I've developed a taste for long distance endurance offroad, but I need to address fuel supply - I need to carry up to 60litres extra with me. I believe that there is insufficient room to fit an auxiliary tank in the SWB patrol. Another problem is that I find it very difficult to lift a full fuel can down from the roof.
Various suggestions have been made
a) fit heavy duty roof bars and carry our existing 20l "flat" cans on top
b) as above but get a welder to create a basket to stop them slipping
c) get a custom tank made for the roof, full width of car, but quite low/flat, complete with tap.
d) replace the current tank with a larger one - but this will require the car to be lifted for more clearance, and I don't need it lifted for any other reason.
Please give me your thoughts and further ideas would be most welcome.
Carrying additional fuel for capsula
- Wallie
- Rank: Junior
- Location: Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Post
I will do the same as "C", but instead of putting it on the roof I will put it on the floor in the back of the Patrol. It will keep the center of gravity low. You can link the out pipe to your existing pipe of your fuel tank with a tap or you can link it up with a universal electric fuel pump. I have done this before on my Ford Ranger in South Africa. It works.
Marina,MB Hammer wrote:I've developed a taste for long distance endurance offroad, but I need to address fuel supply - I need to carry up to 60litres extra with me. I believe that there is insufficient room to fit an auxiliary tank in the SWB patrol. Another problem is that I find it very difficult to lift a full fuel can down from the roof.
Various suggestions have been made
a) fit heavy duty roof bars and carry our existing 20l "flat" cans on top
b) as above but get a welder to create a basket to stop them slipping
c) get a custom tank made for the roof, full width of car, but quite low/flat, complete with tap.
d) replace the current tank with a larger one - but this will require the car to be lifted for more clearance, and I don't need it lifted for any other reason.
Please give me your thoughts and further ideas would be most welcome.
I will do the same as "C", but instead of putting it on the roof I will put it on the floor in the back of the Patrol. It will keep the center of gravity low. You can link the out pipe to your existing pipe of your fuel tank with a tap or you can link it up with a universal electric fuel pump. I have done this before on my Ford Ranger in South Africa. It works.
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Wallie
Wallie
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Richard MossRi
- Rank: Junior
Post
On fighter aeroplanes, "conformal tanks" are a popular option (stick with me, this IS relevant). The tanks are shaped to fit the body of the aeroplane and therefore minimise drag and usually consist of two small tanks providing a decent capacity between them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conformal_fuel_tank
In a similar vein, many 4X4 drivers in the UK run their cars on LPG (autogas) and use a variation of the conformal tank idea in the guise of "sill tanks" - typically two, smallish, cylindrical tanks tucked up under the body of the vehicle and then linked together by pipes. These are especially popular on Range Rovers because the position preserves cargo space and keeps the centre of gravity low:
http://www.go-lpg.co.uk/range.html LPG tanks have a problem in that they have to be cylindracal due to the high gas pressures involved but a pterol tank can be any shape as long as it's "watertight". Maybe your Patrol could take a couple of conformal tanks under the car, appropriately protected by skid plates. The advantage would be that you keep the low centre of gravity but also you keep the fule OUTSIDE the car if it leaks!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conformal_fuel_tank
In a similar vein, many 4X4 drivers in the UK run their cars on LPG (autogas) and use a variation of the conformal tank idea in the guise of "sill tanks" - typically two, smallish, cylindrical tanks tucked up under the body of the vehicle and then linked together by pipes. These are especially popular on Range Rovers because the position preserves cargo space and keeps the centre of gravity low:
http://www.go-lpg.co.uk/range.html LPG tanks have a problem in that they have to be cylindracal due to the high gas pressures involved but a pterol tank can be any shape as long as it's "watertight". Maybe your Patrol could take a couple of conformal tanks under the car, appropriately protected by skid plates. The advantage would be that you keep the low centre of gravity but also you keep the fule OUTSIDE the car if it leaks!
- Attachments
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- tintin
- Rank: Senior
- Location: In my own little world
Post
I saw a patrol with two petrol tanks in place of the rear windows that had pipes and taps so they could be emptied into the stock tank as and when necessary. They looked pretty big, I would say at least 30-40Ltrs each and it looked as though they were just fitted into the window hole and bolted in for good measure. IT was basically one of these but built to the shape of the side rear windows.
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tintin
tintin
- PR
- Rank: Expert
Post
LOOOOL instead of the rear windows???
I think 60L is a lot extra - 3 jerry cans... but if you reckon you need it, you know best.
