Is It Easy to Use the Aev Spare Fuel Tank

Here is my personal assessment of the AEV Fuel Caddy.  You can follow this link to AEVs website where you can check it out more or even buy one for yourself.  Please be advised that this review is only of the Fuel Caddy, not of the AEV Rear Bumper or Tire Carrier.

Shortly after getting my AEV Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier installed at Predator 4×4, I was in search of the AEV Fuel Caddy to compliment both the look and functionality of the rear bumper and tire carrier.  The install was super easy – just have to remove the spare tire and slip the AEV Fuel Caddy on, tighten a few fasteners with bolts and then replace the spare tire.  I was unable to install one of the brackets because I couldn't dislodge the AEV Tire Carrier from the lift gate (bolts are too tight, need an impact wrench that I don't have to loosen), but the fuel caddy still sits secure enough with the mast securing bracket, the other little securing clamp-like dealio and the spare tire holding it on in a snug manner.

I have only put fuel in and removed it two times now.  Filling it is easy – just put the pump up there and fill 'er up.  The removal of the fuel is easy as well.  Just insert the super siphon into the Jeeps fuel tank and the siphon into the fuel caddy, give it a few shakes and the fuel begins to flow from the caddy to the Jeep.  Not all of the fuel was moved from the caddy to the Jeep this last time, so I have to figure out what went wrong in the transfer.  But over all its a simple process.  The first time I moved the fuel over it took about 8-10 minutes, not too long.  I mean who is in a hurry to move fuel any way?  Unless you are being chased by undead or something.

On Road Assessment

With a full fuel caddy (another 10.2 gallons or roughly 62 lbs) I definitely could feel the added weight slosh around back there.  After a while you adjust and forget about the weight.

Off Roa d Assessment

While traveling off road with a full fuel caddy, I don't notice it is even back there, which is due to the slow speeds of off roading.  One thing I do love about a full fuel caddy while travelling off road is the added weight.  The added weight allows for the vehicle to plant a little stiffer/deeper in situations when needed.

Pros

It allows you to carry an additional 10.2 gallons of fuel while taking advantage of the dead space between the spare tire and the lift gate.  The solid polyethylene construction makes it as durable as you would expect from an AEV product.  It is also a visually pleasing way to store the fuel.  For those that want to run larger tires, the caddy can accommodate up to a 37″ tire without issue.

Cons

It doesn't affect me but, the fact that the AEV Fuel Caddy is only compatible with the AEV Rear Tire Carrier is a definite con.  Though I have seen other folks mount the AEV Rear Tire Carrier to other bumpers, not just the AEV Rear Bumper.  Another con I have had to learn to deal with is that it pretty much makes using the rear view mirror impossible.  Looking out of the back window is even more limited than before with this attachment.  The largest of my complaints is that there isn't a convenient way to store the super siphon either before or after use.  Before use it is not that bad to just store it in a plastic bag inside the vehicle, but after use it makes it a little more difficult to bring it back into the vehicle as the gasoline fumes tend to be a little powerful for my liking.  If there were only a way to store it on the fuel caddy itself or make an attachment for the siphon to attach to the caddy…

Overall Assessment

Overall this is another great product made by AEV.  They spared no expense in designing this product (except maybe the storage of the siphon itself).  There is even a notch cut out of the right side of the fuel caddy that will allow for the Pull-Pal to fit in there without any issue – now that is attention to detail and integrating all of their products seamlessly.  To take advantage of "lost space" behind the spare tire and lift gate is true American ingenuity.  I can look past not using the rear view mirror and it doesn't affect me that the caddy only fits on AEV Rear Tire Carriers, so all in all…this is a must have for folks wishing to go out there and back with added fuel capacity.

Please let me know if you have an AEV Fuel Caddy or what your added fuel solution is and how you affix it to your vehicle.  Also, please leave any feed back below, I look forward to hearing what you think!

If you enjoyed this review, please check out the other reviews here.

Drive On!

Hurricane Pass – Ouray, Colorado

douglassbeire1996.blogspot.com

Source: https://revolutionexpedition.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/aev-fuel-caddy-review/

Share this post