Gas can question for long term users

[Jim SoG]

This is for those who have had their cans for a long time , in the elements.....

What can do you use and how is it lasting/holding Would you buy the same ones again?


Jim

 

[old_man]

I run the old school military Jerry Cans. I coat the insides with a sealer and paint the outsides. Mine are probably 20+ years old military surplus and look like new.

 

[systemdelete]

I run a dozen or so Jerry cans, purchased due to CARB's insane attempt to "fix" the gas can problem. :Banghead: they are around a decade old now, and holding up great.

 

[old_man]

Let me clue you into a little secret. I run a Jeep Cherokee XK. They run a submersible fuel pump. I keep a spare in the truck with a 20 ft hose and a 20 foot power cable with a cigarette lighter. When I want fuel out of the can, I just drop the fuel pump in, put the hose in the tank and plug it into the cigarette lighter. In a couple of minutes the can is empty and I didn't have to unlock and heft the can. I 10 minutes I can completely refill my XJ from the cans on my trailer. The bonus is that I have a spare fuel pump incase the one I have fails. They are known to fail. Rather than climb under the Jeep and swap the fuel pump on the trail I just dropped the pump in a can, ran it to the fuel rail and presto I was back on the trail I changed it later back in camp.

 

[ChasingOurTrunks]

I used plastic Scepter cans and would buy them again but they are twice the price of the metal ones, at least, and you cannot get them in the US as easily as you can in Canada.

For folks using the metal Jerry cans -- how are they for leaks when fuel is stored? Can you store them on their sides? And how do they cope with expansion in hot environments? The Scepter cans blow up like balloons on a hot day.

Edit: When I say plastic Scepter cans, I mean the Mil-Spec ones, not the hardware store red ones.
https://mil.sceptermilitary.com/fuel_containers/

 

[systemdelete]

I used plastic Scepter cans and would buy them again but they are twice the price of the metal ones, at least, and you cannot get them in the US as easily as you can in Canada.

For folks using the metal Jerry cans -- how are they for leaks when fuel is stored? Can you store them on their sides? And how do they cope with expansion in hot environments? The Scepter cans blow up like balloons on a hot day.

There is a line on the better metal cans at 20L. Filled to this level or just shy it leaves a pocket of air in the top. This air pocket allows the fuel to expand, and apparently for the full jerry can to float in water should it end up there. Now if you fill them until the pump shuts off all bets are off. . . well they weren't designed to hold more than 20L so I only fill them to that regardless of the fact "they could hold more!".

 

[Jim SoG]

I run the old school military Jerry Cans. I coat the insides with a sealer and paint the outsides. Mine are probably 20+ years old military surplus and look like new.

What sealer do you use?
Love the extra pump idea....
Jim

 

[itsdchz]

I really like the Rotopax. They swell quite a bit in the heat, but I have had them full or near full for 3 solid months in 30 degree to 115 degree weather. No leaks. I try to let them vent at least once a week, but usually every few days.

 

[vegasjeepguy]

Jerry cans as well here

 

[Homeguy]

I like my Rotopax too

 

[old_man]

What sealer do you use?
Love the extra pump idea....
Jim

I get mine from Eastwood

www.eastwoodco.com

 

[CalTexMex]

I have a dual Jerry can setup that works great. I use a super siphon to transfer the gas, so I don’t have to worry about removing my cans from the carrier or spills with the damn CARB fix. I added an extra gasket for a tighter fit and have zero issues with leaking when on the trails.

 

[trikebubble]

Scepter MFC's rule the world. They seem to be able to take a good beating and never complain. If you get the long flexible clear spout attachment you can fully empty one really quickly with no spilling or anything. They are fantastic. I have had 2 for years and they just do the job. I bought a Rotopax for some additional fuel on out trip north, and the nozzle is a POS. The ridiculous nozzle gave up pretty much right away, so I just threw it out and replaced it with a standard old fashioned spout. I'd bet you could drive a tank over a Scepter MFC and it would come out the other side unscathed.
Best part about the Scepter MFC's is that they are made in Canada and it seems like this is the only item in the world that costs us less than our American buddies.

 

[ChasingOurTrunks]

Scepter MFC's rule the world. They seem to be able to take a good beating and never complain. If you get the long flexible clear spout attachment you can fully empty one really quickly with no spilling or anything. They are fantastic. I have had 2 for years and they just do the job. I bought a Rotopax for some additional fuel on out trip north, and the nozzle is a POS. The ridiculous nozzle gave up pretty much right away, so I just threw it out and replaced it with a standard old fashioned spout. I'd bet you could drive a tank over a Scepter MFC and it would come out the other side unscathed.
Best part about the Scepter MFC's is that they are made in Canada and it seems like this is the only item in the world that costs us less than our American buddies.

Do you have a better source for the Scepter MFC's than Princess Auto? Right now they are running at about $80 each there which is pricey (though the metal ones at Costco and other places are even more expensive!)

 

[systemdelete]

So planning to take extra fuel for this weekend I experimented, I purposely overfilled one of my cans, the other is filled to the full line as it should be. I then tossed both up on my rack in the sun, on a 90 degree day. After a few hours, you can see the overfull can on the left swelling. The one on the right shows no outward signs of deformation. Neither has leaked a drop yet. These are both around a decade old wavian Jerry cans.





I can’t wait to hopefully pick up a few of the specter MFCs when I head to Canada in a few weeks though to compare. :thumbs up:

EDIT-
Picked up the MFCs and filled them each with 20l of ethanol free fuel. Threw them on the roof same as I typically do my Wavians. They swell like balloons! Not a drop leaked, but it sure looked funny. A few hours in the sun after unstrapping them back home and the dent left by the strap had disappeared, so I guess all good, but I wouldn't put them in a tight fitting holder, depending on design you may not be able to remove them when you need them!

MFC1 by Erik, on Flickr

MFC2 by Erik, on Flickr

 

[vegasjeepguy]

 

[Corbet]

Scepter MFC for me. Nothing else.

 

[Trbanks]

That meme is priceless............

 

[Captain Chaos]

I have a few Scepter and a Wavian can. I like both styles, but prefer the Scepter cans. I replaced the carb spout on the Wavian can, boy is that an absolute necessity. I made a spout for the Scepter cans, but have since acquired and Scepter spout that I have yet to remember to take along.

What people want for WW2 era Jerry cans here is stupid. They slap the word “vintage” on them and must fill them with gold or something.

 

[trikebubble]

Do you have a better source for the Scepter MFC's than Princess Auto? Right now they are running at about $80 each there which is pricey (though the metal ones at Costco and other places are even more expensive!)

I don't. I bought mine from DS Tactical out of New Westminster, and they are selling them for the same price. Still a worthwhile investment I figure.