How do you guys carry fuel?

[ashooter]

Question #1 - What kind of 2.5-5 gallon cans are the BEST?

Question # 2 - What is a decent way to secure them on/in a stock 80? I've always been leery of carrying jerry cans inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle, but around here I'd even be leery of storing them on a roof rack on a 102 degree day with the sun shining directly on them.

Any ideas?... (besides adding a subtank - I'm too cheap for that, and rarely need more than 5-10 gallons of extra fuel.)

 

[teejnut]

I have the Wedco jerry cans from EE, which have worked great. https://www.expeditionexchange.com/wedco/

As in for storing in the 80. I've kept them inside a few times without any problem, no fluid or air leak from the cans. Probably not the best way to do it but its my temporary solution until I get my rear bumper. I tie 2 of the 20L jerry cans between two of the tie downs in the back of my 80 (lie them down the long way top-to-bottom with the cap facing up).

 

[davegonz]

Wedco and Scepter are the good brands. The cheapest way to carry them would probably be on a hitch rack ($80-$120).

 

[Will0051]

Didnt a guy put two jerry can under his rig were the spare tire use to be at. If you have a roof rack just put your tire up on the roof and do what " the dude" did the thread is "My build up of the Duke".

 

[adventureduo]

We use NATO style cans. They don't leak. Can't really comment on keeping gas cans inside. I wouldn't advise it. Vapors still get out no matter what. As far as mounting some gas cans up under neath the stock spare location, i would think twice. Or at least be careful not to hit them on any rocks cause the wall thickness on the can isn't that thick. I wouldn't advise that either. Maybe run a hitch basket for the 2" receiver and get some reflective tape for the cans? But then someone could hit you from behind too. I don't know. Not too many options out there if you don't have a roof rack or can swing out on the back.

 

[the dude]

I am going to be running two cans up underneath for the offroad portion of our trip to Alaska. Not the best solution for everyone. A couple factors came into play for myself. The two cans will be used quickly, I am thinking withing the first two nights of our trip. Second, I am using Scepter cans that can take a lot more abuse then any metal NATO can I have owned. The plastic has some give to it making punctures and rock rash less of a concern for me. And the BIG plus for us is the fact that I am running diesel fuel. In the event of a complete failure the fire risk is greatly reduced over gasoline.

I also have a swing out carrier and is my first choice for storage.

I think there are risks involved with any fuel storage. Being rear ended from behind, carrying fuel inside, roll over with it on a roof rack ect. You just need to evaluate what risk you are willing to take and what effect it may have on others.

 

[ashooter]

Didnt a guy put two jerry can under his rig were the spare tire use to be at. If you have a roof rack just put your tire up on the roof and do what " the dude" did the thread is "My build up of the Duke".

I posted something at 'mud a few months ago about maybe doing that - rigging up some kind of cradle to raise and lower a pair of 5-gal cans. I decided it would be too much of a pain in the butt for too little return.

I guess all this boils down to there really isn't a GOOD way to carry extra fuel without coughing up big bucks for a custom rear bumper or a subtank?

I wish Hanna would hurry up and come out with these PaintLabs/FirstToy racks:

Not perfect, but pretty cool for a lot of things besides fuel.

 

[kcowyo]

Brian has stored a couple of 2.5 gallon cans in his 80.

I believe he's carrying them on a roof rack now, but he had them inside for awhile. Whether on a roof rack or rear bumper swing out, they're going to be exposed to sun & heat. Keeping them (or an aux tank) stored underneath would keep them out of the direct sunlight and in theory, when moving, the draft should keep them somewhat cooler than on the roof or on a rear bumper.

I like KMR's solution and the Dude's solution of storing cans in the spare tire location. The Dude built a nice cage that should keep damage to a minimum. If they survive ACT '08, that's a good enough endorsement for me.

That said, I can't recall seeing anywhere, a thread about a gas can exploding due to direct heat. Swelling, yes. But exploding? No. And if by chance the cans were to leak, I would rather one leak from the rear bumper or underneath, than inside or on top of the vehicle. Personal preference....

 

[Pad]

Personally I would go the marine fuel container route on the roof.
Plastic, wide, low profile, indents for straps, presure release valve, and a hose
for filling your tank w/ on-off valve, baffles too?
Never up/down a full tank again.
Of course theres issues with roof weight but I think this is the best option if you dont want to mount under your truck.
They have many different capasities too.
Search for marine gas tank to get a better look or better yet look in 'general mod. section'

Good luck,
Pad

 

[upcruiser]

When I need to carry spare fuel, I'll use 1-3 5 gallon jerry cans and secure them on the roofbasket. I know it isn't ideal with the weight up so high, but it isn't very often that I use all 3. I also secure my water tank on the basket too, so I'm very mindful of what I'm doing in those cicumstances. For transferring fuel, I use a super syphon instead of lugging the cans off of the roof.

 

[Michael Slade]

Now that I have my gasket situation figured out, I have no vapors, no drips, no leaks. Just happy fuel and water (and odor free gear).

Sorry to butt into the LC forum, but I just thought I'd chime in about carrying fuel inside a closed location. It's never been a problem for me when the cans don't leak. When they did, I didn't use them, but figured out how to make the seal on the NATO cans tighter. Ever since...no problems.

 

[KMR]

I've been quite happy with the underneath storage, and you couldn't ask for a better place to put the extra weight.
If you can get ahold of the Scepter cans, I have had very good luck storing them inside as well, never a leak, and better options for weight distribution than anything else on the rig.
Nothing worse than fuel on the roof, sloshy, heavy and a high center of gravity just don't make for a good combo.
Kevin R.

 

[DBS311]

After reading through the VDEG, it appears that storing fuel cans inside the vehicle is recommended. I always heard that it was bad to keep them inside. Sounds like a few here have run with cans inside the vehicle a time or two. Does anybody do it religiously and care to comment how it has worked for them so far?

I'm about to go the CARB compliant Wedco route, and if keeping them in the vehicle IS a bad idea, then I have no choice but the roof.

 

[Michael Slade]

Sounds like a few here have run with cans inside the vehicle a time or two.

Or 50...or 100. If...and I mean IF you have a good seal on your cans, you can store NATO or Wedco cans upside down and not have any problems. Fill one up with about a half-gallon of fuel and slosh it around. Turn it upside down and you'll quickly see if you have a good seal.

You'll probably know if you have a bad seal even before you turn it upside down...you'll hear the pressure escaping like a leaky tire. You had better not be smoking nearby when the vapors start leaking.

 

[ashooter]

You had better not be smoking nearby when the vapors start leaking.

And that is the primary reason I've always been hesitant to store them inside at all! Not a smoker, but besides the fact that the fumes are poisonous, I don't really want to be driving inside of a fuel-air bomb.

I think I will order up a couple of Scepter cans for the few times I'd feel better with some extra fuel. Sounds like they seal up well and the plastic is more resilient than the Wedco/NATO steel cans. Again - in my case, it's so rare that I ever want/need it, it just doesn't make sense to go to the expense/trouble to install a long-range fuel tank... even though that would be a super nice add-on to have.