Outdoor Adventure USA

Extra Gas Alternatives (on the trail)

Sooner or later, your 4WD trips will require more fuel than your tank carries. This is when it becomes necessary to explore the different ways to safely carry more.

If you are planning long term trips into remote wilderness areas, the need for extra fuel becomes even more important. Even weekend trips often require extra fuel. This net will cover the many options that are available to carry extra fuel, safely.

We will be posting information and pictures all the way up to the start of the net, so check back for all of the topics that we will discuss. Here are some of the topics we intend to cover.


1. Genuine Jerry cans

2. Jerry can racks

3. Jerry Can pour spouts

4. Roof top Jerry can racks

5. Lockable Jerry can racks

6. Gas siphons

7. Military style Jerry cans

8. Alternate gas storage

9. Gas container mounting ideas

10. Some safety tips

11. Spare parts and repair items

12. How much gas to bring

13. Trip planning for re-fueling

Product Spotlight- Gas One Stove
Today’s product spotlight features a single burner, dual fuel stove.
https://gasone.com/

Features:
>Compact design with case and enough room for utensils
>Piezoelectric lighter
>8000 BTU handles most cooking tasks.
>Excellent Low Flame Control!!!
>Dual fuel option- butane or propane with included hose
>Can be hooked up to 5-20lb bulk propane with additional
adapter
>Sets up in seconds
>Stable cook surface for small to large pots

Great as an emergency stove at home, day use for car trips, auxiliary stove for camping, keeping foods warm away from your main cooking area, heating water for coffee or cleanup and serving appetizers at OAUSA Events!

I paid $34. There are a variety of versions available from about $24-$100 and include ultra compact and dual burner options in many styles and colors.

Gas One offers many other products for Camping, Home Brewing, Outdoor Cooking. There products can be found online, many ethnic food stores, Brewing suppliers and others.

INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY

Carrying extra gas for 4WD trips is by no means a new thing. In fact, it is easy to see from the military vehicles of past wars, where the popularity, or need, for extra gas may have originated (or got a huge boost.). Unlike the mass migration of gasoline vehicle, western bound settlers of the 20th century, military vehicles frequently used roads where no gas stations existed, and even more often, made their own roads, also where there were no gas stations.

Sound familiar??? Yes, yes, yes, I know that we are rarely allowed to make our own trails, but we do share one thing in common with those military vehicles of the past - N0 gas stations in the remote areas we travel. Unless one is prepared to severely limit the miles traveled on an outback adventure, then we must carry sufficient gas to make the entire trip.

With the natural explosion of gear intended for the remote destination traveler, it was only natural for there to be some great solutions to meet the need for additional fuel. While there are a whole lot of "extra fuel" containers on the market today, there is one that has been the most popular for the last 90 years - The German "Jerry Can.".

For many reasons, the German designed fuel can, known as the "Jerry can", has become, and remains, the most popular and most copied fuel container ever made. And for good reasons!!! For all of these reasons, it has become my favorite and most reliable way to carry extra fuel. The history of the Jerry can is a fascinating one and easily found by a quick search on the internet. In particular, an excellent history can be found at Carryology (http://www.carryology.com/utility/carry ... -jerrycan/ ). Briefly, it began in the 1930' as the German Nation was preparing for it's many aggressions which would follow. From the Carryology website:

The Jerry can was developed in Germany in the 1930’s for military use. Wars are won and lost with resources. One of the most important resources being fuel. That fuel must be efficiently stored and transported to aide the soldiers and war machines on the front lines. No fuel and the tanks don’t roll. No tanks and the war is lost.

This picture offers some idea of the importance of the Jerry can in Germany's war effort, (From the Carryology website):


The superiority of the Jerry can, as a fuel container, was recognized by the allies, who eventually adopted the design. It was easy to see why, especially when you consider the inferior containers that were in use at that time. The Brits fuel container was called a "flimsy", and for good and obvious reasons. They looked like this (From the Carryology website):


The advantages of the German designed Jerry can are numerous:

1. They held about 25% more fuel than the Flimsies
2. They were significantly more sturdy and robust than the Flimsies or any other fuel container of the time
3. No tool or other device was necessary to access the contents
4. The cam-lever lid mechanism was integrated into the can so it couldn’t be misplaced and was extremely efficient in preventing leaks.
5. Expansion of the can, in warm temps, is minimal due to steel construction
6. The design of the can allows for vapor and liquid expansion during warm temps.

