Hi folks,I'm wondering if anyone's handled this problem already and has an easy solution? I have two treasured five gallon gas jugs, the old fashioned kind before the government made them all complicated and expensive. I'd like to bring them along on a long trip I'm planning to take, as emergency fuel for my TV and fuel for a generator. I want to carry them safely and protect them from rocks and road debris.My TV is a station wagon, so there's no truck bed to stick them in, and I don't want gasoline on the roof rack, so that leaves the A frame / tongue of the TT.I will be deleting the battery that lives on the a-frame, so there's quite a bit of space there in front of the diamond plate front wall of the tt, and behind the propane tank. I was looking for some sort of tall and skinny metal boxes that I could bolt onto the a-frame, that the fuel jugs can slide into.I'm thinking I can cobble something together from aluminum diamond plate sheet and some aluminum angle section, but if there's a pre-made solution, I'm all for that!

Do you have another trailer mounted battery somewhere? A trailer mounted battery is necessary to operate the trailer brakes if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle. I'm sorry I don't have a better idea for your gas cans. I used to carry one in my truck bed but have quit doing that as I never really needed it as long as I refilled the truck tank when there was 1/4 left. (I don't have a generator that needs fuel.) Do you need them or want them? There is a difference. Maybe buy a plastic one upon arrival at your destination and empty it before traveling again and it could be secured with a bungee cord most anywhere.

The little group 24 battery has been replaced by four group 31 bats located elsewhere. The wiring that connects the little battery to the existing DC panel will remain energized by the new batteries, feeding power to the junction box where the brake-away switch connects.I don't have a destination, other than one or two night stops along road trip itself, and some of the roads I plan to travel are very remote. If everything is fine, I'm sure I can stop regularly for gas and keep the car filled up. The what-if's are the reason for the gas cans.

Those Jerry cans get stolen quickly. I'd consider just leaving them at home. One idea that is secure in the area on the A-frame would be the Rotopax mount and gas cans. With a locking T-handle and assuming the pack mount is securely in place, it will take a thief a good effort to dislodge them, and likely damage the Rotopax gas containers beyond the point where they can be used. Only real downside of the Rotopax containers is that they only store 2-4 gallons of fuel each, but they are stackable so a mount can have multiples.Don't forget to toss in some Sta-Bil in the gasoline, as well as cycle the gas in the containers through your vehicle every few months, getting fresh gas and stabilizer. That way, the gas stays good for a good while.

I live in your world. I also camp in remote locations, and have a couple of generators and quads I need to keep fed.I also have 6 of old style plastic jugs and 5 metal jerry cans.I have a pickup, so its easy for me.I would do something on the TT tongue. Not sure about a tool box, though as I would prefer air being able to circulate freely around the jugs. If one were to leak in a metal tool box, and a tiny spark occurred from the metal lid rubbing the metal body upon opening it, that could be a really bad thing. I suppose some holes could be put in the bottom of the box to prevent this possibility. I would make some sort of open air rack for the tongue.

plastic gas can protection? | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

ScottG
Nomad
Jun 15, 2013
Please don't put them on the back bumper. That's a death sentence if anyone should hit you from behind.
pfidahospud
Explorer
Jun 15, 2013
Here's what I ended up doing for about $8 each:
gas containers
For my 2-gallon containers, I found that a plastic "locker box" in the school supplies section at Walmart fit perfectly. They're secured with 4" U-bolts to the bumper. I don't think it would ever be an issue but a put a small bungee on top to be extra secure.
RoyB
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2013
Here is a google link showing a bunch of different ideas on where to carry extra gasoline cans. Click on the one that catches your eye for more info...
CARRYING GASOLINE CANS

I like the new plastic gas cans you are starting to see now... Pretty neat for lashing down with straps..

I'm always amazed with how the Australia OFF-ROAD units are equiped for carry extra gasoline...

My favorite OFF-ROAD WAR WAGON layout... I really want to do my 12-foot OFF-ROAD POPUP Box with front deck to look like this one...

The Australia designs sure know how to camp off the power grids...

Roy Ken
liberty2010
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
Do not use a container that has a solid bottom. it will hold small rocks and then the cans will leak all the fuel out. been there done that. Milk crates work.
GordonThree
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
I just noticed, one is five gallon and one is six. The larger six gallon has the dimensions of 19 inches tall, 15 inches wide and 9 inches deep, approximately, not counting the removable spout

some kind of crate is all I need, that I can put some steel screen or sheet metal on, to stop high speed stones from tearing into the plastic.

I'm not overly concerned about theft, I'll be traveling with far more valuable things for the thieves to take.
thomasmnile
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
None of the smaller truck bed boxes would work for you? Just askin' since I don't know the dimensions of your fuel cans. If you were to find a box that would work, wouldn't seem difficult to vent it, though I'm still a fan of the OSHA type tea kettle lookin' safety cans...........
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
Old milk crates might work.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
I live in your world. I also camp in remote locations, and have a couple of generators and quads I need to keep fed.
I also have 6 of old style plastic jugs and 5 metal jerry cans.
I have a pickup, so its easy for me.

I would do something on the TT tongue. Not sure about a tool box, though as I would prefer air being able to circulate freely around the jugs. If one were to leak in a metal tool box, and a tiny spark occurred from the metal lid rubbing the metal body upon opening it, that could be a really bad thing. I suppose some holes could be put in the bottom of the box to prevent this possibility.

I would make some sort of open air rack for the tongue.
mlts22
Explorer II
Jun 14, 2013
Those Jerry cans get stolen quickly. I'd consider just leaving them at home. One idea that is secure in the area on the A-frame would be the Rotopax mount and gas cans. With a locking T-handle and assuming the pack mount is securely in place, it will take a thief a good effort to dislodge them, and likely damage the Rotopax gas containers beyond the point where they can be used. Only real downside of the Rotopax containers is that they only store 2-4 gallons of fuel each, but they are stackable so a mount can have multiples.

Don't forget to toss in some Sta-Bil in the gasoline, as well as cycle the gas in the containers through your vehicle every few months, getting fresh gas and stabilizer. That way, the gas stays good for a good while.
GordonThree
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
The little group 24 battery has been replaced by four group 31 bats located elsewhere. The wiring that connects the little battery to the existing DC panel will remain energized by the new batteries, feeding power to the junction box where the brake-away switch connects.

I don't have a destination, other than one or two night stops along road trip itself, and some of the roads I plan to travel are very remote. If everything is fine, I'm sure I can stop regularly for gas and keep the car filled up. The what-if's are the reason for the gas cans.