Toy Hauler Fuel Tank Replacement Guide (Adding Auxiliary Tank)
We know the reason. There are some Toy haulers and RV makers that put plastic gas tanks on their self-drive models. The reason they do this is because they can save a lot of money over using a proper metal gas tank. Plastic gas tanks do not last and need to be replaced.
If your gas tank is made of plastic or has rusted through, you can find many after-market versions to replace the one you currently have. You can try a company called Transfer Flow but to buy and install a replacement you are looking at spending over $1000.
To learn more about your toy hauler fuel tank replacement just continue to read our article. It explores the topic so you have the necessary information to either do the task yourself or have someone do it for you.
Toy Hauler Fuel Tank Replacement
The gas tank on your toy hauler is not going to be made of solid gold. It usually is made from strong metal due to the volatile nature of the fuel inside. However, metal rusts, and eventually, the rust will win.
When that happens, you need to replace the old tank with a new one. Or you may be like one toy hauler owner who received a plastic gas tank for his rig. Plastic and gas do not always mix very well, depending on the amount of fuel inside the tank and what materials the components are made from.
Eventually, the plastic gas tank or some of those components will be eaten away and ruined. In either case, you will need to find a better replacement. A fuel tank replacement is not something you will find at standard RV parts and accessory outlets.
You will have to go to those companies that specialize in making fuel tanks. One company is called Standard Technologies and you can see their products at this website.
This company, like its competitors, make fuel tanks specifically for RVs, toy haulers, and more. You just need the dimensions of your current tank to get a replacement.
Another company to try will be Aerotanks and you may be able to find a lot more with a good local search of your area. The biggest issue you will have will be the cost to replace your fuel tank. That cost will depend on the size of the tank and a few other design features.
Toy Hauler Auxiliary Fuel Tank
The word toy hauler may cause some people to hesitate and think that this is going to be some complicated setup that they may have to spend a lot of money installing and connecting.
Do not let the words toy hauler throw you. The auxiliary systems that work on other vehicles should not have any problem being installed on your toy hauler. The Watercraft Journal advertises one option that works with boats and there is no reason it will work for a toy hauler.
This option is supposed to be able to be set up in about 15 minutes if you know what you are doing. It should come in different sizes, 16.4 and 20.6 gallons, and be able to hook up to your generator toys with ease.
The cost for this option is under $800. Then there is a company called Northern Tool & Equipment that advertises roughly 100 different auxiliary tanks that can be adapted to your toy hauler.
The cost will depend on the size and the design but you may be able to find exactly what you need at that company’s website. Some owners have a gravity-fed system on their toy hauler. They say it works better than the transfer flow system that you can get.
Which one you get will depend on the type of space you have available and how you want the extra fuel fed to your main fuel line. These auxiliary fuel tanks are on sale just about anywhere and the components needed to hook them up are on sale at the same locations.
Toy Hauler Generator Fuel Tank
One of the key issues in this situation is pumping the fuel from the tank to the generator. One owner had trouble with the fuel transfer until he moved the pump right next to the fuel tank.
After that, he had very little trouble. It seems that fuel pumps are not like vacuum cleaners. They do not have powerful suction and need to be near the fuel source to work right.
What you do not want to do is try to vacuum the air out of the gas line. This is highly risky and can cause you a lot of problems even during the procedure. Unless you have a check valve on the fuel line, the fuel simply drains back into the fuel tank and you are back where you started.
Then, check the fuel line. If you are reaching roughly 20 to 25 feet in length between the fuel tank and the generator, then you are stretching it a bit. You may either have to shorten the fuel line length or install another low-pressure fuel pump to make sure the fuel reaches the unit.
Don’t worry about the tank. All the companies we mentioned so far should be able to make or sell one that is perfect for your generator needs. You just have to determine the size you need and where it should go inside your toy hauler.
Heartland Toy Hauler Fuel Tank
Heartland seems to only make 5th-wheel toy haulers. By coincidence, one of those toy haulers is named FUEL. This particular model has a 2 30-pound propane tank capacity and a 13-foot 4-inch garage which you can turn into a second bedroom if you want.
If you are needing to add a fuel tank then you will have to find the perfect spot to do it. Everything that has been said about adding new tanks above would apply here.
