Jerry Can That Won't Leak Vapors??

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skeezix

skeezix

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Feb 3, 2008
Threads
33
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115
Location
Western Colorado
I need a 5-gal can to carry gas off-road. The last one I had was plastic and after a couple of miles in the desert, the pressure inside built up causing vapors to leak out. Problem was worsened because of all the fuel sloshing around inside the can.

It went in a garage sale.

So what I would like is a decent 5-gal can, plastic or otherwise, that will not leak vapors. If anybody can steer me to the right brand name I sure would appreciate it.

BTW I'm in Colorado, if it makes any difference...
 
Ain't gonna happen. All plastic or metal gas cans will eventually vent if the pressure gets high enough in them. That is so they don't burst which would be seriously sub optimal. :lol: So carry them outside the passenger compartment. Spend your dough on a carrier or put it on the roof rack. I've read good and bad comments on all brands. At this point if I would go with Scepter, but then I'm in a non-CARB state. Are there any CARB compliant plastic standard sized jerry cans (18.5"H x 6.75"L x 14"W)?
 
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I have a us mil jerry can with a metal bung with a vent...so i bought a new blitz metal jerry can...it has a metal bung...no vent on it...does not leak any fumes.
 
Azrocks said:
Wedco or original NATO period.
Click to expand...

X1000 on the Wedco cans, I use these and have tested them by letting thenm sit downside up full of fuel and no leaky. I sometimes use them in the cargo area and they have always held the pressures just fine. I saw a pressure test on these on the web a few years ago where the got pressurized to 20 psi and left to hold and they did not leak the pressure off after a day (I don't know how long the test was for). The other nice thing about the Wedco cans is that the lid is attached in a way that the pressure build up gets released before you can get the lid open, so you don't get fuel blowing all over you or the ground.

Some people like the Scepter plastic cans, but the hard core guys go with the Wedco/NATO cans.

Dave
 
Scepter cans are the way to go. US military is using them and they are nearly indestructable.
 
Wedco seem fine, no personal experience.

My 4 NATO cans do not leak a drop, no fume, no smell.

It's not true that any can will eventually leak as pressure builds up continuously. No such thing as the latter. True, the gas will evaporate but the pressure will be limited by the ambient temperature. It reaches an equilibrium that is easily handled by a good can.

My NATO ones are sturdy. One was slightly inflated (must have been exposed to inordinately high temperatures). I squished it flat again but it took a high lift against the 80, and the truck was lifted quite a bit before anything even moved on the can.
 
I've had both Scepter and Wedco/Nato. No comparison. Wedco for me.

I believe there's a few reasons the military uses the scepter style can.....

a. simplicity
b. weight
c. price
d. cost

That doesn't mean it's the best can overall for civilian use.

My scepter gas cans look like crap after a few years of use. The o-rings are worn out and leak. To get them to seal you have to get them so tight they are a pain to open. There is no way you can get the leverage on the seal that a wedco lid has. You are also not "spinning" on the seal if that makes sense.

They are heavier, but I don't care.

I'll say it again. Wedco. (In my humble opinion :) ) That said I do like the Scepter water cans.
 
"Cheaperthandirt" has jerry cans for about $15, Military - Mfr# ZAA099. They sure seem to be the real thing. I don't care about the OD color, and I'd have to buy the same type spout that comes with the Wedco cans but that's no problem.

Are these in fact the same as the Wedco but minus the extra lock pin and spout? And will the Wedco spout fit these cans? Any help here is really appreciated.
 
I believe there's a few reasons the military uses the scepter style can.....

a. simplicity
b. weight
c. price
d. cost
Click to expand...


Add safety and durability to the list and it pretty much sums up why it works so well. I also like the fact that they do not dent, scratch, or rust like Wedco cans.

If you must have metal cans, the Wedco cans are combat proven.
 
97 FZJ80 said:
Add safety and durability to the list and it pretty much sums up why it works so well. I also like the fact that they do not dent, scratch, or rust like Wedco cans.

If you must have metal cans, the Wedco cans are combat proven.
Click to expand...

