Gas Can Options

[Von Chaos]

I posted this in the camping forum, but thought it might be better here. Could use some feed back. Thanks

so I was thinking of an alternative option for gas cans and mounting. I was thinking of getting a couple of the boat gas tanks that are 6gal. They lay flat and have a quick connect I could possible set up with a fuel pump. They are nice because of the low profile for the roof rack and with the fuel pump you would not have to take them down to refuel.
Does anyone have any experience with these tanks?
Does the venting cause leaks?

Am I just way off?

 

[half k cruiser]

I think people with boats have a lot of experience with them. You should only need to vent when you want fuel flowing or maybe a really hot day you might burp them. I don't particularly like the thought of gas on the roof rack just due to the added weight. However it would be easy enough to fill with a siphon hose tossed down to your gas filler.

 

[Hiace4wd]

How much weight do you want to put up their? To my idea it would become top heavy quickly, and I don't like the idea of petrol or diesel on the roof. Although I did have a 20 liter jerrycan on there. Can't you use them under the car?

Venting is quite nice with a lot of altitude changes as well as temperature changes. But then, a standard jerrycan also holds.

I must say, I did see our jerrycan have a fat or skinny shape, depending at what altitude I filled it and what altitude I was. But we are talking about 17,000+ feet here, and hey it still worked.

 

[Hillhippy]

I think it would work well where travel is long and flat, fuel stops far apart and of ? quality. Oz, Africa,Asia...
I wouldn't do it where I live. Too many hills and curves. Plenty of gravity too...

 

[Cdnexplr]

I was going to use the boat tank. For the same reasons you mentioned being on a roof rack and wanting lower profile with cap on top. I've only got a roof rack for storage for now and don't want a leak. Bought a mint boat tank at a garage sale for 5 dollars.

I say giver. Bring a funnel or a shake syphon

 

[Bogo]

Seeing I was not storing my spare tire in the normal spare location, I figured I could make a hinged rack to hold two Scepter jerry cans flat on their sides, and 2 deep cycle batteries for charging camera batteries and running fridges, etc.. A two layer heat shield may need to be placed in there to keep heat from the exhaust away from the jerry cans and batteries. Water or fuel jerry cans down there. Relocate the cable lift for the spare to the back of the area so it can be used to raise and lower the rack's back edge. I'd use 4 10mm shoulder bolts with lock nuts as pins to secure the rear of the rack for travel. For the hinge end of the rack, a cross member can be added to the frame, and the rack is then hinged off of it.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Seeing I was not storing my spare tire in the normal spare location, I figured I could make a hinged rack to hold two Scepter jerry cans flat on their sides, and 2 deep cycle batteries for charging camera batteries and running fridges, etc.. A two layer heat shield may need to be placed in there to keep heat from the exhaust away from the jerry cans and batteries. Water or fuel jerry cans down there. Relocate the cable lift for the spare to the back of the area so it can be used to raise and lower the rack's back edge. I'd use 4 10mm shoulder bolts with lock nuts as pins to secure the rear of the rack for travel. For the hinge end of the rack, a cross member can be added to the frame, and the rack is then hinged off of it.

This idea is something I've looked at. Gotta make that bottom plate tough.

 

[e9999]

I got a couple of boat tanks (6 or 8 gals probably) to do just that. Fits nicely up there and I can siphon them down directly into the tank with a rubber bulb in the line.

 

[Tysano]

I was going to use the boat tank. For the same reasons you mentioned being on a roof rack and wanting lower profile with cap on top. I've only got a roof rack for storage for now and don't want a leak. Bought a mint boat tank at a garage sale for 5 dollars.

I say giver. Bring a funnel or a shake syphon

You know what? Do it if it works for you, it really doesn't matter what anybody thinks, and if it doesn't turn out to be a good idea then so be it, it coast you five bucks.

 

[ScottT]

I have some boat tanks, but I use 2.5 gal metal tanks from Estonia on the roof rack. Relatively easy to get up and down, Cg is lower than with a 5 gal can and they are easier to tie down with a quick fist. Also can syphon to the fuel tank without removing them. Planning to get a 416 trailer and will move that stuff there in the future.