RDS

American-Made Aluminum. Built for Contractors, Farmers, and Fleet Operators.

RDS Manufacturing was established in 1975 with a straightforward mission: build the best aluminum fuel tanks in the country. Nearly 50 years later, they're still doing exactly that — fabricating transfer tanks, auxiliary tanks, and tank accessories out of heavy-duty aluminum using CNC machining and fully welded construction that delivers leak-free performance in conditions that would destroy inferior products. RDS tanks are DOT approved, made in the USA, and backed by decades of real-world use across agriculture, construction, fleet, and commercial applications.

For contractors who spend time on jobsites, remote properties, or anywhere far from a fuel pump, an RDS transfer or auxiliary tank eliminates one of the most common logistical headaches in the trades: running a crew or a fleet of equipment dry because fuel wasn't where it needed to be.

RDS Transfer Tanks

An RDS transfer tank is exactly what it sounds like — a portable fuel supply in the bed of your truck. Load it with diesel, gasoline, or aviation fuel and bring the fuel station to the job rather than taking every piece of equipment to the fuel station. RDS transfer tanks are used daily by construction crews refueling excavators and skid steers, farmers fueling tractors and combines, HVAC and generator service technicians, and anyone else whose work involves equipment that drinks fuel in the field.

Key features across the RDS transfer tank lineup:

• .125" heavy-duty aluminum construction — corrosion-proof, rust-proof, and lighter than steel without sacrificing structural integrity
• Fully welded seams, pressure-tested — every tank leaves the factory verified leak-free
• 2" female pipe thread coupling — accepts manual hand pumps or 12V electric transfer pumps (sold separately)
• Rollover safety valve — prevents fuel discharge if the tank tips or the vehicle rolls
• Manual sight gauge — check fuel level at a glance without opening the tank
• Internal baffles — reduce fuel slosh and noise in transit
• DOT approved, Made in the USA — meets federal transport requirements for fuel in transit

RDS transfer tanks are available in rectangular and L-shape configurations, in a range of capacities from roughly 35 to 100+ gallons, and in both treadplate and mill finish aluminum. Measure your truck bed carefully before ordering — dimensions vary by model and wheel well clearance matters.

RDS Auxiliary Fuel Tanks

Where a transfer tank is for fueling other equipment, an RDS auxiliary fuel tank extends the range of your truck itself. Auxiliary tanks mount in the truck bed and connect to your factory fuel system — when your OEM tank runs low, you draw from the auxiliary supply, effectively doubling or significantly extending your operating range without stopping to refuel.

RDS auxiliary tanks use a gravity-feed system for diesel (diesel fuel flows from the auxiliary tank directly into the factory tank by gravity — simple, reliable, no pump required) or an electric pump for gasoline applications where gravity feed isn't permitted. An RDS Diesel Install Kit contains everything needed to connect the auxiliary tank to the OEM fuel system economically and correctly.

Auxiliary tanks are the right choice for long-haul operators, rural contractors covering large territories between fuel stops, and fleet vehicles that spend significant time in areas without convenient fueling infrastructure. Capacities typically range from 35 to 75+ gallons — enough to add hundreds of miles of range depending on your truck and load.

RDS Tank & Toolbox Combos

For contractors who need both fuel capacity and tool storage in the truck bed, RDS tank and toolbox combos combine an auxiliary or transfer tank with a full-length integrated toolbox — one unit, one footprint in the bed, two problems solved simultaneously. The toolbox lid runs the full length of the tank, opens on dual lift cylinders, and locks with linked stainless steel locks that also secure the fuel fill to prevent tampering.

The combo configuration is consistently the most popular RDS product category — and for good reason. If your truck bed is your office, you don't have the luxury of dedicating it entirely to a fuel tank or entirely to tool storage. The combo gives you both without compromise. The 60-gallon tank/toolbox combo is the most common starting point for contractors, but RDS offers multiple capacities and bed dimensions to fit short, standard, and long bed trucks.

