JERRY CANS and Plastic containers for diesel

Cant coment on diesel but for generator pertol 10L in a steel gerry can in back of panelvan. I dont use plastic for petrol as they swell up to mutch in heat.

Hi Ian

If it is a plastic formulated for diesel how can there be any problem with the diesel?

Because our F250 had one only 260 litre diesel tank, we were concerned that we would be stranded if we got a hole in the tank, so purchased a 55 litre plastic auxiliary tank to mount on the tray. We have this plumbed in so we had the option of using it to add to the main tank, or we could switch off the main tank and use direct from the tray mounted tank. These tanks come in a number of different sizes and shapes.

What is the distance you travel on your present tank. If taking regular routes, purchasing is not usually a problem, and carrying a load to avoid higher prices may not be all that cost effective.

We carry our genny and a two 10 litre plastic petrol jerry cans in a purpose built box on the a-frame. This keeps the petrol smell away from the interior of the caravan and of the car.

Motherhen

Ian

We have plastic and metal Jerry cans, and prefer plastic.

Did the Canning, Gibb River Road, and The Kimberley, and Wolfe Creek Crater..
Cannot get any rougher than that.

Never a problem !.

Best part is they have their own internal filler nozel, and you never have to worry about rinsing, and or getting a dirty filler.

Cheers
Bucky

We have been using the plastic Rheem ((now "Fuel Safe" I think) plastic jerries for both petrol and diesel for over 15 years. They are the non tapered ones. They now have 2 identical fillers and come in colours (were only black).
Still have the original ones I bought. Would not have a steel one if you gave it to me.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

Ian,
what material is the fuel tank on your D40 made from? The OEM tanks on both my RA Rodeo's are plastic, although both have been replaced with long range tanks, so both are now steel.
I have been using the black Rheem jerry cans for my diesel, and have not come across any problems. I had also purchased one of the yellow 'diesel' only jerry cans, I think from either Kmart or Big W, and that one I'd be nervous about taking off road, it appears to be a different plastic to the black Rheem ones, and not as well made, but it will do for running up and down the black top and minor/short off road trips.
cheers,
Dion.

Hi Ian

Providing that the fuel containers are made for fuel use and have this imprinted on the container, you will have no problems. I have even seen some 'yellow' type fuel containers stamped 'Diesel' on them.

I have been using plastic type approved containers for over 14 years and the containers are still as good as the day I purchased them. I prefer plastic, as they are more robust and years ago I had problems with metal jerry cans leaking and the coating inside the metal cans flaking off.

Also a number of years ago, one of Australia's car manufacturers went to plastic and showed how they could drop a 60 litre fuel tank, both plastic and metal from a reasonable height. The results were as expected, the metal tank split open with all fuel lost, while the plastic bounced and was a good as before it was dropped.

Just my thoughts.


Cheers


Stephen

As most people have at least implied, if you get good quality containers designed for fuel use you should not have any problems.

Most of the comment has been about plastic and I will not contradict anything that has been said about them.

But in defence of the humble metal jerry can I have been carrying diesel in metal jerries for 15 years without a problem. I also have another metal jerry can that I use for mower fuel. I have no idea how old it is but at least 20 years and again I have never had a problem.

If you look at my first paragraph you will note that I said 'good quality'. That applies whatever the container is made of. I believe that more than what they are made of will determine your degree of satisfaction.

Duncs

My personal experience is the lids fail more often on a plastic fuel can.
When you screw the lids on tight, they come loose again.
It might just be the crappy ones supercheap sell but they leaked diesel in the back of my van.
The double lid ones are even worse.
At least you can get new seals for the metal ones but you cannot fix a cross threaded or one that does not tighten up.

Honky

Ian,
amongst my 8 or 9 jerry cans I have 2 metal ones stamped 1951 (just older than me)which are the ones I mainly use. Have been used extensively from when rallying in the early 70's until now for both petrol and diesel.
I have a couple from the late 70's that have suffered from flaking paint lining. I also have 2 black rheem plastic cans that came with my camper trailer.
I dont like the US style metal cans with screw in lids at all. they leak and the need to carry the screw in pourer spout is a pain.
I find I prefer the metal containers as they can be carried easier on their spines with filler up.
I would not carry a plastic jerry that way.OK standing but not laying down .
my 2cents worth
cheers
Howard

Just be aware that you cannot fill the twin cap rheem jerries from a high-flow diesel pump - the opening is not big enough.
The Willow yellow plastic jerries have a single larger hole and can fill from any pump.

I have both Rheem and Willow and for the reason above, I prefer the Willow. But I have heard of one person with a Willow having a leaky cap and had it replaced. I use a funnel with a gauze filter when filling the vehicle rather than the supplied spouts - easy to see if there's any problem with water or garbage in the fuel.

Greetings, like Motherhen, we have added plastic container (Jerry can from Whitworths) for added safety and sometimes range. If you are able to get to Whitworths Marine(look on the web for their catalogue), they have an excellent range of Diesel guaranteed tanks to choose from.There is no doubt that they will safely carry diesel. Or, you could use a tank of a "wrecked" vehicle, they have been plastic for a long time.
Kindest Regards, Warwick

Look at the Tanami Pump to mate,Ive had one for my jerry and wouldnt be without it.The cost of it i was willing to pay and glad i made the decision..

Tanami Pump

I find these plastic Scepter diesel cans great. Canadian made so I guess quality should be good!

Image Could Not Be Found

See that the cap has an anti unscrew device so the cap will never come off no matter how rough the road.

Matthew

I regularly use the Yellow Plastic ones and have done so for around 6-7 years and have to say they have been fantastic, never leak. I bought them from SuperCheap years ago. They are built sturdy and durable.

I use the plastic ones and happy with them
I have spoken to a plastic tank manufacturer and he told me the difference between tanks rated for diesel and the others is that they use a better grade of plastic that is more impervious, if you were to store diesel in a standard container it will eventually leach through with a greasy residue on the outside of the container is what they advised me

Hi iijmartin ; i have use old plastic oil containers for the diesel for my tractors with no problems for year , not a big problem with diesel i think for me
But i have a proper plastic one for the petrol & it will leaks when the weather get warm even in the shed , i think if i was travelling i would get the old style steel tank .
ex army style

Hi Ian,

We carry extra diesel in yellow plastic jerry cans bought from Bunnings, labelled 'Diesel' and have done so for the past three years. We have travelled over some dirt and corrugated roads without any problems but haven't been on anywhere like the Gibb RR.

We have a D40 Navara so often carry 1 or 2 X 20 litres because of the fuel consumption when towing our 2 1/2 tonne van.(less than 400kms on a full tank in head winds). We had a look at getting the long range tank fitted and decided against it because of the space it takes up, and the expense.

Fuel for the Navara, the tinnie and the generator are carried in the back of the dual cab, along with boat motor so we don't have problems with fumes.

Regards,

Heather G

I've always used the Scepter plastic jerry cans (for diesel and petrol), 20lt, 10lt and 5lt sizes. I even have a combo jerry for the chainsaws - bar oil on one side, 2-stroke mix on the other. I've had this jerry flying from one side of the tray to another when woodcutting and I can't get it to leak ;) they really are worth their weight in gold.

They don't seem to split or crack when you drop them, compared to the steel ones. Also no rust or flaking paint either.

Willow have actually changed their shape recently and now look a lot more square, like the Rheem. Anyway Supercheap have the red petrol and yellow diesel ones on special for $25.38 until 5/3/11.