Is it ok to travel with a full plastic gas can on my bumper?
It doesn't seem safe but what else would I do? I haven't used my genny enough yet to know when I will need gas.
Forum Discussion
If you do a google, you will find there are federal laws governing transportation of gasoline and the approved containers. Personally, I have never seen anyone use the approved containers. I think this is because they are so expensive and clumsy to use. California has its own laws as to which fuel containers are acceptable, directed toward smog issues. The Feds are concerned with safety.
None of the so called Jerry cans are Fed approved. Personally, I find it interesting that the military uses them, but they are not approved for non-military use. Fact is, every time you see a gas can on the back of a Jeep or whatever, it is in violation of Federal law. I have never seen this law enforced.
As for plastic fuel containers, there is a difference between those used for your lawnmower and boat portable fuel tanks. The boat tanks are much thicker.
I have used just about every fuel container over the years. I have had plastic fuel cans crack and leak. I have used the boat fuel tanks, but find they are a bit awkward when pouring from them to a small engine tank. I have made adapters to use the boat fuel tank to feed directly to my Honda generator. Works great. I have recently changed over almost all of my plastic fuel containers to steel NATO fuel cans. On my slide in Camper, I have a 2-1/2 gallon steel NATO can, which feeds directly into my Honda.
Personally, I prefer to not carry any gasoline container (plastic or steel) at bumper height. The photo is with my boat fuel tank. It gravity feeds to the Honda below it. The tank is out of harms way if I am rear ended. I have changed to a steel NATO 2-1/2 gallon tank with the same fuel transfer ability.
None of the so called Jerry cans are Fed approved. Personally, I find it interesting that the military uses them, but they are not approved for non-military use. Fact is, every time you see a gas can on the back of a Jeep or whatever, it is in violation of Federal law. I have never seen this law enforced.
As for plastic fuel containers, there is a difference between those used for your lawnmower and boat portable fuel tanks. The boat tanks are much thicker.
I have used just about every fuel container over the years. I have had plastic fuel cans crack and leak. I have used the boat fuel tanks, but find they are a bit awkward when pouring from them to a small engine tank. I have made adapters to use the boat fuel tank to feed directly to my Honda generator. Works great. I have recently changed over almost all of my plastic fuel containers to steel NATO fuel cans. On my slide in Camper, I have a 2-1/2 gallon steel NATO can, which feeds directly into my Honda.
Personally, I prefer to not carry any gasoline container (plastic or steel) at bumper height. The photo is with my boat fuel tank. It gravity feeds to the Honda below it. The tank is out of harms way if I am rear ended. I have changed to a steel NATO 2-1/2 gallon tank with the same fuel transfer ability.
