LR tanks and fuel load - How much is too much?

[Fubar]

Defender 130 with a 4BD1T, not sure exactly what my fuel consumption will be but 12-14lt/100km seems to be in the ball park, maybe less, maybe not.

Primarily a hunting/family camping (2+2 kids) truck that will be set up for long distance touring and a lap of Australia....plans to take it to the UK/EU/Africa when the kids are older.

I've always got by with the factory tank and a lot of juggling with travel timings and distances. I fear I may be getting overly enthusiastic with three fuel tank (Option One) and need to throttle back a bit to balance the carry capacity versus range.

Anyone fancy chipping in with their two bob on what they think the optimal set up is?

I'm looking at two scenarios for fluid transport:

One
Shingleback RH sill tank 86lt
Shingleback LH sill tank - TBA but might be 70lt
Factory tanks 75lt

Total possible fuel load is 231lt.....minus whatever is left in the last tank pre-refuel, practical usable around 220lt.
Expected range 1500-1800km

Water tank (Abber) 65lt under seat.
Anymore water carried in 20lt jerries in tray....or maybe a permanent tray tank.

Total permanent H2O load out is 65lt.

Two
Shingleback RH sill tank 86lt
Factory tanks 75lt

Total possible fuel load is 161lt.....minus whatever is left in the last tank pre-refuel...practical usable around 150lt
Expected range 1000-1200km

Water tank 65lt under seat.
Shingleback LH sill tank - TBA but might be 70lt
Anymore water carried in 20lt jerries in tray.

Total permanent H2O load out is 135lt.

Cheers,

Jason

[Vern]

Have a look at Rovercares build of his 120/130 (now owned by Shingleback), he used 2 x metal rangie tanks from memory, gave him around 170L capacity.

[Phil B]

IMO option 2
If you need more than 150l of diesel you are in trouble but 1200km between fuel stops would be unusual in Australia again IMO
130 l of water gives you 3 days for your family of 4. 5 days at a push.
Only my opinion.

[Robmacca]

Just Curious here.... but Shingleback Sill Tanks - Is the Sill tank for a 130 larger in capacity than the 110? I've got the 110 Shingleback tank and I can only get/use 65ltrs....

[martnH]

I have the ARB out of town 127 Lt tank.
It's a replacement tank for factory tank...

I personal do not like extra fuel hoses.

I think 127lt plus maybe two Jerry cans is all I would ever need.

[djam1]

I have a Defender TD5 with 220 litres fuel and 55 litres of water.
Vehicle was set up for running up and down the west coast.
I found that the last 55 litres of fuel seldom got used.

[trout1105]

Go for it [thumbsupbig]
Long range or extra tanks not only give you a greater range they will allow you to buy your fuel at the Major towns/cities which will be Far cheaper than filling up at roadhouses and other remote areas,
El Questro on the Gibb River road is an example of places that you don't want to have to fuel up and the extra fuel capacity will allow you to avoid fuelling up at these sorts of places.

[rijidij]

Just a comment on fuel consumption, don’t expect any worse than 14lt/100km, that’s the worst I’ve had and that was towing another 110 on a trailer back from Adelaide to Vic.

[fitzy]

I used 280 lt td5 towing camper from w.a to Alice https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/02/725.jpg
With a fill at Kunawatiji 100 lt @$3.40 per lt.
Unless you are staying remote , I think 150 odd litres is more than enough

[strangy]

How much is really what you see yourself doing.
I have 125 and 55 useable on my 130.
This is overkill for non apocalyptic world scenarios.

Second/silk tank was originally fitted for WVO but another engine choice sees it as primarily additional fuel and secondary, as a tank for topping off at suspect supplies.
The sill tank feeds the main via Donaldson fuel filter.

It’s all weight and cost at the end of the day and most won’t see the pay off, no matter how much remote suppliers charge for fuel.
My 2 cents.

