1000-Mile Fuel Tank

Remember that movie "Mad Max," where a fresh-faced Mel Gibson had to fight for every last drop of fuel? Well, don't expect that scenario to happen anytime soon, despite dire predictions about dwindling reserves of crude. There's still a lot of oil in the ground, but the cost of mining those reserves will continue to rise, along with prices at the pump.

Diesel Upside
You can reduce fuel expenses in a number of ways. In Europe, where fuel prices are twice as high, if not more, fuel-efficient diesels are much more popular, comprising 50 to 80 percent of the vehicles on the road. (Note that diesel has 17 percent more energy per pound than gasoline, so mileage rates are much higher with diesel engines.) Considering that only three percent of consumer vehicles run on diesel fuel here in the U.S., it's easy to see why many auto manufacturers predict a double-digit growth in the stateside demand for oil burners.


If you're part of the small minority that already drives a diesel, there are several good reasons for increasing the fuel capacity of your pickup. With a larger tank either in or under the bed, you can shop around for the best price on fuel, and load up for a really long haul. (In fact, you can extend your range so much that you'll probably need to stop for human fuel a few times before your truck needs replenishing.) Having extra capacity is also a plus when towing increases your rate of fuel consumption.

Underbody Upside
The advantage of an underbody tank is that it doesn't take up any precious space in the cargo bed, as is the case with an auxiliary tank. The latter also may require extra plumbing and valves for switching between two tanks.


As one example, Aero Enterprises makes replacement tanks for every domestic make of truck, and also tanks for toy haulers, RVs, and all sorts of custom applications. Instead of plastic (used by vehicle manufacturers), Aero fabricates its underbody tanks from enamel-coated, aluminized steel with internal baffles, a drain plug and through-bolted steel mounting tabs. (Plastic tanks are typically secured with metal bands that can rust or trap debris that chafes against the outer surface. Also, plastic tends to swell with changes in temperature, which can lead to leaks around the fuel pickup.)