Reports of Scepter 'civilian' 5gal gas cans at Costco for $15

[rayra]

Reportedly as thick as their MFCs, but with a 'civilian' CARB- cap. If as described these would be a good deal. They aren't available at costco.com, may only be available in select stores. I'll be looking for them our next trip. Seems Scepter has wisely jumped in to fill the void left by Blitz.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_18/681369_Specter_consumer_jerry_cans.html

 

[peekay]

I have the Canadian/international version of this can (has the non-Carb nozzle, and a rear vent hole), and it's great. Doesn't leak, and seems well constructed, especially for the bargain price.

 

[MOguy]

Reportedly as thick as their MFCs, but with a 'civilian' CARB- cap. If as described these would be a good deal. They aren't available at costco.com, may only be available in select stores. I'll be looking for them our next trip. Seems Scepter has wisely jumped in to fill the void left by Blitz.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_18/681369_Specter_consumer_jerry_cans.html

Scepter is not showing these cans on their homepage. Based on the cost of the cans above I seriously doubt they are anything close to the Military ones they have. These cans above clearly have a seam down the middle. I have a few Military ones of my own and while in the Army I couldn't begin to imagine how many I have filled. I don't remember them having seams like that. The ones I have don't. Here is a pic of the web of the military ones.

http://civ.sceptermilitary.com/
http://www.scepterconsumer.com/

 

[Dazrin]

Scepter is not showing these cans on their homepage. Based on the cost of the cans above I seriously doubt they are anything close to the Military ones they have. These cans above clearly have a seam down the middle. I have a few Military ones of my own and while in the Army I couldn't begin to imagine how many I have filled. I don't remember them having seams like that. The ones I have don't. Here is a pic of the web of the military ones.

http://civ.sceptermilitary.com/
http://www.scepterconsumer.com/

The civ.sceptermilitary.com link you have has a picture of 3 cans side by side all of which have a seam down the middle. The handles are certainly different on the costco one but look similar to the water cans on that page. Need more input to make sure I think.

 

[CCH]

They have a consumer division and I believe you can find that gas can on that webpage.

http://www.scepterconsumer.com/fuel_containers/epa_carb/

 

[MOguy]

The civ.sceptermilitary.com link you have has a picture of 3 cans side by side all of which have a seam down the middle. The handles are certainly different on the costco one but look similar to the water cans on that page. Need more input to make sure I think.

I should have been more specific. When I said seam like that I meant not as pronounced or sloppy looking. If you read the requirements and description for the military ones it just seems you're not getting that for 15 bucks, but who knows. I would be nice to be able to get good fuel cans for 15 bucks. I cannot find any info from the scepter sight comparing it to their military ones. They look like the military ones, I would just think if they performed like the military ones they would let you know. They only talk about child resistant, and the epa rules they satisfy.

 

[Frosty_1]

I bought one at Costco last week and am returning it this week. The carb nozzle is terrible and leaks like crazy. I tried using it on my boat and was extremely frustrated with the experience. Back to Costco it goes.

 

[MOguy]

I bought one at Costco last week and am returning it this week. The carb nozzle is terrible and leaks like crazy. I tried using it on my boat and was extremely frustrated with the experience. Back to Costco it goes.

How did it seem compared the similar looking military fuel cans. Did it seem strong enough to able to be dropped form a few feet without breaking, did it leak with the top on?

 

[rayra]

What you are erroneously calling a "seam" - and thus implying a potential point of failure - is what is called in injection/rotary moulding a 'parting line' and 'moulding flash' and is cosmetic only. It is not two halves melted together along that line.

Looking at their PDF data it would seem the wall thickness of the HDPE would be just over 2/3 that of the Scepter MFC, judging from the listed product weights. That's pretty good for a 'consumer' grade can, thicker than the old Blitz plastic cans were, anyway.

As to treating a plastic fuel can like a basketball, you better just go pony up $50-80 for a MFC, instead of holding a $15 can to that higher standard.

As to CARB nozzles, they are all utter crap for pouring. I don't even try. I use a SimpleSiphon. The caps are however sufficient against leaking when simply closed, or they couldn't get DOT approval for their basic tests.

It's a $15 consumer gas can. Judge it on its merits, not against something it isn't advertised to be.


------

http://www.scepterconsumer.com/sites/scepter_consumer_02/files/Scepter_EPA_Carb.pdf
RV520S - 20 L/5.3 Gal Military Style Gas
3.9 lbs/1.8 k
13.0" x 6.0" x 18.3"


http://civ.sceptermilitary.com/sites/scepter_militaryciv_02/files/scepter_military_catalogue.pdf

MFC, Fuel Can 5Gal/20L Diesel (Olive Drab with Yellow Strap)
5.71 lbs/2.59 kg
14.3" x 6.9" x 18.3" / 36.3 x 17.5 x 46.5

MFC, Fuel Can 2.5Gal/10L Gasoline (Olive Drab with Red Strap)
3.234 lbs/1.467 kg
13.6" x 6.6" x 11.8" / 34.5 x 16.7 x 30

------

 

[A&F]

Excellent point. $15 is a good deal.

Anyone make replacement caps?

 

[Jason911]

Grainger has them online for $46.75 - so COSTCO is one heck of a deal:

http://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-Plastic-Fuel-Can-9LV24?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/9LV24_AS05?$smthumb$

 

[Frosty_1]

How did it seem compared the similar looking military fuel cans. Did it seem strong enough to able to be dropped form a few feet without breaking, did it leak with the top on?

I have not used the Military gas version in person. I do have some of the military water jugs made by Scepter and the quality is close, but probably not quite as thick as Ray mentions. Also, a siphon would have made things much easier and as I was trying to pour from the CARB compliant nozzle, I was wishing I had a siphon on me...

 

[Martinjmpr]

Excellent point. $15 is a good deal.

.
So basically it's a cheap Blitz-type can in the shape of a military Sceptre.
.
Not bad as long as you know its limitations. I've always believed that one of the keys to happiness is to have realistic expectations. Expecting a $15 can from COSTCO to be as rugged as a military Sceptre is not very realistic.
.

Anyone make replacement caps?

.
I've seen various replacement nozzles on Amazon. My RotoPax cans have the same awful CARB caps and spouts so I just use the cap to keep the fuel in (which it does very well) and when it's time to pour I put on a old non-CARB spout and it works fine. I carry the spout in a zip loc bag.

 

[4xdog]

My local Costco has these fuel cans on the shelf. They're very similar in weight and construction to my MFCs. They're not lightweight junk.

The spout is indeed quite different from a MFC, as noted. I'm surprised it leaked so badly for Frosty_1 -- while I have no love for CARB nozzles, these seemed made well and had decent gaskets.

For a user who siphons these are a great deal.

 

[MOguy]

Reportedly as thick as their MFCs, but with a 'civilian' CARB- cap. If as described these would be a good deal. They aren't available at costco.com, may only be available in select stores. I'll be looking for them our next trip. Seems Scepter has wisely jumped in to fill the void left by Blitz.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_18/681369_Specter_consumer_jerry_cans.html

When I meaure the opening in my military version on that can it is twice as thick. I am going to remain sceptical. I would be nice to find a military grade can for 15.00 bucks.