Auxiliary Fuel Tank for PUMA

[Drover]

Hey Guys

I am seeking your advice on what is he best option for extra fuel capacity for the Puma.

I like the look of the auxiliary fuel tank that is fitted under the far side rear guard.

It has adds an extra 45 litres of capacity, drain feeds into the main tank, eliminating the need for a second pump, it also utilisers the original fuel filler cap.

Any thought or experience in this area is appreciated before spending the “hard earn’t”.

Cheers

[dullbird]

I have one gives us almost a 1000 klm range, one of the best things fitted to the car with touring in mind

[dmdigital]

Thought about it but haven't done it.

Pros:
* extra 45L and longer range as lou's mentioned
* uses existing filler point (replaced by its own)

Cons:
* over $800 for the extra range of 2 jerry cans.
* requires a drain line to the main tank requiring a hole and fittting to be fitted to allow a small pipe to come from the bottom of the auxillary tank

Design wise the need to drill the main tank is the only down side otherwise I think it is very good.

[leeds]

Have the wing tank fitted to the 110 overland vehicle. One advantage is that the wing tank eliminates the need to carry too many jerry cans inside the vehicle. One disadvantage is that there are no aftermarket tank guards for a wing tank. My solution to that was to get the tank doubled bottomed and with an extra vertical waffle.

It helps living only 2 miles away from the UK manufacturer! :p

On our Puma we are replacing the standard fuel tank with a 110 litre tank which will be fitted with a double bottom as well. So with a 45 litre wing tank that will give us 155 litres capacity on board. On bitumen that should give us a range of about a 1,000 miles or 1600 km

HTH

Regards


Brendan

[pbroz]

I fitted the replacement tank from ARB, 120l. good fit, but very expensive...

[JLo]

Where is the fuel pump on Pumas?

I have read others on here have had fuel pump failures that they attribute to the replacement tank due to the fact that the pump on TD5s are submersed within the tank. The fuel acts as a coolant for the pump. Because the tanks aren't designed with this in mind, the pump isn't submersed at low fuel levels and this is believed to be causing multiple failures in short periods (40k km).

Cheers
JLo

[dmdigital]

Puma fuel system isn't anything like the Td5 and the system doesn't have the pump in tank.

[dmdigital]

It helps living only 2 miles away from the UK manufacturer! :p
Brendan, who makes the tank you are referring to:confused: The one I know of is from Front Runner in Johannesburg South Africa.

[Drover]

Thanks to all, I appreciate your thoughts on this, It does seem like the auxiliary tank is the way to go.

I am sure that I read on this forum that the ARB replacement tank will not fit with the factory tow bar and would require an ARB towbar ?, making it a very expensive exercise !

DullBird, did you fit your tank ? Drilling out the factory tank and fitting the drain line fitting sounds like it could go pear shaped, how did you find this process ? Any leaks ?

Cheers

[leeds]

Brendan, who makes the tank you are referring to:confused: The one I know of is from Front Runner in Johannesburg South Africa.


The UK manufacturer is WVA Holdings. There website page is found HERE (http://www.safari-equip.co.uk/index.php?page=11) They can be a bit slow responding to email at times as they have had problems with their server.

If anyone is interested in these fuel tanks etc Barbara and I have set up a new company 4x4overlander Ltd. and we will try and help people out.

We will be fitting both the larger main tank and wing tank to our Puma in the new year and will hopefully do a photo step by step guide to fitting them. With fitting larger main tanks some of the after market tank guards/towing equipment will not fit. WVA use a 2" square receiver for towing/rear recovery. We will be getting our fuel tanks double bottomed to overcome lack of tank guard.

Hope that helps people


Happy Christmas down under and have a good Land Rovering New Year


Regards


Brendan

PS Mods if you think I have overstepped the mark, please edit my post.

[Tombie]

Double bottoming will just add unnecessary weight!

I've thumped all my Long Range Tanks into rocks many a time...
Never had an issue...

Some things can be over engineered :cool:

[dullbird]

Thanks to all, I appreciate your thoughts on this, It does seem like the auxiliary tank is the way to go.

I am sure that I read on this forum that the ARB replacement tank will not fit with the factory tow bar and would require an ARB towbar ?, making it a very expensive exercise !

DullBird, did you fit your tank ? Drilling out the factory tank and fitting the drain line fitting sounds like it could go pear shaped, how did you find this process ? Any leaks ?

Cheers

No mate we got opposite lock to do ours as he had done a few and we didn't feel comfortable drilling into the fuel tank

[leeds]

Double bottoming will just add unnecessary weight!

I've thumped all my Long Range Tanks into rocks many a time...
Never had an issue...

Some things can be over engineered :cool:


This is always a matter of personal decision/choice. Fitting fuel tank guards will add even more weight then double bottoming a tank. Managed to dent the chassis within a couple of months of fitting a new one!!

