LIQUID TRANSFER TANK

This is my second RDS tank. They are a very good value and I'd buy again. I've had my Ford dealer install both tanks in case I have any truck warranty issues. Positives: Good looking tank. They've changed the latch so now you can open and lock the tool box from just one side of the truck. They also sealed the area where the fuel cap is so if some spills, it won't get into the tool box. Negatives: Box is not as pictured. The tank is 25" wide. The tool box is only 21" wide. There is a 4" gap toward the back. This allows you to mount the tank all the way up against your truck's bed but you can still open the lid without hitting your truck. But you can't hold as much regarding tools. My first fill-up, I could only get 85 gallons in my 90 gallon tank. I tried and tried but 85 gallons is all it would hold. Plus it leaves some fuel on the bottom underneath the drain hole. So both the tool box and fuel capacity are not as big as the product information claims. That's why the 4 stars.

I bought this product because I do a lot of long hauls and frequent trips between Texas and California on my 2000 long bed F-250. 650-800 miles on my stock 40 gallon tank used to seem like a lot, but the added tank really cuts down on fuel stops and is a real convenience. It also allows me to maximize on good fuel prices, especially before crossing the border into the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia. As another reviewer has pointed out, 85 gallons seems to be the max it will take at any one time. However, I was able to squeeze in an additional 8 gallons in Flagstaff, AZ after originally topping off in Texas (didn't use any fuel from the tank). Probably altitude (7,500ft), reduced temperature, and and maybe a little tank swelling. I added my own see-through in-line fuel filter at installation which is now almost plugged up with fine aluminum shavings from the tank after about 4 tank fill cycles. I highly recommend adding a filter since whatever RDS does to clean the tank isn't 100%. The tool box is a compromise but holds most of the essentials. Mine requires me to climb into the bed and use both hands to open or close it, but might not if I had a little less stuff in the box. This model DOES have a mechanical fuel gauge, although its accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. The fill neck and gauge are in an isolated part of the box that will not spill into the main box, but will drain out if you have a spill. So far it's easy to keep clean with paper towels. When I open the valve when the low fuel light comes on, it will take all day to fill the main tank. It's maybe 5 gallons an hour minus the 3-4 gallons I burn in an hour of freeway driving, so a slow fill. So far no problems with overfilling the main tank or the vent leaking. The flow rate seems to drop a lot once the tank gets down below 1/2. This may be my filter (small) which needs to be replaced now that it's visibly choked with aluminum bits. The RDS tank, plus my Scan Gauge II mileage computer, and GasBuddy phone app, makes for a monumental leap in my overall range while making the most of good fuel deals along the way. It will take a long time for the tank to pay for itself but it's also a significant convenience.

This is my third RDS tank. I did the other review for this tank two years ago. But this one has been a nightmare. Bought this same tank for a new 2017 F450. Even though Northern Tool STILL hasn't changed the picture and the specs on their website, the tool box is still smaller than the fuel tank. This is to allow the tank to slide underneath the front lip of a truck's bed. But the 2017 Super Duty truck bed doesn't have that thin lip. Its quite broad. So the tank does not slide underneath. This leaves a huge gap between the front of the bed and the toolbox and in all honesty, looks silly and sloppy. Also, the mounting tabs on the bottom of the tank do not line up with the ridges of a new Super Duty bed. So the tabs are dangling in the air and not flush with the floor. I have had to spend quite a considerable amount of time and money to modify this tank to make it work. It just DOES NOT do well for 2017 Ford Super Duties. Returning it meant shipping at my expense and a 15% restocking fee. So I just kept it and made the tank like it should have been built.