plastic jerry cans safe in hot weather??

Hi matth j
Forget the jerries for Nullabor. There are plenty of fuel stops there.
You just going to unnecessarily carry more weight.
If the fuel there cost little more it's worth to stop
and have refreshment anyway.
We went over Nullabor many, many times and believe me,
you will need to stretch-up.
Cheers Dana

1. You don't need to carry fuel.
2. Yes, plastic jerries are safe. Vapour pressure will increase with temperature, but they are well able to handle it. DO NOT release the pressure, it is "self controlling".

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

Matt, you're going to need to stop and re-fuel, much easier and more convenient to pull up beside a bowser and do it.
As other have said, you'll need the stretch time anyway, so do it all in comfort and grab a cold drink while you're there.

Do you really need an 80kgs on the roofrack ?
That in itself would probably be close to the racks rated capacity.

Hey guys i wont necessarily be needing them to cross the nullabor but probably for some other parts of the trip, just wanted to be sure they are safe in the heat

I've used a plastic Jerry for our whole trip around Oz with no problems. I use it for ULP for the generator. I just don't over fill it.

Matt, just make sure the jerrycans you buy and use, are marked with, and meet the AS/NZS 2906:2001 standard for fuel containers.
This above standard sets all the conditions and tests for jerry cans, so that they provide satisfactory service in general use.

This standard covers the materials they are made from, tests them for puncture-resistance, material compatibility with the fuels specified, flame tests, drop tests, handle strength, and a dozen other checks for strength and safety.
There are fuel containers being sold and used, that are not suitable for the transport of fuels.
These fuel containers are not marked with the AS/NZS standard.
People sometimes use 20 litre plastic oil drums for fuel, these are not safe when used for fuel transport.

The jerry cans marked with AS/NZS 2906:2001 will provide good service in conditions up to 45 deg C, provided they are not abused.
Keep in mind that there are jerry cans for diesel and jerry cans for petrol, and you must never use them to store exotic fuels, such as racing fuel.

It is also very important to understand that the vapours from jerry cans, when released upon opening, are exceptionally dangerous - and they can travel on the wind, find a source of ignition, and return against the wind, to ignite the fuel in the jerry can.

As a result, it is important to determine where there are likely sources of ignition when first opening a jerry can.
Those sources of ignition are often not seen or thought of - and they can be; gas fridges that are on, electrical spark sources, even static electricity from synthetic clothing.
Thus it is important that you keep on the downwind side of ignition sources when opening jerry cans - and to make sure synthetic clothing is not rubbing on synthetic upholstery.
It is also important to place petrol jerry cans on the ground when refuelling them, to prevent static discharge.

As regards carrying jerry cans across the Nullarbor - it is viable to do this if you want to save on fuel costs.
By buying at discount prices near the cities, you do save a considerable amount in fuel costs.
It's not uncommon for fuel prices to be over $2.00 a litre across the Nullarbor.

However, 80 kgs of fuel on a roof rack is a lot of weight for the roof rack, and it does affect vehicle handling and it also worsens fuel consumption, as roof rack loads are notorious for doing.

You have to carefully weigh up the savings, and if you have room to place the jerry cans elsewhere to eliminate wind resistance.
The winds are generally strong across the Nullarbor and they seriously affect fuel consumption.

I have often carried 60 litres in drums across the Nullarbor to save on fuel price gouging.
However, I had a ute each time, which gives one much more load-carrying ability than a sedan or wagon.

Cheers, Ron.

Mate, I would be taking the jerrys empty and only filling them when/if it became apparent that the next leg of your journey is going to be touch and go as to whether you can make it with just the fuel in your tank.

To my mind, that would only mean in the most remote parts of WA (eg: Canning Stock Route).

As others have said, it is not normally necessary to carry extra fuel if you're sticking to the "usual" routes.....and then only carry what you need....and for the shortest possibly distance.

I learnt this the hard way back in the 90s on my first big trip to the Gulf country and across the top road via Booraloola etc. I lived in Canberra at the time and I carted 2x 20 litre drums of diesel the whole flamin' way "just in case"......never needed it and ended up realising my stupidity once we were in Darwin. So I used the fuel and brought the cans home empty. Never needed them again; even going to Cape York.

Roachie

Thanks for the advise everybody think ill just take 2 for piece of mind and i wont fill to the brim thanks alot !!

First trip I did in the old troopie I didn't have a LR fuel tank. Decide to use the 10 ltr plastic jerries. Damn sight easier to get up on the roof, and the weight was kept a bit lower and more spread. (also easier to lift and empty into the fuel tank).

Just a thought

check the lids and check you are happy with the lids' systems, eg, an internally or externally stored pourer

Personally I would rather have more fuel within reason than not enough maybe just fill one for the road trip you never know you might see a track you want to drive down for a look see and that extra fuel will give you peace of mind even if you don't use it.