Must admit that the guys at WVA say that people have managed to dent their tanks but not puncture one yet. I don't want to be the first person they know of to puncture a fuel tank.

Regards


Brendan

[Bushie]

I would also doubt that the extra weight of a double bottom would be much, especially as a % of a full tank.


Martyn

[keithand]

I also have had the FrontRunner tank fitted two months ago. There was an issue with a leak from the banjo fitting, but it was fixed with a replacement washer.

If you are planning to put on a spare wheel carrier, do it before the tank, as I was told that it is hard/impossible to get the carrier bolts in after the tank is fitted.

Cheers
Keith

[dullbird]

I also have had the FrontRunner tank fitted two months ago. There was an issue with a leak from the banjo fitting, but it was fixed with a replacement washer.


If you are planning to put on a spare wheel carrier, do it before the tank, as I was told that it is hard/impossible to get the carrier bolts in after the tank is fitted.

Cheers
Keith

I'm surprised at that and I would say it may depend on the carrier...as our carrier attaches to the capping stip and the rear crossmember and would not interfer with a tank in anyway...well not that I can think anyway

[Captain_Rightfoot]

We had the 132 litre one fitted from ARB. Unfortunately, we had to change tow bar too :(

However it is a very good tank and is incredibly strong. Fitting extra protection to it would be pointless. We've had the car on it and it barely got a scratch! Plus, if I ever feel like it I can fit the guard tank as well to boost us to 170l :o

One thing to consider is that it does make the car heavier both with fuel, and I think the tank is lots heavier than the standard one.

[dmdigital]

...I think the tank is lots heavier than the standard one.
Might have something to do with the original tank being plastic tank and the replacement one being a steel tank ;)

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Might have something to do with the original tank being plastic tank and the replacement one being a steel tank ;)

Absolutely. There is no mystery there. You do leave the steel shield in the shed though. I think some of the difference is when full you are carrying 60 litres more fuel right up the back.

I've got to say though... it is built like a tank. :D :D

[BlueWagon]

Hey Drover

I had the front runner aux tank fitted by OL earlier this year and am very happy with it.

I also got the 40L water tank fitted at the same time...goes on the opp side same place as the fuel tank.

I had the Long ranger replacement tank from ARB on my previous TD5 and didn't like having to chuck out the perfectly good original plastic tank, plus there were issues with the tow bar and the rear step.

I would have to highly recommend the job OL in Adelaide did in fitting the aux tank. As part of the fitting they booked me in for a check up one month after the installation date to recheck the fitting and to see if I had any concerns with it. They are the first company I have dealt with that has taken such an approach to quality control.

Cheers
Mark

[Tombie]

I would also doubt that the extra weight of a double bottom would be much, especially as a % of a full tank.


Martyn

Agreed...

But its scary how quickly all those "little" extras push your vehicles mass up...

Lara weighed in (dry as possible) at 2700kg without camping gear, food, people etc...
Only contents was recovery gear, draws, fridge (empty), barwork, winch, LR tank.

Scary hey!!!! :eek:

[leeds]

Overall weight of a vehicle is extremely important. A lot of people carry far too much stuff with them. Extra weight causes problems with suspension, handling, fuel economy and increases risk of being bogged.

We can manage long solo trips in our 110, without a roofrack and most of the equipment stashed below window level. This includes a goodly amount of spares and recovery kit. We have never lacked any essential items

However I know someone who does shorter trips (2-3 months) two up in a 110, in convoy with a full roofrack and the back jammed pack full.

It is down to personal choice what to carry. I for one would prefer to protect the vehicle and cut down on weight carried inside.


Regards


Brendan

[Izmirblue]

I had my Dolium 45L tank fitted to my Puma by OL in Darwin, and it leaked initially requiring 3 subsequent trips for them to get it right. They changed the washers in the connection of the small draining hose at the aux tank end - fixing that leak. In the end they realised they had moved the fuel breather outlet to a position below the upper level of the aux tank and as such diesel was siphoning out... The position they had left the breather was also fairly vulverable to water crossings... :mad:
I am sure other fitters must be better than OL Darwin (that's not the only issue I had).

[Drover]

I had my Dolium 45L tank fitted to my Puma by OL in Darwin, and it leaked initially requiring 3 subsequent trips for them to get it right. They changed the washers in the connection of the small draining hose at the aux tank end - fixing that leak. In the end they realised they had moved the fuel breather outlet to a position below the upper level of the aux tank and as such diesel was siphoning out... The position they had left the breather was also fairly vulverable to water crossings... :mad:
I am sure other fitters must be better than OL Darwin (that's not the only issue I had).


That is disappointing, but thanks for your information.