Long Range Fuel Tanks & Rear Recovery Point???

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Hi all,
As some of you know Im doing the Anne Beadall, Canning Stock & Tanami roads later this year.

The 110 currently has a standard 70L tank with a nice aftermarket tank guard which also has an integrated detachable towing point and recovery point.

Im thinking of replacing the 70L tank with a 140L Long Range Automotive one which would mean that I have to loose the tank guard and rear recovery point.

Question:
What do people use for rear recovery point when they have a long range tank fitted? From what Ive read so far the standard Towbar doesnt fit with either Long Range Automotive or Long Ranger tanks?

Thanks
Jon

[Tombie]

You could go belly tanks from LRA

[geckos]

ARB towmaster towbars and Hayman Reece towbars fit with long range (branded) fuel tanks. I have Longe Ranger 127L and ARB towbar. Put one of these in Recovery Hitch - Bushranger there you go. Expensive but it works, there are other options like recovery points bolted to chassis.

regards gecko

[newhue]

There is a standard tow bar that works with long ranger tanks. I don't know the number of it however.
Mine is model RAA607, and I believe it is compatible, but have not done the homework as yet.
If you replace the tank with a lone ranger than don't be concerned with no bash plate.
In my previous vehicle (rodeo) the Long Ranger tank hung so low it took out just about everything. When I asked the manufacture about all the dints and creased it had, they replied it actually strengthens the tank, stopping the flat sheets of steel vibrating of corrugations and the like.

I like the look of Mulgo's side wing tanks, but can't justify the price unfortunately.

[Drover]

Hey Yorkshire jon

I have a LRA(Long Range Automotive) 140L tank fitted to my PUMA.

The PUMA also has a factory tow bar fitted. The only identifiers I can find on the tow bar are "Defender Wagon Batch NoAR0 4".

In any case the tow bar does not interfere with the new tank.

Cheers

[mools]

Jon,

I have a 'long ranger' fuel tank and a tow bar (don't kmow the manufacrue off the top of my head - it might be ARB but as it hasn't got ARB plastered all over it it might not be) - it has two recovery points on it (fairly small but quite beefy) and so will take 2 x 3.75t bow shackles to use with a bridle.

I don't have a tank gaurd - last time I took the tank off it was heavy as hell - very well made.

If you need any photos let me know - else I'll be at the orienteering event next weekend if your going to that.

Ian.

[KarlB]

I have just had twin Front Runner 'belly tanks' fitted to my D90. Added an extra 85 litres to the miserly original 60 litres. Not cheap though: all up $2750 including fitting. Just ask if you want more details, etc.

Cheers
KarlB

[Tombie]

$ FOR $ belly tanks win...

You pay your money for a LR tank and get an extra 57 litres...

For about the same you'll get 55 litres, centrally based between the axles

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Really appreciated.

I will defo be at the orienteering next weekend so hopefully will get to have a look at some of the options.

I need to be able to carry 205L minimum, so that I can pump all the 205L drum thats dropped out in the Canning for us (1 drum per car).

The LRA belly tanks are VERY expensive when you add in labour to fit them. Unfortunately I havent got anywhere over here (North Sydney) to do it myself, otherwise I would! I have been quoted $1045 per belly tank and $480 to fit each one. I have spoken to the guys at LRA and they reckon its the best part of a day to install one belly tank and half a day for the replacement 140L tank.

As another option, I have also looked at the BOAB plastic tanks, 2 x 55L tanks would fit in the rear footwell, meaning I would just need a couple of Jerry's in the rear to make up the 205L. Problem with this option, despite saving $$$$$$ and not really sitting right in my mind, is that I would need to have breather pipes fitted to the tanks, not a real problem, but protecting the exposed breather connection point is, especially when there will be ruck-sacks, camera gear and all sorts of other stuff in the back, just waiting to fall on them at the most inopportune moment! I did think about maybe building a shelf arrangement over them to carry the 60L fridge, but then the loss of headroom means the fridge door wouldnt open all the way.

My head is telling me to go with the 140L replacement and the 60L right hand side belly tank from LRA and then get a new towbar to use as a recovery point. My wallet however is somewhat resistant!!

Keep telling me proper tanks are the way to go!!!

Thanks
Jon

[Yorkshire_Jon]

$ FOR $ belly tanks win...

You pay your money for a LR tank and get an extra 57 litres...

For about the same you'll get 55 litres, centrally based between the axles

Are there any noticable issues with having just one belly tank? Does the car lean to one side noticably when full of fuel / water?

Thx
Jon