why jerry cans?

[tdesanto]

Sure, the Scepters are commanding a higher price due to limited supply.

May I suggest the Wedco cans for about $45? You can get them here. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the quality. If you live in a state that is CARB compliant, they make a can for that too. The spout isn't that great, but I use a super siphon and couldn't be happier with its performance. It's quick and I don't have to hold the can...let gravity do the work.

 

[hillbillyjake]

all right, i've been convinced. i think a jerry can and a super siphon are the way to go for me. does any one know where i can pick up a couple? can you still buy them new?

tdesanto; i could not get your link to work. thanks though.

jake

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

I think he meant here -> http://www.expeditionexchange.com/

 

[adventureduo]

I get my NATO/WEDCO cans from a local Army Surplus and pay $19 for them. They're NOS and are in great condition inside. They don't leak and 99% of the seals are new still. I would never pay $50-80 for a fuel or water can. I also can't stand the blue/red/yellow colors they come in for different apps. Im boring i like OD green or Sand.

We also use a super syphon instead of lugging our cans around. It works great, just make sure your cans are higher than your fill location. Few jerks and you can empty a can in less than 2 minutes.

The reason why everyone charges an arm and a leg for the new cans is because they_can. They've been out for what 60 years?.... don't tell me they cost more to produce than 20 years ago. I actually found a place that makes the "sceptor" type plastic can in Vegas and sells them brand new for $12. Just goes to show you, it's all marketing and how everyone follows a name brand.

That being said, If the only option left was to buy expensive cans over the walmart cheapo's then yes, i'd spend the $50-80 at that point. The quality is just much better and the biggest thing is, they don't leak.

 

[michaelgroves]

The steel NATO type jerry can is a wondrous thing! I often cite it as an example of near perfect design, because everything about it was thought through methodically and creatively. The triple handle that allows two people to carry one jerry can, or one person to carry four jerry cans, or any other combination... the spout that pours properly and has an integral pouring vent so you don't need two caps... the lid that seals firmly, can't get lost, and stays propped up by itself when open... the shape and dimensions that allows multiple cans to be packed and handled efficiently...the simplicity that allows them to be produced cheaply...

Talking of cheaply - $80 is frightening! But I'd pay it if I had to. (I try not to think in terms of Product A being 10 times the price of Product B, unless somehow buying 10 of Product B is really an alternative! I prefer to simply weigh up the absolute costs of the alternatives I am considering).

I've just had a look online :- NATO-style steel jerry cans sell here in the UK (new) for about £10-£30 ($15-$50) retail, depending on where you buy them. I assume there is some quality variation, but I don't know if paying more guarantees one gets the best one.

 

[hillbillyjake]

jjust placed my order with expidition exchange. 2 wedco cans and a super syphon are on the way. thanks for all the good advice. i will post when i recive them. thanks again

jake

 

[Redline]

Buy Some!

Anyone reading this thread that 'may' need cans in the future... Don't wait, you are already late. Get some from ExPo Exchange!

 

[soenke]

sorry, I´m just wondering.
Here in Germany Nato Jerry cans are cheap and easy to get.
I have used them ...but not any more.

-they are heavy!

-they do leak (even when taking spare seals along .. one will leak :victory

-everybody sees: you are carrying Diesel (customs, beggars, thiefs...)

-you will have to refill the tanks when you don´t want to get out or dirty..

-filling takes a long time

I would rather use long range fuel tanks or a second tank put in the back just by demand.
For rare back up use I would rather take the light PE Jerry cans or the marine PE foldable tanks (1) if extraordinary range is required for certain tours(2)


(1)60l in a foldable plasik box, but they are hard to get
(2) Mauretanian desert :drool:

 

[hillbillyjake]

that is exactly what i was thinking, redline. i kinda dawned on me that i may complain about seeing them for sale for $80 now i would be real mad in 2 or 3 years when $80 will buy the cheap ones. i would like to have bought 10 of them but the finance dept. kinda shut me down she'll really be disapointed when i pay $200 for 2 more some day:Wow1:. anyway, thanks again.

jake

 

[Overland Hadley]

sorry, I´m just wondering.
Here in Germany Nato Jerry cans are cheap and easy to get.
I have used them ...but not any more.

-they are heavy!

-they do leak (even when taking spare seals along .. one will leak :victory

-everybody sees: you are carrying Diesel (customs, beggars, thiefs...)

-you will have to refill the tanks when you don´t want to get out or dirty..

-filling takes a long time

I would rather use long range fuel tanks or a second tank put in the back just by demand.
For rare back up use I would rather take the light PE Jerry cans or the marine PE foldable tanks (1) if extraordinary range is required for certain tours(2)


(1)60l in a foldable plasik box, but they are hard to get
(2) Maretanian desert :drool:

I wish I could get a long range fuel tank. Oh I do wish.

 

[Redline]

Yep, I agree it's a better option if it's practical. Unfortunately, it's not always practical for many of us and for many applications.

I wish I could get a long range fuel tank. Oh I do wish.

 

[soenke]

have you thought about a PE-tank?

Quicker and and more comfortable filling, automatic refilling the original tank via drop line.
just tied down somewhere in the car by demand, lined up with quick connectors,
much lighter than 4 Jerry cans....

 

[jcbrandon]

I wish I could get a long range fuel tank. Oh I do wish.

Something I had not considered until I read Tom Sheppard's "Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide:" He points out that if you get bogged down in say, sand or mud, you can remove significant weight and ease a recovery by offloading your jerry cans. You can't offload a built-in fuel tank.

 

[soenke]

that´s true, but the PE tank above could be taken out....
dito with PE or foldable jerry cans (I just looked around, www.woick.de used to sell them, but I don`t finde them in the catalog anymore)

besides I never had to offload to get over a dune or through some mud. But I experienced all above mentioned disadvantages with the Nato jerry cans visible mounted on the roof rack and the side of the car and stored inside.

I would get a second / or larger tank to provide enough range for the ordinary trips and use lighter PE cans as a back up...
If you don´t like the australian standard long range tanks many shops in Germany customize them either in steal, V2A or aluminium, ...don´t you have shops specialized on this?

Just wanted to point that out, do as you like....

 

[michaelgroves]

I also much prefer a built-in tank (for fuel, but not for water). However, as others have said, it's not always a practical possibility.

One issue with any large-tank solution is that once you've decided how big it should be, that's it. There's no altering things to suit any particular outing or purpose. For those who use their vehicles as daily drivers or for other multiple purposes, having the ability to carry fuel in several smaller containers gives a lot of flexibility - leave them at home most of the time, take a couple when you go on a long trail, and a few more if you go on a longer jaunt. It's a lot different if you tend to use your truck more or less solely for long expeditions in remote places - then having a good built-in tank makes perfect sense.