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I searched, but couldn't really find much info on what the popular setups are for storing fuel at the track. I'm new to enclosed trailers & trailering to the track, so I never really paid much attention to how guys handled this. I would love to be able to make it through a weekend without having to run out for fuel, so I'm thinking that maybe either a tank in the bed of my truck or possibly a tank/55 gallon drum in the trailer would work well. I'd rather avoid having a bunch of fuel jugs to mess with - besides, by the time I buy ~8 five-gallon jugs and some storage setup for them, I could just purchase a tank.
Maybe I'm over-thinking it and should just fill up a few 5-gal jugs at the end of each day. Any thoughts or advice? Pictures help too
We use a 70 gallon transfer tank on the bed to fuel both of our race cars. It's way nicer than dealing with 5 gallon jugs. I used to carry 12. Now we just fill up the tank.
How many cars? Do you use race gas or pump gas? How much gas do you go thru in a weekend?
I've carried gas jugs:
In a Pitpal floor rack in my previous enclosed trailer
In the back of the pickup truck/tow vehicle
And now in the generator cabinet of my current enclosed trailer (no generator)
All work equally well if you don't mind lugging the jugs.
I find it convenient to fill the jugs before trips and during track events, so being able to put the jugs in the truck is handy.
I'll bet having a tank and pump in the truck bed is nice but would hate to give up the space.
We use a 70 gallon transfer tank on the bed to fuel both of our race cars. It's way nicer than dealing with 5 gallon jugs. I used to carry 12. Now we just fill up the tank.
How many cars? Do you use race gas or pump gas? How much gas do you go thru in a weekend?
Just one Boxster running on 93 pump gas - have only had it out to two events so far, but probably ~15 gallons/day
My thought was that something like this with a handpump mounted in the trailer would be a cheap and easy solution
Just one Boxster running on 93 pump gas - have only had it out to two events so far, but probably ~15 gallons/day
My thought was that something like this with a handpump mounted in the trailer would be a cheap and easy solution
Originally Posted by TXE36
Except that tank isn't rated for gasoline...
-Mike
That's funny... the product title indicates it's a "Transfer FUEL Tank," but then the description says it's for "non-flammable liquids." So... which is it.
Just one Boxster running on 93 pump gas - have only had it out to two events so far, but probably ~15 gallons/day
My thought was that something like this with a handpump mounted in the trailer would be a cheap and easy solution
Originally Posted by ianacole
That's funny... the product title indicates it's a "Transfer FUEL Tank," but then the description says it's for "non-flammable liquids." So... which is it.
Beer, the fuel choice of racers when the track goes cold.
That's funny... the product title indicates it's a "Transfer FUEL Tank," but then the description says it's for "non-flammable liquids." So... which is it.
Fuel, in the industry, is often a synonym for diesel. See the product questions section on that page:
The determining factor for DOT approved tanks is the flash point of liquid. This tank is approved for #3 combustible fluids such as diesel fuel, not gasoline. DOT approved tanks for gasoline are rated to carry and transfer flammable liquids; this particular tank is not.
Good call. To be honest, I wasn't even aware that there was a difference between how diesel and gasoline are classified for purposes like this, but it makes sense now.
Looks like something like this would be more appropriate.
Even if one wanted to cheat by putting it in a trailer I would think one would constantly adjust balancing issues. The tank itself weighs 75 lbs. Add fuel, 40 gal =~250 lbs, and you need to park the car differently or rearrange other stuff in the trailer.
Check transport rules == legally there is a limit of how much fuel you can haul and how you can do it.
I ran an E85 race car in endurance events. Legally I think you could carry 100 gallons of fuel, but they had
to be in 5 or 8 gallon jugs.
If you carried more than that or in larger individual quantities you had to have a different license, signage, and other requirements.
Mike
If I remember correctly, and this was awhile back, when we ran the 25 Hours of Thunderhill we were told we couldn't transport more than 50 gallons in California without special gear and permits. May have changed since then (2008), though.
It looks like doing it 'right' with a DOT-approved transfer tank and pump setup will wind up being much, much more than I wanted to spend...so I'll likely just resort back to 3-4 trusty five-gallon cans and refill them each day.
I have the 50/50 split refueling tank from Transfer Flow, the company mentioned by mglobe above. My original intent was to carry 50 gallons of diesel and 50 gallons of race fuel but I have only transported race fuel. The tanks are DOT approved, apparently unlike the transfer tanks most farmers use, and come with a certificate attesting to that fact. I think the reason the tanks are DOT approved is because the pumps on the tanks are recessed such that they are less vulnerable. I believe you could legally transport one 55 gallon drum in the trailer and use a 12V transfer pump at the track also. My local Sunoco dealer does not charge a deposit for the drum.
02-07-2017, 09:31 PM
Fuel storage in trailer
