How to safely carry extra fuel

We are planning an extended trip south through the west coast of the US and then down into Baja California Sur. I would like to carry some extra fuel with me for this trip, especially for the Baja part of the trip.

I have two of these Scepter 20L jerry cans: https://www.scepter.com/products/consumer-products/5-3-gallon-rv-gasoline-can/

And I would like to carry them in the bed of the truck like this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-do-you-carry-extra-fuel.454752/#post-13394627

I do have a canopy on the truck which is what concerns me. I imagine the heat would cause the cans to vent gas fumes which would then be trapped in the canopy. How dangerous would this be or am I overthinking it?

I could also look at attaching some Rotopax cans to the roof rack but those are awfully expensive and I already have the Scepter cans.

 

So put the scepter cans on the roof? I have the same ones and they’re decent except for the craptastic spout they came with, replaced that and now they’re g2g.
I’d imagine that if you don’t fill them all the way and keep the vents closed they’ll be fine in the shell unless you plan to sleep back there too

 

I’ve had my Rotopax in the bed like this for 6 or 7 years now. It sweats a little in the summer, but hasn’t been an issues.

 

I agree, the spouts are crap. What did you replace them with?

 

Don’t remember where I got them. Sorry

 

This setup has been problem free for me for years, although they are the non-consumer type (MFC type available on eBay). 0’ to 11,000’ & over 100 degrees without any leaking. I have witnessed rotopax leaking.
I’ve installed the aluminum flanges with viton gaskets & tie down with ratchet strap to bed rail & bed tiedown hook.

 

This canopy, I’m guessing is a tent canvas like material?

Even if you had something like this which I assume would seal up more air tight, still I wouldn’t think the minuscule amount of fumes coming from the can vent would cause a problem.

Something I learned. Gasoline containers do need the vent. I was carrying some in a quart oil bottle. Just enough to get by in case my air compressor went empty. It pressurized enough to cause the cap to bulge out & look pregnant. Now that I think about it, my replacement gas can isn’t vented, which is why it gets bulged out too. I should probably tie it up so it doesn’t tip over and leave the goofy nozzle slightly cracked open or something.

 

NO, LEAVEING HEADSPACE IN THE CAN IS WHAT ALLOWS FUMES TO BUILD PRESSURE.

The can should have a max fill line. Fill it to that, or you will get more bulge when it's hot out.

If you are going to close the vent, then on a hot day, squeeze the air out of the can as you put the lid on. The can will look like it is going to implode. If it gets hotter, the can will equalize with the outside pressure instead of bulging.

 

Our Tacomas do have a lot of drink holders…

 

No, a hard shell Leer 100R.

 

This is something I wish I'd done when we travelled cross-country (NY->CA->NY) via Route 66, etc... There were a few times I was nervous I'd be stranded without fuel. Even just an extra 5gal would have made me feel better. Wavian can and bedrail mount is the route I'll be going eventually.

 

i have a40 gallon fuel cell mounted in the rear of the bed easy to remove and tied into the fuel system.

When not needed simple to remove easy access to fill with normal length Gas station hoses.

I hate messing with cans since the spouts for the most suck.

 

See my post above

 

Not here to argue, just to disagree a little.
The headspace absolutely does not determine the pressure. The vapor pressure is simply a function of temperature to the extent that there is some liquid present. That pressure is distributed uniformly throughout the container. That said, less head space will result in less vapor being expelled when opened. To that end I'd agree that minimizing headspace is a good idea.

 

This reminds me of a fond childhood memory. My mother and father were arguing, my father took me in the bug, off we went to Arizona to visit his older sister. I was probably 4 or 5. Along the way we stopped for tacos. He was running low on gas so he’d turn the engine off to coast downhill where possible. We pulled into a gas station. The guy comes out and announced no more gas, the next station is x miles that way. My father frantically says I won’t make it that far. So this wild looking biker walks up, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll give you what’s in my gas can if you buy me a beer at the next gas station. In goes the gas, off we go. We make it to next station. We all stand there chatting while he enjoys his beer. My father graciously thanks him, they shake hands, and braaaaa he rides on.

We definitely had our issues and plenty of verbal and physical fights, one with him ending up with a cast on his arm. Still, he was good to us and I truly miss him.

 

Toss that California crap spout and replace it with a "water can" spout- example of one of the brands out there: https://ezpourspout.com/
I prefer the rigid version as you don't have to worry about needing a third hand when using it but I also carry a Super Siphon; all you have to do it get the can higher than the fill and let the siphon do its thing. I just use a strap to hang the can from one of the roof rack bars (just one of the reasons I like longer bars).

Unless you have done some pretty extensive sealing the beds on these trucks leak like a sieve, as you'll quickly find once you get in that thin Baja dust*, so venting isn't an issue, especially if the tank is near the tailgate. I prefer the NATO cans myself (with proper NATO vented spouts) but I used to use plastic cans, including traveling to Baja and never had a problem. Just make sure that they are secured so that they can't break free in the event of an accident. I would actually strongly consider putting a tailgate seal on before your trip if you don't already have one.


*I would also strongly suggest putting anything you don't want dust on or in, in the cab or in some sort of bag- garbage bags work fine, especially for bulky items like sleeping bags/bedding. Just make sure you air the bedding out in the morning so that they're completely dry before putting them in the bag (another use for extended rack bars).

 

Do you have pics of this? Sounds awesome even for an extended weekend trip. I also despise stopping for gas, so there's that. Any more info you can give is greatly appreciated.

 

I ran scepter cans for years and more often than not they leaked. Switched to metal Wavian cans last year and they've been much better in terms of keeping the vapors and fuel in the can.

 

You are here to argue, that's why you quoted me and stated your argument. (Arguing but saying "I'm not arguing" is still arguing)

No headspace means NO vapor which means NO vapor pressure.

This is not an opinion, this is not subjective...

 

I've had a Wavian can with their better quality spout in my Amazon basket for a while, everything I've read about them states that they're high quality.