wing tanks vs belly pod

[fatcub]

What are the pros and cons for the larger wing tanks as opposed to the belly fuel/cargo pod? My wings are at the stage of being built that it would be a good time to mod them for the dakota tanks.
There is slightly more fuel in the belly pod but it will cost a little more than the wing tanks.
Also how does the system in the belly pod work? Do you transfer fuel from the pod to the wing tanks or a fuel pump to the engine directly?
Thanks. Scott.

 

[Steve Pierce]

Fatcub, Check out this thread. I think there was another thread that the pros and cons were disscussed but can't recall where at the moment.

http://www.supercub.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=876

 

[heavylift]

fuel pod

I needed extra fuel but couldn't see myself tearing my fuel tanks out and replacing them with bigger one. Although when the time comes I might do it, but I took a chance with the landis fuel cargo pod. I llllllllove it. I burn my right tank then replenish it from the pod. It uses an electrict pump and takes about 15 minutes. Plus, it gives me extra room for cargo. Would you believe I also gain 2 to 3 knots. Nope, i'me not kidding, makes the plane go faster?? My only concern (and its a big one) is on those tough strips. If the gear goes so does the pod with that nice flamable gas( although i've not heard of any accidents). But then again you can always take it off, it takes about 20 minutes. Landis has a very good set up. According to him, for the STC they loaded it up to 700 lbs.
Heavy lift
super cuby

 

[S2D]

Fatcub
Here's my opinion. If you just want another hour or so's gas, go with the Atlee or Dakota Cubs STC. If you want a lotta gas, go with a belly tank.

I hunted coyotes with a belly tank on and it worked great, but I wanted to fly from daylight till dark without refueling.And I hammered into some pretty rough places with it full.

I just put a wing on my Cub that has an Atlee tank in it and so far no problems, although I'm still leary about making to many hard landings till I get the tank half empty.

If you are gonna worry about crashing with all that fuel below you, you're gonna worry about crashing with all that fuel above you too.

Also heard the belly tank makes a great third ski too, but I've never been in that deep of snow. We are in a drought here.

 

[Gary Reeves]

The belly tank is a great way to move fuel. My back can't out last my wingtanks in the air, but I need to move fuel to a remote location. The belly will deliver about 30 gallons per load and is easy to fill and empty.

I try to leave 5 gal of reserve reserve fuel in the belly at all times and carry a plastic transfer bag in case the pump fails. A full belly or a nearly empty belly seems to be the best way to fly. A half full tank seems to slosh and change your cg a bit on takeoff and landing.

The combo baggage and fuel belly pods look interesting, but I'd hate to cut down the load of fuel I can get up the lake in one trip.

Gary

 

[Randy]

Just wondering

I'm just asking this question in the theoretical sense.....
It may not apply to Cubs with long range fuel tanks....maybe only to long distance non-refueled planes such as the Voyager.....but how much fuel does it take to carry fuel a long distance....example...does it take 1 gallon to carry an extra 20 over 300 miles.....I'm not an engineer, and maybe somebody has an easy answer.
Randy

 

[PA12driver]

Fatcub,

I flew a Stock SC for over 2000 hours with a landis 32 gal belly tank and as Portagecreek said it is a great way to move a lot of gas. It all depends on if you "need" it?

If you want the best utility I would think the cargo/18gal pod would be the cats meow! I used to hunt in the Alaska Peninsula with mine and would take 3 full fives and a full 32 gal pod, and 36 in the wings, when in camp we would dump the belly pod into fives, and then fly the plane to spot and pick up game/hunters with minimal fuel (it was a great way to go)

I am planning to build a new plane in a year or so and I will probably go with (2) 24's as that is just about right for most flying,

Today I have standard tanks and in a Modified PA12 I can easily carry an extra 10-15 in fives and still carry all the other camping stuff!

Again, this is opinion/fact/

Tim

 

[fatcub]

Thanks for all the replys, I don't have a marathon bladder. The extra fuel just comes in handy getting out of the back country. It always seems that a extra 10 gallons makes it just about right (for our friends north of the border "just aboot right").
The 12 I currently got does not have the extended baggage and space is at a premium. Although carrying cans in the new 12 won't be as big of a deal, I just dont want to use all the beer space up with gas cans.
The pod is better in all aspects with the exception of price. I need to buy tanks anyway so the dakota tanks seems like the choice.
Has any one seen these tanks? What fuel indicating system do they use? I'm a little partial to the 18 sight glass style. What do you guys think?
Latter. Scott.

