The quest for a good fuel can

[troyboy162]

Fuel cans in Cali is a interesting thing. We all want a good can that will not leak or spill at a price we can afford. Cali complicates that with the CARB junk. Here is some basic info I found on a few of the favorites while trying to figure out what I wanted.

Rotopax CARB:
Really the cream of the crop of expo fuel cans. The problem is that a 4 gallon Rotopax costs $99 so that puts them out of the running for me although they seem perfect. I dont know anything about the CARB nozzles or replacement seals, but I have read no complaints and alot of people own them. Roughly $500 to carry 20 gallons
http://www.offroadperformanceparts.com/images/detailed/0/GasPackPromo13409901264fede2aeaced2.png




Scepter military:
these are the military cans and they were not a option when I went looking last, but they are finally available again for about $50 each with new seals. The other part is how you will be able to get them into cali since they are not CARB approved. My experience with them in the military is that they will need some upkeep and the seals should be replaced depending on frequency of use. A cap wrench should be used to ensure they dont leak but I have never used one with a new seal so the wrench may be overkill. Without upkeep the seals leak as anything and the cap retainers break. Roughly $200 for good condition cans with a bit more then 20 gallons total
http://techsupplyinc.com/images/store/5-450.jpg




Scepter civilian CARB:
I have two of these and while they are not built as tough as a military version I can say they are thicker plastic then the average lawn mower can. Also I have to say I have never spilled a drop of gas with one, but my CARB nozzle is no longer offered so the new ones may be different. The nozzle itself is flimsy plastic and has to be handled with some care as breakage seems plausible, but I have not seen reports of one actually breaking. New seals are not available as far as I know, but the price is much cheaper then other options. ~$108 for a bit more then 20 gallons.
http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/19708_lg.jpg




Jerry cans:
I do not know much about these other then the screw on top needs a tool or at least blade screw driver to hammer them tight. Seals are replaceable. Most available ones seem to be clones manufactured by blitz, and considered good though prone to rust. Again these are not CARB. $unknown for 20 gallons
https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/catalog/USCan590.1.JPG




Nato can:
These are a real crap shoot on quality and price. They have been imported since WW2 and range from brand new to nearly used up originals. Clones are also available and range in reviews from great to Chinese. Seals are available. I can tell you I kept 4 inside my truck all weekend and could not smell gas. The powder coating rubbed through in several places but they were lashed together and clanking against each other the whole trip. I am not too impressed with the nozzles and think that those super siphons are probably the way to go. There are company's shipping to California with two methods...One is to stamp into the steel "not for fuel" the other is to simply put a sticker that say "for water use only". My research at the time said that the stamped ones were of higher quality but since then the pictures I've seen make me think they are both made by the same company. $60-$200 for a bit more then 20 gallons
http://cdn1.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/lgprod/ZBQ-1412.jpg

[CJM]

This just might be of interest to you...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180945468904?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[troyboy162]

those are sweet but not for sale to Kalifornia. I ended up with the nato cans. I am pretty happy with them although I will have to keep on top of maintaining the paint and thats a pain.

[4x4mike]

I've always wanted a Scepter becuase I have two of their MWC's. They are heavy but very tough. I own a non CARB jerry can and it's only alright. The screw lid has a large seal but by design it doesn't cover the vent hole. As such it wants to bubble when full. It also lets out fumes.

We don't do much travel in Northern Ca that requires fuel cans. I know I will need to one day and would not want to bring one of the 6 small lawn cans I have.

I forgot where it was I read it but there were some guys with non CARB cans that were pulled over because of the non CARB and they were on the outside of the vehicle. Husker, dump cans have the same caution. Unless you are on the way to a race or something similar they are illegal to transport in CA.

[troyboy162]

I read about that too. I think it comes into play on the moto type cans since its obvious they were not produced before the CARB rules where as the Nato/jerry cans are 50-60 years old and grandfathered.

[4x4mike]

So is it like a gun? Grandfathered? I bought my Jerry can and a couple of spouts out of state. I lives in my shed and is used for lawn and chain saw equipment. I have a buddy that races shifter karts and he uses those moto style dump cans and says that he's gotten questioned about it at a toll bridge.

I'd like to think that if I need to bring fuel I'd just bring the jerry can but I don't like the fact that it is metal. I'd rather have a MFC that is plastic and won't tear the crap out of my other gear. I lost interest when I'd see them go for $100 used. That and that it would sit around mostly unused at my house.

How much fuel do you usually pack for a trip? You gave dollar amounts for 20 gallons in the above posts but I'm sure you don't carry that much. It seems like you guys do trips that always require at least 5 gallons for safety. If I were you I'd probably bit the bullet and get a Roto can and look at it like an investment. I've always like their shape and size as it makes it easier to store and to dispense. Problem is it's probably so good you'd want more than one and then probably some water cans and then you'd be poor.

