Adding Aux Fuel Tank

[JimLindenberg]

Looking for recommendations on a do-it-yourself auxiliary fuel tank install. Anybody bought it and install it themselves? Pros and Cons.....

 

[rhino 2]

Jim...........Welcome to Trike-Talk.............:wave4:.....

 

[Texan]

Looking for recommendations on a do-it-yourself auxiliary fuel tank install. Anybody bought it and install it themselves? Pros and Cons.....

I'm really the wrong person to ask this question and probably shouldn't even comment but since I'm here.

What size tank do you have now? I'm a big proponent of getting off the trike and stretching my legs. I have a '13 with a 6 gal tank and after 175-185 miles I'm ready to get some blood back in my butt. Granted I do carry a gal of extra gas in my trunk for emergencies but what is the rush that you have to go non-stop for 240-260 miles. Iron Butt run?? I've done several of those but still stopped to stretch my legs.

Welcome aboard and maybe somebody else is a little more positive about adding that modification and can help ya.

8~\o

 

[trikeman]

:wave4:

 

[geol]

I had a 97 GL1500 with aux Roadsmith tank. You flipped a switch to change from main to aux tank or vice versa. I now have an 06 and they changed the aux tank function a tad. You run on main tank and when the low fuel light comes on, you flick a toggle and it pumps gas from the aux tank to the main. I go a bit over 250 miles on both tanks (about 28-29 mpg) and there is still a bit of fuel on tap and haven't stretched it beyond that point.

Since the GL1800 trike is sort of fuel thirsty, an aux tank is a good thing to have in my opinion and was a must when I was looking. As far as installing your own aux tank (non Roadsmith), not sure if any are out there. Body will have to come off I believe to install any aux tank. Roadsmith calls their aux tank 5 gallons but it holds perhaps 4.5 gallons; not sure as I don't think it is pumped totally dry when pushing the fuel over to the main tank.

 

[JimLindenberg]

I'm really the wrong person to ask this question and probably shouldn't even comment but since I'm here.

What size tank do you have now? I'm a big proponent of getting off the trike and stretching my legs. I have a '13 with a 6 gal tank and after 175-185 miles I'm ready to get some blood back in my butt. Granted I do carry a gal of extra gas in my trunk for emergencies but what is the rush that you have to go non-stop for 240-260 miles. Iron Butt run?? I've done several of those but still stopped to stretch my legs.

Welcome aboard and maybe somebody else is a little more positive about adding that modification and can help ya.

I just want the "comfort" of knowing I have the extra gas. I also carry a gas can in the trunk. It's just the last trip we were on the gas stations fell in the wrong place and seemed like we stopped every 50 miles because of the distance between gas station. We usually on ride 100 miles then take a break/

8~\o

I just want the "comfort" of knowing I have the extra gas. I also carry a gas can in the trunk. It's just the last trip we were on the gas stations fell in the wrong place and seemed like we stopped every 50 miles because of the distance between gas station. We usually on ride 100 miles then take a break....

 

[JimLindenberg]

I had a 97 GL1500 with aux Roadsmith tank. You flipped a switch to change from main to aux tank or vice versa. I now have an 06 and they changed the aux tank function a tad. You run on main tank and when the low fuel light comes on, you flick a toggle and it pumps gas from the aux tank to the main. I go a bit over 250 miles on both tanks (about 28-29 mpg) and there is still a bit of fuel on tap and haven't stretched it beyond that point. Since the GL1800 trike is sort of fuel thirsty, an aux tank is a good thing to have in my opinion and was a must when I was looking. As far as installing your own aux tank (non Roadsmith), not sure if any are out there. Body will have to come off I believe to install any aux tank. Roadsmith calls their aux tank 5 gallons but it holds perhaps 4.5 gallons; not sure as I don't think it is pumped totally dry when pushing the fuel over to the main tank.

I would buy the Roadsmith Aux Tank and was curious if anybody has installed one.

 

[geol]

I would buy the Roadsmith Aux Tank and was curious if anybody has installed one.

Both trikes I bought with the tank already installed.