I'm pretty sure the Sanaiya boyz can fit an aux tank into a capsula, as they are used to these kinds of requests (like, "take out all the windows and weld jerry cans in their place; leave me a narrow slit at the front!" LOOOOL)
In order of preference:
1. under the car, but not hanging down (so up near the frame) - depends on Sanaiya experts for placement; make sure it does not leak on its side or upside down, and supervise every single step of their work.
2. inside, as a stand-alone tank in the centre of the cargo area, bolted down (the fill pipe, as the vent pipe, must go to the exterior) - also check for leaks in all positions.
3. inside, as a metal tray, strap-down system for 3 jerry cans. Really strapped down, I mean roll-proof and rear/side impact proof. But you have to pull them out to fill and carry them to pour and transfer fuel into main tank.
Are you sure just one 20L jerry on the back is not enough?
I think 60L is a lot extra - 3 jerry cans... but if you reckon you need it, you know best.
I'm pretty sure the Sanaiya boyz can fit an aux tank into a capsula, as they are used to these kinds of requests (like, "take out all the windows and weld jerry cans in their place; leave me a narrow slit at the front!" LOOOOL)
In order of preference:
1. under the car, but not hanging down (so up near the frame) - depends on Sanaiya experts for placement; make sure it does not leak on its side or upside down, and supervise every single step of their work.
2. inside, as a stand-alone tank in the centre of the cargo area, bolted down (the fill pipe, as the vent pipe, must go to the exterior) - also check for leaks in all positions.
3. inside, as a metal tray, strap-down system for 3 jerry cans. Really strapped down, I mean roll-proof and rear/side impact proof. But you have to pull them out to fill and carry them to pour and transfer fuel into main tank.
Are you sure just one 20L jerry on the back is not enough?
- PR
- Rank: Expert
Post
BTW, it's easy to fill from jerry cans on the roof without pulling them off every time.
If you have your jerry cans up top, you can leave them there all the time: gas attendant can scamper up to fill, and to transfer fuel into the main tank all you need a pipe that reaches the main filler and then a system to gravity-syphon the fuel - in the old days you'd suck on the end and get it flowing, but nowadays there are a number of options: clever self-priming ones like this http://www.superjiggler.com/ or little hand pumps like this http://www.amazon.com/Beckson-109PC-Sip ... fuel_t18mp
So, up on the roof is also an option to consider, but I'd place it last in the above order of preference. You can crush/crack them in a roll, they add weight up high, they drag in the wind... lots of negatives.
If you have your jerry cans up top, you can leave them there all the time: gas attendant can scamper up to fill, and to transfer fuel into the main tank all you need a pipe that reaches the main filler and then a system to gravity-syphon the fuel - in the old days you'd suck on the end and get it flowing, but nowadays there are a number of options: clever self-priming ones like this http://www.superjiggler.com/ or little hand pumps like this http://www.amazon.com/Beckson-109PC-Sip ... fuel_t18mp
So, up on the roof is also an option to consider, but I'd place it last in the above order of preference. You can crush/crack them in a roll, they add weight up high, they drag in the wind... lots of negatives.
- MB Hammer
- Rank: Junior
Post
Interesting ideas guys, thanks, lots to think about.
Mark - you have an owner's manual with your capsula? I am impressed! Maybe I could have a sub-tank but will need to research. My immediate fuel problem is sorted since Neil is coming with me on our Long Way to Liwa trip and he can carry a spare can on his roof. Paulo - I think 40litres is sufficient, so just need to fit in one more can plus the one on my rear door.
Mark - you have an owner's manual with your capsula? I am impressed! Maybe I could have a sub-tank but will need to research. My immediate fuel problem is sorted since Neil is coming with me on our Long Way to Liwa trip and he can carry a spare can on his roof. Paulo - I think 40litres is sufficient, so just need to fit in one more can plus the one on my rear door.
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MB Hammer
MB Hammer
- Wasif Ahmed
- Rank: Senior
- Name: Wasif Ahmed
- Location: On the verge of Insanity
Post
Marina...talk to Mansour ....he has an Aux tank on his Nissan SWB ....he is the expert on this stuff.
The other alternate to do a custom holder that can accomodate two or three cans stacked together side by side in place of the one you have now that carries one jerry can flush with the body.
Three jerry cans mounted side by side will be the around the same with as one mounted sideways. The only thing is that they will be jutting out a bit.
The other alternate to do a custom holder that can accomodate two or three cans stacked together side by side in place of the one you have now that carries one jerry can flush with the body.
Three jerry cans mounted side by side will be the around the same with as one mounted sideways. The only thing is that they will be jutting out a bit.
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Wasif Ahmed
Wasif Ahmed
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