Garvee 128-Gallon Portable Fuel Transfer Tank with 12V Pump: specs

The Garvee Portable Fuel Tank holds 128 gallons and comes with a 12V electric pump. It is a transfer tank, meant to be carried on a truck or kept on a farm or work site so that equipment can be refuelled where it stands, instead of with a string of small cans.

What a transfer tank is for

A transfer tank stores fuel and pumps it into other machines. Garvee lists diesel, gasoline and other fuels, and names tractors, trucks, lawn mowers and generators as examples. A larger tank means fewer trips to a fuel station, which suits people who run several machines or work far from one. It also means carrying a lot of fuel, so legal and safety rules matter. Fuel transport and storage are regulated in many places, so check the local rules for tank size, labelling and the vehicle it is carried on.

The 12V pump and flow rate

The pump runs from a 12V supply, the standard in vehicles, and Garvee lists a flow rate of 10 gallons per minute (GPM). At that rate, a 20-gallon vehicle tank would take roughly two minutes to fill, though real flow is usually lower once hose length, nozzle and fuel type are taken into account. A 12V pump is typically wired to a battery with clamps, so check the cable length and the current draw in the manual.

Hose and nozzle

The kit includes a 13.1 ft rubber hose, an automatic fuelling nozzle and a 360-degree connector. Garvee says the automatic shut-off helps to prevent overflows. The shut-off works like a pump at a fuel station, stopping the flow when the receiving tank is full. An integrated fuel level indicator shows how much remains in the tank.

Polyethylene construction

The tank is made of polyethylene, a plastic widely used in fuel containers because it does not rust and resists many chemicals. Garvee says it resists scratches, dents and corrosion, and stands up to heat, snow and rain. Polyethylene fuel tanks still need to be kept out of prolonged direct sun, away from ignition sources, and used only for the fuels the manual approves.

Size and weight

The listing gives dimensions of 32 x 32 x 32 inches and a weight of 135.4 lb empty. That is the weight before any fuel is added. A full tank holds 128 gallons, which weighs many hundreds of pounds, so the surface under it and the vehicle bed must be rated for the load. Garvee calls it portable, but moving it when full normally needs a vehicle, a lift or a suitable cradle.

Who it suits

It suits farms, job sites, workshops and people with multiple engines to fuel. It is less suited to occasional users with one vehicle, for whom smaller approved containers are simpler.

What to check before you buy

• Regulations: confirm local rules for storing and carrying this much fuel, including labelling.
• Vehicle or mount: check payload and how you will secure the tank.
• Fuel type: confirm the fuels the pump and hose are rated for, as the manual lists.
• Power: check the 12V connection, cable length and fuse.
• Grounding and ventilation: follow the manual on static, ventilation and keeping away from flames.
• Upkeep: check the hose, nozzle and seals regularly for wear.

The short version

• A 128-gallon polyethylene fuel transfer tank with a 12V electric pump.
• Pump rated at 10 GPM; 13.1 ft rubber hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
• Fuel level indicator; listed for diesel, gasoline and other fuels.
• 135.4 lb empty; follow local fuel storage and transport rules.

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