[Dorian]

Just Curious here.... but Shingleback Sill Tanks - Is the Sill tank for a 130 larger in capacity than the 110? I've got the 110 Shingleback tank and I can only get/use 65ltrs....

Yes the 130 is longer, though I thought that the 110 version would get in 70+, assume you've checked for air locks.



It’s all weight and cost at the end of the day and most won’t see the pay off, no matter how much remote suppliers charge for fuel.
My 2 cents. X 2

I've always found that with traveling and camping, I go thru a lot more water than diesel. So i'd vote option 2.

Cheers Glen

[BreakingBad]

Defender 130 with a 4BD1T, not sure exactly what my fuel consumption will be but 12-14lt/100km seems to be in the ball park, maybe less, maybe not.

Primarily a hunting/family camping (2+2 kids) truck that will be set up for long distance touring and a lap of Australia....plans to take it to the UK/EU/Africa when the kids are older.

I've always got by with the factory tank and a lot of juggling with travel timings and distances. I fear I may be getting overly enthusiastic with three fuel tank (Option One) and need to throttle back a bit to balance the carry capacity versus range.

Anyone fancy chipping in with their two bob on what they think the optimal set up is?

I'm looking at two scenarios for fluid transport:

One
Shingleback RH sill tank 86lt
Shingleback LH sill tank - TBA but might be 70lt
Factory tanks 75lt

Total possible fuel load is 231lt.....minus whatever is left in the last tank pre-refuel, practical usable around 220lt.
Expected range 1500-1800km

Water tank (Abber) 65lt under seat.
Anymore water carried in 20lt jerries in tray....or maybe a permanent tray tank.

Total permanent H2O load out is 65lt.

Two
Shingleback RH sill tank 86lt
Factory tanks 75lt

Total possible fuel load is 161lt.....minus whatever is left in the last tank pre-refuel...practical usable around 150lt
Expected range 1000-1200km

Water tank 65lt under seat.
Shingleback LH sill tank - TBA but might be 70lt
Anymore water carried in 20lt jerries in tray.

Total permanent H2O load out is 135lt.

Cheers,

Jason


I'm also contemplating the same two options. The advantage of having extra fuel means you don't have to keep going back into town to refuel. Handy if you want to explore side tracks, especially if you have to back track long distances.

I really like the idea of a Shingleback sill tank on each side - it gives it balance. Just need to decide on whether LHS is water or fuel.

At present I'm leaning towards fuel. Mainly because (depending upon where you) you could potentially top up water from rivers/lakes etc. Or if on beaches you could invest in a Carocell panel to distill seawater.


By the way, I've got an Abber tank for under the rear seat of my 130 dual cab and it holds approx 50L so might pay to check the usable capacity of the Abber tank.

And 3 x 10L Willow Jerry's fit neatly behind the rear seat.

[Ranga]

Yes the 130 is longer, though I thought that the 110 version would get in 70+, assume you've checked for air locks.

X 2

I've always found that with traveling and camping, I go thru a lot more water than diesel. So i'd vote option 2.

Cheers GlenX 3.

More water means you can stay put for longer.

[Sly]

Truthfully the last time I had 240 ltrs fuel / 200 ltrs water / 4 people and food / stuff for 4 weeks remote travel I broke the 130 . The going was rough , one 90 km streach took 7 hrs to cover. The damage done via overloading - tray mounts , chassis, suspension did slow us down and shortened the trip. From experience work out your real world weights before over committing.

[Robmacca]

Yes, I've checked with Shingleback and he said that I should play on 65 usable ltrs which kinda works out from my initial fill but I will need to confirm over the next fill as the 1st one didn't go well...



Yes the 130 is longer, though I thought that the 110 version would get in 70+, assume you've checked for air locks.

X 2

I've always found that with traveling and camping, I go thru a lot more water than diesel. So i'd vote option 2.

Cheers Glen

[Fubar]

Thanks for the considered points of view....based on the advice I think sticking to the two fuel tanks (161lt) and having two water tanks (120lt 'ish) available will be the smarter way to go.

