Fuel transport idea

[jyoutz]

I’m toying with the idea of getting one of these lightweight trailers to mount a diesel tank (< 50 gallons) and make for a mobile fueling station with a hand crank pump. It would be easy to hook up the trailer and haul to the fueling station, fill it and park it under a carport at home. No lifting heavy jugs or fork lifting and strapping down tanks in the back of the truck. I know the small wheels wouldn’t be great for distance travel, but it should be good for making a ten mile run to the fuel station and back home. Thoughts?

1090 lb. Capacity 40-1/2 in x 48 in Utility Trailer

Amazing deals on this 1090Lb Capacity Utility Trailer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Dustball]

There's no way you'd catch me hauling fuel on that trailer.

 

[DaveFromMi]

I got the foldable HF 4X8 trailer back in 2006. I replaced the wheel bearings with NAPA parts and added bearing buddies. I have kept it inside otherwise it would have rusted out by now. It's OK for a small trailer.

 

[jyoutz]

There's no way you'd catch me hauling fuel on that trailer.

Not for short distances on secondary roads? I’m talking 50 gallons (350-400 pounds with tank).

 

[Lil Foot]

I bought that exact trailer used (with flat ires) for $25 , sold the tires, wheels, fenders, & taillights for more than that, then used the frame to build this:


It makes a great atv trailer, but I also would have reservations about hauling fuel at highway speeds-
too thin metal and held together with too many bolts that could come loose. (no welding anywhere)

 

[BBFarmer]

I had the same idea only with the trailer above that one
HAUL-MASTER 1195 lb. Capacity, 48-5/8 in. x 96-1/4 in. Heavy Duty Folding Trailer

Seems like it would work fine. I to am only a few miles from the local gas station.

I use a few of the John Dow 15 gallon tanks on our farm. Very handy but a pain in the ass to lift.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

I’m toying with the idea of getting one of these lightweight trailers to mount a diesel tank (< 50 gallons) and make for a mobile fueling station with a hand crank pump. It would be easy to hook up the trailer and haul to the fueling station, fill it and park it under a carport at home. No lifting heavy jugs or fork lifting and strapping down tanks in the back of the truck. I know the small wheels wouldn’t be great for distance travel, but it should be good for making a ten mile run to the fuel station and back home. Thoughts?

1090 lb. Capacity 40-1/2 in x 48 in Utility Trailer

Amazing deals on this 1090Lb Capacity Utility Trailer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Good day.

That seems like a much better idea than my way of hauling cans and or putting the caddy on a pallet and putting in truck.

If you have not already it might be worthwhile to check with DOT (or your local area’s finest) and see what the limits are before hazmat labeling (I’d suspect there is some minimum of gallons before it becomes an issue and either need a label or liscense/endorsement, but I don’t really know that to be true. I’d be shocked if there is not some rule or law. (Unless you like paperwork I’d think you want to stay clear of the limit if there is one)

Keep us posted, I’m interested.

 

[JeremyBX2200]

Interesting idea. I currently have 3-4 5 gallon diesel cans that I strap down to my hitch mounted cargo carrier. A larger container on a trailer with some kind of pump would be easier. The gas station I go to is less than 5 miles away using back roads.

 

[Torinodan]

In GA department of safety had me on the side of the road. I was informed that couldn't have any one container holding more than 50 gallons. That was about 20 years ago

 

[jyoutz]

Good day.

That seems like a much better idea than my way of hauling cans and or putting the caddy on a pallet and putting in truck.

If you have not already it might be worthwhile to check with DOT (or your local area’s finest) and see what the limits are before hazmat labeling (I’d suspect there is some minimum of gallons before it becomes an issue and either need a label or liscense/endorsement, but I don’t really know that to be true. I’d be shocked if there is not some rule or law. (Unless you like paperwork I’d think you want to stay clear of the limit if there is one)

Keep us posted, I’m interested.

I can check. But 50 gallons is about the same as the transport tanks that they sell for pickup truck beds, so I’d be surprised if there would be a special labeling need.

 

[jyoutz]

I had the same idea only with the trailer above that one
HAUL-MASTER 1195 lb. Capacity, 48-5/8 in. x 96-1/4 in. Heavy Duty Folding Trailer

Seems like it would work fine. I to am only a few miles from the local gas station.

I use a few of the John Dow 15 gallon tanks on our farm. Very handy but a pain in the ass to lift.

I might look at that trailer also.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

My opinion if it's not too far to a fuel station and the speeds are slow.
That is a DOT compliant trailer so it should not be an issue.

 

[Trimley]

I would assume you already saw what I recently finished for my needs.

 

[chim]

On the other hand, I stopped hauling fuel and have the supplier bring it. A few clean drums, 12V HF pump and a Goldenrod waterblock filter and a phone call to the supplier for offroad diesel.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

A GREAT PLAN !!! I did similar ,but for hauling water to offsite veggie patch. 12" tires are far better than 'boat trailer 8" ' ones . Attach 2 ground wires between tank and trailer. As others have said it IS an 'approved' trailer for highway use. Guys haul big tanks in their pickups for dozers and such,so maybe volume of fuel isn't a problem ? Check local laws.....though

 

[TheOldHokie]

I’m toying with the idea of getting one of these lightweight trailers to mount a diesel tank (< 50 gallons) and make for a mobile fueling station with a hand crank pump. It would be easy to hook up the trailer and haul to the fueling station, fill it and park it under a carport at home. No lifting heavy jugs or fork lifting and strapping down tanks in the back of the truck. I know the small wheels wouldn’t be great for distance travel, but it should be good for making a ten mile run to the fuel station and back home. Thoughts?

1090 lb. Capacity 40-1/2 in x 48 in Utility Trailer

Amazing deals on this 1090Lb Capacity Utility Trailer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I will bet you have pallet forks. Put the tank on a skid and load it onto the bed of your truck when you want to fill it.

Dan

 

[DaveFromMi]

I might look at that trailer also.

That is the one I have. I bought it when I lived in the burbs and storage space was limited. It folds in half, sets on castors, and rolls into a corner of the garage.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Those tires are probably rated at 45 mph. I see there's a manual you can download - that should give the full specs.

I'd check with your local highway department on the amount you can carry. If you're good to go with that, go for it.

And I'd use plenty of Loctite putting it together.

Unless you can weld, of course. If you can, weld it up.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Would like to see picture of the tire for the specs but similar tires 4.80 x 12, highway use' are "M' rated ,so 80 MPH. Didn't see HF spec on the tires but the manual does have great info about tire specs.
I KNOW that foldable one can do 65 from Florida to Toronto no problem.

 

[jyoutz]

Would like to see picture of the tire for the specs but similar tires 4.80 x 12, highway use' are "M' rated ,so 80 MPH. Didn't see HF spec on the tires but the manual does have great info about tire specs.
I KNOW that foldable one can do 65 from Florida to Toronto no problem.

I had a small fishing boat and trailer for years. It had tires that size and I always pulled it down the highway at normal speeds. Regardless, for my purposes I’m only planning to use the trailer to go 5/6 miles each way to a fueling station, then back home. No interstate travel.