Is this a bad idea? (fuel bags)

[cnd]

Before I go "all in" on the (sketchy?) plan of carrying 4 or so 33L (7 1/4 gal) bags of diesel fuel on the floor of my 200-series cruiser... does anyone have experience with this kind of thing? I considered inbuilt long-range tanks, but that adds extreme permanent inconvenience by moving my spare "in the way" of the rear doors - as would adding anything to carry 6 jerry cans (if that's even possible - 132L / 29gal is *heavy*).

Thoughts??? Does anyone know what happens to diesel in hot cars? (I'm travelling North and through the centre of Australia - it's going to be *scorching* hot) - does it offgas/expand or anything?

 

[e9999]

Never used anything like that but I'd be uncomfortable TBH. I would not contemplate it with gasoline at all, of course, but Diesel is much safer, admittedly. Still there is the potential for a big stinking mess, especially given the location of the bungs and the possibility of punctures. Personally, I'd keep the spare fuel outside if at all possible, short of an emergency, if only for peace of mind. I would think the bigger bladders are also harder to handle when filling the tank than the typical 20L rigid cans.
I don't think that those bags are very common in the US -although maybe more so in the military?- so I would ask instead on an Australia-centered forum, especially since there may be transportation legalities involved.
All in all, it would be a No for me, but I am not well-informed about these either, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[cnd]

Looks like the bag itself is answering my question for me:
(that's not the cap which leaked overnight - its coming from bag-side - the base of the threads where they join the bag)
So yeah - needless to say this one is not an AS/NZS 2906:2001 approved container...

 

[PAToyota]

Just the first picture with the taped (?) seams didn't look like a good idea. Then that there is no labeling (on the other side maybe?) makes me question whether it is permitted.

I've seen the military-style fuel bladders, but have always been suspicious of them...

American Made Fuel Bladders factory directs. Call 941-739-9486

Fuel Bladders offer a robust and flexible solution for the safe storage of fuel. Engineered with high-strength, fuel-resistant materials.

readycontainment.com

 

[e9999]

Come to think of it, these things look a lot like a surplus water bladder I have. OP, are you sure these are even intended for fuel?

 

[george_tlc]

North and through the center of Australia... What path are you taking and what range between fuel stops? Diesel isn't too hard to find out bush. Even the Canning has a fuel dump/stop that can have fuel pre-ordered in drums.

I run 160litres in my old patrol and take 5 jerry cans on the roof for 'extended' trips. But leaf sprung is less 'rocky/tippy' than modern coils etc.

I would not run plastic bladders for fuel inside the vehicle. Just a few drips and you will be enjoying the smell of diesel for days and days. Either put a real tank in the vehicle - does the oz 200 come with a main and sub already? - or take a couple of jerry cans extra for some safe margin.

Even driving east to west from ayers rock to Laverton has a couple of fuel stops at the missions (or whatever b/s they call them these days).

cheers,
george.

 

[cnd]

What path are you taking...

The bags are just for the Canning, and possible Oombulgurri - I would not use them anytime I do not have to.

They're supposedly specifically for Diesel: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006248618453.html

I'll investigate other options and maybe try to fix the leaky cap situation; but maybe some jerry-can-holders on the bull-bar could be a slightly more conventional solution (or laid-flat on the bonnet?) We have a roof-top-tent, so no place up top for anything unfortunately.

 

[AussieHJCruza]

I wouldn't be comfortable running that sort of terrain with a whole stack of fuel inside the vehicle. Get as much fuel underneath as you can and supplement with 20L jerry cans on a rear wheel carrier

 

[george_tlc]

The bags are just for the Canning, and possible Oombulgurri - I would not use them anytime I do not have to.

They're supposedly specifically for Diesel: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006248618453.html

I'll investigate other options and maybe try to fix the leaky cap situation; but maybe some jerry-can-holders on the bull-bar could be a slightly more conventional solution (or laid-flat on the bonnet?) We have a roof-top-tent, so no place up top for anything unfortunately.

For the canning, just arrange a fuel drop. Then 1200k of range is just fine. I assume your diesel 200 should get close to that with the main and piddly sub? Of course it's dune country, so not sure the fuel economy hit for the 200 on sand - there are a LOT of dunes to cross and the track wanders a LOT - so you can spend a day and cover 100k straight line, but quite a bit more on the ground

Did the canning some 25yrs ago (or maybe it's more)... Take your time and check out the various wells and stuff that's "off" the track. If you have time/fuel, Rudall river is pretty neat - but it is a detour. We were quite loaded down (2 z50 minibikes along with all the gear and water and 260l of fuel on board and averaged around 6.5 - 7 k/litre, but that's old school diesel. Do let a LOT of air out of the tyres What time of the year is the plan? The sand can change depending on how dry it is. There's also a bunch of weekend warriors that take the thing at stupid speed. Corrugations on sand is nuts....

cheers,
george.

 

[e9999]

Maybe it's just me, but if I were to go on a 2000 kms trip in the middle of nowhere where things could go wrong pretty quickly, I'd rather not have some of my main survival items be from AliExpress...

