best advice for mounting jerry cans

Agree with above comment, but have seen them standing up but contained in milk crates.
Cheer
Baz

Chris,

I don't think there is really an "official answer"

The metal jerry cans at least seal very well and it is very common to see them mounted on their backs with the spout uppermost.
One of the roof rack suppliers even have a jerry can rack that takes jerry's mounted in this fashion.

As far as safety goes, providing they are not "filled to the brim", that is have an air gap above the liquid's surface this method is the most practical when mounting on a roof rack.

Bill.

Zigdog.
Robin is a bit of a purist about rollover stability. To make matters worse, I own a petrol Prado, and a Prado with petrol in jerry cans on the roof would truly give Robin nightmares! The problem is you must never carry fuel on the roof, but also you must never carry petrol inside the vehicle either. So, if you are really going bush, you cannot use a petrol vehicle on this basis unless you add sufficient 'proper' long range tanks. As far as I know, there's no safe way to carry 4 jerry cans of petrol, other than in a trailer, and let's not start on that!!
If you are already well loaded, including enough water to be safe in remote country, it will be quite hard to keep the vehicle mass down to what's legal, let alone worry about distribution. But it's true most specs rule out 200kg of stuff on virtually any roof rack.
Most people compromise, others take a chance now and again. Then there's Robin!! (No offence intended, Robin)

Hardly any offence Chris, we agree central point of no fuel on roof - but inside the car , I think its safer (relatively of course).

Interested in why you consider it unsafe , assuming you have known good containers that don't leak and they are tied down.

Recently added a jerry can holder to my patrols small rear door.
The door isn't strong enough to carry a loaded can, but I had the choice to make the door stronger or carry fuel inside the car and the empty on the rear.

In studying the various saftey aspects, carrying inside the car came up safter because in the event of even a midsized accident the can is unlikely to be damaged compared to being mounted on the rear door, or even in a trailer.

Robin. I have various electrical circuits active inside the vehicle, as well as the factory loom. The potential for a spark (including perhaps from the fridge and/or its wiring has to be faced. Whilst jerry cans are reasonable good storage containers, I also accept that there's a potential risk of fuel or vapour being released. While we can differ in our risk assessments, that's two separate risk sources that don't sit well together. When you say "containers that do not leak" it sounds a bit like "luxury liners than cannot sink".
Also,every 'expert' I have read seems to agree that it is unsafe and even illegal to transport petrol this way. So, even though I agree it is not a good idea to carry jerry cans of petrol on the roof rack, I'll do it every time rather than carry them inside.
Please bear in mind I am talking about circumstances where I am also carrying lots of water, so the choice is basically what (water or fuel) to put on the roof rack, so the rack loading is probably excessive either way, and the rollover implications equally bad either way.
Hence my mention of compromise. No right answers, but that's my response.

Hi Chris

I didn't read into your first response that you carried fuel of top of a high C of G car - well your a brave person indeed !

As a note fuel only weighs 70% of water.

A couple of times I have had to design electronics for fuel depots etc and its quite a risk assesment process.
From this come a couple of points - when fuel leaks it can be smelt long before
the amount of the leak, even vaporized, becomes a risk, so there is an opportunity to do something about it.

Your cars loom should be behind something like a plastic fasia at least.

With home done wiring and accessories there certainly is an increased risk espically if done by someone without experience or the knowledge to do it, and fuse it adequately.

As you say choices need to be made - for me the risk of being rear ended and splitting a container rate well above the other issues, hence my choice to carry inside car protected by its shell.
I also carry multiple small gas cannisters inside the car as the best of the available choices there.

As a saftey tip for those who do what I do, an easy suggestion is to put each fuel container inside a plastic garbage bag.
I also only use plastic containers with only 1 screw on cap.

Had 3 jerries on top of my lifted Troopy when we did the Hay River trip leaving from Birdsville side. Had to carry ulp for a number of bikes and a petrol Nissan. Had them secured in a frame bolted to the rack and lying flat. The black plastic jerries I had did expand a bit and some fuel, albeit minor, escaped.
No I didn't roll-over but I do drive to the conditions and empty these as we go. Note...carrying fuel for a Nissan!!
Happy to carry diesel inside the vehicle but not ULP, too easily ignited!

Cheers

There are the odd occasions when we need the extra & it always involves a degree of risk. There is enough debatable info posted already on the doo's and donts for you to choose your sensible options that suit your needs.
But on all trips there is one very important rule ie. drive to the prevaliing conditions at all times . . . you know, a little slower on the corners etc if you are a bit more top heavy.
Also as has been said, only fill them when you need them and empty each one as the fuel levels drop . . . you don't have to wait until the fuel tank warning light flicks on.
Good luck with it and safe driving.

Are you absoutely sure that the carrying capacity of the roof rack is 100 kg or is that the maximum capacity on the roof. If so then the carrying capacity would be 100 kg less the weight of the rack. Now if it's steel then it's very heavy.

A 100 ser can have 200kg including the rack

Hi Ob

Not illegal (at least in Vic )

I have had my say so I include a little note from 4wd world website instead.

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Carrying fuel in jerry cans

The safest is way to carry fuel in an approved jerry can is inside the station wagon behind the cargo barrier. Use a ratchet tie down (webbing strap) to tension the can up against the cargo barrier. This stops them moving and rattling on rough roads and is there is a leaking cap you will soon smell it. It also aids stability as the heavy weight of the fuel is carried low and directly above the rear axle and suspension.

I think you may be right about the legalities currently in affect. It would appear ADR 17 is no longer current.
A read of an old thread number 9027 is quite informative.

Cheers ob