External Fuel Tanks

[OscarMk]

I watched Dean Shirley's 10 Essentials for the Novice Overlander video from the Virtual Overland Expo and he certainly was not a fan of external tanks. His fuel discussion starts at 15:00 in the video. Aside from the obvious possibility of theft, one of his reasons was denial of entry to a National Park (16:55 in video, he did not state which park) due to tanks mounted on the outside of the vehicle. Being a National Park nerd, that part really got me wondering about the tanks.

As a novice I like knowing I have 2 gallons (30 miles) as a reserve if needed. It gives me a sense of security. Additionally, if someone else needs fuel, I have it readily available.

What is the general feeling on external fuel tanks?

 

[Dlnuckolls]

I would say carrying a couple extra gallons might not be a bad idea. The issue becomes when folks go overboard and want huge tanks. The excess weight alone would stop me.

 

[Billiebob]

To just carry jerry cans when you never need them is kinda crazy. Theft is part of the issue but National Parks ban them for good reasons too. And in BC you are only allowed 1, 5 gallon can when boarding an inland ferry. That one catches an lot of ATV and Sled owners having to turn around.

If your trip involves distances beyond your range, sure carry the fuel you need, otherwise, leave them at home.

 

[OscarMk]

To just carry jerry cans when you never need them is kinda crazy. Theft is part of the issue but National Parks ban them for good reasons too. And in BC you are only allowed 1, 5 gallon can when boarding an inland ferry. That one catches an lot of ATV and Sled owners having to turn around.

If your trip involves distances beyond your range, sure carry the fuel you need, otherwise, leave them at home.

Thanks for the tip about ferries. I have a trip in the planning stages that involves some ferry crossings. I hadn't considered that possibility. Washington State Ferries only allow gasoline containers in vehicles only.

 

[Billiebob]

I had 2 external Wavian cans on my Jeep when we went to Yosemite and Crater lake. We didn’t have any problems.

Every state, province, country has their own regulations. Time to realize what you did last year might be irrelevant.
And the laws broken last year are still laws broken.... until you get caught and turned around.
The number of sledders who get turned around every year in BC is incredible.
I cannot believe how often I speed without getting a ticket lol.

 

[USStrongman]

National park laws are universal to themselves. Either the Dean Shirley is wrong or the park ranger who kept him from entering was wrong. After a lengthy google search the only article I could find by the NPS was how to be careful filling gas cans at home. Ferry's are a different story.

 

[Kent R]

I watched Dean Shirley's 10 Essentials for the Novice Overlander video from the Virtual Overland Expo and he certainly was not a fan of external tanks. His fuel discussion starts at 15:00 in the video. Aside from the obvious possibility of theft, one of his reasons was denial of entry to a National Park (16:55 in video, he did not state which park) due to tanks mounted on the outside of the vehicle. Being a National Park nerd, that part really got me wondering about the tanks.

As a novice I like knowing I have 2 gallons (30 miles) as a reserve if needed. It gives me a sense of security. Additionally, if someone else needs fuel, I have it readily available.

What is the general feeling on external fuel tanks?

I too watched the presentation and found a couple of the things mentioned somewhat interesting. Remember that was one persons suggestions and what works for him may not work for you.

One thing to remember is that you really need to know what your fuel range is in all driving conditions, flat forest roads in 2wheel high and rough terrain in 4 wheel low and so on. Once you have those general numbers you can decide if you need additional fuel. I have travled in many US National Parks and never had an issue with carrying spare fuel and in fact I have had to use my spare fuel in two different parks due to long travel distances. As for ferries both Canadian and US ferries have roughly the same regulations since the service each others ports. You need to check with them prior to going. You Might want to also ask about propane cylinders, some people have them mounted outside their vehicle and could also be an issue on ferries. I personally would never travel without some spare fuel, I might not need it but someone else might.

My ten cents only nothing more.

 

[OscarMk]

Remember that was one persons suggestions and what works for him may not work for you.

One thing to remember is that you really need to know what your fuel range is in all driving conditions, flat forest roads in 2wheel high and rough terrain in 4 wheel low and so on. Once you have those general numbers you can decide if you need additional fuel. I have travled in many US National Parks and never had an issue with carrying spare fuel and in fact I have had to use my spare fuel in two different parks due to long travel distances.

Thanks for the reply. Being a novice, I find myself erring on the side of caution. However, I am trying to differentiate caution from paranoia. Watching video's like Dean Shirley's and reading posts here have been big help and also made me question my current setup and plans. I think constantly questioning leads to more learning, and learning means exploring, and then we have come full circle...

 

[Get Out GO]

I have an internal long range tank 45l (12gal) giving me a total of 115l (30gal) diesel. Worst case I thus have a 920 km (570 mi) range. I prefer long range fuel tanks as the weight sits low on the vehicle and you don't have to deal with dirty, smelly fuel cans. Downside is cost and sometimes complexity. The reality though is on some of our trips (crossing the Central Kalahari for example) you need at least a 1200 km (745 mi) range between fuel stops. This means I have to take jerrycans over and above my internal tanks as well (on these long range trips I take two).
So like the others have said, it really boils down to your driving distances / conditions and fuel availability. Personally, I can highly recommend a long range tank though.

 

[Alanymarce]

Internal extra fuel tank?
Negative: takes up space and adds weight when empty (and obviously when full) - you cannot remove an internal extra tank easily for a trip when you don't need it. We prefer to use the space for other kit.
Positive: The CoG is kept low, no problem with ferries, less likely to be stolen (although we've never lost an external fuel can).

