Saddle tanks, how they work and what not

[oteixeira]

Hi all,

I was hoping someone had a link to a site or maybe a thread on exactly how the saddle tanks work, how they are set up (when correct) and any other details I can get.

Thanks,

Orlando

[Longhorn Man]

Nothing more than a fuel tank mounted inbetween the frame and bed side (on outside of frame) and works like a normal fuel tank.

[Fred T]

You also need a 3 way valve if you have 3 tanks, 2 way if 2 tanks. Traditionally mounted under the drivers seat so it is reached from end of the seat, just inside the door. Valve has one feed to the fuel pump, the valve switches fuel pickup between the tanks. When one tank goes dry, the valve is turned, and your fuel pump (hopefully) is able to pick up from the next tank and keep the engine running. Some setups had sending units in each tank with a dash switch to read the fuel level in each tank.

[oldtrucknut]

I had an 81 3/4ton Chevy with the saddlebags. They are kind of a pain in the rear, when filling up because they had filler necks on both sides. I would fill one side up, then lay the gas nozzle on the ground, turn the truck around (hoping that no one would dart in front of my pump) and then fill up the other side. It had the switch on the dash, and the fuel guage changed too. That was actually pretty cool... until the valve went out. I had to replace it, with a NEW one, but it never worked 100% reliably. GM also was sued for producing these vehicles because they were "firebombs" upon side impacts. GM settled the lawsuit. I got a letter that said, from this settlement that I was entitled to $1000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle, or $100 cash. According to the lawsuit, anyone who had at one time owned one of these trucks was entitled to a share of the settlement. I sent in a form and did not get the cash like I was supposed to. Did anyone here actually get their settlement?

That's all I know about saddlebag tanks.