 

[StewartB]

Better yet, has anybody put Dakota tanks in a 12? Gotten a field approval? Dakota sent me away when I asked.
SB

 

[fatcub]

You know, your right. I just went and checked the stc. Those goofy bast***'s didn't include the 12. I must have been looking at the wing rib stc.
Well the dodge tanks are a little larger(30 gallons I think), Are they stc'd for my 12? I gotta check my stc list.
I'm gonna give dakota a prank phone call first thing in the morning,,,I'll show them.
Scott.

 

[PA12driver]

Scott, Clarence Witt has an STC, and builds 24gal tanks for the PA12/14 and also has an STC for 19 gal tanks


The STC #'s for Clarence Witt's PA12/14 modifications are:

SA01333CH - installation of 24 gallon fuel tanks for the PA12/14. Note that header tanks are not required. In my case, I already installed header tanks before I became aware of this mod, so I intend at this time to leave them in. Both fuel gauge options are available - sight or electrical.

SA00805CH - installation of 19 gallon fuel tanks for the PA12/14.

Give him a call: (309) 594-2280

Another cubber in B.C. Canada is, as we speak installing the tanks, his name is John Fitzpatrick--jfitzpat1@shaw.ca he could give you first hand experience.

Let me know how it works out?

Tim

 

[Speedo]

Atlee's tanks

Some thoughts on Atlee's tanks: I have two 30.5 Atlee Dodge tanks in my PA-12 wings. They are rigged with sight gages. The tanks have been in since '95, and after 8 years and 600 hours there have been no problems at all.

On my plane, the 60 gal (useable) capacity gives me 8.3 hours endurance. This much fuel has worked well for me, as I have sometimes found that there was no fuel at my destination airport, or that the FBO was closed. I've not done any bona fide Alaska bush flying, so I can't offer any insights into the pros or cons of using these tanks in that setting. My personal endurance is limited by bladder capacity, and on longer trips I typically plan for 3 hour legs.

The controls on this plane are very heavy, but I attribute this much more to the drooped wingtips than to the extra weight in the wings.

When full, the plane is a little hard to roll uphill into the hangar.

Presently the tanks are plumbed to permit gravity cross-feeding; I don't like this, as the fuel moves too much between tanks. For example, when making tight turns around an object, fuel will shift from the higher wing to the lower wing. It always evens out after a few minutes of straight and level flying, but I am concerned about unporting the fuel pickup. I have had one occasion during a prolonged slip when the engine stopped due to unporting. A quick switch of the fuel selector to the other tank corrected the problem, but I'd have preferred that it didn't happen at all.

 

[StewartB]

Here comes that header tank issue again.
SB

By the way, Fatcub, 12 wings have enough washout that Atlee's tanks are built specifically for either an 18 or a 12. There's more to it than just an installation stc.

 

[fatcub]

Yea stewart, the more I build this cub the more I find out about how different the 12 and 18's are. Don't get me wrong but I'll still take my 12 over any 18, It fits my big butt a little better.

Tim, I'll get a hold of Clarence and let you know what I have found. The more I think about it the better I feel about the bigger wing tanks.

As for the header tank issue, I'm not planning on having any in the system. It takes some system modification to make sure that there is ample fuel in all flight attitudes but nothing to drastic.

Latter. Scott.

 

[PA14driver]

24 gallon fuel tanks - PA12/14

I have purchased a pair of 24 gallon tanks from Clarence Witt. I haven't yet installed them, but the installation looks pretty straight forward. I have a # of pictures that I am going to put together and post on this site, which I'm sure people will be interested in, but will be at least a couple of more weeks. Included will be some installation pictures I received from Clarence (just received them). They go real handy with the installation instructions. I will also include pictures comparing an original PA14 tank, original PA22 tank, and the new 24 gallon tank, along with all the components for the installation.

PA14driver___________________________________________________

 

[S2D]

just a suggestion when putting in new fuel tanks.
Plug the openings and fill them full of gas for a day BEFORE installing them.
I found this out the hard way.
Even new tanks leak on a rare occasion. it really Sucks too

 

[fatcub]

That would really p**s me off to have fuel leak in the new wing. I ussually wait and let the gravel put the first flaw on new fabric.

Scott