Fluids and Fuel

[Scott Brady]

Ok, here is some more fodder:

Expedition Guide: Section 4.3 Loading and Lashing.

1. Distribute the heaviest items between the two axles, avoiding the rear overhang (lever).

Off-Roader: Section 8 Loading

1. Mid-wheelbase, low down. Keeping main load ahead of rear axle.
2. Eliminate Roof Racks, external bolt-ons.

I would recommend building a rack system that mounts two fuel cans and two water cans in the 60 of the 60/40 split seat. The MSR bags would work well too.

I believe that if the load is stored as a system, with designated storage locations and level of easy access a roof rack can be avoided. The possible exception would be more than three passengers.

 

[Scott Brady]

So, you think they would be ok inside the vehicle?

Eventually I want to figure out a solution for mounting on the outside.

Absolutely. It is inside the frame rails and crush zones of the vehicle. cans mounted to racks and rear bumpers can get crushed and smashed. I have seen fuel cans fly off roof racks, split open from pressure, leak down the side of vehicles, etc. Buy an ultra high quality set of cans with solid racks and mount them towards the mid-line and down low. Fill them outside of the vehicle and wipe them off thoroughly before putting back in the vehicle.

 

[asteffes]

Scott, I have a related question about fuel can safety. As you probably know, the 2005+ Tacomas have a bed made of a plastic-like resin. It feels and looks similar to the stuff from which many bedliners are constructed. I've always understood that one should not fill a fuel can while it rests on a synthetic bedliner as a static charge may build up and ignite the fuel. However, many say that once the can is full it's safe to transport it in a plastic-lined bed. This seems risky to me, so I have yet to carry any type of fuel jug in the back of my '06.

I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to mount a bracket like the Wedco or Sceptre mounts to the bed of the truck with a ground wire running to a solid ground point on the truck chassis. This would help maintain a neutral voltage potential between the jug rack (and hopefully the jugs themselves) and the chassis (but possibly not the plastic resin bed itself.) Would you agree with this idea, or perhaps have another suggestion?

I would like to purchase a quality fuel container like a Wedco (but they have the crummy plastic cap systems for us in CA) or Sceptre, but not if I can't mount them safely.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I also like the one about the scientists who were doing some vehicle testing in their lab. While closing up shop one night they locked up the Toyota in the lab and went home. The next morning they opened the Toyota and found the lab's resident cat dead on the front seat. The cat had snuck into the vehicle just as they were locking it up the night before and had suffocated inside overnight. Curious the scientists decided to experiment. They got another cat and that night when leaving the lab they locked the second cat inside of a Land Rover. The next morning when the scientists arrived the cat was sitting happily on the hood of the Rover!

HA! is right!

And Graham, that is a terrific compartment.

I agree about keeping the weight as much as possible between the axles, but keeping it low trumps keeping it centered in my view (if you can't do both). I'd much rather have jerry cans on a rear rack than on a roof rack.

I also think Scott is right about a secure rack behind the seats. Much safer than it seems.

My plan for the new FJ40 roof rack would be to use it on long trips for bulky but lightweight items, in either Pelican cases or a soft roof box like the Kanga Roof pouches. Chairs, sleeping bags and pads, and such. Little effect on CG. The couple of times I carried a collapsed 14-foot Zodiac and a 15-horsepower motor up there I really noticed it!

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

Scott, I have a related question about fuel can safety. As you probably know, the 2005+ Tacomas have a bed made of a plastic-like resin. It feels and looks similar to the stuff from which many bedliners are constructed. I've always understood that one should not fill a fuel can while it rests on a synthetic bedliner as a static charge may build up and ignite the fuel. However, many say that once the can is full it's safe to transport it in a plastic-lined bed. This seems risky to me, so I have yet to carry any type of fuel jug in the back of my '06.

I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to mount a bracket like the Wedco or Sceptre mounts to the bed of the truck with a ground wire running to a solid ground point on the truck chassis. This would help maintain a neutral voltage potential between the jug rack (and hopefully the jugs themselves) and the chassis (but possibly not the plastic resin bed itself.) Would you agree with this idea, or perhaps have another suggestion?

I would like to purchase a quality fuel container like a Wedco (but they have the crummy plastic cap systems for us in CA) or Sceptre, but not if I can't mount them safely.

I read up on this b/c I use jerry cans. The static charge is created by gas flowing thru the pipes, gas has a poor conductivity so discharge potential is from the fuel nozzle and your jerry can, which is why you should always have the nozzle touching the lip of the can while you dispense petrol. This way it can flow to ground easily.
A second way is to dispense gas slowly, this lessens the amount of static buildup.

Always put the jerry can on the ground and fill it up there. leave 5-10% empty for expansion.

It is the vapor that will ignite- so keep the jerry cans tightly sealed.
Gas vapor is heavier than air so it runs along the ground.

In your truck bed, if you have a leaking jerry can, it is either overfilled or poor sealing can. Either way, I don't think a grounding wire or anything like that is helpful.