RDS Tank Accessories

A transfer or auxiliary tank is only as useful as the system around it. RDS tank accessories include the components you need to complete a proper installation and get maximum use from your tank setup:

• Diesel Install Kits — connects an RDS auxiliary tank to your truck's OEM fuel system for gravity-feed operation; includes the necessary fittings, hose, and hardware for a clean installation
• Electric transfer pumps — 12V pumps for dispensing fuel from a transfer tank to equipment; required for gasoline auxiliary fueling and a faster option for diesel transfer applications
• Mounting hardware — bed mounting brackets and tie-down components for securing tanks properly in the truck bed

If you're ordering an RDS auxiliary tank for a diesel gravity-feed setup, add the matching Diesel Install Kit to your order — it contains everything you need and eliminates the guesswork of sourcing compatible fittings separately. If you have questions about which accessories pair with a specific tank model, our team can help.

RDS Manufacturing FAQs

Where is RDS Manufacturing made?

RDS Manufacturing products are made in the USA. The company was established in 1975 and produces their aluminum tanks and accessories domestically. All RDS tanks are DOT approved and meet federal requirements for the transport of fuel.

What is the difference between a transfer tank and an auxiliary tank?

A transfer tank is used to transport fuel in the truck bed and dispense it to other vehicles or equipment — generators, tractors, excavators, boats, ATVs, or anything else that needs fuel in the field. It does not connect to your truck's fuel system. A auxiliary tank connects directly to your truck's factory fuel system and functions as an extension of it — when your OEM tank gets low, fuel transfers from the auxiliary tank to extend your driving range. Most RDS transfer tanks can also be used for auxiliary fueling with the correct diesel install kit, but they serve different primary purposes. If you're not sure which is right for your application, contact our team.

Are RDS tanks safe for gasoline and diesel?

RDS transfer tanks are compatible with diesel, gasoline, and aviation fuel — they are general-purpose transfer tanks. RDS auxiliary tanks are primarily designed for diesel gravity-feed applications. Gasoline auxiliary fueling is possible but requires an electric pump to siphon from the top of the tank rather than gravity feeding from the bottom — check the specific product listing for fuel type compatibility before purchasing.

Do RDS tanks include a pump?

No — RDS transfer tanks include a 2" female pipe thread coupling sized for a manual hand pump or 12V electric transfer pump, but the pump itself is sold separately. If you need a pump, add one from the RDS accessories section or contact our team for a recommendation based on your dispensing volume and application.

What size RDS tank do I need?

It depends on three things: your truck bed size, how much fuel capacity you actually need, and what you're fueling. For most contractors running a single truck and refueling light equipment on a jobsite, a 60-gallon tank or combo is the most common starting point — enough capacity to be genuinely useful without overloading the truck bed. Larger 90–100+ gallon tanks are better suited for agricultural operations or contractors running multiple pieces of heavy equipment. Measure your bed length and width carefully, paying attention to wheel well clearance — RDS lists dimensions on each product listing. If you need help sizing, our team is available by phone, chat, or email.

How do RDS tanks compare to Transfer Flow?

Both are American-made, DOT-approved aluminum fuel tank brands with strong reputations in the transfer and auxiliary tank market — but they position differently. Transfer Flow is known for their integrated fuel management systems, particularly their TRAX 3 electronic monitoring system, which gives you a digital readout of auxiliary tank level and automates the transfer process. It's a more complete, turnkey system — and priced accordingly, typically at a significant premium over comparable RDS configurations. RDS takes a more straightforward approach: heavy-duty aluminum construction, proven gravity-feed and manual transfer functionality, and strong value at a lower per-unit cost. For contractors who want reliable fuel storage without the added complexity or cost of an electronic management system, RDS consistently delivers. For operators who want automated transfers and precise digital monitoring built in, Transfer Flow is worth the premium. Both are solid choices — the right one depends on how much automation you need and what your budget allows.