Fuel Tanks and Jerry Cans relating to Fuel Range

[Datsun Man2]

Here's a genuine question that I know has been brought up here and there. This is relating to fuel range. To specify the amount of range you would want to see depending on where you might be going.

For my 2012 Nissan Frontier it came with a 80 l fuel tank from the factory. At the moment I do have two 20 l wavian fuel tanks to go with it bringing my total capacity up to 120 l. Thankfully I found a distributor out of Australia that is willing to send me a 155 l replacement fuel tank but I can install in my truck. I'm already looking at doing that in the near future since going off grid usually means you need to have some extra fuel just in case.

One of the things I keep contemplating is whether or not I should keep my two 20 l Jerry cans. The reason I question it is due to the overall weight on the vehicle. The cans buy themselves do you have a fair amount of weight and get much heavier when you fill them. Then again having that extra capacity when you're off grid is pretty nice.

So let's get to the real question. Besides the US where you have a gas station within 200 miles of each other, what is the preferred fuel range to have for a nice long off-road expedition?

Keep in mind for this question I am looking at spending a lot of time off grid without having to go see civilization if I don't have to. Yes my factory tank with two Jerry cans will get me around 375 miles as is off grid, but I'm looking for more and I already know that fuel tank by itself will do that. It's just a question of if I should keep the two cans or not. This also relates to the fact that I'm looking to go up to Canada in the next couple of years and I could see the possibility of range being needed up there, but I'm not familiar with that country so I'm not too sure either.

So if you got some good experience with a lot of long distance travel without having to fill up a tank, please chime in as I would like your input.

 

[Roam.Wild]

Our rig gets about 700 miles to the tank, I still carry 10 gallons of extra fuel just in case. You can never really carry too much of something that you absolutely rely on.

 

[dstefan]

Purely for weight savings and also functionality, these can’t be beat. https://giantloopmoto.com/products/armadillo-bag-0?_pos=1&_sid=16c92a087&_ss=r

The outlet prices are great compared to their regular price (they’ve updated the look and outer fabric on the current ones). I have two of the 5 gal bags (nearly 40L) in addition to my stock 38 gal (144L ) gas tanks in my truck that gets 15 mpg on the road avg and less on tough off road. The bags weigh 1.5 lbs each and they are super easy to work with and fill from — way easier and cleaner (they have never spilled or leaked a drop) than any jerry can and especially Rotopax —I’ve ever used. You also get every drop out of them, they don’t need a carrier (I put mine in my Trasharoo, empty or full) and they roll up super small when empty. I’ve used mine for several years with no issues at all.

You’ll see that Giant Loop says they aren’t approved for gas storage or transport. I researched them a lot before I bought them and found out that GL did’t want to go through the DOT approval process and cost, but plenty of people use them for gas. I just don’t carry them on the highway any more than I need to to get to the trail. They are tough as nails. See the video of them being run over by a vehicle or moto (I forget which).

 

[Datsun Man2]

Our rig gets about 700 miles to the tank, I still carry 10 gallons of extra fuel just in case. You can never really carry too much of something that you absolutely rely on.

With the bigger tank I see myself getting between 525 to 640 miles for OffRoad and Street use before I have to worry about filling up. If I counted both my Jerry Cans I I would be looking between 675 to 820 miles. Thankfully my vehicle doesn't have anything that truly depends on gasoline besides the engine. That said I guess it depends on the trip?

 

[Datsun Man2]

Purely for weight savings and also functionality, these can’t be beat. https://giantloopmoto.com/products/armadillo-bag-0?_pos=1&_sid=16c92a087&_ss=r

The outlet prices are great compared to their regular price (they’ve updated the look and outer fabric on the current ones). I have two of the 5 gal bags (nearly 40L) in addition to my stock 38 gal (144L ) gas tanks in my truck that gets 15 mpg on the road avg and less on tough off road. The bags weigh 1.5 lbs each and they are super easy to work with and fill from — way easier and cleaner (they have never spilled or leaked a drop) than any jerry can and especially Rotopax —I’ve ever used. You also get every drop out of them, they don’t need a carrier (I put mine in my Trasharoo, empty or full) and they roll up super small when empty. I’ve used mine for several years with no issues at all.

You’ll see that Giant Loop says they aren’t approved for gas storage or transport. I researched them a lot before I bought them and found out that GL did’t want to go through the DOT approval process and cost, but plenty of people use them for gas. I just don’t carry them on the highway any more than I need to to get to the trail. They are tough as nails. See the video of them being run over by a vehicle or moto (I forget which).

I can promise you a different style of fuel can is not the concern here. I already have two fuel cans that I actually like. I used to have RotoPax and after switching to Wavian I am happy. With getting the new tank soon it is simply a question of the preferred Fuel Range to get so I can decide if I should keep the Fuel Cans or not.

 

[Gravelette]

You are increasing your capacity from 120L to 155L with the new tank. Only you can know if you need more. If in doubt, carry an extra can first trip out. There is such a thing as too much, given the low payload of the Frontier.

 

[LRNAD90]

Purely for weight savings and also functionality, these can’t be beat. https://giantloopmoto.com/products/armadillo-bag-0?_pos=1&_sid=16c92a087&_ss=r

The outlet prices are great compared to their regular price (they’ve updated the look and outer fabric on the current ones). I have two of the 5 gal bags (nearly 40L) in addition to my stock 38 gal (144L ) gas tanks in my truck that gets 15 mpg on the road avg and less on tough off road. The bags weigh 1.5 lbs each and they are super easy to work with and fill from — way easier and cleaner (they have never spilled or leaked a drop) than any jerry can and especially Rotopax —I’ve ever used. You also get every drop out of them, they don’t need a carrier (I put mine in my Trasharoo, empty or full) and they roll up super small when empty. I’ve used mine for several years with no issues at all.

You’ll see that Giant Loop says they aren’t approved for gas storage or transport. I researched them a lot before I bought them and found out that GL did’t want to go through the DOT approval process and cost, but plenty of people use them for gas. I just don’t carry them on the highway any more than I need to to get to the trail. They are tough as nails. See the video of them being run over by a vehicle or moto (I forget which).

Until this happens..