Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/150744
TOOL BOXES: COMBO TOOL/FUEL Dual-purpose combo refuel-tank/toolboxes maximize bed space and increase utility value in the field By John Tiger & Steve Campbell W ork truck bed space is always at a premium, and lockable storage is even more valuable. Having quick access to spare fuel is also nice, especially for smaller companies with just a couple pieces of equipment in the field. So, contractors who need to carry spare fuel for construction and landscaping equipment, along with tools, oil, straps, chains and other small items used around a jobsite, find a bedmounted combination toolbox/ fuel tank an extremely attractive addition to their rolling office. Today's selection of bedmounted combo tanks provide double, triple or even quadruple the capacity of the truck's fuel tank, with capacities ranging from 30 to 100 gallons. Those extra gallons of fuel in the bed of your pickup can provide a full day's worth of work out FUEL TRANSPORT Diesel is not as volatile as gasoline, and its transport is not governed by Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. However, state regulations vary, so it's best to consult your state's department of motor vehicles for the rules that dictate usage in your area just to be on the safe side of the law. For gasoline applications, the laws are much stricter. Tanks for the transportation of gasoline are governed by stringent guidelines and require a special DOT permit. Some combo boxes are designed to fit neatly between a pickup's wheel wells. Diamond-plate aluminum has become a popular material choice for its strength-to-weight ratio and its good looks. (Photo courtesy of Transfer Flow) of smaller equipment without wasted downtime making a fuel run. Choosing which tool-and-fuel combo box is best for your needs is as much a matter of personal preference as it is design. Bed-mounted fuel tanks come in two distinct types: auxiliary and transfer tanks. Tanks are built task-specific; one should never be set up to do the job of the other. The most common are transfer tanks, which require an external pump, hose and nozzle to transfer fuel from the bed-mounted tank to secondary equipment or to "refuel" the truck itself. These tanks are generally restricted to noncombustible liquids – meaning no gasoline – and are most often used for diesel fuel. The second type of bed- 106 PROPICKUP Big Book 2013 ProPickup_2013BB_Tool Boxes Combo.indd 106 8/6/13 10:33 AM