Here is a excellent description of the benefits of the 3 handle design of the German Jerry Can (from the Carryology website) :

First, it had three comfortable rounded stamped handles. This allowed the cans to be passed down the line from one soldier to the next to the next in bucket-brigade fashion, as one soldier would use the far-sided handle to hand over the exposed free handle on the other far side, rapidly and easily exchanging hands down the line.

One soldier could use the single center handle to comfortably carry a single can with each hand, while maintaining their balance walking over the battlefield’s rough terrain.

If the soldier was strong, they could grab the two edge handles of two cans that were next to each other with one hand. Thus, allowing them to carry four filled Jerrycans at once. If they weren’t so buff, they could still carry four empty cans without any problem. Full or empty, it would have been impossible for one soldier to carry four flimsies – the Jerrycan allowed for both.

In pictures, here are some of the highlights of the German Designed Jerry Can:

PICTURE #1 Permanently attached, one piece cam-lever mechanism that produced a spill proof closure. Also note the air vent


PICTURE #2 Recessed welded joints of the two piece can body


PICTURE #3 Cheap Jerry Can Knock-off


PICTURE # 4 Stamped indentations in the sides of the cans that added structural strength


PICTURE # 5 Three rounded handles that allowed for a single soldier (or four wheel adventurer) to hold up to 4 cans


The most enduring quality of the Jerry Can is that these advantages still make this fuel carrier the very best design, even today. So much so that there are many copies of this can, including ones currently adopted by the military, all of whom are all using basically the same German Jerry can design.

GAS CONTAINER ALTERNATIVES

Neither time nor space will allow for a complete discussion of all the different types of gas cans that are on the market. But, we will touch on a few, hoping that we can get some other ideas from our four wheeling friends out there.

1. SCEPTER

Probably the most common fuel can out there (or perhaps just well known), next to the steel Jerry can, is the Scepter 5 gallon Military fuel container. It may differ in some respects from the original Jerry can, but as you will see from the picture below, the DNA from the original German design, is still alive and well in this Scepter offering. Much of the popularity of Scepter cans is the fact that both the American and Canadian military have adopted them as standard issue for military uses.

For many civilians, these cans offer some distinct advantages. When it comes down to a choice between the original steel Jerry Can and the Scepter, it becomes a Ford vs Chevy debate. Regardless of your choice, both offer an excellent option for extending your trip. The Scepter website says this about their cans:

Standard issue to the U.S. and Canadian Armed Forces, the Scepter light weight MIL-spec fuel cans are designed to safely and securely transport auxiliary fuel. Made from rugged HDPE, the military fuel can is virtually indestructible. The MFC lightens the soldier's load and offers excellent mechanical strength and superior impact resistance, all while withstanding extreme weather conditions . UN / Nato qualified.
Benefits

Easy to Transport
Lighter, Better, Safer
Customizable to User Specifications
Excellent Mechanical Strength
Superior Impact resistance
Three Handle Design

Here is what they look like:


NOTE: Good luck finding these cans, and if you do, save up your pennies.


2. ROTOPAX


The RotoPax company has created some very unique and inventive gas storage containers which may suit a number of outdoor adventurers, see: https://rotopax.com/rotopax/rotopax/ . For smaller vehicles where room is at a premium, these containers offer an additional fuel opportunity which does not affect available storage. Oh yes, they are made in America.

This is what the RotoPax website says:

All of the gas containers Rotopax manufactures for the United States are molded using our patented three layer design. This state of the art molding technique exceeds the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CARB (California Air and Research Board) requirements. Making Rotopax the only Rotational molded EPA and CARB compliant container on the market. The Rotopax Gas containers are offered in various sizes depending on your needs. 1, 1.75, 2, 3, and 4 gallon. Remember to vent the pax regularly.

From Their website:


A Rotopax Mounted to an Olympic 4x4 Rack (https://www.olympic4x4products.com/home.php)

MOUNTING OPTIONS

Even if your search for gas can mounting options is brief, you will discover that there are a whole bunch of different products out there. Again, time and space don't allow for coverage of all the mounts that are on the market. So, we will mention a few, but you will be best served by considering what we mention, and doing your own research.

