Gas can

[AW Overland]

Hey Guys, probably a dumb question, but a regular plastic 5 gal Walmart gas can expand with the heat and could leak? What about the fumes? I'm planning to transport it on my bed covered with the tonneau cover closed. I want to have at least 20 gal extra fuel just in case.

 

[Billiebob]

Don't fill it. Press the sides before you screw the top on tight, give it room to expand without creating pressure.
But in North America, there are plenty of opportunities to gas up.

 

[MOAK]

I wouldn’t haul any petro in a “Wal-Mart” type can. They are designed to sit on the garage floor. If they get really hot the pressure will crack/rip them open especially if subjected to lots of movement. I just wouldn’t do it. Why 20 gallons? My gas guzzler gets roughly 10mpg and with 15 extra gallons we have a 350 mile range.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I use a single 5 gal Jerry can stored on my swing out. If I need more I have a few 5 gal VP race fuel jugs leftover from my drag racing days, strap them inside the bed, extremely heavy duty jugs. The VP's are cheaper than quality jerry cans.

 

[DRAX]

Something it seems folks are forgetting is that it's not the liquid gasoline that expands, it's the vapors. A gas can that is filled will not expand and be subject to high pressures whereas a can that is only 1/4-1/3 full will turn into a balloon that's ready to pop when it heats up.

Wal-Mart sells DOT-approved gas cans, which also meet OSHA standards. The No-Spill cans are DOT approved, for example. DOT approval mainly based on the spout/nozzle used and not so much the can material. Hope this helps.

 

[MOAK]

Something it seems folks are forgetting is that it's not the liquid gasoline that expands, it's the vapors. A gas can that is filled will not expand and be subject to high pressures whereas a can that is only 1/4-1/3 full will turn into a balloon that's ready to pop when it heats up.

Wal-Mart sells DOT-approved gas cans, which also meet OSHA standards. The No-Spill cans are DOT approved, for example. DOT approval mainly based on the spout/nozzle used and not so much the can material. Hope this helps.

Nope, didn't forget that at all, just thought it was common knowledge. I've had two kinds of cans rip open, or pop off while working in the Mohave Desert. Cheapo plastic gasoline cans, and traffic paint in 5 gallon steel buckets. . The gas can was in the flat bed utility truck, the cans of paint were in the shade, under a trailer. 3 of em went up. Just spend the money on a good can of somekind that was meant to "transport" gasoline. You are correct, all the regulations are more concerned with those horrible spouts that do not ever work correctly.

 

[DRAX]

Nope, didn't forget that at all, just thought it was common knowledge. I've had two kinds of cans rip open, or pop off while working in the Mohave Desert. Cheapo plastic gasoline cans, and traffic paint in 5 gallon steel buckets. . The gas can was in the flat bed utility truck, the cans of paint were in the shade, under a trailer. 3 of em went up. Just spend the money on a good can of somekind that was meant to "transport" gasoline. You are correct, all the regulations are more concerned with those horrible spouts that do not ever work correctly.

We're mainly on the same page, but you seem to be confusing EPA and CARB approved cans with DOT-approved cans. The DOT cans are approved to transport gasoline. The No-Spill spouts work very well and aren't anything like the dumb EPA/CARB spouts that fail/break or result in gas spilling because they don't work right. You won't find DOT approval on the dumb EPA/CARB cans because they suck at preventing leaks/spills...which is ironic. A caveat with the No-Spill being DOT approved is that you do have to replace the No-Spill spout with their DOT cap and their 5 gallon can is the only one that carries DOT approval when used with this cap - 6160 DOT Approved Cap (For 5 Gallon Cans Only) - as initially I just saw the can was DOT approved but missed the detail about needing the DOT cap.

A metal jerry can is obviously going to be better for transporting and storage compared to a plastic can, I'm just tossing out some additional info for anyone thinking about getting a cheap plastic can to transport fuel and may not realize they're not DOT approved or at least aren't DOT approved off the shelf. EPA/CARB approval has nothing to do with transporting.

Diesel is also superior, but that's another subject. :D

 

[genocache]

I'd suggest getting some good NATO style metal cans, like these; Militaria, Collectibles & Tools

Not affiliated.

 

[Sneaks]

But in North America, there are plenty of opportunities to gas up.

Depends on where you are and what you get for mileage. If you want to try try to stretch it up my way, you could be walking.

 

[AW Overland]

I wouldn’t haul any petro in a “Wal-Mart” type can. They are designed to sit on the garage floor. If they get really hot the pressure will crack/rip them open especially if subjected to lots of movement. I just wouldn’t do it. Why 20 gallons? My gas guzzler gets roughly 10mpg and with 15 extra gallons we have a 350 mile range.

Well, I get around 15/17 highway. I don't know how's going to be off-road. BTW I have a ram 1500 3.6L v6 pentastar.

 

[AW Overland]

I'll not buy the Wal-Mart cheapo gas can, thanks for the advice guys! I think I will be carrying extra weight in fuel anyway. I will get 10 gal instead with a better quality. Plastic or Metal? 0.o

 

[K12]

Im loving my Rotopax Cans. Im running 2 4 gallon tanks. A lot of mounting options as well since they make a mount/bracket for everything.

 

[AW Overland]

Im loving my Rotopax Cans. Im running 2 4 gallon tanks. A lot of mounting options as well since they make a mount/bracket for everything.

Nice rig! I fab my bed rack with some 4040 extruded aluminum. I found a little expensive the bed racks and I prefer expend the money on the trip, will be a couple thousand miles all way down to Utah/Nevada/Death Valley, and I know, it's crazy go to DV in july.

 

[K12]

Im loving my Rotopax Cans. Im running 2 4 gallon tanks. A lot of mounting options as well since they make a mount/bracket for everything.

Nice rig! I fab my bed rack with some 4040 extruded aluminum. I found a little expensive the bed racks and I prefer expend the money on the trip, will be a couple thousand miles all way down to Utah/Nevada/Death Valley, and I know, it's crazy go to DV in july.

Death Valley in July is killer. I remember doing that as a kid on a family road trip visiting the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and visiting family. Make sure you bring plenty of water with you!

 

[AW Overland]

Im loving my Rotopax Cans. Im running 2 4 gallon tanks. A lot of mounting options as well since they make a mount/bracket for everything.

Nice rig! I fab my bed rack with some 4040 extruded aluminum. I found a little expensive the bed racks and I prefer expend the money on the trip, will be a couple thousand miles all way down to Utah/Nevada/Death Valley, and I know, it's crazy go to DV in july.

Death Valley in July is killer. I remember doing that as a kid on a family road trip visiting the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and visiting family. Make sure you bring plenty of water with you!

I've been researching about it, and it's going to be hot, like melting hot! I will be checking the weather when I get around there and if is to hot I'll take another route. But this is my only window to visit DV, I'm in FL and is hard to get 2 weeks off.