4th Generation Long Haul Gas Tank Solutions

[Great White North]

I purchased my TRD-Off Road Premium Tacoma in 2024 and I haven't had any major issues with the 4th generation Tacoma other than the size of the gas tank.

2024: Fourth Generation Tacomas

The fourth-generation Tacoma, which was newly released in 2024, introduces a smaller fuel tank size of 18.2 gallons. This is the biggest drop since the first-generation Tacoma.

However, with the Tacoma’s new 4-cylinder i-Force and i-Force MAX engines, the improved fuel efficiency of 20-23 combined brings the estimated range on par with the previous generation. Estimated ranges start at 364 and can be as high as 419.

-Source - https://tacomaexplorer.com/toyota-tacoma-gas-tank-size/

Just to clarify, it is not so much the size of the gas tank as it is finding a cost effective solution for remote long haul trips. I fish and hunt in remote areas of northern Alberta where gas stations can be 200-300 km apart which creates some challenges depending on the road and weather conditions at the time.

I was hoping the Titan Side Kick II was going to be a solution for the 4th gen Tacoma (Titan Fuel Tanks 15 gallon- $349.00 US plus shipping). I just received my Titan Side Kick II order from Titan Fuel Tanks and I quickly realized I would have to give up access to the rear power and air compressor panels, especially with a short box vs a long box bed.
Driver Side Perspective Without Titan Side Kick Tank
View attachment 5629
Driver Side Perspective With Titan Side Kick Tank
View attachment 5630
Passenger Side Perspective Without Titan Side Kick Tank
View attachment 5631
Passenger Side Perspective With Titan Side Kick Tank
View attachment 5632

I reached out to Titan Fuel Tanks customer support to confirm that I have received the correct model for the Tacoma and the model I received was suppose to be a solution. After I submitted pictures of my box bed to demonstrate the installation issues, the support team recognized this would not be a solution for 4th gen Tacoma with a short box. I can not confirm if the Titan Side Kick II would fit a 4th gen Tacoma with a 6' box bed or not.

The Ford Ranger has the same gas tank challenges for long haul trips and the Titan Sidekick II is an effective solution since the Ranger doesn't have similar power and air compressor panels in the box bed.

I have included a link for the Titan tanks installation tutorials to provide a visual of what involved in installing such a solution in a mid-sized truck.
Titan Fuel Tank Side Kick II

Ford Ranger Installation example

I have managed to find a couple Aussie and North American solutions (Helivue 18 gallon secondary tank solution), but there are concerns about the installation location and clearance issues for those who travel terrain with large rocks.
Helivue 4th Generation Tacoma Gas Tank Supplement

Brown Davies 150 liter 2026 Tacoma Solution

Normally this would be the first company I would source such a product, but they are still taking feedback requests for determining the market need for the 4th generation Tacoma. We need more people reaching out to get a reliable solution in place as soon as possible.
Long Range America 33 Gallon Solution (2005-2023)

Please complete the information request form which will hopefully demonstrate a business case for creating a solution for the 4th gen Tacoma in North America.

I would appreciate any information about long haul solutions if someone has come across one.

Sponsored

 

[GSPHerder]

364 miles to the tank is extremely generous. At most after a fillup I'm showing around 250 miles to the tank.

This 4th gen and my previous last two vehicles Ill carry 3-4 5gallon cans for a back country hunt.

 

[Sagebrush]

At most after a fillup I'm showing around 250 miles to the tank.

The computer sucks. Try multiplying your MPG, and 18.2. On the highway, I get 23-24 MPG and that produces a range of about 400 miles.

 

[magicbenjils]

Agreed the computer is not accurate. Even after waiting until the range reads as “Refuel” (no remaining range) with the gas light on, my truck only takes around 16 gallons at the pump. My avg 20mpg should yield around 364 miles of range, not the 285 stated with a full tank.

Having a buffer makes sense, but 2+ gallons seems unnecessary. I’m not willing to push it to discover the real usable range.