[troyboy162]

Best i can under stand what ive read, old cans are still ok to use but new non carb cans are not. So technically these are my old cans repainted. :rolleyes:

I chose 20 gallons since that is the max i ever expect to need for dream trips to death valley. I dont expect to be 20 away from a gas station but i dont want any hour long side trips to fuel up. I only get about 11 to 12mpg offroad and probably worse loaded for long term camping.

I definitely though hard about rotopax but im cheap lol.

[4x4mike]

I don't frequent enough of the other forums often enough to know about group buys but maybe we should look into one. Heck if you guys might buy 10+ gallons of cans the total purchased might be high enough to make it worth while. I'd be in for one.

This might have already been done before. If it is hopefully there is an idea of prices and success of the GB.

[DHC6twinotter]

For my recent trips to the Mojave Road and DV, I wound up just buying four 2.5 gallon cans from Pep Boys (stupid anti-spill spouts are worthless) and throwing them on the roof. I wasn't too crazy about it at first, but it worked out ok. I'd like a better solution eventually, so this thread is a nice resource.

While I was searching around for fuel cans, I found some cans similar to the Rotopax ones on the Gander Mountain website.

http://search.gandermountain.com/?D=fuel+pack&Nty=1&N=0&Dk=0&Ntt=fuel+pack

Gander Mountain used to have the 4 gallon cans that were a bit cheaper than the Rotopax cans, but I don't see them listed anymore. Gander Mountain also has some nice boat fuel tank options that may work for permanent auxiliary fuel tanks.

Something else I considered was throwing a boat tank on the roof. Bass Pro sells a fairly low profile 8 gallon one (the 10.75H one):

http://www.basspro.com/Moeller-Marine-Products-Topside-Fuel-Tanks/product/10210686/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

[Seanz0rz]

I have the metal Blitz cans which I don't think are available any more. They have a large opening and a metal screw in cap with an O ring. they also have plastic spouts that leak everywhere. I use a super siphon to transfer fuel.

I am looking at getting those Nato cans that Troy mentioned. 200 bucks on 4 is not a bad price (i paid 50 and 60 before tax for my 2 metal cans) but I don't really need 4. If I could split the order, that would be great!

I will look into getting a GB going though.

[troyboy162]

so as an update there are now apparently CARB spouts made for the nato cans.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/140770-Jerry-Cans-NATO-Style-now-50-state-legal
http://www.wavianusa.com/jerry-can-nozzles/29-jerry-can-nozzle-yellow.html

Right now its $24 for the nozzle but i'm not sure if you could ship the cans without a CARB nozzle. It at least opens the door to them becoming visually normal. Wavain is the only one making them right now. They are the high end cans so the can + nozzle is not cheap at ~$80. With any luck the cheaper cans will be follow suit and flood the market.

[Robinhood4x4]

I'm probably not up on the latest, but what about these?

http://lexingtoncontainercompanysonlinestore.mybigcommerc e.com/jerry-can-20l/

I know they're not carb compliant, but 1) are they stamped Not for Fuel? 2) have people been getting tickets for using non carb nozzles?

[troyboy162]

not sure if those are stamped or not. Wavian was stamping theres "not for fuel" for sale in communist states so chances are any $40-$50 dollar ones that offer shipping to california are Wavian stamped models. I haven't heard of any tickets or hassle anywhere nor have I experienced any myself although I generally dont encounter park staff nor have I been pulled over in the slow pig.

[Robinhood4x4]

Well, my old nato can finally rusted through so I ended up buying the new cans from lexington container company in the link above. They seem to be well made and are not stamped. I almost got the green ones but then I read something about the law requiring them to be red, so I just went with red.

http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-wvqqd25/0/L/i-wvqqd25-L.jpg

http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-v8fc78J/0/L/i-v8fc78J-L.jpg

http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-WBKgq5F/0/L/i-WBKgq5F-L.jpg

http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-j5vswrR/0/L/i-j5vswrR-L.jpg

[toyotech]

I seen the above cans at HF.

I am enjoying my RotoPax. although expensive, they should last much longer than the metal cans. Not a fan of metal cans due to rust and spark...

I got lucky some how but all my Rotopax came with regular spouts hehe.
If you dont get lucky, you can order the water spouts from RotoPax since they are suppose to be for water... I actually order one because i wasnt gonna use no carb spout.

[troyboy162]

The HF ones are Chinese. I don't have any experience with those but I assume rust and leaks are more of a concern. Rotopax is the way to go but I couldn't wait for them to lower their prices. Have they come down at all? Last I remember was ~$500 for 20 gallons!

[troyboy162]

oh and I think you are right on the red being a rule. I think its for transport on public roads they have to be red. I put DOT gasoline stickers on mine so I should be ok.

[4x4mike]

Red is the rule for gasoline. I remember reading about BLM rangers at KOH a couple years ago ticketing people for non compliant cans and jugs.

Good idea on the stickers. I think the rule on that is stamped or raised lettering but who's going to check? My metal can is from out of state and about 10 years old so it has nothing.

[toyotech]

i dont think rotopax has changed in price or have discounts often...