110 fuel tank guard? - Horizons Unlimited

**longroadtrip** · #1 14 Nov 2005

Is it worth fitting a guard for the fuel tank to our 110 hardtop for our trip south through africa?
there only seems to be a couple on the market in the uk, does this relate to the number used?

thanks

rob

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www.longroadtripsouth.com

**Andrew Baker** · #2 14 Nov 2005

The rear fuel tank is the only part of my 110's under side that I have ever bashed, then it was caused by ascending very steep dunes, not rocks. Generally I would say that you don't need any underside protection if you are a sensible driver, except maybe if you expect to be driving over large rocks or rocky ruts, but I have not ventured south of the Sahara.

Andrew.

**Richard K** · #3 14 Nov 2005

If you carry at least 40litres in jerries/aux tank, then even a destroyed main tank will not strand you. There's some maths involved in this, but basically whatever you have left should get you where you wanted to go or back to where you filled up, or at least near enough!

(This is presuming you have the 80l rear tank, 20% total contingency and obviously you only need to do this where fuel stops are few and far between.)

Bring enough plastic tubing to connect a jerry to your fuel line and clamps to seal any redundant tubing to the damaged tank -- this is all easy to do and stuff that's useful to carry in any case. Any bush mechanic should be able to patch your tank or bodge in some sort of replacement.

There you go: rare worst case scenario catered for and £300 and ??kilos saved!!!

EDIT: Being of feeble brain this morning, I've approximated the maths here somewhat, maybe someone can add to this!!

**Toby2** · #4 14 Nov 2005

I've done quite a lot of extreme offroading in Aus before going trans Africa in my 110 and its never been a problem. Occasionally scrapped it bottoming out on something but they are fairly tough. On a Trans African trip unless you specifically go looking for hard offroad routes then you are fairly unlikely to do anything that should majorly damage it. (This is assuming that you have either a standard tank or one that fits in to the space of the standard tank. I have a 120 litre one that doesn't hang down any lower so its fairly well protected. Equally the auxillary is up in the wing. If you tank is an aftermarket one that hangs down lower then may be a different issue).

[This message has been edited by Toby2 (edited 14 November 2005).]