Thread: Fuel can holders, petrol v diesel and other related ramblings

Some General info on RACQ Website

Living

Found on the inter web 2016

Thank you for contacting the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) about the rules on mounting diesel fuel to the rear of your vehicle.

There is no actual form/PDF for carrying diesel fuel on the rear of caravans. Please see the information below:

The fitting and use of vehicle accessories does not require specific approval from TMR provided the fitting and use does not contravene transport law (for example, the Vehicle Standards Regulation, Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2010 and Transport Operations (Road Use Management- Road Rules) Regulation 2009.

Mounting the containers at the rear of the vehicle would increase the risk of fire in the event of a rear end collision. TMR recommends that fuel should not be carried at the rear of a vehicle.

If you decide to fit the holders to the rear of your vehicle, you should consider the following:

1 the diesel fuel holder should be manufactured to recognised standards.
2 vehicle lighting and number plate must not be obstructed.
3. the rear overhang is not to exceed the front load space. The front load space can be measured from the front load carrying area to the centre of the axle. The rear overhang is measured from the centre of the axle to the further most point on the trailer.

If you require further information, I encourage you to contact our Vehicle Standards and Modification Advice team on 3114 5844 (Monday – Friday 10:00am – 4:30pm).

Kind regards,
Trish

Vehicle Standards | Legislation and Standards
Transport Regulation Branch | Department of Transport and Main Roads
Floor 2 | Transport House | 230 Brunswick Street | Fortitude Valley Qld 4006
PO Box 673 | Fortitude Valley Qld 4006
P: (07) 3114 5844 | F: (07) 3066 8740
E: vehiclestandards@tmr.qld.gov.au
W: Home (Department of Transport and Main Roads) [Quote][/size]

A mate of mine is right into doing things by the book. So much so, that it took him 18 months researching legalities, before completing a mod to his JayDove that took a whole day to do.

He has been hot on the tail of this very subject and to date has found NOTHING written or otherwise to dictate the do's and don'ts in law/legislation. It's often a subject he has "discussions" with people on caravan forums and pages.

Even as far as carrying fuel cans on a bull bar, which many say is illegal, nothing is written. There may be something, but he hasn't found it yet.

Just at a guess, I would think the relevant ADR for the bar would be the one that references rear light visability when something is mounted. There must be a 120 degree in either direction of each light.. when home tonight and the trouble makers are asleep, Il try and confirm this.

Obviously there would also be a overhang measurement to maintain.

Don't hold me to account on this, is from memory and what I have been able to compile from when I modified the rear bar on my RRC to fit a tyre carrier and Jerry carrier.

Originally Posted by W&KO

Some General info on RACQ Website

Living

Found on the inter web 2016

Thank you for contacting the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) about the rules on mounting diesel fuel to the rear of your vehicle.

There is no actual form/PDF for carrying diesel fuel on the rear of caravans. Please see the information below:

The fitting and use of vehicle accessories does not require specific approval from TMR provided the fitting and use does not contravene transport law (for example, the Vehicle Standards Regulation, Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2010 and Transport Operations (Road Use Management- Road Rules) Regulation 2009.

Mounting the containers at the rear of the vehicle would increase the risk of fire in the event of a rear end collision. TMR recommends that fuel should not be carried at the rear of a vehicle.

If you decide to fit the holders to the rear of your vehicle, you should consider the following:

1 the diesel fuel holder should be manufactured to recognised standards.
2 vehicle lighting and number plate must not be obstructed.
3. the rear overhang is not to exceed the front load space. The front load space can be measured from the front load carrying area to the centre of the axle. The rear overhang is measured from the centre of the axle to the further most point on the trailer.

If you require further information, I encourage you to contact our Vehicle Standards and Modification Advice team on 3114 5844 (Monday – Friday 10:00am – 4:30pm).

If you require further information, I encourage you to contact our Vehicle Standards and Modification Advice team on 3114 5844 (Monday – Friday 10:00am – 4:30pm).

Kind regards,
Trish

Vehicle Standards | Legislation and Standards
Transport Regulation Branch | Department of Transport and Main Roads
Floor 2 | Transport House | 230 Brunswick Street | Fortitude Valley Qld 4006
PO Box 673 | Fortitude Valley Qld 4006
P: (07) 3114 5844 | F: (07) 3066 8740
E: vehiclestandards@tmr.qld.gov.au
W: Home (Department of Transport and Main Roads)[/size]

Thanks for that - The sentence I highlighted is the sort of things that bug me about bureaucrats - What recognised standards (if any) is she talking about? That sentence right there would stop someone dead in their tracks should they wish to proceed any further and I bet there isn't a recognised standard for construction of such a thing - maybe something like 'must be fit for purpose' or something, but that info is pretty light on and it seems she is just covering her arse which is what happens when questions like this get asked.

