RDS MFG INC RDS Fuel Transfer/Auxiliary Tank/Toolbox Combo with 8 Gpm Pump - 60-Gal. Capacity

Why I put the RDS combo tank in my truck

I spend a lot of time away from the shop—towing a fifth wheel, running a tractor on remote jobs, and fueling small equipment where a fuel station isn’t practical. I wanted a compact, in‑bed solution that gave me both auxiliary fuel and a place to stash straps, chains, and fluids. The RDS 60‑gallon combo tank checked those boxes: a low‑profile aluminum tank with an integrated toolbox and a 12V pump rated at 8 gpm. On paper, it’s a tidy all‑in‑one package.

After a few months of use, here’s how it actually performs.

Build, finish, and first impressions

The tank is aluminum diamond plate with fully welded seams and heavy‑duty mounting brackets. The brackets are stout and inspire confidence once everything is bolted down. The welds are continuous, but this is not a showpiece—the weld appearance and panel flatness are serviceable, not pristine. The aluminum skin is on the thinner side for something you’ll toss chains and ratchet straps against. It keeps weight down but also means it will show dings.

Mine arrived with two noticeable dents and a couple of bent tabs on the mounting flanges. Nothing structural, and a rubber mallet made short work of the tabs, but it’s worth inspecting closely on delivery. One threaded port plug on the auxiliary outlet also came rough from the factory. I chased the threads with a tap and it sealed fine, but I shouldn’t have had to do that on day one.

The toolbox latches are the weak point in the hardware. They feel light and needed adjustment to latch reliably. I had to tweak the strikers and, early on, I occasionally had to give the lid a firmer push than I’d like. Once dialed in, it closes, but the mechanism doesn’t have the crisp, confident feel of higher‑end truck boxes.

Installation and setup

Because the tank is aluminum, weight is reasonable for the capacity. Empty, two people can maneuver it into the bed without drama. Full, you’re adding roughly 430 pounds of diesel plus the tank, so mind your payload.

Mounting is straightforward: the included brackets tie into the bed rails and floor. I added a bead of rubber mat under the feet to spread load and minimize point pressure on the bed ribs. The spin‑collar pump mount is smart—it makes installing and clocking the pump dead simple, and later, removing it for service is no hassle.

Wiring the 12V pump to the battery was clean and the harness length was just enough to reach the engine bay without extensions. I routed along the frame, protected everything in split loom, and fused at the battery.

I’m using the unit as a standalone transfer tank (filling equipment), not plumbed into my truck’s fuel system. Check your local regulations if you plan to tie an auxiliary tank into a vehicle’s fuel supply; rules vary.

Pump performance

RDS rates the pump at 8 gpm, and my stopwatch saw between 7 and 8 gpm into a tractor and skid steer, depending on head height and battery voltage. For field fueling that’s perfectly workable—faster than portable cans and slow enough to control splash. The pump noise level is typical for a 12V unit: you’ll hear it over idle but it’s not obnoxious.

Where the pump arrangement stumbles is space. The dedicated pump bay is cramped for the pump, hose, and nozzle. With a standard hose and a swivel on the nozzle (something I consider essential), it’s a game of Tetris to stow everything neatly and still access the fill cap. I eventually surrendered and moved the hose into the toolbox side when I needed quick access. If you plan to add an inline filter—and you should for modern diesel equipment—there isn’t a clean way to mount it inside that pump compartment. I mounted a filter head externally beside the pump, which works, but it’s exposed and eats more space.

Venting and slosh control

Out of the box, the vent sits low, and the first trip on a washboard road told me that was a problem. With a nearly full tank, fuel found its way out of the vent during hard slosh. The quick fix was simple: I added about a foot of fuel‑rated hose to the vent and secured it high under the rail. Since raising the vent line, I haven’t had a single burp, even with aggressive braking or uneven terrain. It’s a five‑minute tweak I’d recommend doing on day one.

In the truck bed and on the road

The profile is low enough to clear a fifth‑wheel hitch and keep sightlines out the back window usable. With 60 gallons aboard, the truck feels the weight, but the tank’s footprint spreads the load and the brackets keep it planted. No creaks or flexing from the mounts, and the welds have remained dry. I periodically check fasteners and have had no loosening.

The toolbox side is genuinely useful. It’s big enough for chocks, a couple chains, ratchet straps, spare DEF, and gloves, but it’s not cavernous. The diamond plate will flex if you lean heavy across the box lip; it isn’t farm‑tank thick. Expect scuffs and dings to accumulate with real use. The weather seal on the lid has kept out road spray and light rain for me, but with the latch tolerances being what they are, I wouldn’t store electronics or paperwork in there without a secondary container.

Day‑to‑day usability

What I like:
- Capacity and footprint. 60 gallons extends my range and lets me support a day’s work with one fill, without giving up the entire bed.
- The pump simply works. Hit the switch and it moves fuel at the rate promised.
- The spin‑collar mount is thoughtful. It’s easier than a bolt‑circle pump mount when you need to service or reseal.
- The mounting brackets are robust and inspire confidence once torqued.

What I don’t:
- Fit and finish are inconsistent. From the dented panels to the latch feel and that rough port thread, it gives a budget impression.
- The pump bay is too tight. Once you add a swivel, filter, and a longer hose, you’re improvising storage.
- The vent height is a design miss. It’s easily corrected, but it should ship configured to prevent slosh‑out.
- The aluminum skin is thin. It keeps weight down, but it’s easy to bend a tab or pick up a ding.

Maintenance and tweaks I’d plan for

• Raise the vent line immediately with a short section of fuel‑rated hose and a proper clamp.
• Install a filter head and water‑separating element on the discharge side. If you can’t fit it inside, mount it externally in a protected spot.
• Add a swivel to the nozzle to prevent hose twist and make fueling easier.
• Consider upgrading the nozzle if you fuel frequently; the ergonomics on many basic nozzles aren’t great.
• Adjust the latch strikers early. A small bend and careful alignment reduces the slam factor.
• Use edge trim or rubber matting where the hose contacts aluminum edges to prevent abrasion.

Durability so far

Structurally, mine has held up. The seams are tight, the brackets haven’t budged, and I’ve had no leaks. Cosmetically, it’s already carrying the story of field use—scratches, a couple shallow dings, and latch scuffs. If you expect the pristine feel of a premium truck box, you’ll be disappointed. If you expect a working piece of kit that may get beat up but keeps doing its job, that’s the lane this tank occupies.

Who this suits—and who should look elsewhere

If you need a compact, all‑in‑one way to carry 60 gallons and tools, and you’re comfortable making a few practical tweaks, the RDS combo tank gets the core job done. It’s particularly good for:
- Contractors and landowners fueling tractors, loaders, or generators on site
- Long‑haul towing where extended range and a small tool compartment are helpful
- Trucks that need a low‑profile solution to clear a hitch

If you want premium fit‑and‑finish, heavier‑gauge aluminum, silky latches, and a roomy pump bay that swallows filters and long hoses without compromise, you’ll likely be happier spending more for a heavier‑built unit. Out of the box, this one demands a bit of user involvement.

Recommendation

I recommend the RDS combo tank with reservations. It delivers on capacity, basic pumping performance, and secure mounting, and the integrated toolbox adds real day‑to‑day utility. However, expect to address a few design oversights (raising the vent, adjusting latches) and plan around a cramped pump compartment—especially if you want to add a filter and upgraded nozzle. If you’re a hands‑on owner who doesn’t mind minor fixes to save weight and money, it’s a solid working solution. If you want a turn‑key, heavy‑duty, premium experience, look for a thicker‑gauge alternative with better hardware and more generous pump storage.