I guess the scepter have a slight safety edge, but I don't see it on the durability side. My original NATO cans have lasted a lot longer than my scepters. I live in AZ so I can't say much in the rust department.

For me, the main factor was the whole closing/sealing system. I hate leaking gas. Never had my metal cans leak, had multiple scepters leak when the Oring went bad.
 
My Scepter MFC has never leaked, and I also live in warm climate area without rust issues. I carry it in the vehicle and it doesn not leak any fumes, even in 100F+ temperature. One of the main reason I've selected the Scepter MFC was its design not to explode. If I'm putting the MFC full of fuel out on the back bumper or inside of the vehicle, I'd like to have some extra margin of safety.

I had a chance to purchase some military surplus MFC a while back. I opted to purchase new ones due to the O-rings in the military surplus MFCs were for diesel fuel and not resistant to gasoline. Scepter dealers can order the proper replacements O-rings and colored straps required by DOT for proper fuel ID.

Besides, I can't find any NATO cans from Cheaper-Than-Dirt that were not dented, scratched, or rusted. The last time I bought some NATO surplus from them, it took me over 1/2 hour to pick out a decent one that was not beat to hell and back. I ended to buying a new unit to save the headache.
 
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Yep! My views might be tinted with the stuffs I've seen at Cheaper-Than-Dirt. They use carry some cool things, now they only have overprices junks.

I have over a dozen Septer cans already. If I ever need any more can, I'll let you know. Thanks!
 
So: The happy Wedco users are using the non-CARB compliant can right? Since the CARB compliant Wedco has the thread-on/spin-on cap like the Scepter I assume it also shares the downsides with the Scepter?

FYI: I have Scepters...and they performed perfectly (no smell) for the first year or better. Now I get slight fumes and you've got to crank the caps down so tight they are almost impossible to loosen (as another mentioned above). 12-months on the cap seal apparently is the lifespan :rolleyes:?
 
Well it looks like the pro-Wedco'ers have it over the con-Wedco'ers, although I don't recall seeing ANY negative comments about Wedco NATO cans.

Anyway I just ordered a Wedco can and filler from a place in Torrance, CA. I couldn't believe that nobody carries the steel cans in my area any more, and they are hard to find on the internet as well. Lots of companies USED to carry them but have discontinued doing so. Their ads for metal Wedco cans still appear though. Nothing every really leaves the internet...

Great forum, this one!
 
I've had the metal miltaries for quite a while, and have been dealing with the Scepter cans for a couple years now. I honestly prefer the Scepters. For a plastic can, they are hella stout. the weight alone says a lot. One of the main reasons the military uses these now is that they are the only can rated for air transport. I think that says a lot for pressures and fuming. No spark point for ignition, so your not carrying a bomb on the back of your truck. True, the lid needs to be tight, and the do expand. they are designed to. I carry a big pair of channel locks to open them in necessary.

The thing I like the most about the Scepters is the spout. The 3/4' spout is long enough to get past the unleaded nozzle flap on your gas intake before you tip the can to empty. You are not trying to speed jam the short nozzle into the intake before fuel runs all over the side of your truck. Handy.

I guess this is all becoming a moot point with Scepter halting sales to civilian distributors at the end of last year. What ever ones you find out there are the last ones available. Unless you go with used, and now you won't be able to get spare parts for them either. Pity.
 
Unscientific leak test on Scepter fuel cans in the Arizona heat

Unscientific leak test on Scepter fuel cans in the Arizona heat I ordered two Scepter military fuel cans to carry on my roof rack and my biggest concern was leaking as they lay strapped down on their sides.

I can say with certainty (at this point with new cans) that the two I have from Brigade Quartermaster do not leak, even as the temperature in my driveway rose to a scorching 132.6 degrees! The cans DO bulge alarmingly, but no leaks, even when completely upside down for a full day. I let the can cool overnight and heat back up the next day, and still no hint of a leak.
smile.gif


This was a totally unscientific test and these cans may start to leak over time, but for now I feel confident that I can strap them to the roof, on their sides, for an extra measure of fuel. The test can had 4.5 gallons of gasoline in it. I would suggest not filling to capacity, just to be safe.

Cheers,
FJ45 Dude
Scepter4.webp
 
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