Thread: Plastic vs tin fuel petrol jerry cans

Gatecrashing the thread a little - I have six metal jerries and never had an issue except when a seal went and I was spilling a bit of diesel. New seals can be bought at Supercheap and seem to work OK - no more leaks in mine.

I have carried all six in the back of my 101 standing up and you must have something like carpet or rubber underneath them and in between or they will rub through.

Now the proper place to carry a jerry in the 101 is in a special bracket underneath where the jerry sits on its back (rather on its bottom) but with the filler at the top but does rely on the filler seal to keep fuel in. Likewise my Haflinger has a jerry storage underneath where the jerry sits on its side and again relies on the seal to keep fuel in. In both cases the expansion area is no longer up around the handle but is now within the general space of the jerry.

- has anyone had issues with these positions.

Garry

I have had problems with metal jerry cans rusting and paint flaking inside, maybe newer or better brands would not have this problem, but I use plastic only.

If they are on the roof, do not unload them to fill the tank of the vehicle, just use a rattle tube, or siphon, and if you can, fill them while on the roof, saving a possible injury or damage to equipment.

I see the Brits when taking Land Rovers across the Sahara etc still put multiple jerry cans on the roof instead of long range tanks, and I suppose compared to a roof top tent or spare wheels the weight difference is not much, but it gets lighter as you travel, unlike the rtt or wheels. And you don't get the smell inside the vehicle.

Jeff

Originally Posted by garrycol

Gatecrashing the thread a little - I have six metal jerries and never had an issue except when a seal went and I was spilling a bit of diesel. New seals can be bought at Supercheap and seem to work OK - no more leaks in mine.

I have carried all six in the back of my 101 standing up and you must have something like carpet or rubber underneath them and in between or they will rub through.

Now the proper place to carry a jerry in the 101 is in a special bracket underneath where the jerry sits on its back (rather on its bottom) but with the filler at the top but does rely on the filler seal to keep fuel in. Likewise my Haflinger has a jerry storage underneath where the jerry sits on its side and again relies on the seal to keep fuel in. In both cases the expansion area is no longer up around the handle but is now within the general space of the jerry.

- has anyone had issues with these positions.

Garry

I have used jerries on Unimogs laid down on their backs and it isn't a problem as you remove them before use and the expansion area is back on top. May be different if you open them lying down. You can tell if they have been used like this as the paint wears on the pads in the rack.

I have seen spare caps in Bunnings that were about $2 cheaper than a new jerry.


Jeff

Originally Posted by Carslil Jim

I am planning on carrying 80 litres of petrol on a roof rack. As the main tank goes down i will transfer the petrol down, so in fact there will only be 80l up there for about 100ks. needless to say this will not be highway driving.

Any advice or suggestions would be most welcome.

My goodness., 80 liters in 100 klms

I prefer petrol in metal cans, but use plastic for Diesel !

Originally Posted by Jeff

I have seen spare caps in Bunnings that were about $2 cheaper than a new jerry.


Jeff

What are spare caps - the seals are only a few $$$

Garry

Metal for fuel, plastic for water. If it is good enough for the Army it is ok for me.

Syphoning fuel from an overhead storage location sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I would not design a system for general public use like that. We get away with a lot if we rule out the general public!

Thanks to all for responses.

FYI this is to get me from Mt Dare, to Dalhousie Springs and then Birdsville. I am expecting 75% increase in fuel consumption in the sand. Any comments on that? (Petrol 1985 County V8). I use 18 litres per 100ks, but I think that will go up a fair bit.

Will just say that 80 litres is around 65kg + weight of the containers.

Anything else to go up there?

RF