1. Roof Mounted Racks

Years of carrying extra fuel, experimenting with different carriers (mounts), and looking at what is on the market and on other 4x4s, have brought me to my current gas can racks, all of which have allowed me to extend my range to about 500 miles before needing to refuel. The steel racks are bolted to the roof rack floor, and are lockable. With the gas cans mounted flat to the floor, these racks keep my height to about three inches above the roof rack, itself. Additionally, the wrap around racks protect the filler spout.



2. LoD Offroad Destroyer Jerry Can Mount for 07-21 Jeep Wrangler JK & Wrangler JL
(https://www.quadratec.com/p/lod/destroy ... gler-jk-jl)

Available from Quadratec, Inc. From their website:


3. Baja Racks

The Baja racks are well built, rugged, and have protection for the filler spout. From their website (https://bajarack.com/collections/fuel-a ... can-holder:)

Our brackets fit (2) 5 Gal./20 Liter fuel cans. They are designed to protect your fuel caps and are lockable. Also, our new handle makes it easy to take them off and on, and, if you have NATO cans, the handle can help you open the lock on the spouts.

4. Garvin Rotopax roof rack mounts

For those who choose the Rotopax gas containers, Garvin sells a mount that will attach to certain roof racks,
(https://www.quadratec.com/products/1204 ... gLn5fD_BwE)



5. AT Jerry can holder
(https://atoverland.com/products/at-can- ... 28b4&_ss=r)

This Gas can holder just looks great, but the best part is that it has all the stuff to make it tough and versatile. Made from 1/8 inch thick metal that can be mounted in any position (except up side down.)

FUEL ACCESSORIES

1. Siphon
https://safetysiphon.net/collections/all

For some, lugging a 50 lb gas can to fill the vehicle gas tank, is a bit much. Whether it is to avoid carrying the can, or just for convenience, the use of a siphon can make the job a lot easier. Safety Siphon has been making fuel siphons, in the USA, for more than 40 years. The web link, above, will land you on their siphon products page where you can pick from many options for transferring gas from a container to your vehicle gas tank. Even if this is just a back-up, it's a good idea to have one in case your spout breaks or is lost.


2. Replacement Gaskets
(https://deutscheoptik.com/Set-of-Four-J ... skets.html)

For a few bucks, you can have a set of 4 replacement gaskets. Age will eventually take its toll on this part, and having a replacement, especially in the middle of a trip, can make a difference.


3. Jerry Can Spout

Ditto for the spout. Lose it and good luck getting the gas from your can into your vehicle tank. In fact, GET 2.


4. JAGMTE Scepter Can Strap
(https://jagmte.com/collections/scepter- ... -fuel-cans)

For those who are working with the Scepter Military Fuel Cans (MFC), these straps can make the transfer of fuel from the can to your vehicle gas tank a lot easier. JAGMTE makes quality and ingenious gear for the 4WD traveler. Check out the video on this product: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... e=emb_logo

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

DTK Golden rules

• NEVER, NEVER, NEVER carry gas cans in the passenger compartment of your vehicle.

• Carry extra gas cap gaskets

• Check your cans for leaks several days before your trip

• Buy genuine Jerry Cans

• Check and double check gas cans for secure attachment

Gas Can Repair

The stuff needed to make minor repairs to your steel gas cans will be handled by Kevin, KK6DGL. See post #

RANDOM THOUGHTS

How Much Gas to Bring / Trip Planning

The short answer is, bring more gas than you will need. Figuring out how much, is where trip planning will be critical. Of course, knowing the kind of mileage your rig gets on the trail will be the starting point. On the highway, different rigs will get quite different mileage, but that is really meaningless once you hit the dirt, and the 4WD button gets pushed. While it is not always true, I have observed over many years that the trail seems to be the great equalizer when it comes to gas mileage. On our long term trips, every rig is loaded up with heavy supplies, like gas, water, tents, cooking gear, refrigerators, and the like. Your light, 6 cylinder, 4x4 that gets "great" mileage on the street, is all of a sudden lugging hundreds of pounds of stuff, and your gas mileage will show it. The smaller engines have to work harder than the bigger V8s in order to carry all the extra gear, or so I have observed. If you don't know what your rig gets on the trail, planning can get very dicey.

The next step is calculating the total miles you expect to travel. Remember, side trips, not originally contemplated, need to be considered. Getting total miles means that you need a way to calculate this number. For this purpose, I have had phenomenal success with the TOPO! mapping program, which allows me to hand draw my exact routes on a USGS Topo map.

