We recently installed a Power Tank in the bed of our Tacoma vertically on a set of Cali Raised MOLLE Panels, and it’s been amazing. We decided to up our game in the bed of our Tacoma and run a dual tank setup for if/when our CO2 runs out. There are so many other reasons why you would run a dual tank setup, but that’s a topic for another day. The only difference for our second tank is that we’re going to mount this one horizontally.
If you’re looking at mounting a Power Tank horizontally in the bed of our Tacoma or any truck bed, there are a few things you should know before installing and even buying the tank. You can’t mount just any Power Tank horizontally; you have to make sure your tank is equipped with a snorkel tube, which must be installed by Power Tank before you purchase the tank. You cannot add a snorkel tube to your tank after you purchase it.
For mounting our tank horizontally, we’ll be using a Power Tank Power Plate, a bracket designed specifically for mounting Power Tanks on MOLLE panels.
In our last post, we used oversized fender washers to mount the Power Tank bracket to our Cali Raised MOLLE panel, and it was kind of janky. This time, we’re using the Power Plate, which eliminates the need for oversized washers and the constant guesswork that follows.
Without any delay, let’s jump in.
Find It Online
- Power Tank Packages: Check Price
- COMP2 Bracket: Check Price
- Power Plate: Check Price
- Air Hose (30 ft): Check Price
- Ventoso™ Modular Tire Inflator Gauge: Check Price
- Cali Raised MOLLE Panel: Check Price
Table Of Contents
What To Know About Horizontal Mounting
Mounting a Power Tank horizontally in the bed of your truck is a clean way to keep your CO2 system secure, accessible, and out of the way. Before ordering your tank, the most important thing to confirm is the snorkel tube position inside the cylinder.
Inside the Power Tank is a snorkel tube that needs to be positioned correctly for the tank to operate properly when mounted horizontally. Depending on how you plan to mount the tank, the snorkel tube can be set up for different clock positions, such as 12 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock, and so on.
For our setup, we’re mounting the Power Tank horizontally in the 12 o’clock position. This positions the regulator straight up, which gives us easy access from outside the GFC camper wing. All we have to do is open the camper wing, reach in, and connect the hose.
If you plan on running your tank horizontally, make sure you spec your tank correctly using the Snorkel Tube product page on their website.
What Is A Snorkel Tube Inside A CO2 Tank?
A snorkel tube is an internal pickup tube that directs where the CO2 is drawn from inside the cylinder. In a standard vertical setup, CO2 is pulled from the top of the tank in vapor form, which is what most regulators are designed to handle.
When you mount a tank horizontally, that internal pickup changes. Without a properly positioned snorkel tube, the tank can pull liquid CO2 instead of vapor, which can cause pressure inconsistencies and poor performance at the regulator.
The snorkel tube is installed at a specific clock position based on how you plan to mount the tank. This ensures that even when the tank is laid on its side, the pickup point remains in the correct position to draw vapor instead of liquid. Because of this, snorkel tube placement is not universal. It needs to be set up specifically for your mounting orientation before the tank is built.
There are some visual references on the Power Tanks website if you want to see exactly what it looks like.
Power Plate Mount
The Power Plate is Power Tank’s MOLLE panel specific mounting plate. It is designed to make mounting a Power Tank bracket to a MOLLE panel much easier and cleaner.
Instead of trying to line up the Power Tank bracket directly with your MOLLE panel layout, the Power Plate gives you a dedicated mounting surface between the MOLLE panel and the bracket.
This helps spread the load, improves fitment, and gives you a stronger mounting solution for a horizontally mounted Power Tank.
Step 1. Choose Power Plate Location
The first step is figuring out where you want the Power Plate on the backside of your MOLLE panel. Start by lining up the Power Plate holes with the openings in your MOLLE panel.
Most MOLLE panels will work without adjustments, but our Cali Raised LED MOLLE doesn’t have a traditional MIL spec MOLLE pattern.
Step 2. Mark Any Adjustments
Depending on the MOLLE panel layout you are using, you may need to make small adjustments. Before drilling, cutting, or notching anything, make sure the Power Tank will have enough clearance around it and that the regulator will be easy to access once everything is installed.
Make your marks on the panel, then notch as needed so all of the hardware can pass through and line up correctly.
Step 3. Notch MOLLE Panel
Our MOLLE panel did not use a traditional MOLLE layout, so we had to notch the panel to get the Power Plate holes to line up correctly with the Power Tank bracket.
I started with the band file to get a perfect indent and then finished it off with the 18V die grinder with a carbide bit to get a perfect half moon shape in the metal.
Step 4. Confirm Power Plate Fitment
After notching the panel, test-fit the Power Plate again. Make sure the holes line up, and you’re good to go.
Step 5. Paint Bare Metal
Paint any exposed bare metal before reinstalling everything. This helps prevent corrosion and keeps the panel protected over time.
Step 6. Mount Bracket To MOLLE Panel
With the Power Plate fitment confirmed and any bare metal painted, mount the Power Tank bracket to the MOLLE panel using the Power Plate.
The Power Plate should sit behind the MOLLE panel, giving the Power Tank bracket a solid mounting surface.
Step 7. Reinstall MOLLE Panel
Once the Power Plate, MOLLE panel, and Power Tank bracket are assembled, reinstall the MOLLE panel back into the bed or camper area.
Step 8. Position Power Tank
Slide the Power Tank into the bracket and position it in the correct horizontal orientation.
Step 9. Adjust The Bracket
The final step is adjusting the Power Tank bracket around the tank. Make sure the tank is seated properly, the strap or clamp is tight, and the regulator is positioned exactly where you want it.
Why Run a Dual Power Tank Setup?
Here are a few reasons why you would run a dual tank setup. Not all of these apply to my situation, but it gives you a good idea of the versatility behind two tanks.
- Extended air supply for larger tire setups like 37″ to 40″ tires without running out of CO2 mid-trip
- Great for group runs with multiple trucks that might need air
- Less downtime between fills
- Extra air for unexpected recovery situations and tire bead seating
- Redundancy in case one tank runs empty or has an issue
- Dedicated use split, one tank for tires, one for air tools, lockers, or bead seating
Why Mount A Power Tank Horizontally?
And a few reasons why you would run a horizontal tank mount…
- Keeps the bed floor clear so you can slide gear, drawers, or storage systems in and out without interference
- Prevents the tank from becoming an obstacle when loading larger items like coolers, recovery gear, or camping equipment
- Improves overall bed organization by moving the tank up and out of the main cargo area
- Pairs cleanly with MOLLE panels, bed racks, and camper setups like a GFC
- Easier access to the regulator when mounted at the right clock position, especially from outside the bed or camper
- Reduces the chance of the tank getting hit, bumped, or damaged by shifting cargo
- More secure mounting compared to floor-mounted setups that rely on straps or loose brackets
- Better weight distribution by positioning the tank closer to the bed sides instead of centered on the floor
- Cleaner overall look with a more integrated install
Final Thoughts
The cool part about the horizontally mounted tank for me is that I will eventually be able to swap this tank into one of my 4Runners. For my specific use case, the horizontally mounted tank is a bit more universal than a tank that’s sitting upright.
The Power Plate definitely makes mounting the Power Tank bracket much easier than trying to find your own solution.
If you’re looking to mount a power tank horizontally, the Power Plate is extremely nice to have.