At the end of the day not a huge deal, but I will definitely consider adding a larger aftermarket tank once they become available.

 

[GSPHerder]

Miles on the hwy compared to offroad miles with some weight aren't the same. Last light duty hunting trip I did last month, I used 3 5gal can's just tooling around the mountain.

He was asking for alternatives to a mountable extra tank, I prefer gas cans for a couple reasons at least.

1. They're cheaper and easier to adapt to my projected mileage.
2. Soon as I stop and drop camp I can dismount the cans and recover my bed space and lose the weight.
3. Easy to monitor and maintain a reserve, can send hunting buddy or one vehicle with cans to refuel without having to take 2 vehicles to refuel, that alone saves lots of gas.
4. The point isn't to dip into the reserve, especially when you're out past your typical gas station intervals, but to have enough to get there and back with a good reserve. (at least for my purposes)

 

[soupy1234]

I'll just point out that the useable capacity is not 18.2 gallons, it is 15.5 (18.2 - 2.7 reserve). And that the fuel gauge is an inaccurate POS (my only real gripe with the vehicle). I calculate DTE myself (always reset a trip meter and the MPG gauge every time I fill up). I sometimes reset the display when the DTE shown is way different than what I calculate and it's not unusual for the fuel level to drop an eighth of a tank.

 

[Pappy]

I have managed to find a couple Aussie and North American solutions (Helivue 18 gallon secondary tank solution), but there are concerns about the installation location and clearance issues for those who travel terrain with large rocks.
Helivue 4th Generation Tacoma Gas Tank Supplement

I pre-ordered the Helivue a month ago. With the way I adventure having plenty of excess fuel is not an option. I frequent southern Utah, and the Canyonlands area (Moab). In fact I was just in the San Rafael Swell.

Plus, I've made more than 20 adventures to Baja. Fuel is not on every corner down there.

I also have a 1985 4Runner. It has a 15 gallon spare replacement tank. Same idea as the Helivue. I've had that tank for over 35 years (450k miles), and NEVER had an issue with clearance.

I have no concerns about the Helivue. Gas anxiety sucks. The Helivue will be my solution.

 

[Great White North]

Thanks for the update on the Helivue solution and their lead time for shipping the product. Who do you get to complete the installation?

 

[nickyp]

This may be a dumb question, but what do you do with your spare tire? The Helivue requires you to relocate the tire, but doesn't mention where to. I assume in the bed, but that takes up a fair amount of space, no?

 

[Pappy]

This may be a dumb question, but what do you do with your spare tire? The Helivue requires you to relocate the tire, but doesn't mention where to. I assume in the bed, but that takes up a fair amount of space, no?

Vintage 4x4 rear bumper with swing outs.

 

[Pappy]

Who do you get to complete the installation?

I asked for the install directions. It can be done if you are reasonably handy.

I'm old, and the install would be a challenge on my back in the driveway. The folks at Helivue gave me 3 installers in Denver.

 

[MJB4450]

364 miles to the tank is extremely generous. At most after a fillup I'm showing around 250 miles to the tank.

They may be using 2WD models as the example. My DTE reads 405 at fillup. Add to that the approximate 3 gallons that the DTE does not read because apparently Toyota likes intentionally inaccurate gauges, and my actual DTE is about 480 miles.

 

[GSPHerder]

They may be using 2WD models as the example. My DTE reads 405 at fillup. Add to that the approximate 3 gallons that the DTE does not read because apparently Toyota likes intentionally inaccurate gauges, and my actual DTE is about 480 miles.

That's crazy, I don't drive over 70mph but do have some 34.5" mud terrains but at most my truck shows 250 to the tank. Granted there's at least another 40 miles left when it reads zero but still not even close to what your seeing.

I do live right at 7k feet elevation and most of miles miles are around 6k feet elevation, I wonder how much difference that makes.

Hindsight if I was gonna do some long overlanding type stuff a 6' bed and an additional 18gal aux tank would make sense.

