Fuel hauling trailer

[jyoutz]

I’m toying with the idea of getting one of these lightweight trailers to mount a diesel tank (< 50 gallons) and make for a mobile fueling station with a hand crank pump. It would be easy to hook up the trailer and haul to the fueling station, fill it and park it under a carport at home. No lifting heavy jugs or fork lifting and strapping down tanks in the back of the truck. I know the small wheels wouldn’t be great for distance travel, but it should be good for making a ten mile run to the fuel station and back home. Thoughts?

https://www.harborfreight.com/1090-lb-capacity-40-12-in-x-48-in-utility-trailer-62665.html

 

[RjCorazza]

Sounds like a convenient setup. I personally prefer electric pumps though, and a 12v pump and battery would be an easy addition to your plan.
I made a pallet (that sets on a wheeled platform in the barn) for my 108 gallon tank that I load in the pickup for every 2-3 month fuel runs in the spring, summer, and fall.

 

[jyoutz]

Sounds like a convenient setup. I personally prefer electric pumps though, and a 12v pump and battery would be an easy addition to your plan.
I made a pallet (that sets on a wheeled platform in the barn) for my 108 gallon tank that I load in the pickup for every 2-3 month fuel runs in the spring, summer, and fall.

I would like to avoid the loading/unloading and strapping down, which is why I’m considering a fuel trailer. A 12v electric pump wouldn’t be a bad idea. The caddy I currently have has a hand crank. One nice thing about the hand crank is that it works in reverse also to drain fuel in the line back into the tank.

 

[scootr]

Nice thing about the set up you are considering is you can put diesel additives in the tank before you fill and you have the mobility to fuel the tractor wherever you need to. I have a 100 gallon tank on skids. An electric pump with a auto shut off fuel nozzle is the bomb. Enjoy the build and use.

 

[Halftrack]

Here is my solution for non-ethanol gas transport. Tank is a 55 gal transport/transfer aluminum tank with 12 volt pump and battery. Trailer was designed to pull behind a motorcycle and has a torsion suspension, 12 inch wheels and an 1 7/8 inch hitch. It has more than paid for itself many times over.

 

[WM75Guy]

It should work for short trips. I really like my 5'X8' fuel trailer with a John Dow 58-gallon fuel pod, battery, and solar charger. I thought about one like that from Harbor Freight or a TSC trailer, but I wanted bigger tires so I went with another Big Tex with 15" tires. There is enough room at the back so I can use it to haul small stuff like push lawnmowers to the shop. The only thing mounted are the 2 clips for the battery box strap so I could take everything off pretty quick if needed.

 

[sandman2234]

Not a bad idea, however since the trailer does have capacity for a larger tank, I just wanted to mention that there is a point where hauling bulk fuel becomes an issue with our Law enforcement in some areas, as well as a fire hazard if you live in a sunny area. Not sure what size tank you can actually pull without worrying about permits, seems like 99 gallons wouldn't be an issue, but a quick check of CDL requirements for hauling HAZMAT shipments should open that can of worms.
I have HAZMAT endorsement on my CDL but don't haul fuel, or HAZMAT anything very often.
Just wanted to make sure you check this before buying the trailer, and finding a good deal on a larger tank, and ending up with an issue.
Good luck, let us know how it works out.
David from jax

 

[jyoutz]

Here is my solution for non-ethanol gas transport. Tank is a 55 gal transport/transfer aluminum tank with 12 volt pump and battery. Trailer was designed to pull behind a motorcycle and has a torsion suspension, 12 inch wheels and an 1 7/8 inch hitch. It has more than paid for itself many times over.

View attachment 1057492

Very nice!

 

[bigtiller]

I’m toying with the idea of getting one of these lightweight trailers to mount a diesel tank (< 50 gallons) and make for a mobile fueling station with a hand crank pump. It would be easy to hook up the trailer and haul to the fueling station, fill it and park it under a carport at home. No lifting heavy jugs or fork lifting and strapping down tanks in the back of the truck. I know the small wheels wouldn’t be great for distance travel, but it should be good for making a ten mile run to the fuel station and back home. Thoughts?

https://www.harborfreight.com/1090-lb-capacity-40-12-in-x-48-in-utility-trailer-62665.html

I like your idea!
When my nephew was about 20, he bought a trailer like that. He bolted half a sheet of plywood on it and some sides and went to California for the summer and hauled it back.

It should haul gas cans 10 miles for a lifetime.

 

[WM75Guy]

Not a bad idea, however since the trailer does have capacity for a larger tank, I just wanted to mention that there is a point where hauling bulk fuel becomes an issue with our Law enforcement in some areas, as well as a fire hazard if you live in a sunny area. Not sure what size tank you can actually pull without worrying about permits, seems like 99 gallons wouldn't be an issue, but a quick check of CDL requirements for hauling HAZMAT shipments should open that can of worms.
I have HAZMAT endorsement on my CDL but don't haul fuel, or HAZMAT anything very often.
Just wanted to make sure you check this before buying the trailer, and finding a good deal on a larger tank, and ending up with an issue.
Good luck, let us know how it works out.
David from jax

You are legal at 1000# or 119 gallons, no placards or CDL required.

 

[Topzide]

I think that's for diesel. Gasoline is 40 gallons IIRC.