External fuel cans?
Negative: easier to steal the can(s), easier to steal fuel (both of these risks can be reduced with appropriate guards/security cables); may be a concern on some ferries and in some NPs (although we've never yet come across this); higher CoG (not a lot when empty, more when full). Positive: You can leave them at home when you don't need them (or buy them for when you need them and give them away once you don't).

In our last three "big trips" - 145,000 Km - we've needed extra fuel only twice (once crossing Eduardo Avaroa Desert, and once crossing the Simpson) - so for less than 1% of the time. All the rest of the time we had enough range (500 Km or so) to be able to get to somewhere where we could refuel. There's not much value in a built-in extra tank if you don't need it 99% of the time - you're taking up space which could be used for other kit, and adding some unnecessary weight. When you know you're going to need extra fuel you can buy fuel cans (not expensive), fill them at the last fuel station, and once you've passed the need, empty them and either sell them, give them away, or keep them (empty and light) until you get home.

 

[M Rose]

Internal extra fuel tank?
Negative: takes up space and adds weight when empty (and obviously when full) - you cannot remove an internal extra tank easily for a trip when you don't need it. We prefer to use the space for other kit.
Positive: The CoG is kept low, no problem with ferries, less likely to be stolen (although we've never lost an external fuel can).

External fuel cans?
Negative: easier to steal the can(s), easier to steal fuel (both of these risks can be reduced with appropriate guards/security cables); may be a concern on some ferries and in some NPs (although we've never yet come across this); higher CoG (not a lot when empty, more when full). Positive: You can leave them at home when you don't need them (or buy them for when you need them and give them away once you don't).

In our last three "big trips" - 145,000 Km - we've needed extra fuel only twice (once crossing Eduardo Avaroa Desert, and once crossing the Simpson) - so for less than 1% of the time. All the rest of the time we had enough range (500 Km or so) to be able to get to somewhere where we could refuel. There's not much value in a built-in extra tank if you don't need it 99% of the time - you're taking up space which could be used for other kit, and adding some unnecessary weight. When you know you're going to need extra fuel you can buy fuel cans (not expensive), fill them at the last fuel station, and once you've passed the need, empty them and either sell them, give them away, or keep them (empty and light) until you get home.

A lot of this depends on your rig... some rigs, like my Bronco have aftermarket long range tanks ..my stock gas tank was 19 gallons, my aftermarket tank sits in the same spot as my OEM tank and has twice the capacity, uses stock fuel pump and sending unit, and even stock hardware to mount it. Then, since some F sorties trucks had dual tanks, I also added another 12 gallon saddle tank to the Bronco. Do I actually need all this fuel, probably not, but having to refuel once every two months is nice.

 

[Alanymarce]

...Do I actually need all this fuel, probably not, but having to refuel once every two months is nice.

Hmm - I've filled (half a tank) once since January...! Not allowed out except for essentials. We've covered 665 Km since Dec 10th! 50 miles a month...

 

[M Rose]

Hmm - I've filled (half a tank) once since January...! Not allowed out except for essentials. We've covered 665 Km since Dec 10th! 50 miles a month...

I drive a lot more than 50 miles in a day...

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

I drive a lot more than 50 miles in a day...

But your a gadabout :-)

 

[M Rose]

But your a gadabout :-)

even a trip to the store is an adventure.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

even a trip to the store is an adventure.

I hear that. My trip to the store (walmart) is 50 miles round trip.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

I too watched the presentation and found a couple of the things mentioned somewhat interesting. Remember that was one persons suggestions and what works for him may not work for you.

One thing to remember is that you really need to know what your fuel range is in all driving conditions, flat forest roads in 2wheel high and rough terrain in 4 wheel low and so on. Once you have those general numbers you can decide if you need additional fuel. I have travled in many US National Parks and never had an issue with carrying spare fuel and in fact I have had to use my spare fuel in two different parks due to long travel distances. As for ferries both Canadian and US ferries have roughly the same regulations since the service each others ports. You need to check with them prior to going. You Might want to also ask about propane cylinders, some people have them mounted outside their vehicle and could also be an issue on ferries. I personally would never travel without some spare fuel, I might not need it but someone else might.

My ten cents only nothing more.

I'd like to hear from those that know, what is the gas consumption difference between just driving down the flat forest roads in high range high gear and the trail roads where your creeping along in low range, in whatever gear needed. Do you think your gas mileage is cut in half ? I'm also curious about your water temperature at slower speeds and what is a reasonable temp to expect. I'm only interested in vehicles that are not pulling a trailer and have all the normal camping gear aboard.

 

[M Rose]

I'd like to hear from those that know, what is the gas consumption difference between just driving down the flat forest roads in high range high gear and the trail roads where your creeping along in low range, in whatever gear needed. Do you think your gas mileage is cut in half ? I'm also curious about your water temperature at slower speeds and what is a reasonable temp to expect. I'm only interested in vehicles that are not pulling a trailer and have all the normal camping gear aboard.

Gas mileage suffers some... on the Bronco I find low range I get better mileage than high range city driving because I’m ideling a long And not stopping.

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

Gas mileage suffers some... on the Bronco I find low range I get better mileage than high range city driving because I’m ideling a long And not stopping.

Hmmmm that's interesting. What does that do to your water temp.

 

[M Rose]

A good functioning cooling system and a clean air filter... absolutely nothing... stays at 200 degrees give or take a few... when things start to heat up, it’s normally a clogged air filter... take it out and knock the dust out and away you go.

now this is assuming of corse that I’m not pulling long hard grades, or over reving the engine... just a little off idel (1100-1300 rpms)...longer Grades, excessive right foot, above average ambient temperatures, and things might heat up a little bit, and if they do, just selecting a different gear and getting the fan to pull a little harder usually brings the engine temps right back down.