Fuel Container- steel vs plastic??

Brett,

where are you located??

I have 7 steel jerries that have some slight surface rust but have only been used once that I am willing to give to a new home. I am in SW Sydney if you are in the area and would like them.

Cheers Kev

I've got a couple of Rheem (Black) plastic 20 litre 'jerrys' that have been bounced all around Oz. Have been strapped down on their side on the roof rack and have had no prob. with no leaking- even when bloated...
I do use a piece of carpet under them on the 'rack.

Same same Signman. Our Rheems have served us well,for both petrol and diesel. Not knocking metal jobs eh. Just too happy with plastic. Your choice.
Happy travels,
Jeff.

Good point re high flow nozzles: a real pita.
C'mon Rheem, sort it!

Been using the black poly jerries for years - never had the slightest issue - durable, robust, one piece body, no paint, no rattles.
No contest for me.

Hi Brett,
I have owned and used both metal and plastic. I did get rid of the metal ones, the sealer that was used inside them was coming off, lucky I was using a good filter in the funnel. The are a few types of plastic available.

As long as they are stamped for fuel, you will have no problem at all with them and I would recommend the plastic.

Cheers


Stephen

Plastic only. No rattles, no rust. I have few and they never betray me. Your experience with leaking more likely due to bad luck or dirt-cheap units.
Cheers
Serg.

Brett,
Depends on your use, I changed from 5 steel to 5 plastic because I was wary of the internal coating of the steel jerry can coming off and getting into the tank, fuel filters/Injectors. Have found that camping in the bush and putting the plastic containers on rocks does wear away the plastic. You end up bring a mat to put underneath the plastic jerry cans.

Also having plastic jerry cans in the back of a vehicle, if a piece of metal rubs against the container after a long trip you can also see the wear marks. I would not use plastic to carry petrol because of this, on hot days you can see the plastic container expand considerably and any wear/slight cuts could blow.

If you go plastic I would buy the container with a spout fitting and a second fitting for air release this should in theory give you a quicker fill. My plastic containers are the Willow brand (spout fitting only but incorporating air release) from super Cheap on special at $19.95.

Would I buy plastic again? No. I would buy new steel. $40 seems a fair price for new steel jerry cans.

I have kept my steel just in case.

Peter

It's no contest for me either.
Steel jerries win hands down.

The benefit with the steel jerries is in the beaut "accessories" you can get for them.

I possess a "Tanami pump" which uses low air pressure to transfer the contents of the jerries to the vehicle fuel tank while the jerries are still sitting it their racks on the trailer's A-frame.

I won't do without my Tanami Pump so no plastic jobbies for me.

I am with Sandman.

I carry 12 steel jerries lying flat on their side in under a false floor in my trailer and have had no issues with them. Fuel is transferred via a home made Tanami Pump.

At one occasion I did have problems with the Lion Brand steel jerries where internal coating came loose and ended up blocking up the fuel filter on the petrol Datto. I returned them to the reseller and upgraded to Pro-Quip steel jerries. Good jerry-cans cost around the $50 mark these days.

I prefer jerry cans to aftermarket long range tanks as the latter eventually finds an air leak or an air lock and gives you grief when you need it least.

Cheers

Brett and QLD Kev

I've used both for many years. The steel containers are far more robust, but the seals need to be looked after. certainly nothing wrong with the German invention (to this day).

Good quality plastic doesn't present any problems either, apart from expansion issues. On a hot day, I usually vent them well away from a stopping point in the middle of the afternoon.

I'm probably more careful with plastic than I am with steel. The cans (as others have said) are placed on high density rubber and secured with ratchet straps in such a way that expansion isn't inhibited.

QLD Kev. I thought I was the only Dill who had a garage full of Jerry cans (up until recently). LOL

Regards

Kim

Black Rheems.

I have an ex army metal can that my dad gave me. Its about 35 years old. I replaced the original cork seal a few years ago with a rubber type (wish I hadn't). Now it leaks a bit. Have a newish metal can that flakes paint off on the inside. H.O.S! Bought a plastic one for petrol. I stash it inside my boat when we go away. I like it coz it doesn't scratch the gelcoat or damage the upholstery, and it was cheap. The ex army one pours the best.

Thanks for all your replies folks. I have had a look on the Rheem/Haigh website and they seem like a very good fuel container. I think platic will suit me best.
All comments are much appreciated.

Brett

Bit late - but I have both over the years and its plastic for me.

I now use supercheap units because they have no secondary air vent and have a larger inlet than the Rheem.

They can also hold up to almost 24lt but this is overfilling however I always fill them with 22lt .

They also weigh almost 2 kgs lighter than steel.

But most of all they are only ones amongst many that I have tested that have not leaked. (have not tested Rheem)

Robin Miller

I used the same supercrap jerry’s myself and to my surprise no leakage

even after a 15,000k trip and 3,000k of that was out bush