Plastic vrs Steel Jerry Cans for Fuel

Bazz,

The steel cans that are on the market to-day are cheap and nasty and will rust, if not already rusted out when you buy them.

The plastic can't rust and if they have the Australian Standards marked on them, they are safe to use.

Carring full jerry cans on the roof rack is not good.

1. Lifting the full can onto the roof rack, 20kg+
2. The extra weight on the roof rack, top heavy vehicle.

The safest place to carry full jerry cans is in the vehicle. Placed as low as possible and attached to the carago barrier.

To stop the rubbing, rubber would be good, any thing except wool, because of the static electricity.

To stop them leaking, make sure the lid is on tight and the rubber seal is not perished. If a jerry can is leaking don't use it. If it was on the roof rack and leaking the vehicle would be covered in fuel. You would be driving a time bomb.

When the jerry cans are empty, then they could be carried on the roof rack with the top or breather cap loose so that they will not build up pressure with the heat.

Wayne

Bazza,

Use the Rheem plastic ones, for ULP, for motorbikes all the time. Take a real hiding. Don't think the steel would handle the same punishment, unless they were tied down, or in a mount of some sort. Could use truck tube or grader tube cut to length, to protect the sides.

The plastic ones get in some odd shapes, once it gets hot.

As for carting them on roof rack, wouldn't like to try it.

Hooroo...

Hey Bazza :)

How many jerries are you planning on carrying? The more weight up there, the higher your roll centre is going to be. Do you have any room lower down? I know that carrying fuel inside the cabin is a pretty bad no-no, but most people have to if they don't have a long-range tank underneath. If you must carry it inside, then cover it up and wrap it in a tarp to keep it out of direct sunlight.

Out of the two choices, I tend to use plastic (Rheem or equivalent name-brands). They are lighter (but not by much), but I don't see any obvious advantages over steel (some might disagree and have a reason). There is one major disadvantage in the plastic ones, in that they expand and balloon out with the pressure of the fuel vapor trapped inside. A secret to combat most of this problem is to fill them up a litre or two shy of the 20, squeeze the jerry between your knees to bring the fuel to the top and then cap it off. This tends to then create a partial vacuum inside alleviating most of the balooning effect.

Having said all this, I'd probably go for good (new) steel ones next time around.... and a good filler nozzle to snap on. There are also one-way valves that you can get to pressurise the jerry from your on-board compressor to force fuel out a supplied hose, so you can fill up the tank while on the ground - and in record time.

Another vote for the Black Plastic Rheem ones.

Couple of ideas/tips.

Dont fill them to the top (actually fit about 25l from memory). Put in 20l , and give them a squeeze , so some air is taken out. Wont expand as much.

If you do use them on the roof racks (like I need to) , use a few more smaller ones (ie 10l ) rather then the bigger heavier 20l ones.

That way you top up at every opportunity , and you dont have a half empty jerry sloshing around on the roof

Steel.... Get that adhesive foam rubber and stick that on the underside.. if that rubs away its no prob compared to the jerry failing

black plastic rheen containers. Have had both steel and these plactic ones, and have peirced steel ones with rocks hitting them (in the trailer) but never with plastic. Also, plastic have oring screw lids, which I beleive seal better.

TrolUte

I will not us steel anymore as in my experience they don't so much wear through as puncture due to being sucked in when the air temp cools. I had two do this in the Simpson and had to repair them. Dave at Mt Dare says he sees it all the time. I have no experience with any fancy steel jerrycans, just the ones you can buy at any 4wd centre or similar. I only use plastic now.

Can't, and won't, comment on the plastic, because I don't know.

What I do know, is I have just ( yesterday ), replaced the rubber seal in 2 x 20 l steel cans, that are over 20 years old.

At the same time, i also bout 2 10 l steel cans for the Honda, & a fancy filler ( flexible ) that clips onto the cans.

On the station I used to work on, we used to simply lay the buggers down on their side, and they would slide all over the rear tray of the tojo, to no ill effect.

I agree with some here........... there is some rubbish being sold. Try to ensure the are STAMPED with the correct AS number.

Wolfie

I have carried two 20ltr plastic Aus approved Jerry cans on the roof rack without any trouble at all.
My method is thus, Keep them mt until you know that you may need them then fill place on roof rack & tie down, once I have covered enough distance to use one container I then decant it into the tank then likewise with the second one.
This keeps the load off the roof as much as possible.
However my vehicle is an oiler, so no drama except for the pong if I spill a bit when decanting.
When I have the van on then there are two holders on the rear of the van.

I've used both types ; I've got 5 quality steel and 4 plastic Rheem - The Rheem are the best in my opinion for many reasons.

Like Wayne says, theres some very poor quality steel ones out there - lids don't seal, seams are sharp, paint peels off the inside.

Cheers
Phil

Rheem black plastic.The way to go.We sell both at our Buffalo Bolt Co in Emerald,Qld.Would sell 10 Rheem plastic to 1 steel..Never have we had a Rheem plastic jerrycan back.Lost count of cracked steel ones coming back.They all crack in hot our weather in a "V" area near top of indented strength ribs.It is the constant expansion and contraction causes the metal fatigue to set in..I have 10 metal ones in my dump area on our mini farm.All cracked in same place.The 2 Rheem ones we bought 12 years ago and use all the time,are as new.Good news.The new Rheem black plastic ones have been "Upgraded" with TWO filler caps to allow fast,non-burping pouring into fuel tank..Magic.