fuel cans

tabby · Member

fuel cans

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Theres a jerry-can holder on the draw bar of our caravan, but we have no intention of using it. The reason we bought the Prado was the 180 litre fuel tank.

I've seen people carry fuel in metal jerry cans on their roof rack, dont know how safe that is, but it beats having it inside the vehicle with you.

Will await more experienced answers.

jimricho · Guru

I'm not sure what the legal position is but carrying jerry cans of fuel inside a vehicle is foolish and potentially dangerous. It's my view that it's best to avoid the need to carry extra fuel and to only do so when it is necessary due to insufficient range and/or strong headwinds.

Whether you decide on plastic or metal it is important to make sure that it is approved for fuel. Never carry fuel in a container that is not designed and approved for the type of fuel you use. Be aware that some plastic jerry cans bulge slightly when filled and may foul or jam in a jerry can holder.

Be familiar with filling procedures to eliminate the possibility of a spark occuring as a result of static electicity.

If using a jiggle hose syphon make sure it is the type suitable for fuel, that is, it has a metal (usually copper) foot valve (not plastic) and the hose has a black stripe running its length, this is to discharge any static electricity.

-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 4th of January 2011 07:58:01 PM

Cupie · Guru

Hi ..

I must plead guilty to carrying an emergency 20L unleaded in a plastic jerry can in the centre of my Jayco front boot. Sure I "protect it " with a bit of 5 ply & in a corn sack, but it is not a good practice.

I have also carried 3 cans when in remote places & marvel at the Utes with trailers with ten +, jerry cans on the roof racks as they whizz by.

The best advice I think is to get a long range fuel tank or pay the extra price at every road house you pass.

ps. I NEVER run at less than 1/4 tank of fuel ... & top up EVERY evening before leaving.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I would not have a steel jerry can if it was free.
When I use jerries, they are the Rheem plastic ones, ("fuel safe" I think they are called now", not the tapered ones). I still have some that would be over 15 years old and they are fine.
Think very carefully about how you store any fuel, especially petrol. Dangerous stuff.

Cheers,
Peter

jonathan · Guru

Hi all ..

One of the reasons I added a trailer to my M/H before this trip, was to house the additional fuel and water that I would carry with me. All are carried within approved/appropriate plastic jerries and in turn fitted into padded (permanently-fitted) holding bays down each side within the enclosed trailer ..
This being a safety factor as well as being hidden from 'prying' eyes .. not to mention that the increase in weight is well distributed.
Spending the next 10-12 weeks travelling the Nullabor in the extreme heat at this time of the year does require considerable fore-thought and buckets of common-sense ..
I think the discussion between metal or plastic jerries is very much a personal choice .. Metal jerries are much more securable if carried externally .. they can be padlocked if necessary and less prone to 'puncturing' by a passing screwdriver .. and are quite robust when heavy useage on a daily basis is the need.
Plastic jerries are more lightweight and suit my own purpose just fine ..

happy travels ..

Jon (currently at the Wilmington Bush Camp in Sth Aus)

ozi2 · Guru

jimricho wrote:

I'm not sure what the legal position is but carrying jerry cans of fuel inside a vehicle is foolish and potentially dangerous. It's my view that it's best to avoid the need to carry extra fuel and to only do so when it is necessary due to insufficient range and/or strong headwinds.

Whether you decide on plastic or metal it is important to make sure that it is approved for fuel. Never carry fuel in a container that is not designed and approved for the type of fuel you use. Be aware that some plastic jerry cans bulge slightly when filled and may foul or jam in a jerry can holder.

Be familiar with filling procedures to eliminate the possibility of a spark occuring as a result of static electicity.

If using a jiggle hose syphon make sure it is the type suitable for fuel, that is, it has a metal (usually copper) foot valve (not plastic) and the hose has a black stripe running its length, this is to discharge any static electricity.

-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 4th of January 2011 07:58:01 PM

Hi Jim, you make some very good points that I think covers the situation well. I was'nt aware of the black earthing strip on the jiggler hose ( mine doesnt have one) but as I use diesel I dont see this as crucial, however for GN's using petrol it is another story and may I add to your comment of filling procedure's and that owners should "ground/earth their containers to avoid sparking!