Diesel fuel storage options

[Torvy]

I buy from the high volume place even though I pay highway fuel tax for the same reason.

My option is a place dedicated to farming and other commercial interests. You basically have to be pre-approved to buy there. They do high volume, just not retail. I had to ask a local dealership where I could even buy off road around here. He didn't know the name, just how to get there. They have no signs, looks like it may just be a construction business with their own pumps...at least from the road. Nice people. They also sell bulk oils and greases.

 

[rgr33]

100 gal transfer tank, and 12 volt pump that plugs into battery of unit needing fuel.
a bit expensive to get started, but you will never second guess yourself afterwards.

The older I get, the more I appreciate the setup. Those jugs ain’t gettin’ any lighter

 

[ruffdog]

I have five 5gal jugs for diesel. I rotate them out and delay filling them if we are going into winter. As soon as I can get a winter blend, then I get the Bobcat filled for the cold weather. The fifth jug I only use for #1 fuel so I can self blend for the cold.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

My tractor tank is 17 gallons. I have a 5 gallon yellow jug for my diesel, but I am leaning toward adding a cart style that holds at least 17. May be better off with a 55 gallon drum on a Pallet. I can only get off road diesel about 20 miles away, filling 4-5 cans seems like a PITA. I don't want a transfer tank taking up my bed space.

I have a 6'-6" bed in my pickup and had the same thoughts. But my wife told me that I could lift a full 50 gallon transfer tank out with my front end loader, it has worked out better than I expected. And she really didn't have to twist my arm for me to agree!

 

[Torvy]

I have a 6'-6" bed in my pickup and had the same thoughts. But my wife told me that I could lift a full 50 gallon transfer tank out with my front end loader, it has worked out better than I expected. And she really didn't have to twist my arm for me to agree!

Tell me more. Where do you put the tank when it is not eating your bed?

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Tell me more. Where do you put the tank when it is not eating your bed?

I place it inside my barn or move it to the equipment shed depending on it being in the way of other activities.
During the winter it is inside the barn.

Amazon.com

 

[WM75Guy]

I have a 6'-6" bed in my pickup and had the same thoughts. But my wife told me that I could lift a full 50 gallon transfer tank out with my front end loader, it has worked out better than I expected. And she really didn't have to twist my arm for me to agree!

I went the small trailer route. I don't have enough faith in myself to not ding up the bed of my pickup with the FEL forks. I want to preserve that grocery getter look as long as possible.

Self-contained with the 58-gallon tank, pump, 13' hose with auto shutoff nozzle, a battery, solar panel, and a waterproof solar panel controller. I left the solar panel loose so I can take it inside during bad weather. The fire hose is not part of the package, the local FD had just dropped it off for me to cut up for strap and chain protectors.

 

[2manyrocks]

That is the most elaborate fuel transfer system I've ever seen.

You could have some fun at the fuel pump if you pulled out the fire hose and asked the attendant where to hook up before you pumped your fuel.

 

[Tomtint]

For diesel storage, I have a small trailer..Maybe 4'x6' that I put a transfer tank in and bolted it to the floor. I just yesterday took it down and filled it so I know it holds 45 gallons as it was dead empty. When I need to put fuel in something, I just hook up the pump wires to a battery jumper box and start pumping. It's worked really well for me for a number of years now.

 

[Tomtint]

I use a 25 gallon fuel caddy with a crank type barrel pump. Have a water/fuel separator on it as well as a low micron sediment filter. Generally use about 30-50 gallons/ year- will go up when we permanently relocate.

Nice GS....I had a coupe back in 2000/2002...Sold it with about 3K miles on it..If it was a red interior I would have kept it.

 

[GSVette]

Nice GS....I had a coupe back in 2000/2002...Sold it with about 3K miles on it..If it was a red interior I would have kept it.

I love mine-probably be buried with it! Or my ‘66 Mustang ( or maybe both??). It’s nice to have a car that only a few (1000) were built and are individually numbered.