 

[2manyrocks]

I don't know about the situation where you are located, but in my area there are usually some larger, fully assembled used trailers to be had for the same money as the HF versions. The tires on them may be used, but often they are larger tires, too, instead of the smaller trailer tires that come on these. Also, the used ones will already have a deck of some kind. I'd think a mesh deck would be good since it would never rot like wood.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I saw a lady at the gas station the other day pumping gasoline into a sizable tank( looked bigger than 55 gallons) on a small wheeled trailer pulled behind her SUV. My mind went back to numerous discussions about legalities of fuel transport on TBN.

I too want to do something similar for diesel. Maybe a 55 gal drum on a pallet with a 12V pump, I don't think I want to dedicate a whole trailer to it. Just pick up up with the forks and put it under the tractor shed. 55 gallons will last me a while so it should not be too much of a pain to do this method.

 

[plowhog]

Only because it is hauling fuel, I'd opt for a better built trailer than anything Harbor Freight offers. Just too risky imo.

Good luck with your project!

 

[Tomtint]

I have a 50 Gallon tank mounted in a 48x72" single axle trailer that i use to fuel the tractor and other equipment I use on my property. It works well, easy to hook up and run down the street to fill when needed. I just hook the power leads to a jump box when I need to fill something.. Don't have to keep a separate battery charged up that way.

 

[LouNY]

My portable fuel tank;

 

[OzarkChris]

I’m toying with the idea of getting one of these lightweight trailers to mount a diesel tank (< 50 gallons) and make for a mobile fueling station with a hand crank pump. It would be easy to hook up the trailer and haul to the fueling station, fill it and park it under a carport at home. No lifting heavy jugs or fork lifting and strapping down tanks in the back of the truck. I know the small wheels wouldn’t be great for distance travel, but it should be good for making a ten mile run to the fuel station and back home. Thoughts?

https://www.harborfreight.com/1090-lb-capacity-40-12-in-x-48-in-utility-trailer-62665.html

This is going to be one of those "do as I say, not as I do" posts!

That being said, IBC containers are NOT an approved method of storing, dispensing or otherwise dealing with fuels of any kind - specifically, Gas or Diesel!

Phew, now that that's out of the way , I use both the 275 & 330 gal IBC Totes for my fuel farm and transfer tanks. 275's for Unleaded and "On-Road" diesel and a 330gal for "Red (off-road) diesel. I have 12V pumps attached to the lid and use a 2" stainless chase nipple and 2" stainless coupler with a vent cap placed in a convenient place for refueling on top of the diesel totes - on the Unleaded tote I used sch80 Street 45 and a coupler (inside the tank) so the vent cap (refuel) was at a 45. I've been using this system, under cover so sun doesn't degrade plastic, for almost 10 years without any issues. Is it safe? Probably not! Is it a cheaper alternative to 200+ gal transfer tanks that will fit in a pickup bed? Absolutely. Are they easily moved from the ground to the pickup bed? Yup!

I AM NOT advocating the use of this system, your milage may vary.

 

[jyoutz]

This is going to be one of those "do as I say, not as I do" posts!

That being said, IBC containers are NOT an approved method of storing, dispensing or otherwise dealing with fuels of any kind - specifically, Gas or Diesel!

Phew, now that that's out of the way , I use both the 275 & 330 gal IBC Totes for my fuel farm and transfer tanks. 275's for Unleaded and "On-Road" diesel and a 330gal for "Red (off-road) diesel. I have 12V pumps attached to the lid and use a 2" stainless chase nipple and 2" stainless coupler with a vent cap placed in a convenient place for refueling on top of the diesel totes - on the Unleaded tote I used sch80 Street 45 and a coupler (inside the tank) so the vent cap (refuel) was at a 45. I've been using this system, under cover so sun doesn't degrade plastic, for almost 10 years without any issues. Is it safe? Probably not! Is it a cheaper alternative to 200+ gal transfer tanks that will fit in a pickup bed? Absolutely. Are they easily moved from the ground to the pickup bed? Yup!

I AM NOT advocating the use of this system, your milage may vary.

That would certainly be a cheaper way to go. But my interest in the fuel trailer is to stop having to load/strap down and unload a container from the truck. With a trailer I can hook it up, drive to the station and fill, then drive it into my barn and detach. Whatever kind of tank I get, I want it on wheels.

 

[fidowanttobe]

I made one for the farm from a shortbox S10 pickup, made the hitch and frame long enough for a crossbox/toolbox in front of the pickup box for the nozzles, battery and grease gun.
2 sixty gallon tanks, cabled to the frame, with 12v pumps and filters.
15" trailer tires, handles very well.
Gets offers to sell it at the fuel station.
Small pickup box trailers are plentiful, decent size tires and lights.

 

[OzarkChris]

That would certainly be a cheaper way to go. But my interest in the fuel trailer is to stop having to load/strap down and unload a container from the truck. With a trailer I can hook it up, drive to the station and fill, then drive it into my barn and detach. Whatever kind of tank I get, I want it on wheels.

That makes sense, just mount one on a trailer - unless you don't need that volume. The other nice thing I like about the totes is that you know how much fuel is left. First fill up put a sharpie mark with #gals. Simple calculation to determine where 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 (or gal amount) point is and mark on tank.