How do I store fuel can in the bed?

I have a couple fuel can I need to store in the bed. I would like to store them in the shade but that's not possible. The fuel is $25/gal, so I want to do what I can to comfort it.

Is there some sort of cover I could use? I keep thinking there is a simple solution.

 

You should consider a rotopax container and mounting attachment for the bed rail. Otherwise bungie cord around the handle attached to bed cleats.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rotopax-bed-rail-mounting-options.741785/

 

X2 for RotoPax

 

Those look awesome but I need 6gallon cans. I'm filling them with 112 octane and adding oil. My main concern is the heat from the sun. Maybe it isn't a big deal.

 

In sun, it could hit 140 degF. Lots of thermal expansion. Consider some kind of insulation. Maybe a cooler.

 

Don't use plastic containers in an exposed open truck bed. The black bed and sun will make them swell and possibly leak.

Go with 20L/5gal NATO or Scepter cans instead. These can take heat and altitude swell way safer than plastic.

With that, these cans are flatter and strap nicely against the front bed wall. You can back them with 1" pink rigid foam board.

I have hauled two to three cans like this off road with no issues.

Usually I do a cross strap setup from floor to bedside loops.

 

^^^
All above! Metal fuel cans ONLY! Wrap them with cheap cargo blanket, strap them down - you good for -40 to +40 (C). Much safer than plastic!

 

For the money I like these.

$65 Eagle 5 Gallon Type I Red Safety Gas Can for Gasoline with Flame Arrester, Self-Closing Lid, and F-15 Funnel, Made in the USA, Galvanized Steel Flammable Storage Can, UI50FS

https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-UI-50-...0872781&sprefix=eagle+gas,aps,131&sr=8-3&th=1

Not cheap. I have 6 (bought when they were about 1/2 the current price). But I don't like to leave them in my truck bed long term. If you're in a crash it can be a lot worse.

I keep mine stored away from the house and out buildings covered with a tarp. They are primarily for emergency generator use, power equipment around the house and for an ATV. But to keep the gas fresh I pour 2 cans at a time into one of our vehicles then put the empty cans in my truck. Next time I fill up the truck the cans are also filled. I have a system where they are rotated and the gas is never in storage for more than a month.

 

With just a squirter of Sta-Bil, you can go much much longer on your storage time. But sounds like you have a good rotation schedule that is hard to mess up.

 

Ahh, Scepter are plastic cans. And the only NATO style Scepters sold in the US are for water.

OP can get Wavian metal jerry cans on Amazon, which are military grade and unvented. They are the same dimensions as the NATO Scepter water cans.

The are also surplus Scepter NATO compliant FUEL cans available on eBay, from Canada. They are plastic and typically more expensive than Wavian cans.

 

Those VP racing jugs are nice. It isn’t a “simple” solution per se, but if you can find a crate of the right dimensions, like an extra tall milk crate (or a milk crate that you make taller) you could wrap it in reflectrix or something.

Edit: Also might try an insulating case (or box, sometimes called a “table”) for a 20lb. propane tank. (?)

 

Fair enough. I thought Scepter made steel fuel cas as well.

I purchased four 20L military grade green NATO steel fuel cans back in early 2010 that are embossed with NATO and 2008 date on them through an online shop called OpticsPlanet for something like $50 each.

These have been my go to favorite cans ever since.

I don't think they are CARB approved, but don't leak at all, unlike most CARB approved plastic jugs do.

 

You can find the Scepter plastic NATO gas cans on Craigslist pretty regularly. I bought a couple new ones in Canada a few years ago, if you head that way at all.

 

Nato gas cans aren't big enough.

My fuel comes in 5 gal jugs. I need roughly 5.5 to 6 gal to have mixing space.

 

Nothing you do will stay cool if they are sitting in the bed for hours. I feel like insulating them won't do anything after several hours. I would just put a light bag over them. Thin fabric and a light color. Something to keep the direct sun off of them but still allow air flow to let the heat out a little and let them ride.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-and-easy-water-jug-mount.329167/page-2#post-8691172

 

That’s a great idea. I’ve been using bedside molle panels for attaching things in that location, and I think it’s a waste because I only ever attach things to it behind the wheel wells.

 

I feel like the only readily available solution for you is a tonneau cover to keep the direct sun off.

Possibly you could build some sort of plywood caddy with a cover / sunshade. Bolt the entire assembly to the headboard accessory rail.

 

I just found this!!!

https://a.co/d/c1k2bDf

 

I have a tonneau cover that turns the space in the bed into an oven. Doesn't help that it's a black truck and black tonneau cover... maybe a light colored cover with some venting.