Originally Posted by Konradical

A mate of mine is right into doing things by the book. So much so, that it took him 18 months researching legalities, before completing a mod to his JayDove that took a whole day to do.

He has been hot on the tail of this very subject and to date has found NOTHING written or otherwise to dictate the do's and don'ts in law/legislation. It's often a subject he has "discussions" with people on caravan forums and pages.

Even as far as carrying fuel cans on a bull bar, which many say is illegal, nothing is written. There may be something, but he hasn't found it yet.

Just at a guess, I would think the relevant ADR for the bar would be the one that references rear light visability when something is mounted. There must be a 120 degree in either direction of each light.. when home tonight and the trouble makers are asleep, Il try and confirm this.

Obviously there would also be a overhang measurement to maintain.

Don't hold me to account on this, is from memory and what I have been able to compile from when I modified the rear bar on my RRC to fit a tyre carrier and Jerry carrier.

I feel his pain - so much of 'the law says' stuff you see on the net is completely unsubstantiated and just gets bought up time and again as gospel without any facts to back them up. It's one of the reasons I pushed back on this as I want the facts, but can't seem to get them - people posting links to camping forums and magazines that all spill out the same old tripe is not proof, and finding it amongst the BS is bloody hard.

Originally Posted by Homestar

I have not been able to find any regulations specifically banning the fitmentof a Jerry Can to the rear of a vehicle, however I would not recommend it due to the increased risk of fire in the event of an accident.

So it is not recommended to carry fuel jerries on the back, on the roof rack or in the boot, and it is definitely illegal on the front - that does not leave any where else for the jerry - though on a 101 it can be mounted under the tray on the passenger side.

Personally, with metal jerries in top condition I would carry them in the rear of the vehicle - but only satisfied that they will not leak or let vapour out. I have my LPG tank in the back of my 101 and when travelling outback carry 5 metal jerries above it on a shelf. Also considering getting the purpose built jerry holder installed for under the tray.

In the past when using the RRS I have carried the same jerries (x2) but filled with diesel in the back of the car - no other option. If I have the camper I have put two jerries of diesel on its holders on its rear bumper - in view of the information provided in this thread I will have to rethink that - maybe on the roof of the camper which is much lower than the car or back in the back of the car.

Thanks for posting - interesting issues to be be addressed.

Garry

Originally Posted by Homestar

I feel his pain - so much of 'the law says' stuff you see on the net is completely unsubstantiated and just gets bought up time and again as gospel without any facts to back them up. It's one of the reasons I pushed back on this as I want the facts, but can't seem to get them - people posting links to camping forums and magazines that all spill out the same old tripe is not proof, and finding it amongst the BS is bloody hard.

I know nothing may come of it, but maybe a email to kaymar could shed some light. It's there industry and surely they could point you in the right direction.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

So it is not recommended to carry fuel jerries on the back, on the roof rack or in the boot, and it is definitely illegal on the front - that does not leave any where else for the jerry - though on a 101 it can be mounted under the tray on the passenger side.

Personally, with metal jerries in top condition I would carry them in the rear of the vehicle - but only satisfied that they will not leak or let vapour out. I have my LPG tank in the back of my 101 and when travelling outback carry 5 metal jerries above it on a shelf. Also considering getting the purpose built jerry holder installed for under the tray.

In the past when using the RRS I have carried the same jerries (x2) but filled with diesel in the back of the car - no other option. If I have the camper I have put two jerries of diesel on its holders on its rear bumper - in view of the information provided in this thread I will have to rethink that - maybe on the roof of the camper which is much lower than the car or back in the back of the car.

Thanks for posting - interesting issues to be be addressed.

Garry

Yeah, already have the one on the LHS next to the winch in the 101 but want a couple more as I’m doing a big trip next year and would like to get close to what others can between servos, which means carrying twice the fuel - weight won’t be an issue for me like it will so,e others either. Also, while I am specifically talking about rear mounted, I have yet to see any actual reference to it being illegal to mount them up front either - apart from about 100 forum posts with no link to any legislation to show this is actually the case.

Originally Posted by Homestar

I’m doing a big trip next year and would like to get close to what others can between servos, which means carrying twice the fuel -