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.

 

[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..

 

[Datsun Man2]

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.

Technically from 80 to 155 with the tank alone. If I were to include the two cans it would go from 120 to 195.

 

[Kingsize24]

Until this happens..

This is more of a lesson to not use a bladder unless stationery more than anything else. There is a reason the militaries worldwide use 1/4" thick plastic jugs to travel, and bladders only at base camps. There are small exceptions, but they are just that. I never have and never would trust a bladder unless it was the absolute last option, and it would never be on a roof over a cooking location. JMHO

 

[dstefan]

Until this happens..

Well that absolutely sucks! I stand corrected and I'm gonna have to find a different approach. Thanks for sharing that.

Edit: Since the video is posted here, I’m going to delete my original post so nobody can see a recommendation for these in isolation and not get the full story. Wish the vid had been out before I bought these

 

[mog]

There is a saying in aviation, "you can never have too much fuel, unless you are on fire". Regardless of your internal fuel storage, it is nice to have one 'can' to use to transfer fuel to others that might need it, or to use to transfer to your vehicle, if necessary.

 

[ExpoMike]

In my opinion, since you are almost doubling the stock tank with the 155L upgrade, it would be like adding almost 4 extra fuel cans to your rig. If you have been okay with 2 extra fuel cans, you're almost doubling that. Unless you have found that having the 80L + the extra 40L hasn't been enough, I would think you are more than good. At the most, I "might" carry 1 extra can but that would be it. Why add more weight, which you already did with the larger tank. At least that weight is down low.

That's my thoughts.

 

[LRNAD90]

There is a saying in aviation, "you can never have too much fuel, unless you are on fire". Regardless of your internal fuel storage, it is nice to have one 'can' to use to transfer fuel to others that might need it, or to use to transfer to your vehicle, if necessary.

Or when you are carrying so much fuel you exceed your safe landing weight when you have to return for some other emergency. Mostly not an issue, except for large commercial aircraft, but the point is, you can have too much weight...

 

[mog]

Or when you are carrying so much fuel you exceed your safe landing weight when you have to return for some other emergency. Mostly not an issue, except for large commercial aircraft, but the point is, you can have too much weight...

Thread Drift - the reason why aircraft that could have that as an issue, also have fuel dump systems.
In the case of my Kodiak, since the 8.1 liter (496ci) engine goes through fuel like a B17 with flak holes in it's wings, that in itself is the 'fuel dump' system

 

[rruff]

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.

I'm going to give a contrarian view to what others are saying... I've never felt the need for even a jerry can, and my range has always been <300 miles. It's never been an issue. Mostly western US, but also Baja and southern CA. If you are in Australia or plan to explore N CA, or someplace else in the world, your needs might be very different.

Gas is heavy, so I don't understand the "you can never have too much" refrain, especially with a payload challenged rig. There are 1,000,000 other things with far worse consequences than running out of gas that can go wrong in the back country. At any rate, I've never run out.

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.

Find a good site that is unpopular and park it for as long as you want! Technically 2 weeks is the limit on NF and BLM before you have to move some distance, but you'll probably be needing supplies then anyway.

 

[mep1811]

Until this happens..

A fuel bag not a fuel can big difference.