Fixing Jerry Cans on Roof
Submitted: Thursday, Feb 08, 2007 at 07:28
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jdpatrol
I am wanting to mount 3 Jerry Cans on the roof rack for a trip in a few months (yes, centre of gravity will be higher than usual!). Have a roof rack basket (steel mesh type made by Roof Rack World) and steel Jerry Cans.
Do I need a special Jerry Can holder or can I just strap it down to roof rack, with a bit of rubber under it, and between cans? I really can't see any problem in just strapping it down.
Any thoughts appreciated. JD
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Feb 08, 2007 at 18:57
Thursday, Feb 08, 2007 at 18:57
The carpet works
well.
We use 8mm elastic cord to secure them - 3 straps on each jerry means they never work loose. To make them safe, I have a loop on one end, and hook on the other.
It can be pretty hard to get a good seal with the fillers on the metal jerries. I know one guy who had 6 diesel jerries on his roofrack for a
Madigan Line trip - first day he had 4 of them leaking diesel all over his tent and
camp gear, which was of course unusable for the rest of the trip - ended up sleeping in the back of his troopie. So
check the seals thoroughly before you go.
The baskets often work loose -
check the bolts daily. And if the U-bolts stuff up, the 8mm elastic strap does a good job of fixing it.
AnswerID:
220614
Follow Up By: jdpatrol - Thursday, Feb 08, 2007 at 19:18
Thursday, Feb 08, 2007 at 19:18
As always thanks for the advice Phil.
I gots to get me some of that elastic strap.
FollowupID:
481246
Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Feb 08, 2007 at 19:57
Thursday, Feb 08, 2007 at 19:57
I use elastic straps a lot, but I'm sure you're aware that you can easily lose an eye if you're not careful. Thats why I prefer a loop at one end, and a hook at the other. You can secure
the loop end first on the mesh by feeding it through itself, then use the single hook to secure the load.
FollowupID:
481251
Reply By: howie - Friday, Feb 09, 2007 at 20:50
Friday, Feb 09, 2007 at 20:50
if i have to carry jerry cans on the roof i use plastic 20L cans (had them them for years with no problems).
i can fit 3 X cans into 1 black recyle bin, i find it easier to strap down the bin on the roof rack and it stops the cans moving around.
when the cans are emptied (asap) i re-arrange the rack.
i lie the empty cans down or on end, depending on space, and use the recycle bin to carry rubbish.
AnswerID:
220893
Reply By: Mobi Condo - Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 at 22:42
Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 at 22:42
Re Jerry's on the roof - be aware of fuel problems and STATIC electricity.
AT one of our CFS training sessions about 1998 or maybe 1999, we had a session on static and resulting fires destroying two (2) rigs in the NT. The owners had thought it a good idea to simply siphon fuel down to the vehicle tank and WHAM!
Static had been developed just from the flow of fuel in the plastic siphon tube and - NO MORE RIG - just a burnt out wreck! Twice over even!
Standard practice should be to literally ground the jerries (that is PUT THEM ON THE GROUND) and then open them pointing AWAY from vehicle & persons before pouring into funnel or use of supplied spouts.
Worth a thought or two!
Cheers - Mobi
AnswerID:
221017
Follow Up By: jdpatrol - Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 at 23:36
Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 at 23:36
Mobi, is siphoning from Jerry's on the ground safe? I find those steel spouts too slow and was intending to siphon.
FollowupID:
481724
Follow Up By: Mobi Condo - Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 07:42
Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 07:42
Knowing that petrol fumes are so volatile & invisible and static electricity is so easily generated & invisible I avoid ALL forms of siphoning of petrol and other volatile materials.
Bit hard to siphon from a grounded jerry (on the ground) up to a fuel inlet any way :-)
Yep I agree the "old hold up and empty" is a real tedious task and one can get fuel splash if not careful - but it is better than chancing a rig disaster!
From experience with fires and fire training (with LPG, Avtur, diesel etc) the Whoof and Wham are so sudden there is no time for even the first letter of an expletive! Not even time for the thought to utter it!
Cheers - Mobi
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481746