Thread: Plastic vs tin fuel petrol jerry cans

Originally Posted by Carslil Jim

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.

When I did that stretch in 1996, it wasn't particularly sandy, just rough (Gibber plains). Took it slowly and comsumption was no higher than normal. The soft stuff started way further east.

I hope your roof rack is up to the pounding of cobbled surfaces!

Originally Posted by bee utey

When I did that stretch in 1996, it wasn't particularly sandy, just rough (Gibber plains). Took it slowly and comsumption was no higher than normal. The soft stuff started way further east.

I hope your roof rack is up to the pounding of cobbled surfaces!

Sand starts around Dalhousie, A few clay pans and then into the dunes. In 2005 we were able to drive without any traction issues until we got to Big Red at the other end. Big Red was just a bit of fun as you don't have to go and get up on it but it does provide a view.

I've carried the 4 steel jerry cans on th rear corners (2 to a side) of the roof rack for the past 16 odd years without any hassle (diesel only though!).

Traveling central Africa you just have no option but to exceed your specified roof rack weight (I don't approve, subscribe or recommend doing so - before I get told off) and my 300Tdi did ok in terms of centre of gravity etc.

Siphon straight from the rack without unclipping or handeling the heavy cans and I've learned to use a transparent hose to spot the diesel arriving! Very few things taste worse than bad technique on siphoning diesel...

Everyone to himself, but with the 90's limited fuel range and me being too tight to fork out for the sill tanks, that's how I travel!

Cheers,

Lou

btw - steel for me - good enough for NATO, good enough for me (but always with the German TUV sticker on it!)

If you haven't already bought the jerrys you can get a poly tank for the same money and thats a better solution. Pat

Be careful with metal cans, most are now made in China and those I've looked at aren't formed very well at the lip where the cap seals - I wouldn't trust these.

The other problem could be internal rust contaminating fuel.

Originally Posted by bee utey

............................................I hope your roof rack is up to the pounding of cobbled surfaces!

A very good point.

Outback roads are littered with the remains of home made and sub standard roof racks.

Not much in the way of gibbers across the Simpson but the main road from Mt Dare to Dalhousie Springs is the grandmother of all gibber 'roads'.

It is a MUCH better idea to take the Blood Creek track for this reason. It may be a couple of K's longer but it takes the same amount of time to travel as the direct gibbered route but with a lot less strain on a fully loaded vehicle and its passengers.


Deano

Originally Posted by Bush65

Be careful with metal cans, most are now made in China and those I've looked at aren't formed very well at the lip where the cap seals - I wouldn't trust these.

The other problem could be internal rust contaminating fuel.

Look for the Rheems - is embossed into the can. (if they still make them)

RF

Some years back did a Central Australia, Tanami, Ord River trip with my son. We fitted a large plastics boat fuel tank on the roof rack and used it to refill the main tanks when necessary.
Tank was supported on rack with a plywood base, secured to the rack and the tank secured by straps. Had no problems with it. One side of the tank was tapered so reduced wind drag.