Looking for recommendations on a do-it-yourself auxiliary fuel tank install. Anybody bought it and install it themselves? Pros and Cons.....
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Adding Aux Fuel Tank
Looking for recommendations on a do-it-yourself auxiliary fuel tank install. Anybody bought it and install it themselves? Pros and Cons.....
Jim...........Welcome to Trike-Talk..................
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
I'm really the wrong person to ask this question and probably shouldn't even comment but since I'm here.Originally Posted by JimLindenberg
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
"Anybody can become an American but ya have to be born a TEXAN"
"Ya know I haven't been everywhere but it's on my bucket list"
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 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....
I would buy the Roadsmith Aux Tank and was curious if anybody has installed one.
Both trikes I bought with the tank already installed.
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.
Would not cross country without one. Even then, had to beg for fuel a couple times.
Leo TOI #617
(Jeannette)
09 RSV Black on Red with Hannigan trike conversion
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.
My only "thought" here, is your carrying around all that extra weight, all the time..../worse fuel mileage, cause of added weight
I've had my R/smith now for two seasons and never needed extra fuel, nor even came close to an emergency where I needed fuel NOW! (and I ride quite a bit/approx 100 miles daily)
plus won't that extra fuel get old from sitting in tank all the time??
Ronnie
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.
I don't know about that i lost 30+ pounds and i don't notice any better mileage....
...
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
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....
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
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.
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.
Make Courtesy Your "Code of the Road" too!
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.
I have been riding my trike for two season now, and ride usually, approx 100+ miles a day, (with retired riding friends)and never even came close to running out of fuel, I alway fill up, before my ride, and never had any "close calls", when i feel like I'm 50 miles before running out of fuel, I'll stop and RE-fill....If I ever rode with a person that got pissed, because I stop for fuel, you can Be sure that, would be the last ride I'd take with that person......I feel like I just saved myself a few hundred dollars by NOT purchasing an extra tank...
Don't waste your money, unless your planning on riding, so far out in boonies, that filling stations are fifty (plus) miles apart..........
Ronnie
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