I think this should be stickied somewhere....upon reflection so very true with a family.


I've always found that with traveling and camping, I go thru a lot more water than diesel.




By the way, I've got an Abber tank for under the rear seat of my 130 dual cab and it holds approx 50L so might pay to check the usable capacity of the Abber tank.

I am replacing the rear bench with two single front seats and I have been kicking around modifying the seat box to replicate the one in the front in materials, form and function......if I used the entire resulting void, minus allowances for insulation and the thickness of the tank, I think the actual usable will be about 79lt.

I spoke to Abber the other day and he said he fabricates all the tanks from panels so I'm assuming, dangerous I know, that pumping mine up a bit wont be a drama. This all hinges on the engineer being happy with my concept.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/02/738.jpg

[Bearman]

Go for it [thumbsupbig]
Long range or extra tanks not only give you a greater range they will allow you to buy your fuel at the Major towns/cities which will be Far cheaper than filling up at roadhouses and other remote areas,
El Questro on the Gibb River road is an example of places that you don't want to have to fuel up and the extra fuel capacity will allow you to avoid fuelling up at these sorts of places.

Gotta agree with that. I have 430L capacity in my 6x6 and don't like stopping once I get going. Last trip to WA and back I travelled all the way across the centre without refuelling. Not only saves a lot of time pulling up to refuel but also the $$$$$

[Mark130]

What sort of back are you planning on Fubar? I've got a 200l custom aux fuel tank built in behind my drawer in my back. You don't have to fill it right up but it's versatile to have the option. I used to use a water bladder inside my rear seat box, and stock up with 2, 3 jerry cans depending on how remote I was going. I liked the idea of water being spread in multiple containers. Mind you I was living in the Pilbara at the time, and I haven't used that fuel tank in 10 years.
Cheers Mark

[simmo]

I'm agree about keeping the weight down, the defender is not really a heavy duty truck, and you can easy pack a lot of KGs on a 130 because of its size. I'd be going with 2 fuel tanks and use the extra payload for water. (good position under the seat, low and central). I like your idea with the rear seats, the rear bench on the defender is a bit of a pain for the kids on a trip.
I don't mind paying extra for fuel in remote locations, the folk there have to make a dollar & it costs to get the fuel there.

if you have 160 liters on board I'd be counting on 155 liters usable @12 l/100 kms average, would be about 1300 kms, thats a fairly handy range, if you carry one jerry can and fill as required, you have another 150kms

If your doing dirt road travel and sitting at 80-90 km/hr, I think you might do better than 12 l/100 km, unless the going is soft. At 80-90 kms /h the load is noticeably lower than 100 k/h , I find speed has the biggest effect on fuel consumption in my defender, that's the price to pay such a brutally handsome car :), (especially when the roof rack is on)

My car has 80 l +42 l sill tank , the sill tank will go down to 2 l ROB, and the main tank about the same same, (flat country), say 115 usable. I work on about 11l/100 km, so have a range of about 1000 kms.

I have traveled 1100 kms between fuel stops on trips, including high country and desert. I found in the little desert & border track the going was firm and the speeds low, so my fuel consumption was good.

I try to control the weight, and watch my speed, I think with an 4BD, you won't be travelling quickly anyhow.

My 110 300 Tdi is probably about 2900 kg fully loaded for a trip with driver + 3 pax, but it's a light weight compared to a laden 130. (Normally- 2300 kg- 2 full tanks, driver, one spare, and some spare parts & minor tools)

cheers simmo

[Michael2]

In my 110 SW I started with a 150 litre rear long range tank, which I found left me needing to top up with fuel touring the Gibb River Road.

I've since added 2 sill tanks 50l + 70l, which gives me a total fuel capacity of 270 litres and a range of 2,400km.

I was already carrying 90 litres of water in a 40 litre rear quater panel tank and a 50 litre slim cargo barrier tank, plus I have a Life Saver Jerry Can that can filter sewerage into drinking water if I ever need to top up from brakish sources. So in my case the extra fuel was more useful than more water.

