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Backcountry Pilot • Fuel Trailer

Fuel Trailer

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24 postsPage 1 of 21, 2

Fuel Trailer

Does any use a small fuel trailer say less than 119 gallons to run from the mogas pump to the plane? I'm thinking of building one and I'm wondering if someone here has experience with DOT regulations and can point me in the right direction or offer suggestion about where to look.
blackrock offline
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Don't know of a trailer, but I know three people that have taken a broken down truck and put a tank in the bed with a small pump and have it parked in the spot with their plane permanently. The fuel service brings the fuel right to their tank.

Brett
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I use a 100 gallon contractor tank in the back of my PU. Hauling diesel is no problem. Switch to gas and you can for get it if you want to play by the rules. Every state has its own rules.

The most popular 12 volt gas pump is not rated for airplane use. To play by the rules you will probably be over $2000.00

The tank I use cost $300.00 and the 12 volt pump I use cost $200.00

This is a great company. I buy my parts here.
http://www.jmesales.com/

Rob
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"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety". Ben Franklin
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin

If you keep the weight of the fuel under 1000lb, you don't need to placard your vehicle.
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I used an aluminium 120 gallon big rig fuel tank that I mounted in the back of an old pick-up, but placing it on a trailer would be no different.
you can get the tank at any truck wrecking yard I paid $100.00
you have to build a cradle to mount it in, and weld a fitting on top for mounting your pump, the cost of the 15gpm pump and filter was $300.00 at the farm supply. I used this set up on a 135 operating aircraft, the feds just wanted me to keep records of filter replacement. Total cost $500.00
worked great. :wink:
SED offline
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I have built a short trailer that carries my 76 gal tank that I built with a 15 gpm pump with a 10 micron filter placed after the pump and fuel meter. The reason I built a 76 gal tank is because I already had the steel left over from another project. The tank is 26'X26"X26". I change filter and drain the tank every year to check for moisture. The pump, meter, and filter were about $500. The trailer cost about $300 to build.
In this state as long as the tank is under 119 gal it does not need to be placarded nor painted red. i checked with the Nebr. DOT before I built the tank.
When I get home I will post a picture of the tank currently on my motorcycle trailer.
HC


PS: if you have a flat sided tank and you want to calculate the gallons....measure in inches...hXwXd divided by 231 equals gallons
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RobBurson wrote:I use a 100 gallon contractor tank in the back of my PU. Hauling diesel is no problem. Switch to gas and you can for get it if you want to play by the rules. Every state has its own rules.

The most popular 12 volt gas pump is not rated for airplane use. To play by the rules you will probably be over $2000.00

The tank I use cost $300.00 and the 12 volt pump I use cost $200.00

This is a great company. I buy my parts here.
http://www.jmesales.com/

Rob


I believe I found once (and now can't find the link though it might be deep in the archives here) a 100 gallon "contractor" style tank for a pickup that was approved for gasoline. Can't remember if the electric pump was though which would make the whole thing moot if you want to be legal.
onceAndFutr_alaskaflyer offline
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The DOT thing is that it can not hold OVER 119 gallons...if the tank is capable of holding over 119 gal then it needs to be placarded on four sides of the vehicle and you have to have a hazmat licence endorsement and you have to have the proper paperwork in the vehicle with you at all times you are hauling or pulling the tank. Check DOT regulations. Farm vehicles are not covered by these same regs. So keep your tank under 119 gallons.
HC
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once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:Found it: http://www.transferflow.com/refueling_tanks.html


I read your post...when I quirried the Nebr. DOT three years ago nothing was said about the pump below the top of the tank as your article did. I will check further into this.
I would think that a pump below the top of the tank might be dangerous if you had even a small leak.
HC
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I have a 60 gallon transfer tank with pump. Used to use it, but now in Nevada our fuel has up to 10% ethanol.

Are you guys still able to get straight gas (no alcohol)?

bumper
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bumper
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bumper wrote:
Are you guys still able to get straight gas (no alcohol)?

bumper
So far, yes. I haven't tried in Los Anchorage though.
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For those of you who are using pickup-mounted tank/pump, is using a rig that is only approved for diesel a no-no for autogas? I assume it is, but have heard of several who are using this rig. If so, does anybody know of gasoline-approved equipment that's reasonably priced?
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bumper wrote:I have a 60 gallon transfer tank with pump. Used to use it, but now in Nevada our fuel has up to 10% ethanol.

Are you guys still able to get straight gas (no alcohol)?

bumper


Bumper...I can still get 91oct sans alcohol at the local COOP and at a truck stop east of Cheyenne WY. I always ask and always check the fuel before I fill the tank.
As far as the legality of your tank contact your state DOT. They should also be able to tell you if you could cross state lines with your tank.
HC
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Northern Hydraulics, they have tanks, pumps and a really cool meter that mounts on the hose. Most states, if ya haul less than two barrels, 110 gallons, there are no regulations.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... allpartial
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I owned two trucks, one with 300 gallons capacity, with no placarding requirements. I believe, if it is part of the vehicle's fuel supply, that it doesn't qualify as hazardous "cargo". An added benefit to rigging it this way: emergency fuel supply in your truck.

As for hauling it separately, I've hauled plenty of hazmat, but it was usually 9000 gallons or so, and I never really looked into the smaller end of the rule.
Now, if you aren't carrying it on the road, and are having the fuel delivered... the DOT isn't a factor. I understand that some airport managers can be pretty picky about it, though.
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Redneck wrote:For those of you who are using pickup-mounted tank/pump, is using a rig that is only approved for diesel a no-no for autogas? I assume it is, but have heard of several who are using this rig. If so, does anybody know of gasoline-approved equipment that's reasonably priced?


My post four above yours contained a link to an outfit selling gasoline approved truck transfer tanks. http://www.transferflow.com/refueling_tanks.html

'Reasonably priced' is in the eye of the beholder. Like a STC holder they appear to expect to be paid a premium for their engineering approvals.
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tanks

Look at www.atitank.com Aluminum Tank Industries in Winter Haven FL. I use the 110 model in my truck and am buying another for a trailer for my floatplanes, they are approved for gasoline and they will custom build for you also to fit under truck bed covers if needed.
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My transfer tank currently on my generator trailer. Still checking with the state DOT.Image
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As of 15:00 today can't find anyone in the NSP, Carrier division that can give me a clear answer about if my tank is now legal or not, if or if not I need a "Certified" tank or what a "Certified"tank is. Have talked to four different officers and am waiting to hear back from a fifth officer..even showed them the picture of the tank on the trailer.
HC
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