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JnJnKatiebug's avatar
JnJnKatiebug
Explorer
Feb 22, 2018

How to carry extra gas

We had a DP for several years with a 100 gallons fuel tank and a long range. For various reasons we sold it and bought a travel trailer (we miss the DP).

We tow with a gas engine pickup and get about 10mpg towing so 200 miles max range before I start getting nervous.

We are planning a long trip out west, so here is my question. How is the best way to carry a 5 gallon can of gas for an emergency? I have a bed cover and we carry things in there I don't want contaminated so that's out. I have a small rack on the rear of the TT and that's where I want to put it and that makes the most sense to me but I worry about someone running into the rear of the camper.

Anyone carry extra gas on the rear?

67 Replies

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  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Feb 22, 2018
    I paid $27.00 for a 5 gallon plastic gas can. I thought it was a rip off but it was an emergency.

    This is the only plastic gas can I have had that does not leak. It has swelled up like a balloon at times and is strapped in the bed of the truck. It is there all the time.

    I keep 5 gallons of stabilized gas in it that I changed at the start of the towing season.

    The truck has a 26 gallon gas tank we buy gas every 150 miles. Out West we topped off at 100 miles, because the in some spots there is lots of nothing.

    Safe travels
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Feb 22, 2018
    I paid $27.00 for a 5 gallon plastic gas can. I thought it was a rip off but it was an emergency.

    This is the only plastic gas can I have had that does not leak. It has swelled up like a balloon at times and is strapped in the bed of the truck. It is there all the time.

    I keep 5 gallons of stabilized gas in it that I changed at the start of the towing season.

    The truck has a 26 gallon gas tank we buy gas every 150 miles. Out West we topped off at 100 miles, because the in some spots there is lots of nothing.

    Safe travels
  • jerryjay11's avatar
    jerryjay11
    Explorer
    Feb 22, 2018
    We took a trip from DE to OR last year. I carried a 2.5 gal can in the truck bed below that I have a bed cover on. No problems. Our new camper has a fold down carrier and I would be apt to carry a small container there. I see many type of travelers do the same, from jeeps, to ATV's carriers, motorcycles, etc. We've also made two trips to the West coast and no mishaps.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer III
    Feb 22, 2018
    I have my extra gas in the bed of the pickup truck with a camper shell on it. Nothing has ever gotten "contaminated."
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Feb 22, 2018
    The 'emergency' would probably never come, so I'd skip the 5 gallons. Besides, that's 40lb of weight. I'd be more concerned about it shaking loose.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Feb 22, 2018
    GrandpaKip wrote:
    We put a 2 gallon container on the rear cargo carrier. We didn’t get rear ended, so I can’t speak to that. But I would do it again without nary a qualm.

    Why does your post make me think of the Ford Pinto? :B
  • GrandpaKip's avatar
    GrandpaKip
    Explorer II
    Feb 22, 2018
    We put a 2 gallon container on the rear cargo carrier. We didn’t get rear ended, so I can’t speak to that. But I would do it again without nary a qualm.
    It can get dicey with fuel in parts of the west, for sure.

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