Fuel Can Storage Question

ttora4runner

Expedition Leader
I have an upcoming trip down to San Rafell Swells and I'm trying to fiqure out where to mount the aux. fuel canister I have (5 Gal Nato). I had a roof basket earlier in the year but ended up having to sell it due to unemployment (I needed the money). So it's left me without a way to mount/carry the can.

My vehicle has the factory roof rack and cross bars but I'm not sure how I would attach/hold the can down with it or in which direction to hold (on it's side, with the spout end up)?? So any suggestions you all could give would be welcome.
 

BIGdaddy

Expedition Leader
I have a wedco nato style. I try to carry it on a narrow side, with the opening side up, to minimize the possibility of leaking....

but, honestly I could probably strap it upside down to my front bumper and it probably wouldn't leak a drop, even after almost 10 years of moderate use.

Just lay something like a rubber floormat or something with grip and strap it down flat.

no worries.
 

Fergie

Expedition Leader
Dude, there ain't any magic bullet for this one. Don't put it in your rig. If you have to, strap it flat side-down on your roof. Another way would be strapping your spare up there and the can on top of the spare.
Well, good advice or not, but I just returned from a trip to Mexico with 2 surplus NATO cans in my LC.

No fume, no weird expansions from altitude or heat. Went from snowing in Flagstaff at 7000' to 75* weather in MX, through PHX and Tucson.
 

ttora4runner

Expedition Leader
Thanks for the replies. The reason I posted this in the first place is that I had done a leakage test with the water canister I have (my bad I have scepter fuel canisters not nato)by laying it on it's side (big side down)and I had experience some leakage with it. So that is where my concern comes from that if I lay the fuel can down on it's big/flat side it would possible leak.

I have a stored a gas can in my vehicle before with no problems. Just wasn't comfortable about it.
 

sami

Explorer
I travelled 500+ miles on dirt in one particular trip through the Swell in my '99 4runner and stored a Scepter behind each front seat.. Worked great, except someone lent me a can with a fractured lid(hairline, near impossible to see).. Ya, I got high.. Probably killed some brain cells..

On the other hand, I have used Scepters in tip top shape inside the truck with no issues.. Also, as you will see this weekend i'll be sporting a 5 gal NATO can inside my rig. I feel comfortable with the can strapped into my interior rack.. I've gone weeks with a full NATO can inside on my rack with no fume or leaking issues..

I say just pull out the bottom seat of your rear seats, fold the rear portion down.. And there you have a perfect spot to snuggly fit a Scepter.. I picked that trick up from SOAZ on the board IIRC..
 

cruiseroutfit

Well-known member
... except someone lent me a can with a fractured lid(hairline, near impossible to see).. Ya, I got high.. Probably killed some brain cells.....

I know nothing.

For the record I still contend you brought it back with a hairline crack ;)

Also for the record all of my caps have been inspected and replaced as needed.
 

ttora4runner

Expedition Leader
I'm pretty sure it has no leaks. Since I have never used it since I bought it a little over a year ago. :sombrero:
 

Ruffin' It

Explorer
If you have a good sealing NATO jerry can, straping them down inside isn't all the uncommon. I had an internally mounted jerry can holder in my Disco for years without any sort of issue.
Before that, however, I was in a similar situation as you are. I had factory roof rails, but no actual roof rack. I just got some 1X1's for cross-bars and some big U-bolts and attached them to my roof rails. Then attached a little plywood and ran several U-bolts with fender washers through the plywood to hold the jerry can holders down along with some pipe clamps to hold y shovel and ax - it worked fine for several trips. Even after a while when it starts to wear out, it is cheap to replace (or just re-drill the holes several inches away and re-mount if you are really on a budget. Sure, it isn't as sexy as a $1,200 rack. But it left me with enough money to actually get out and take trips - which WAS pretty sexy. Wood painted flat black doesn't look all that different from metal and, if painted properly, holds up ok to the elements.

I have an upcoming trip down to San Rafell Swells and I'm trying to fiqure out where to mount the aux. fuel canister I have (5 Gal Nato). I had a roof basket earlier in the year but ended up having to sell it due to unemployment (I needed the money). So it's left me without a way to mount/carry the can.

My vehicle has the factory roof rack and cross bars but I'm not sure how I would attach/hold the can down with it or in which direction to hold (on it's side, with the spout end up)?? So any suggestions you all could give would be welcome.
 

red87

Adventurer
When you guys say don't store gas cans inside your rig, does that just mean not in the passenger compartment? I've got a Flip Pac on my truck and I wanted to store my Blitz can in the bed.
 
When you guys say don't store gas cans inside your rig, does that just mean not in the passenger compartment? I've got a Flip Pac on my truck and I wanted to store my Blitz can in the bed.

Yeah, we mean in the passenger compartment.

And be prepared for your blitz cans to leak and your entire flippac to stink like gas fumes.
 

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