Jerry Can questions

[wqbang]

I am looking to get a couple of Jerry cans. I would like to store them in my safari rack only for extended backcountry trips (it is easy to get far away from a gas station in Washington). My question is, can you lay them flat sideways? Is there danger of leakage? I am unfamiliar with them, but would like some more in for before I run down to a surplus store or order them online.

Bryan

[Antitree_hugger]

Unless you are really set on getting the "jerry can" style it would be easier just to get the squat plastic 5 gal. jugs to put on the roof.

[xoc]

Originally posted by wqbang
My question is, can you lay them flat sideways? Is there danger of leakage?

They leak.

Who here has actually run out of gas in the Xterra ?
I can't think of anywhere in the USA to go 4 wheeling 150 miles from a gas station. I see no reason to carry fuel unless someone is running the Paris-Dakar

[rrdstarr]

Bryan, you can get them from these guys down in Fife. The Jerry can costs about $60.00......but is leak-proof!http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....3021&SKU=92335

[Aussie]

The Jerry cans that I have used have a great seal and see no problems with having them on the side, just make ure the rubber seal is in a good condition. Also get the pouring spout, it makes it so much easier to pour.

Richard

[Matt Peckham]

some jerry cans suck. they make seal kits for them, so one with a blown seal can be repaired quick and easy. not a bad thing to invest in. I carried 5 on top of my truck not vertical, not on it's side, but on it's "back". I never leaked. I got them from Sprotsman's outdoors for like $60 for 4 of them! and I also got a nozzle, a must have for the Xterra. I bought them mainly for the Rover, but since I was going into Canada into unknown territory, I felt safer having extra jugs. There are a lot of places you could potentially run out of gas on the trail, say you aren't tackling fire roads and you have a vehicle that is stuck and several vehicles are involved in winching. It's a safety thing. If it makes them feel safe out on the trail to have that extra gas, then it's a good thing.

Another potential problem is a rupture fuel line, gas tank or similar. having the extra gas may not always come in hand, but when it does, it's a lifesaver.

besides, it's always good to give to some poor hapless motorist who ran out of gas in their Honda Civic which gets like 50 MPG. Especially when it starts to go bad. :sun:

[ChuckH]

Yes, the ones Rick gave the link to are far superior to the Blitz cans like I have. My Blitz can doesn't leak standing up, but the spout sure doesn't work worht shit and pours gas all over the place. I'd get one of the good ones, but they won't sit in my bracket. Well, not yet anyway.

If I were you, I'd get two of the short ones (I can send you a link later if Griott's doesn't ahve them) and stand them upright on your rack. That would still be more than enough fuel.

Of course XOC is right; the chances are slim that you ever REALLY need it, but it's nice to have it for an emergency.

[Matt Peckham]

forgot to mention... The old military gerry can is so well engineered that it hasn't been improved upon in over 60 years.

Some of it's features.

3 handles: carry one in each hand using the center handle, or 2 in each hand using an exterior handle. Also good for fire bucket chain style passing, as there's more than one handle to grab.
Built in air reservoir: top of can is higher than the spout so you don't overfill it. automatically makes an air pocket.
Stamped sides: increase strength, but they face in so it doesn't interfere with stacking.
single welded seam: single seam means no corners to leak, only 2 pieces of steel used to make the container.
egg shaped spout: designed for optimum pouring, there's a small baffle behind the mouth that allows air in so the gas doesn't gurgle out, prevents the need for another air release valve.
cam action rubber sealed spout: uses simple design to open and close without the need for tools. locks up and out of the way when pouring.
Stackability: stacks in a bevy of different positions.
They were designed by the Germans, but have been adopted after the war (WWII) by every major army. They are probably going to be the military/Recreational fuel container of choice for another 50 years.

[Antitree_hugger]

Originally posted by Matt Peckham
They are probably going to be the military/Recreational fuel container of choice for another 50 years.

The US Army uses a plastic version (same design just made out of plastic)

Ben

[wqbang]

I had very little gas after the Naches run in October. I would say that it would be a slim chance of running out of gas on most trips. However it is not far fetched to come dangerously close to running out in the backcountry in central or eastern Washington or Canada. Make a wrong turn on a forest service road and go 20 miles out of your way and it may turn into a long hike. It would be unlikely for me to carry 10 gallons of gas on a noraml PNWX planed wheeling trip. However, if my wife and I are out exploring by ourselves, the extra gasoline might be great for peace of mind.

Thanks for everyones inputs!

Bryan

[superjens]

I hear ya WQ, there were a few times last summer I started get nervous aboot the fuel situation. There's a trip up here I want to do from the lower part of Harrison up to Boston Bar, the slow driving combined with the twisty turny roads and occasionally getting lost might make the last stretch nerve wracking. Last year I ended up close to the halfway point and made it back with just a hair over half a tank. And everybody knows the 2nd half goes faster!

[fabienX]

I camp pretty much every week-end in the summer and we often stop at garage sales in the country. I have bought my Jerry Can from a farmer from $3.00 canadian. I sanded it, put three coats of paint on it and it looks great. Truth is I don't even keep it in the truck but I won't get rid of it. It was made in Germany and is pretty much bullet proof. I have seen it online for $60.00. My point is I see them a lot (1 in 4 or 5 sales seem to have them) so if you drive in the country you may want to keep an eye out and save yourself a few bucks.

[Toy Man]

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Toy Man

[ozxterra]

I have carried plastic cans but have had problems with them leaking. For some reason I tend to get much closer to running out of gas in WA than when I lived in the South. I am glad to carry the extra. Ill be getting some metal ones soon too.

I've coasted out of trails with the gas light on too many times for comfort. Even if you budget your gas mileage you can get stuck in boggy terrain or use up some helping with a rescue. Doesnt hurt to be prepared...