Refueling out on the trail

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djkaosone

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With all the break/fix posts, I thought I'd post something different. How is everyone refueling out on the trail?

I'd love to get a Long Range permanent fuel tank, but can't justify over $2k on it and I've been thinking about this since 2015. I used Wavian (jerry) fuel cans and I really hated holding it up for over 15 minutes with my California safe nozzle spout or 8-10 minutes with my open spout.

2 years ago, I ended up getting a sweet deal on a Titan Fuel tank that hangs off the spare tire carrier, but it was meant for Jeeps with a 5x5 bolt pattern wheels. The fuel tank's universal mount fits on the tire carrier, but I had to invert my Terrafirma mounting bracket to fit the fuel cell and I had to get a wheel adapter to change it from 5x5 to 5x120 to fit the LR wheel to the fuel cell. I modded the cap of the fuel cell to have a petrol chemical resistant tube that reaches the bottom of the fuel cell and a n-i-p-p-l-e up top to quickly attach a hose from the fuel pump. The fuel pump is wired up with a marine grade cigarette adapter that plugs into my switched cigarette adapter in the trunk.

Anyhow, this is what it looks like and how I fuel up 12 gallons in 12 minutes. https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClfDdT0pdz5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
 

avslash

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You can still get standard NATO jerry cans with the standard pour spout. You have to look around, but they are out there.

This is what I used before I got an aux tank. No way it took more than a minute or so to empty the can.
 

f1racer328

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My friends have the metal flexible spout for their Wavians. I have a Wavian but have the standard spout and it sucks.

I just carry a funnel for refueling.
 

CRYA

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With all the break/fix posts, I thought I'd post something different. How is everyone refueling out on the trail?

I'd love to get a Long Range permanent fuel tank, but can't justify over $2k on it and I've been thinking about this since 2015. I used Wavian (jerry) fuel cans and I really hated holding it up for over 15 minutes with my California safe nozzle spout or 8-10 minutes with my open spout.

2 years ago, I ended up getting a sweet deal on a Titan Fuel tank that hangs off the spare tire carrier, but it was meant for Jeeps with a 5x5 bolt pattern wheels. The fuel tank's universal mount fits on the tire carrier, but I had to invert my Terrafirma mounting bracket to fit the fuel cell and I had to get a wheel adapter to change it from 5x5 to 5x120 to fit the LR wheel to the fuel cell. I modded the cap of the fuel cell to have a petrol chemical resistant tube that reaches the bottom of the fuel cell and a n-i-p-p-l-e up top to quickly attach a hose from the fuel pump. The fuel pump is wired up with a marine grade cigarette adapter that plugs into my switched cigarette adapter in the trunk.

Anyhow, this is what it looks like and how I fuel up 12 gallons in 12 minutes. https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClfDdT0pdz5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Ohhh haha I didn’t realize that was your IG account that I posted on the other day. I dig that Titan setup. The LRA is just soooo cost prohibitive.


I’ve done two Wavians with a fast pouring flexible metal spout. AB will sell it. I got mine through Amazon but that’s when I had them up on my Gobi. Totally impractical hauling that weight up and down.

I was going to a dual swing with Jerry’s but really thought that was too much weight and I use my rear all the time so dealing with latches wasn’t gonna be fun.

Now I’m playing with two Trail’d spare tire tanks. They are kinda tricky to pour too but they are out of the way, down low, and kept for emergency if gas is a problem. I was lucky and found them locally on CL. They don’t leak but still use a small Sceptre brand spout which is slow and poorly vented.
 

greiswig

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I'm using a pair of Trail'd tanks mounted where the spare used to be underneath. I.e., they're really only there if I am kinda desperate. It's not too bad to empty them both, probably about 5 minutes each, but then I'm 6'2" and about 225 so it probably depends on how you're built.
 

djkaosone

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My friends have the metal flexible spout for their Wavians. I have a Wavian but have the standard spout and it sucks.

I just carry a funnel for refueling.
I still have my 2 Wavian cans with flexible metal spout. I guess I'm pouring it wrong cause it takes forever.
 

djkaosone

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You can still get standard NATO jerry cans with the standard pour spout. You have to look around, but they are out there.

This is what I used before I got an aux tank. No way it took more than a minute or so to empty the can.
Maybe I should have gone with the standard spout vs the flexible spout. Maybe I'm pouring it out wrong too. I have it right side up, sideways, or upside down with my metal flex spout and it doesn't matter which direction, it takes forever. As fuel comes out air goes in, and doesn't allow a fast pour.

I still my cans, and will probably use them on longer runs.
 

avslash

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Don't feel too badly. After 5-6 years, I think, the fuel transfer pump on my auxiliary tank done died. Now I get the pleasure of dropping the tank to replace it.

I installed as per the instructions upon initial install, but I'm going to cobble something together this time where the pump is accessible with the tank in place this time around. Not really out of sorts, that poor thing has been submerged multiple times over the years.
 

djkaosone

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Not too bad, 5 years is a pretty good run. If only things were made to last forever...
 

txfromwi

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Well, after evacuating from Houston about 20 years ago and spending literally 17 hours doing what is normally a 4 hour drive, I built quite a rig and deployed it a total of once.

Let's see if I can describe it so anyone can re-create.
Sorry, on the lack of details, it's been a long time....

Round rail roof cross member top racks
Then v-shaped longitudinal bike racks

4 fire extinguishers, little ones, what 6-8 lb? or so? 2 on each side - hold them down inside the v- rail with rubber stretchy bands - the ones we use for holding ski's together work well.

2 large rectangular fuel tanks - probably 8-10-12 gallons each? These are large gas tanks made for large lawn mowers.
Mine had mounting bolt locations on each corner
I found Yakima round rail universal mounting clamps. Bolt to each corner of the tank and clamp to the round cross rail.

Delivery hardware - I used all aircraft grade hardware/fittings/tubing etc. I used zero dead volume/zero drip quick disconnects and made up an/on off valve.

Filling the tanks.
SAFETY - Remember, never fill any tanks, especially plastic tanks when not completely grounded. Because plastic is such a poor electrical conductor, grounding straps are almost useless and tanks should be in contact with the ground when filled.
The tanks I purchased are bottom drain, so when filling I need 2 2x4 by 1 foot lengths for support as to not put any weight on the bottom fittings.

Mounting the tanks.
Once they are full they are very heavy! I could not lift them now, and even then, it was not easy.
SAFETY - Remember, the caps for these are vented to allow air in so they can drain. That means that when you lift them, and the tank deforms, the gasoline can squirt out the vent hole on the top of the cap. (Ask me how I know.... I am a very lucky boy, missed my face by just a few inches....)

I tested the system with water (which is more dense than gasoline) for loading - do not exceed the loading specifications, and for handling/driving.
That's alot of weight up high, this was on the 2002 Trooper. Never any issues but handled differently.

Even though it never leaked or dripped, I was always very concerned about 20+ or so gallons of gasoline over my head.
It worked, not sure I would ever do it again.

But maybe you can modify....
 

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