 

[M2102]

Aux tank

When I got my RS kit installed the aux tank was top of my list. Like mentioned above the rear plastic would have to come off. Also when no aux tank trunk is deeper. With the aux tank the trunk is a little shallower. You could be hard pressed to install one.

I don’t have to go for 300 miles on my extra tank, I don’t very often. But if I know I’ll be going farther than my main will go I fill it up. When riding with friends and they ask on cb if I need to stop for fuel I tell them naw, I’m filling up now as we ride.

 

[leo3wheel]

Would not cross country without one. Even then, had to beg for fuel a couple times.

 

[bikerbillone]

I hear that Leo, I'm on a road trip, my RS aux tank is topped off, just don't forget to turn it off.

 

[bikerbillone]

On my R/S conversion I opted for the aux tank, not sure it was worth the investment, but that's what I did. Works for me when I'm on a road trip, but then how often do I do a road trip to justify the aux tank? Far as fuel sitting in the aux tank over time, I don't let that happen, I run it out.

 

[rhino 2]

My only "thought" here, is your carrying around all that extra weight, all the time..../worse fuel mileage, cause of added weight

Ronnie

I don't know about that i lost 30+ pounds and i don't notice any better mileage..:Shrug:..

:laugh:...

 

[bikerbillone]

Good one Rhino, I can tell no difference in mpg with or without the aux tank empty full or empty......I do do notice it rides a bit smoother with the aux tank topped off.

 

[rhino 2]

Good one Rhino, I can tell no difference in mpg with or without the aux tank empty full or empty......I do do notice it rides a bit smoother with the aux tank topped off.

My Slingshot tank is 10+ gals....And the tank is low on the back when I'm at one gal to fumes it gets lite back there and i can feel it [Bouncy]....So when i fill it right to the top, As soon as i pull out of the gas station the rear wheel/shock feels 'For lack of better words ;

.Planted better....

 

[JimLindenberg]

Looking for recommendations on a do-it-yourself auxiliary fuel tank install. Anybody bought it and install it themselves? Pros and Cons.....

I finished installing the auxiliary fuel tank today and it took about 15 hours (just me). The only instructions was the complete trike kit install directions. If you attempt this make sure you have mechanical skills because the instructions leave a bunch of stuff out.

 

[CrystalPistol]

I've never come close to running out …

… I get down near 1/2 tank, I know to get gas before long. I count on 180 miles at least from a tank. 100-140 miles in … and I'm ready for a stop … and usually, "Wife Unit" is ready too. No need for extra gas that I have ever seen, besides, that's 40-50 pounds (tank, fuel, hardware) I don't have to haul all the time (which you do with an extra tank).

If I ever do think I'll need more, I can carry it in gallon jugs. :Shrug:

 

[bikerbillone]

Well said Pilot, if I had it to do over, I would not get the aux fuel tank. I find I rarely use it and the initial cost is not justified.

 

[The Captain]

I realize this is an old thread but I wanted to add my .02¢. I currently have an '06 wing with roadsmith HT1800 and no aux fuel tank. On a couple occasions while traveling unknown roads, I ran verrrrry low on gas. To the question of the gas in the aux tank getting stale, all you have to do is use it. Where I live, my wing isn't touched from about mid November until mid March.

I use SeaFoam to stabilize the gas in the tank. That could be added to the aux tank when you fill it. It will clean the fuel system also. Someone mentioned the added weight cutting MPG. Gas weighs about 6 lbs per gallon. With a 5 gallon capacity, you're only looking at about 30 lbs for a full aux tank. I really don't think that will make a noticeable difference in MPG.

I pick up my new 2019 goldwing/roadsmith trike next week and you can bet the aux tank was top of my list.

 

[rhino 2]

An Auxiliary tank is akin to buying life insurance, You'll probably only need it once in your whole life, But it is sure nice to have it there when you do need it that one time......

 

[shadow1111]

Aux Tank

Leaving in the desert, I was thinking of an auxiliary tank, but after reading you guys , I think I'll just carry an gas can:cxtv: