TonyY replied:

Used them for years, petrol and diesel, no problems. Yes they do expand (more so with petrol) but you can avoid this by not filling them too much.

If packing on a roofrack I would suggest some padding to avoid wear due to rubbing on metal.

Rusty replied:

Hi rads

I have been using one for a long time as well. I only use mine for diesel and have no problems what so ever. I usually carry mine in the back, not outside the vehicle.

Regards
Rusty

Member - Cruiser1 replied:

Same here - used them for a while now, no problems.
As\said above, don't overfill them, leave a bit of expansion room.

Michael replied:

Hi there Rads,
I have six of those black 20L Rheem jerries, i actually have them inside my offroad box trailer, no leaking probs with diesel. My only complaint is that the screw capped openings (the later model has 2 identical Filling/ pouring openings) are too small to handle the HI-FLOW bowser handpiece, you need to dribble it in. These HI-FLOW nozzles are a many out west for truck filling. The orange coloured ones seem to be the go, they have a huge opening and screwcap, but dont really look sturdy enough, maybe its a perception rather than a reality. Regards Michael.

Member - Peter [SA] replied:

Same as Rusty's reply, no probs with diesel.
Cheers Peter

Member - Motley replied:

I've carried three of the black Rheem ones during several trips in very hot conditions. Stored on roof rack and containing petrol.

You're right, they do look more like a football under these conditions, but can say that I've never had a problem with them and they would have travelled on the roof for well over 50,000kms.

Incidentally, I pop riveted an aluminium "deck" on the roof rack so the containers sat on a flat surface rather than on the bars. Used one of those ratchet tie-downs to hold them in place. Bonus is that the aluminium deck on the roof rack keeps the vehicle cool as well.

Member - Bob replied:

No problems with diesel or petrol over many years. I've found if you fill'em up and don't leave an air space the expansion with heat is less of a problem. My explanation for that is that its the gas above the liquid that expands when its hot, the liquid itself doesn't expand (although the vapour pressure of petrol especially would increase a bit as the temp of the liquid increased). So if you reduce the gas space, there is less expansion, and less chance of rupture. Maybe a clever person could clarify this for us.

Slammin replied:

I can see the thread has cooled down but I've been in town and thought you should consider both steel and plastic, I've seen plastic easily cut and metal rubbed or peirced thru. If you are doing any remote stuff always carry a mix, yes black does seem to expend more. Also anything on the roof is like the mast on a boat it travels further and faster as the pendulum swings. And any weight helps it swing more.

Bob Y. - Qld replied:

Rads,

Have been using the black jerrys, both 10 & 20 L, for nearly 10 years now, and have had no problems. The spouts tend to disappear/get lost, while mustering, but we use them mainly for refuelling motorbikes. It would need a LOT of severe use to damage them. Hooroo...