 

[Richard]

I've got nine, 5-gallon jugs. Just bought four of the wide mouthed JEG's type as they are MUCH nicer to fill than the narrow mouths!

I go through enough with the JCB and International that I'd like to have a tank here but then I need to find someone to bring it here. I'd really like to have either a truck with transfer tank mounted in back but....don't have a truck, don't really NEED a truck so hard to justify a truck plus transfer tank to replace a number of 5-gallon buckets.

Or, I'd like to have a trailer with a tank mounted....not sure the wife's subaru would pull that weight (I think it would ?) we also have some steep hills to go up AND down....the going up part would have an empty tank, fill at co-op then the full tank/trailer would have to go down the steep road (which is roughly 1 1/2 lanes wide so most folks stop and go REAL slow to pass someone going other direction)

My car won't work for any of the above....honda accord, no trailer hitch AND no trailer!

I've been just stuffing tanks into trunk of my prior car (Toyota Camry) but one reason it's been replaced as it keeps losing water (radiator) and I've not put any effort into fixing that. I don't want to be at the Co-op with a steaming engine.

I try to keep the two machines and my riding mower (also diesel) full at all times AND a full compliment of fuel on hand so if I have a long day cutting or backhoeing, I can fill machine at end of day.

Both machines, of course, have their fuel cap on TOP so I have to climb on either machine, schlep the can up there, sling it onto the hood and go from there.....then, schlep second, third, fourth can until tank is full.

A wise person once said (just above actually!) "they're not getting any lighter"

100% agree! Every time I'm refueling, I have racing thoughts go through my head on how to make it easier.

 

[WM75Guy]

My setup weighs about 1200#, 700# for the trailer and 500# for the tank, fuel, and battery.

 

[Torvy]

My setup weighs about 1200#, 700# for the trailer and 500# for the tank, fuel, and battery.

That's within the towing scope of my Outback.

 

[scootr]

I fork a 100 gal tank in and out of the wife's pickup.
I used to put it in my van but the fuel station filling hose can be a wrestling match given the rear doors being in the way.

She can't object. I put 20k down on it.

 

[shooterdon]

I got a 50 gal tank from a reefer. Built a frame for it and pallet fork it on and off the piackup. The frame sits on another frame with two HF dOllie’s that I can roll around in the pole barn. Have a 12v pump that is powered from a battery pack.

 

[Torvy]

I got a 50 gal tank from a reefer. Built a frame for it and pallet fork it on and off the piackup. The frame sits on another frame with two HF dOllie’s that I can roll around in the pole barn. Have a 12v pump that is powered from a battery pack.

Pictures?

 

[Catchthedig]

The local fire department used to have a large diesel-fired back-up generator for use during power outages. with permanent stand-up 200-gallon outdoor tank. Got plenty of use during most winter storm seasons. But during long lulls the fuel would get stale and even turn to gel in extreme cold. Nobody wanted the stale diesel, big environmental issue. But the town transfer station has a drain-oil heater. Eventually the firefighters switched to propane which requires much less maintenance, no aging issue.

I like to keep my tractor tank full to minimize water condensation. To keep the barn 5-gal storage tanks ready, I top them off during gas-station runs, mixing half-fulls with fresh. Some of them may now have traces of 10-year-old fuel. No gel yet.

 

[Williy]

I have a 55 gal tank in the bed of my pickup and will be using my
2.5 gal oil jugs to keep diesel in. The $25+ for a yellow diesel can
will buy me over 5 gal diesel. Besides my 2.5 gal cans are easy
to handle and store.

willy

 

[Williy]

I never heard of diesel getting stale but it not treated gel yes.
I have diesel in my tank on my truck thats over 10 years old
but never worry about it when it gets low just go and fill it up
and treat it for winter never have any problems with using it
and it sits out side in the sun every day

willy