I don't travel with all the tanks full all the time, but when touring it means that I don't have to risk dirty or expensive fuel in out of the way places. It also means that I can take as many detours as I like without having to count how much fuel I have to get out again. I like being able to drive Melbourne to Perth with only one fuel stop too.

Also on long hauls you often stop for fuel, so end up combining that with a lunch stop. With the extra range, I can just choose to have a rest / lunch stop at a scenic locations. For long overnight hauls it means that you're not dependent on opening times of service stations.

My only fear is that with the sill tanks empty, I might start to float on a deep water crossing.

[JoeFriend]

Yes, I've checked with Shingleback and he said that I should play on 65 usable ltrs which kinda works out from my initial fill but I will need to confirm over the next fill as the 1st one didn't go well...I can get 70L in mine, and can get it all out. You just have to stop nose up on a hill so it all goes to the rear near the pump outlet.

To get it full, it is easier to park it nose slightly down, and flat for the main tank.

[JDNSW]

My 110 has a 60l tank fitted in the nice waste space between the prop shaft and the LH chassis rail, with the exhaust entirely outside the chassis on the standard installation (which rules out a LH sill tank).

With the 80l main tank, this gives us 140l, which I have never found inadequate, although I should point out I do not have a turbo, so rarely get worse than 11l/100km, even towing, giving as safe range of about 1200km.

[Dorian]

I can get 70L in mine, and can get it all out. You just have to stop nose up on a hill so it all goes to the rear near the pump outlet.

To get it full, it is easier to park it nose slightly down, and flat for the main tank.

Thanks both for the info. I'm aiming for 150 l usable diesel, so my plan was to go 75L main, 70L shingle back sill and 20L integrated tank on my Kaymar tyre carrier. If I only get 65 in the sill it's no big as I can just up the tyre carrier by 5 litres.

Cheers Glen.

[JoeFriend]

Thanks both for the info. I'm aiming for 150 l usable diesel, so my plan was to go 75L main, 70L shingle back sill and 20L integrated tank on my Kaymar tyre carrier. If I only get 65 in the sill it's no big as I can just up the tyre carrier by 5 litres.

Cheers Glen.Depending on what size tyres you run - you can also get a further 40L (possibly 45L, can't recall) using the rear quarter guard tank from dolium. I think Mulgo still stocks them. They are gravity fed and fill from normal filler, if you went this route then the sill will need to be filled another way. That would give you a heap of fuel.

Sill tank would be optional to use in that set up.

[dazzler]

Depending on what size tyres you run - you can also get a further 40L (possibly 45L, can't recall) using the rear quarter guard tank from dolium. I think Mulgo still stocks them. They are gravity fed and fill from normal filler, if you went this route then the sill will need to be filled another way. That would give you a heap of fuel.

Sill tank would be optional to use in that set up.


I have this arrangement 70 + 70 + 45 roughly

[Dorian]

Depending on what size tyres you run - you can also get a further 40L (possibly 45L, can't recall) using the rear quarter guard tank from dolium. I think Mulgo still stocks them. They are gravity fed and fill from normal filler, if you went this route then the sill will need to be filled another way. That would give you a heap of fuel.

Sill tank would be optional to use in that set up.

I've got the Frontrunner water tank on the left hand side and was saving some pennies for the fuel tank on the right, but when I went to buy one around 18mths ago, the Expedition Center didn't list them on their website. I contacted Frontrunner directly but they will not export them to Australia. Assume that there were some problems with compliance etc. So I feel that those who have them are the lucky few.
I have holed a fuel tank, not on a land rover and hopefully never again, so like the idea of separate tanks anyway. When I get to it I will be modifying my fill spout as I really like the idea of filling from one point. So with all of this, I'm OK with having a third tank on the swing away.

