI
Rated Cap: 23,600 lb
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So I found a couple suitable, factory made fuel tanks. One is 75 gallon and the other 100, so either one is a good upgrade.
One question remains: is it okay to put a side mount tank BEHIND the rear axle? The NFPA is explicit about the rules for propane tanks behind the rear axle but I’m having trouble finding definitive answers regarding a main engine fuel tank.
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