 

[Pappy]

I had a chat with the folks at LRA at Expo today. Here are the bullet points.

• They have heard what people are asking for through the reservation site.
• They are working on a factory replacement tank. It will be in the ~35 gallon range. Estimated release he said was 3 months.
• They are also considering a spare tire replacement tank. Size unknown. Release date unknown.
• They do install.

 

[Cordoc]

I purchased my TRD-Off Road Premium Tacoma in 2024 and I haven't had any major issues with the 4th generation Tacoma other than the size of the gas tank.

2024: Fourth Generation Tacomas

The fourth-generation Tacoma, which was newly released in 2024, introduces a smaller fuel tank size of 18.2 gallons. This is the biggest drop since the first-generation Tacoma.

However, with the Tacoma’s new 4-cylinder i-Force and i-Force MAX engines, the improved fuel efficiency of 20-23 combined brings the estimated range on par with the previous generation. Estimated ranges start at 364 and can be as high as 419.

-Source - https://tacomaexplorer.com/toyota-tacoma-gas-tank-size/

Just to clarify, it is not so much the size of the gas tank as it is finding a cost effective solution for remote long haul trips. I fish and hunt in remote areas of northern Alberta where gas stations can be 200-300 km apart which creates some challenges depending on the road and weather conditions at the time.

I was hoping the Titan Side Kick II was going to be a solution for the 4th gen Tacoma (Titan Fuel Tanks 15 gallon- $349.00 US plus shipping). I just received my Titan Side Kick II order from Titan Fuel Tanks and I quickly realized I would have to give up access to the rear power and air compressor panels, especially with a short box vs a long box bed.
Driver Side Perspective Without Titan Side Kick Tank
View attachment 5629
Driver Side Perspective With Titan Side Kick Tank
View attachment 5630
Passenger Side Perspective Without Titan Side Kick Tank
View attachment 5631
Passenger Side Perspective With Titan Side Kick Tank
View attachment 5632

I reached out to Titan Fuel Tanks customer support to confirm that I have received the correct model for the Tacoma and the model I received was suppose to be a solution. After I submitted pictures of my box bed to demonstrate the installation issues, the support team recognized this would not be a solution for 4th gen Tacoma with a short box. I can not confirm if the Titan Side Kick II would fit a 4th gen Tacoma with a 6' box bed or not.

The Ford Ranger has the same gas tank challenges for long haul trips and the Titan Sidekick II is an effective solution since the Ranger doesn't have similar power and air compressor panels in the box bed.

I have included a link for the Titan tanks installation tutorials to provide a visual of what involved in installing such a solution in a mid-sized truck.
Titan Fuel Tank Side Kick II

Ford Ranger Installation example

I have managed to find a couple Aussie and North American solutions (Helivue 18 gallon secondary tank solution), but there are concerns about the installation location and clearance issues for those who travel terrain with large rocks.
Helivue 4th Generation Tacoma Gas Tank Supplement

Brown Davies 150 liter 2026 Tacoma Solution

Normally this would be the first company I would source such a product, but they are still taking feedback requests for determining the market need for the 4th generation Tacoma. We need more people reaching out to get a reliable solution in place as soon as possible.
Long Range America 33 Gallon Solution (2005-2023)

Please complete the information request form which will hopefully demonstrate a business case for creating a solution for the 4th gen Tacoma in North America.

I would appreciate any information about long-haul solutions if someone has come across one.

Hello:
As for the tank issue, I started a thread a while back regarding the problem (mine is a 2024 Trailhunter) with the poor gas mileage and the smaller tank. Like this one, it deteriorated to other subjects, and it is now 8 pages long.
My take:
1: I bought, but have not yet received, the 18 gal aluminum tank from a Colorado company and will follow some of your options for the spare.
2-A while back, I was running out of fuel, but managed to make it to a gas station, without topping up, I put in 18.3 gallons on the stock tank.
Good luck with your new Baby

Sponsored