Duel Tanks

[Tazman]

My truck has duel tanks yet since I have had it I have used the driver side one.I have been told that I should use both,is this true?Thanks

[Grim 82]

I would use it. If you leave it empty it can rust, and if you leave it full the gas can get old, and you're just hauling around extra weight. It doesn't hurt to switch that valve once in a while to keep everything working right, and you never know when you may need that extra tank working, like if there is a zombie apocalypse

[mats1985gmc]

are lots of you guys keeping the saddle bags or getting something safer? I am all down with been prepared for zombies but sometimes my kids are with me.

[acefoxx]

I use to love my saddle tanks. I could pull up to a pump from either side. I would alternate them. Fill both, use one till it is empty ans switch to the other then fill the empty one. Rinse and repeat.

[Grim 82]

The "side saddle tanks exploding and raining down fiery death" story is a myth conceived for primetime ratings. You could swap in a blazer tank if it would make you feel safer, but personally I would be more worried about the zombies.

[beastie_3]

I run dual tanks and it works great for me. I just alternate tanks at every fill up.

[Tazman]

I have not used the right side tank in the four years I have had the truck,will it be okay to still use?

[ToddN]

My right one is taken off.  It gave me the oppurtunity to slant my exhaust out in front of the rear tire

[Grim 82]

I have not used the right side tank in the four years I have had the truck,will it be okay to still use?

I would drain it and clean it the best you can. The more gas it has in it the better as far as not getting rusty inside, but I wouldn't try to use that old gas. There's likely to be alot of water in it from condensation over the years.

[rainman15]

When I switched to my right tank months ago it was likely the first time it had been used in as much as 10 years.  It was not a wise move, and I've been paying for it (literally and figuratively) ever since.  Dual tanks are great to have when you are limited to such small tanks to begin with, combined with the low MPG these trucks get.  It's worth having the option to have more range available when needed.

[velojym]

+1 on alternating. When I had a truck with both tanks installed (my ol' '74), I'd run one down, switch to the full tank, then fill the first. That way I always had a full tank handy. It also kept both sides in use and the fuel fresh.
Right now, I only have a single 16 gallon tank on my '86, and wish I had more capacity. Gonna seriously think about my options in the future. I may leave the right tank where it is, and add a fuel cell (or Blazer/'Burban tank) between the rails where the spare tire used to go. If that adds enough capacity (or maybe even one of the tank/toolbox units), I'll ditch the right tank too.

[Grim 82]

I've considered adding a blazer tank, but I'm not sure how I would hook up all 3 tanks. Keeping both tanks topped off in the winter time helps add a little weight for traction too.

[velojym]

I've considered adding a blazer tank, but I'm not sure how I would hook up all 3 tanks. Keeping both tanks topped off in the winter time helps add a little weight for traction too.

That's one of the things I had in mind, too. Moving the weight back a bit would help.

[1LOW4X4]

I fill both up at one time. One goes empty I switch, Then when it gets close to 1/4 tank I fill them both up again.

It is so nice to just flip a switch and have gas then to stop frequently

[velojym]

I fill both up at one time. One goes empty I switch, Then when it gets close to 1/4 tank I fill them both up again.

It is so nice to just flip a switch and have gas then to stop frequently

That's what I'd generally do if I were traveling. Locally I liked keeping at least one full tank handy.
Now, however, I have only the one small tank. *sigh*