How to Choose the Right Transfer Tank Size for Your Truck Bed

Start With Your Fuel Burn

Before you measure your bed, measure your work week. How much fuel does your crew actually burn? A typical diesel pickup burns 15-20 gallons per day on job sites. If you're running equipment — generators, compressors, pumps — add another 5-10 gallons daily.

A good rule: your transfer tank should hold 3-4 days of fuel. That gives you a buffer for price shopping and avoids the "I'll fill up tomorrow" trap that always ends with an empty tank on a remote site.

Measure Before You Buy

This sounds obvious, but we've seen too many guys buy a 95-gallon tank only to find it doesn't fit between their wheel wells with their toolbox. Here's what to measure:

1. Bed length — short bed (5.5'), standard (6.5'), or long bed (8')
2. Width between wheel wells — typically 50-54 inches on most full-size trucks
3. Height from bed floor to bed rail — usually 18-22 inches

A 47-gallon tank like the ATI L-Shape Transfer Tank + Toolbox Combo fits most standard beds without overwhelming the space. The L-shape design wraps around the wheel well, preserving usable bed area on the opposite side.

The Toolbox Combo Question

If you're debating between a standalone tank and a tank+toolbox combo, ask yourself: do you already have a crossover toolbox you love? If yes, go standalone. If you're starting fresh or replacing an old box, the combo saves money and bed space by combining two units into one footprint.

The 47-Gallon ATI Combo gives you fuel storage AND a lockable toolbox in the same L-shape footprint. For a contractor who needs both, it's the most efficient use of bed real estate.

Sizing Cheat Sheet

• 47 gallons — solo operators, 3-day fuel supply, fits short beds
• 62 gallons — 2-person crews, leaves room for a separate toolbox
• 95 gallons — heavy equipment operators, long bed trucks, full work weeks

Measure twice, buy once. Your bed — and your wallet — will thank you.