Cheers Glen

[Baytown]

My 2012 110 has 250 litres fuel capacity.
127 in the rear Long Ranger Australia replacement fuel tank, 65 litres in the Right sill Long Range Australia Sill tank, and 55 litres in the Left Sill tank from the same company.
TJM sell and install the LRA Sill tanks. ARB fitted the rear tank.
Transfere into the rear from the sill tanks is via electric fuel pumps.
No loss of clearance and the weight of the sill tanks is between the axels.
I love watching my fuel gauge go back up while driving!
Fillers for the sill tanks are located in the little triangle panel behind the rear doors now as opposed to under the drivers seat of old.
I get just over 2000kms highway or fast dirt road driving out of one fill, and I’ve a heavy 110 with all the fruit, and Bundutec Roof top tent.
I love not having to use Jerry cans any more, driving from Cairns to Brisbane without having to refuel, or towing my caravan and getting 1000kms with 2 1/2 ton on the back.

Ken

[Fubar]

What sort of back are you planning on Fubar? I've got a 200l custom aux fuel tank built in behind my drawer in my back. You don't have to fill it right up but it's versatile to have the option. I used to use a water bladder inside my rear seat box, and stock up with 2, 3 jerry cans depending on how remote I was going. I liked the idea of water being spread in multiple containers. Mind you I was living in the Pilbara at the time, and I haven't used that fuel tank in 10 years.
Cheers Mark

I am planning to recreate the front seat box in the rear and run a pair of factory front seats for the kids....gives me a larger seat box for water storage too.

Any chance you have a picture handy of the custom 200l tank you have?....I'm always open to other ideas.

[Mark130]

I am planning to recreate the front seat box in the rear and run a pair of factory front seats for the kids....gives me a larger seat box for water storage too.

Any chance you have a picture handy of the custom 200l tank you have?....I'm always open to other ideas.


Yes I saw the pic of your young fella in the back. I have a 9 and 7 year old so I'll be watching to see how that works out for you.
The kids will enjoy being a bit higher with a bit more view.
By back though, I meant are you going to keep the land rover tub, or building a custom tray?
If I was doing it again I think I'd save my money, keep the tub and sandwich the 200l aux tank in the tub, and take it out when it wasn't needed.
I'm not sure how much you'll see of the tank but I'll take some photos on the weekend

[DiscoMick]

I've got the Frontrunner water tank on the left hand side and was saving some pennies for the fuel tank on the right, but when I went to buy one around 18mths ago, the Expedition Center didn't list them on their website. I contacted Frontrunner directly but they will not export them to Australia. Assume that there were some problems with compliance etc. So I feel that those who have them are the lucky few.
I have holed a fuel tank, not on a land rover and hopefully never again, so like the idea of separate tanks anyway. When I get to it I will be modifying my fill spout as I really like the idea of filling from one point. So with all of this, I'm OK with having a third tank on the swing away.

Cheers GlenOpposite Lock handles Front Runner products, but I can't see the quarter fuel tank listed. Might be worth a phone call.

Interesting what you said about Front Runner saying it won't export them to Australia. It's on the Front Runner site. I wonder what would happen if you just ordered online.
It's on my wish list so I'd be interested to know. I know the local Opposite Lock bloke so I'll ask him.

Search results for: 'Defender fuel tank' (https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/za/catalogsearch/result/?q=Defender+fuel+tank)

[Mark130]

I ran out of time to pull my drawer out and try to get a photo from that angle, but hopefully you'll get something from the photos. The photo with a glimpse of the tank looks to have rotated. Hoses should be at top of photo.
Everyone builds their custom back differently. Mine was done back in 2002 when the truck was new, and I hadn't seen many others to learn from
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Mine's built in two parts. The chassis rails, a sheet metal skin the drawer, and the fuel tank are one half, and the aluminium tray/canopy can be easily unbolted and exchanged for something lighter duty without a canopy.
Anyway the drawer would be about 1300mm long and the (al) tank about 500mm, and built to sandwich in between the rails and fill up any bit of space in there. The back of it sits about in line with the rear axle.

