How are you guys strapping down or carrying gas cans in the bed?

I can't seem to find an exact thread in the forum, what I am looking for. I am new to trucks (should have bought one LONG ago), I ride dirt bikes and also race karts, so I am always transporting gas cans (aka: utility cans) and I use to do it with a mount on the trailer. I don't really want to mount something that large in the bed of the truck, in case I need the space for another dirt bike, or whatever. So I would rather find a way to strap the cans down.

I have a few traditional VP 5 gallon jugs
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...rmyE62AM5KNAcOWzQwIveTWAwZ_94oYQaAvXSEALw_wcB

and a couple of these Matrix 4 gallon (I really like these, fairly easy to pour, small foot print, etc)
https://matrixracingproducts.com/m3-utility-can/

and some other cheap, more square cans people usually use for lawn care

At any rate, I have seen these strap kits, but no way I am going to spend $50 for a strap, when one could probably easily just take a ratcheting tie down and make a loop out of the strap part and mimic something like this without the metal bracket
https://speedstrap.com/product/fuel-jug-tie-down/

I did find a pretty decent idea on the forum in this: but also looking to different options out there
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gas-cans.481839/page-2#post-14786551

Any other ideas?

 

Roto-Pax

 

FYI ~ That last link is my truck and the method for mounting is from this thread

not sure whether its applicable to 3rd gen trucks though

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-and-easy-water-jug-mount.329167/

 

I just tie a trucker’s hitch from the forward D ring in the bed to the D ring on my bed stiffener to secure the main body of the can against the bedside. And i tie a clove hitch from the can’s handle to the bed cleat above

 

Not really my thing. I am not really an overlander and already have several tanks, so not really into overpaying for what those offer, which is different than my use.

 

aweome!! very simple solution, thanks!

 

I carry gas in mine in 5 gallon jerry cans. I used two rings attached to the accessory rail in the bed. Then attach a ratchet strap with an extra hook to those rings with the ratchet diagonally across the can with the hook in the ring already in the bed. A ground cloth over the can or a pad on the back of the ratchet protects the can.

 

You need a bed mat to keep things from sliding around if you don't have one. I just tie mine to the side. I use a cheap plastic can. I usually keep it tied on a trailer to keep the flames away in the event of an accident.

 

I dont even understand how people own tacomas withoit a bed mat. I swear they add teflon to be bed material to make it extra slick.

 

I built a mount for my smittybuilt can holder. Its just some angle iron and I welded 2 sticks of 1/4 box to it. The 1/4 box slides down into the smitty can holders side rails and holds it from tipping over. The mount is adjustable up and down if the bed mat is there or not.

 

Do you want the absolute best ?, look up NATO fuel cell by Scepter (Canadian Made). The US military, army , Canadian and other allies use them. You can drive over them. Watch any recent war movie and you'll see them strapped back of tanks and other military mobile equipment. They make them for potable water as well, diesel fuel...look them up!
A chain store up in Canada sells them called Princess Auto and some outdoor off road store in BC (British Columbia), can't remember the name...sorry.
They're also available in 10 litre. The 10 litre are ofcourse not as tall, they will fit under a tonneau cover. The 20L I believe are around $75 Canadian or around $55 , $60 US !

 

princess auto is glorious

 

I came in here to link that thread, you beat me to it.


After a whole lot of initial skepticism I found that I use those small rings a whole lot more often than the stock tie downs.


Also, cheap metal safety can FTW.

 

Moved mine from my 2nd Gen to my 3rd Gen, muttered thanks Oz-t the entire time..

 

My smittybuilt can holders are identical to @5nahalf 's photos -- except mine just bolt straight into the rail w/ t-nuts (no angle iron for me). No tipping so far.
I do have to keep the bed mat in (which stays anyway).

@5nahalf , you had such good photos I snagged them. Your copyright $$$ is in the mail...

 

woop woop!

The mounts are super easy to build also, take about 10 minutes to make. I only have tried putting the can against the cab wall of the bed because its 90 degrees, the sides of the bed have a slight angle that might make the mounts sit at a angle, though they could be shimmed to fit right.

 

Mine are at the head wall also. Haven't tried a side wall yet.
Also, I did put rubber bumpers at bottom of the up-rights where they hit the wall. Gotta save that plastic bed!
(The rubber bumpers are on everything I mount in the bed (hi-lift, shovel, extinguisher, axe, maxtrax, gear bags, etc.).)

 

I used pool noodles there, keeps the can from banging around too.

When ever I see people with gas cans on their trucks, they always put them in the easiest to access locations, end of the bed, on the sides of a bed rack, on a tire swing out. But when it comes down to it, gas cans are not a "emergency, I need to grab it as fast as possible" item. I wanted mine somewhere that doesnt take up usable space for other things, the little pocket infront of the rear wheels on a long bed fits the can perfect. If I need the cans, I can step into the bed or reach over the bed rail to grab it... no need to have them hanging off the back of the truck if it gets used so little and in non-emergency situations.

 

All great points. Also, safer if they're out of view from thieves. Nor do you want them taking an impact if someone rear-ends you (even slowly on the trail).

 

Very true!