New PlantDrive.ca Delica tank design leaves spare alone.

[PlantDrive]

Hi again, just wanted to give an update on tanks.

When we looked into it further, the tank capacity was going to be less than hoped, and it's quite an expensive tank to build, for the 45 litres or so we'd end up with. Not really worth it, as it turns out....like most people, I want more capacity, and that 100+ litres,down low, at the rear, sounds good for those long trips, and for traction in the winter (keep it full, of course, as much as possible). Basically, if you are interested, the idea was to remove the spare carrier and then build the tank such that the spare could be fitted into a recess in the underside, with a hole, rod, carrier assembly to hold the tire and rim up into place.

So, for my own van, I will be using the much larger capacity tank as done for the one shown on our home page, which is about 3" lower than the existing spare, and I might lift the van and put on the larger tires at some point if I decide it's needed)

Then either put the spare on the front (move the bars forward and put in behind the fog lights) or just put the spare in the back in a plywood cubby that'll go in with the rear seat tumbled forward. That will allow me a flat loading surface above the spare (which will allow me to carry 12 filtered cubies of WVO). That, and a funnel, and I can refill the tank very easily, through the floor filler, even in the pouring rain (hatch overhead).

No pump, no hoses, and I can leave off the empties at the recycling places as I travel and gain interior space along the way (Starting off with clean ones gleaned from the restaurants, and be sure to leave the cardboard sleeves on - they add a lot to the strength!)

That will give us good range for a planned trip up to Rupert, Haida Gwaii, the Island, and back home, this summer.