Going off track a bit. I'd probably do quite a few things differently if I was doing it again. One thing I would do again is my Teflon drawer slides. They can't really break, or wear out, and only need a bit of graphite powder to keep them moving easily.

Best wishes with the design
Cheers
Mark

[Dorian]

Interesting what you said about Front Runner saying it won't export them to Australia. It's on the Front Runner site. I wonder what would happen if you just ordered online.
It's on my wish list so I'd be interested to know.

Search results for: 'Defender fuel tank' (https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/za/catalogsearch/result/?q=Defender+fuel+tank)


They tell you to bugger off, but in a south afrkin way. [bigrolf]

Cheers Glen

[DiscoMick]

I wonder if they can be bought off eBay?
Checked eBay but couldn't find the right one. There are a lot of Brown Davis tanks for Defenders on eBay, but I need to do more research to find the right one.

[Spinner912]

.... the defender is not really a heavy duty truck ....

Perhaps you might like to tell us all what is, in your opinion, a heavy duty truck. (I assume we are talking only about this class of vehicle, i.e. one tonne load; 4,000kg towing - that's what 110 S/W 300TDi specs say).

[baza44]

I was interested to read the comments, and a pity I did not see them earlier as it appears that here are plenty of options.
By way of comment, I ordered a Frontrunner Auxiliary Tank from UK retailer
for RHS of my 2015 Defender 110 and it was delivered to Sydney within 6 days. Under the GST limit including freight and was fitted AOK by Opposite Lock.
All good.

[DiscoMick]

I was interested to read the comments, and a pity I did not see them earlier as it appears that here are plenty of options.
By way of comment, I ordered a Frontrunner Auxiliary Tank from UK retailer
for RHS of my 2015 Defender 110 and it was delivered to Sydney within 6 days. Under the GST limit including freight and was fitted AOK by Opposite Lock.
All good.Thanks for that information. It's on my wish list.

[dromader driver]

from the aviation industry the only time you have too much fuel is when you are on fire. [wink11][wink11]

[DiscoMick]

I was interested to read the comments, and a pity I did not see them earlier as it appears that here are plenty of options.
By way of comment, I ordered a Frontrunner Auxiliary Tank from UK retailer
for RHS of my 2015 Defender 110 and it was delivered to Sydney within 6 days. Under the GST limit including freight and was fitted AOK by Opposite Lock.
All good.Thanks. Here's one UK supplier.
FTLD027 Front Runner Land Rover Defender 110 Additional 45L Fuel Tank Right Fender - ACHSv 4x4, Silverstone (http://www.achsv.co.uk/parts/products/ftld027-front-runner-additional-45-litre-fuel-tank-rh-fender-110.html)

[simmo]

Perhaps you might like to tell us all what is, in your opinion, a heavy duty truck. (I assume we are talking only about this class of vehicle, i.e. one tonne load; 4,000kg towing - that's what 110 S/W 300TDi specs say).
I thought afterwards that might stir up some one :), IMV- I mean the defender is not a truck, and we should be mindful of the weights we expect them to carry, and the way its distributed.
an example of something designed for sustained heavy duty use would be say hummer or similar , net weight is similar to a landcuiser , 2400 kgs, but it has a payload of about 1100 kgs, and a 6.2 litre diesel to pull it.

good example is the twin cab 130 , has a GVM about 3500 kgs, but the majority of the 1500 kg payload area is cantilevered behind the rear axle. This configuration of vehicle has a higher number of chassis breakages than more conventional types, ( across all makes). Another member shared his experience of the effects of heavy loads on his cars suspension and tray mounts etc on a long trip on rough terrain.

Its only my view but i don't think the maker intended the vehicles to be working at, (or above), the gvm, in rough terrain for long periods. ( just as an aside one of my friends used his defender 130s , single cabs to transport bulls and cows at close to the GVM for years, but mostly reasonable dirt roads and good weight distribution. )

cheers simmo