Heartland may have space for a fuel tank for your generator or other equipment but you would have to go over your floor plan carefully to find that spot. In some cases, your toy hauler from this company may or may not be prepped for a generator.
You would have to find out if it is or not. If it is that may cut your work down and make installation easier than if it was not prepped for a generator. Like other RV models and brands, you would have to go to the secondary market to get the right size and design of an auxiliary fuel tank.
That is about the only way you will get fitted with one of these tanks. But adding in a fuel tank can be risky so make sure you know what you want and what you are doing. Or at least have those qualities in the people you hire to do the work.
Desert Fox Toy Hauler Fuel Tank Capacity
According to the company’s website, the most recent Desert Fox comes with a 4.0 Onan Gas generator/ 40 Gallon On-Board Fuel Station. So the maximum amount of fuel you can haul with you seems to be a bit limited.
Finding a spot for an auxiliary fuel tank to boost your generator’s fuel capacity would be a bit on the difficult side. This toy hauler is very cramped as it is. At least that is what it looks like with the 24FS model.
The 27FS model may give you a bit extra length but the floor plan also does not look very accommodating for any extra fuel tanks. The 27FS has the same size fuel center as the 24FS model- 40 gallons.
You are not going to gain much by upgrading to a longer model. This is a topic you should discuss with your dealer before you purchase. There may not be enough room for an auxiliary tank to provide more fuel to your generator when you are boondocking.
The aftermarket will be about your only source for a tank if you find space for one. Just do not go for a too large of extra fuel tank. You would have to be a bit on the creative side to make it all work and keep the addition nice and safe.
Adding a Fuel Tank To a Toy Hauler
If your toy hauler has the option of having a generator added to its features, then the dealer may be able to help you with adding a fuel center or fuel tank. In many cases, the factory-ready fuel tanks should be held by big steel boxes for fuel tank safety.
The cost of installation will be up to the dealer and how much work they have to put into fabricating the whole system if the toy hauler is not fuel station ready.
Some people got creative and added a motorboat motor gas tank and hooked it directly to their generator. You will have lots of design and fuel tank options but whether they are practical and safe are two questions you have to answer before you make your purchase.
Another key question to answer would be what is the purpose of adding a new fuel tank? That purpose will help guide you in finding the right size of a fuel tank. It should also help you find the right design.
In many cases, you will find that companies sell combination fuel tanks. They have added a tool or storage box area to give you more flexibility. Your needs may also play a role in what type of fuel tank setup you buy.
With all that said, the cost and the location of the fuel tank will play the most influential role in adding a fuel tank to your toy hauler. There are some very good aftermarket companies that seem reasonable.
But your overall costs can reach well over $1000 just for the purchase price alone. Then you need to add in installation costs. This is a major project that needs to be thought through.
Toy Hauler External Fuel Tank Options
We have not seen anything different from what we have already linked to or mentioned above. Many RV owners forgo the idea of having external fuel tanks as it would be hard to locate them in a safe spot.
Most of the owners prefer using the legal plastic 5-gallon cans that can be bought at any hardware or auto parts outlet. At least one said they carry many of these, with some set apart for gas, others for mixed fuel, and still more for diesel.
A low-profile gas tank may be the best option if you are looking for an external location for a fuel tank. But location is going to be the big issue and you would need to talk to the company selling the product to see where the best location would be.
Other RV owners placed their external tanks in the bed of their tow vehicles. That would be an ideal out of the way and well-protected location to use. If you get the right design, the tank should fit under the bed cover without any problem.
The other good aspect of this location is that the tank can fit behind the 5th wheel hitch without interfering with towing. Look at your toy hauler setup and see what will work best for you. Your options are very limited for this objective.
Some Additional Words
Many toy haulers come with an initial fuel center that holds up to 40 gallons of fuel. There is nothing wrong with going to the after-market and increasing your fuel supply.
In fact, if you do a lot of camping out in the woods, this would be a very good option to invest in. You always need fuel and having more than enough on hand keeps you safe.
If there is no room on your toy hauler for an auxiliary tank, use your tow vehicle’s bed. It is a safe location for external tanks.