 

[cruiserpilot]

There is a company in Aus that sells approved diesel fuel bladders that will do what you want.
They can even be plumbed in to your fuel system. Just didn’t pursue them as I already carry
205 litres, can go a long ways with a 12HT on that!
www.fmindustrial.com.au

 

[bcsteel]

Is not a bad idea at all. There are several options that don’t suck. I’ve hauled fuel for various mining camps on a larger scale in massive bladders. Here is a smaller option. There are several more. If you need more links I can help.

https://uswe.com/en-ca/armadillo-bag

 

[MikePL]

In general not a bad idea but it renders your back area totally useless: you can't step on them, you can't put anything on them, especially a photo tripod or an axe. Honestly, I would buy some aluminum tanks off ebay and just toss them in there for the trip. Strong enough to put cargo over them, cheap enough to take the risk and after the trip they can be taken out to the garage. There are multiple sizes so you need to find one that works for you.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[cnd]

Maybe it's just me, but if I were to go on a 2000 kms trip in the middle of nowhere where things could go wrong pretty quickly, I'd rather not have some of my main survival items be from AliExpress...

My build is about 40% aliexpress, 40% "adventure kings" (cheap aussie mass retail outlet), and 20% "expensive stuff" from brand-name reputable sellers.

100% of it all is deep-research full-common-sense, not "blind trust" or "cost more must be good" silliness.

100% of the aliexpress things have given no trouble at all (winch/recovery/electronics galore/ LOTS of stuff)
100% of the "kings" things - again - no trouble at all (3000w inverter, lifepo3 360ah batts, pump)
33% of the "expensive stuff" has worked great (big awesome evakool fridge; ironically sauced locally from the factory as a "Second")
66% of it has shat-itself and died: the very expensive solar panels lasted only a few weeks up north, and both the original (never installed it - loose things rattled inside) and replacement the DCDC charger (blew some fuses, then caught fire!) - costing about $500 extra in spoiled food on top.

SO - my experience to-date, when taking as much care as possible, is the opposite to what most people think: you're doing yourself a massive dis-service by assuming that aliexpress is crap and whatever-you-think-is-not-crap is good. The truth is that, if you pay close attention properly, what you *think* is good from "reputable places" is actually vastly more likely to be a scam or s***, and everything *else* actually is good. (so far, touch wood!!!)

The "take care" part is *VERY SIGNIFICANT* - so do not misunderstand what I'm saying. Everywhere, not just aliexpress, is full of bull**** and scams and fine-print. It is highly non-trivial reading all about things, and reviews and reputations etc, and properly understanding how well it's going to suit your needs and work.

This fuel-bladder is an outlier - it's too obscure with no useful reviews, which is how I've ended up wondering about it now!

Amusing how the idea of getting an alum tank in the back never even crossed my mind. The beauty of forums eh? "Been there done that" experience shared for all to benefit from!! So yeah... I'll probably research that idea next (the floor behind seats is 100% unused and waste space right now; we just have some plastic boxes on the seats themselves, that's all.)

 

[dmjay]

My build is about 40% aliexpress, 40% "adventure kings" (cheap aussie mass retail outlet), and 20% "expensive stuff" from brand-name reputable sellers.

100% of it all is deep-research full-common-sense, not "blind trust" or "cost more must be good" silliness.

100% of the aliexpress things have given no trouble at all (winch/recovery/electronics galore/ LOTS of stuff)
100% of the "kings" things - again - no trouble at all (3000w inverter, lifepo3 360ah batts, pump)
33% of the "expensive stuff" has worked great (big awesome evakool fridge; ironically sauced locally from the factory as a "Second")
66% of it has shat-itself and died: the very expensive solar panels lasted only a few weeks up north, and both the original (never installed it - loose things rattled inside) and replacement the DCDC charger (blew some fuses, then caught fire!) - costing about $500 extra in spoiled food on top.

SO - my experience to-date, when taking as much care as possible, is the opposite to what most people think: you're doing yourself a massive dis-service by assuming that aliexpress is crap and whatever-you-think-is-not-crap is good. The truth is that, if you pay close attention properly, what you *think* is good from "reputable places" is actually vastly more likely to be a scam or s***, and everything *else* actually is good. (so far, touch wood!!!)

The "take care" part is *VERY SIGNIFICANT* - so do not misunderstand what I'm saying. Everywhere, not just aliexpress, is full of bull**** and scams and fine-print. It is highly non-trivial reading all about things, and reviews and reputations etc, and properly understanding how well it's going to suit your needs and work.

This fuel-bladder is an outlier - it's too obscure with no useful reviews, which is how I've ended up wondering about it now!

Amusing how the idea of getting an alum tank in the back never even crossed my mind. The beauty of forums eh? "Been there done that" experience shared for all to benefit from!! So yeah... I'll probably research that idea next (the floor behind seats is 100% unused and waste space right now; we just have some plastic boxes on the seats themselves, that's all.)

Why the hell are you asking about this on a forum if you have already made your mind up?
What sort of confirmation do you need about the cheap ass stuff you bought?
Have fun out in the desert, i hope the kids stay at home with a responsible adult.