Jerry Cans

[CLynn85]

Who here has Jerry cans mounted on the exterior of their trucks? Where/how do you have them mounted?

If I take a trip earlier this summer, it will be prior to having time to fab up a swingout for my rear bumper, so I'm looking at ideas to mount aux. fuel cans. One thought is to mount them on the front fender, one on each side. It'll be tight but going by the measurements from the fedlog database I can mount thecan holder on top of my sliders. Another option is to quickly fab a mount that extends from the center of the spare tire and holds one or two cans outside of the spare tire, although I'm not sure if the mount/tailgate can take the moment that this would create.

Any other thoughts/suggestions are welcome.

I must say, the though of having 10 gallons of gas in then metal, bright red cans around the exterior of the vehicle also has me a bit concerned as well, but an extra 150 miles or so of range would be very handy.

 

[locrwln]

On my Wrangler, my buds and I built two bumpers, one for mine and another for a buddy. We set it up so that when you take the stock spare tire off, you have those black bumpers for the tire on the tailgate. Well take the stock tire mount off and put the bolts back in. Next build a decent bumper, your choice on size of metal to use. We ran 2x2 box tubing up along the corner/sides of the body. Both as corner protection and as a upper mount. Then we used a hinge/spindle. We welded a 2x3 box tube to the spindle and used that as the lower point of the rack/carrier. We then used some jerry can bases that you can get anywhere, welded those to the 2x3 piece. Between the jerry can bases, we mounted a 2x2 box tube that ran straight up, to be used to support the spare tire. We then built a cage around the cans and put a heim joint on the top of the cage that mounted to the corner 2x2 so that it would match the pivot of the spindle. Then we used a over-center latch and set it up so when the carrier was closed, it forced the jerry cans into the original rubber bumpers. This keeps the cans low and close to jeep to assist with the weight and rattle free. Now you can mount your tire relatively close and pretty much any height you want. Just keep enough clearance below the tire so that you can mount your Hi-lift.

One other thing I did is cut the center out of the spare tire mounting plate, to the 2x2 box tubing. I then used this just like a receiver hitch to mount a small basket to hold a little extra gear. Also the fold up chairs that you can get anywhere, strap right on top of the rack above the gas cans.

Sorry I don't have any pictures that I can show you. Good luck, it worked very well for us.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I carry two NATO cans on my rear Stout Equipment (aka Hinken) rack. Mine are painted flat tan, and I've never been stopped in Arizona for non-legal-color gas cans.

This Hinken rack carries the cans perpendicular to the vehicle due to the narrowness of the FJ40 body. Hinken has a photo of an FJ40 jacked off the ground on the edge of the can holder, so it's pretty strong.

I've seen several cracked spare tire can mounts. I'm sure if you did one yourself it could be made stronger, but it wouldn't be any more convenient when you have to remove the spare. And it is a lot of leverage back there.

 

[locrwln]

Sorry, it was late last night so I ran out of steam. Anyway as far as strength, mine was mounted with a 15x8 steel rim and a 35" tire. My buddy used a 15x8 steel rim and a 37" tire. To show a guy how strong these bumper/carriers were, my buddy who is over 300 pounds, opened his tire carrier, climbed on top of it and sat on the spare tire, without any sagging, except for the suspension. So, pretty strong. Of course it is all about how you build it. Our cages for the cans were made out of 1x1 tubing. So it was still relatively light.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

I have a Hanna bumper w/ triple can holder

Also, water is quite a bit heavier than gas. If you design to hold 3 water cans, running 3 gas cans would be no problem.

 

[CLynn85]

I love the swingout mounts, and plan on incorporating them into my design later on.

For now I'm just trying to think of a temporary solution for my trip.

 

[Hltoppr]

I carry 2 NATO (Wedco) steel cans on an Expedition Exchange holder on my roofrack when necessary. I only fill them when needed, as I don't particularly like having that extra weight up high.

-H-

 

[Hltoppr]

Another photo...

-H-

 

[kcowyo]

VikingVince found a way to have 2 jerry can swing away mounts and retain his stock bumper. It's really slick and very original.

Here are a few photos although they don't show the holders in great detail-

first pic is mine
second pic was taken by Dr. Ed at the Expo Rally
third pic taken by Jeffrey Scott at the Expo Rally

Maybe someone who went to Baja with Vince has a better pic.....?

 

[elcoyote]

I have used metal cans for years but have been frustrated by the upkeep i.e. rusting & denting. I really liked the Scepter cans when I saw them at SEMA last year. They are tough: don't dent and don't rust. Just for giggles we ran over one filled with water and nothing happened. Cool I thought but no one seemed to be making an affordable and versatile holder for them...so heck, I designed one instead (the curse of the insomniac!) We are making a run of 250 out of 11 gauge (1/8" thick) powder coated steel to see just how much interest there will be. It can be mounted on 4 of it's 6 sides and is lockable. Here's a drawing for those who might be interested. Let me know what you think.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Mario, I've heard some issues about fumes and leakage with the Scepter cans. Does this not jibe with your experience? But I sure like that holder design. Can you make one for NATO cans too?

As to standard NATO cans, I've always had great luck with their durability, and recently used this one on a refuel stop in Wasso, Tanzania:

 

[flywgn]

Mario, are those the cans/holders going on the Horizon?

As far as extra cans of fuel I don't need them with the F250 (88 gal capacity aboard). The '93 Toyota at the beach is an open-bed and I have a floor mount for one can in the very back of the bed. In the Xterra I let Diana carry an extra can on her lap. Okay, just kidding. I just wanted to see if you were reading this.

I've been told that either Calmini or ARB make replacement tanks for the Xterra which approach 130 liters. I haven't researched it yet, but, if so, this is the way I'll go. I prefer larger mounted tanks over add-ons.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Carrying a jerry can on your lap is fine as long as the seat and shoulder belt are long enough to fit around the can too . . .

 

[elcoyote]

I have not noticed any problems with leakage or fumes with the Scepter cans any more than I have experienced with Wedco or Blitz cans. One of the problems we face in California (and is being adopted in other states) is the requirement for a special nozzle to reduce emissions lost to the atmosphere while transferring fuel. The fine for selling non-compliant cans is currently $25,000 (ouch!). Scepter so far has come up with the best solution we have seen in that they have a compliant nozzle and the can as an internal threaded opening that will accept a Blitz nozzle as well. They also have another nozzle used by the military that is available (fancy that they don't have to comply whereas the citizens do...).

I designed the holder so that it will fit the fuel can with one strap and the water can with another strap. The straps are designed to prevent opening of the cans and a pad lock can be run through the eye to secure it. The strap is made of the same 11 gauge material.

Allen, we will be using this holder on all new trailers. Since we are swapping out the chassis on yours to put the air ride suspension, you'll be getting them too. It has required that we reform our forward cross member tray to be 1/4 larger to fit the new holder and can arrangement yet it will still allow the older can and holder to be installed if someone is dead set on them.

Jonathon, I had not thought about designing it to fit the NATO can but I think it will work. I'll be picking up the pre-production samples tomorrow morning, I'll check and post pictures back here.

 

[Mike S]

...One of the problems we face in California (and is being adopted in other states) is the requirement for a special nozzle to reduce emissions lost to the atmosphere while transferring fuel...

I carry 4 CARB compliant Blitz cans on the trailer, and they spill MORE gas than the old style cans did with the flexy fill nozzle. PITA.

You carrier looks fine Mario. One day I will show you mine - lightweight, simple, strong, etc.

Mike