On our recent trip to the Parashant / North Rim, I used this mapping program to not only plan our destinations, but to also calculate total miles traveled. Here is what it looked like:

Here's what I do to carry extra gasoline for my TJ, and you can bet that gas is needed as the TJ's are not known for good fuel economy either for on-road or off-road travels.

This TJ is set up to carry 20 gallons of supplemental gasoline across 4-five gallon Jerry Cans: 1-Driver Side; 1-Passenger Side; and 2-Rear.


Side Mount Jerry Can Holders
The Jeep TJ side mount gas can holders are from MORryde and use a "receiver" type system to support the holder and the can. Once the receiver is mounted to the frame of the Jeep, the holder can be installed and removed via a hitch pin connection.
https://www.morryde.com/products/jerry- ... hort-tray/

Rear Mount Jerry Can Holders
The Jeep TJ rear mount gas can holders are from Rock Hard 4X4 and are mounted to a Rock Hard 4x4 bumper/tire carrier/rack system. The gas can holders stay on all the time. They are a little higher up than I would like, but that's where they fit without causing other issues.

Rock Hard 4x4 Bumper/Tire Carrier foundation: https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-2001-c.htm
Rock Hard 4x4 Rack: https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-2004.htm
Rock Hard 4x4 Gas Can Attachments (You need a left and right): Left:https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-2003-lt.htm ; Right:https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-2003-rt.htm

Fuel Cans - Don't Scrimp Here Especially When a Can Holds $80 in Fuel
The Wavian Nato Style "Jerry Cans" are the best. You pay more, but you get more in return. I'm really starting to like the 10L shorty cans as they are a lot easier to hold up to refuel. An option is to carry 1 10L can and the rest 20L cans, and then transfer to the smaller can to refill the vehicle tank.
The Wavian cans ship from Chico, CA so they come quick on the west coast, if they are in stock. Don't wait until the last minute to order your cans. The folks in Chico get them out very fast if they are in stock.

Here is a summary from WavianUSA https://wavianusa.com/products/steel-fuel-jerry-can
These leak-proof steel fuel cans come directly from Wavian, the factory that has supplied many NATO countries for over 75 years, and are the highest quality jerry cans on the market today. Rigorously tested, they boast a number of features, including 0.9 mm steel walls, an interior rust-proof Rezol lining, an internal breather pipe for splash-proof pouring, a three handle configuration for easy carrying, a Leak-proof bayonet closure, and a locking pin for the cap. Wavian currently produces the only EPA, CARB, and DOT approved steel fuel cans that are 100% legal in all 50 US states. (Original, long flexible nozzles are available for purchase separately.) They come in OD Green, Black, Blue, Yellow, and Red. Sizes available are 5 Liters (1.3 Gallons) 10 Liters (2.6 Gallons) and 20 Liters (5.3 Gallons).

Note: the lining of the fuel can will react with water, these cans are made for fuel only. For water storage, check out our food-grade water cans.

Can Features
Made out of 0.9mm cold-rolled steel.
Unique wide channel breather and smooth pouring spout.
Lined to prevent rusting with gasoline, water, and alcohol resistant coating.
The cap has a locking pin (international patent) to ensure it cannot be opened accidentally.
The bayonet closure is completely leak-proof with the can in any position. Assumes you close it correctly!!
Three-handle configuration for easy grabbing and carrying of multiple cans.
Manufactured and tested to comply with Australian Standards – AS2906, Swedish Standards – SP, German Standards – TUV/GS, and UN Dangerous Goods.
EPA and CARB certified, built to ASMT, NFPA, and DOT standards.
OSHA compliant.
Approved and fully legal for sale in all 50 states. Some areas are very strict on filling cans, especially in areas where an attendant must dispense gasoline.

Spout Features
Works on most gasoline vehicles.
Works on most diesel and equipment tanks.
Fast flow rate.
Leak-proof. The CARB Spout is horrible. Not Wavian's fault. Blame it on the hacks in Sacramento. Make your own spout. Good luck trying to hold up a 20L can to gravity fill a tank using the CARB spout!!
Dimensions (L x W x H in inches)
20L: 6½ x 13½ x 18½
10L: 6½ x 13½ x 12
5L: 9 x 5 x 14

Weight
20L: 12 lbs
10L: 7.5 lbs
5L: 4.7 lbs

Check inn please
K9ATK Brian
K9FOG TRISH
Kd0EXI cheyenne
Kd0RHA TYLER
Kd0gpe AUSTIN
Thanks