Aux fuel tanks: dealer installed? Worth keeping?

[DeadheadNM]

I'm mulling over what to do with a 72 K20 I recently picked up. The bed needs to be swapped out. The truck has dual bed mounted tanks and a three way selector on the driver side floor. Are these tanks typically dealer installed? Not sure if I should keep them for the resto I'm planning (i.e. install them on the other bed). The selector seems frozen but I'm reluctant to torque it too much. I'd appreciate your opinions. Thanks.

[Stocker]

Looks like you might have Travels Tanks (as I do), one of the more popular tanks back in the day. With poor fuel mileage, I like being able to carry plenty of fuel on board. They could be dealer-installed or from an RV supplier. As to keeping them (assuming they are in good condition), it depends on how you're planning to use your truck. I'm not convinced it's worth the effort to install them on an uncut bed, unless you think you would use the extra capacity.

Edit: Those valves can be hard to turn... maybe trickle some penetration fluid or WD-40 down the shaft and see if you can loosen it up. I think you can get new valves at NAPA or at RV stores.

If you don't keep the tanks, you can probably sell them easily enough.

[todd99]

If it's a custom camper aux tanks were a factory option. And the tank selector on my truck is really hard to turn.

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks guys. It's a Cheyenne Super with no listed aux tank on the SPID so I assumed aftermarket or at best dealer installed. My preference (at least right now) is to take the truck back to stock and not keep the tanks on the truck.

[Lee H]

Same tanks that my 72 SWB came with. The original owner, who I bought the truck from, told me they where dealer installed. I regret removing them when I got the truck in 2000, wish I still had them.

[Bill72]

As stated those are after market or dealer installed. The factory aux tank would be listed on the SPID with the code NL2 I believe. Valve on floor would be main and aux not main/R/L. Knob on left of dash to switch guage over to aux sender. Filler on factory tanks looks just like the cab tank and is located at the same height about 6 inches back on the bed. Since you were asking for opinions....
Get rid of it. Don't cut a good bed to mount those. Sell them to someone that wants them and if you want an aux tank mount it inside the frame where its safer.

[cdowns]

only reason to keep is if your plans for the future include frequent long distance traveling with a heavyily loaded truck

[todd99]

I kept mine and removed the tank in the cab. Extra storage space and I don't have to worry about riding next to a gas tank in a car accident.

[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by todd99

I kept mine and removed the tank in the cab. Extra storage space and I don't have to worry about riding next to a gas tank in a car accident.

Saddle tanks are far more dangerous than the cab tank though. GM had major lawsuits from auto accidents in the late 70's because of gas tanks exploding in t bone accidents. Trevor

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Saddle tanks are far more dangerous than the cab tank though. GM had major lawsuits from auto accidents in the late 70's because of gas tanks exploding in t bone accidents. Trevor

One more time.
NBC got in trouble for rigging up the exploding saddle tanks. Besides if you only have one saddle on the driver's side, and somebody hits you that hard there in a t-bone situation, you have other problems than fuel leaking.

The replacement valve thing just came up in a recent post. Scroll down to the bottom of:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=453477

I LOVE my saddle tank. I use it all the time. I have a buddy who ran a 66 4x4 for many years. The seat tank in that thing couldn't get us from the last fuel stop to the trail head where we went elk hunting and back. We had to carry a 6-gallon jerry can and hope nobody "borrowed" any gas while we were hunting.

[alsriv2]

Should you decide not to use the tanks, please put me on the list to buy them from you.

Al
'69 GMC 2500 Custom Camper
'69 Chevy C10 396

[DeadheadNM]

alsriv2: will do.

Thanks again guys.

[71blksuper4x4]

Well, I know a guy up by the Nebraska border whom we have ran into while searching towns for the next project. He now has a hook for an arm that came when his truck exploded in the late 70's from from of the saddle designed tanks getting hit in an accident. He was awarded several million dollars and has lots of muscle cars and trucks now. Trevor

[todd99]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Well, I know a guy up by the Nebraska border whom we have ran into while searching towns for the next project. He now has a hook for an arm that came when his truck exploded in the late 70's from from of the saddle designed tanks getting hit in an accident. He was awarded several million dollars and has lots of muscle cars and trucks now. Trevor

...so I've got that going for me.

[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by todd99

...so I've got that going for me.

lol, Todd, I don't know if it work now . That's why GM and other manufactures went to plastic tanks, and for the most part, tanks inside the frame rails. Trevor

[Micks72]

I've got a 72 C20 camper special with one of those tanks. Filler is between fender well and tire. I've been contemplating on whether to hook it back up or remove it. The valve doesn't say anything and there is no know or button to switch. I would like to get rid of the tank inside the cab. I got the extra tool box built into the bed also. (where can i find a lock for that?)

[OhOneWS6]

Are those tanks steel or fiberglass? If they are glass I'd ditch them. The ethanol additive in most gasoline today will erode the resin in fiberglass tanks. The resin then deposits in the carb and every other component in the fuel system. It is causing all kinds of issues in the boating community. Plenty of info if you google it. Steel tanks on the other hand are not affected by ethanol.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by OhOneWS6

Are those tanks steel or fiberglass?

Mine are steel

[Micks72]

Mine is steel.

[SoCal Wreckage]

I got the same setup on both sides of my truck. I always though there were after market only, but I guess dealers too. I'm definitely getting rid of mine when time comes.

[DeadheadNM]

I've since yanked the tanks and listed them on CL for sale. These are made of thick plate steel.

Pete

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by SoCal Wreckage

I always though there were after market only, but I guess dealers too.

Yes, they were aftermarket, because they were not OEM factory-installed.

Some dealers offered them...... as aftermarket, dealer-installed equipment.

[OhOneWS6]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Mine are steel

I mention this because mine are fiberglass. Just like these. (Not mine)

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/2537110346.html

[Duncan and son]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

I've since yanked the tanks and listed them on CL for sale. These are made of thick plate steel.

Pete

Pete, good move. I would hate to see you mess up a nice bed...lol

[wilbilt]

The GMC I just got has them on each side under the bed. The fillers are in the wheelwells, so at least there are no holes in the bed sides.

I think I am going to remove them, as they hang down about an inch below the bed and I don't like the look. Besides, it would cost more to fill all 3 tanks than I paid for the truck!