Spare fuel tanks idea

[RockDodger]

I would like to run something by you guys. I have an idea to replace the two 30 gal. propane tanks on the tongue of my trailer, which I never use, with two military style gerry cans in a vented box for extra gasoline so I don't have to stop so often for fuel. The propane tanks when full weigh around 55 lb each. The gas cans would weigh a little under 40 lb each. Now I know some of you alarmists are going to shout danger and death at me, but I appeal to the innovative thinkers, designers, and off-road techies for your ideas and thoughts. I pull a 20 ft TT with a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. It does a good job, but sucks gas like there's no tomorrow. An installed auxilliary fuel tank would make some service points inaccessable, so I decided against that. I thought this idea would be a viable alternative. So any input would be appreciated.:B

[time2roll]

I would keep the propane and add the gasoline.
Is 40# of gas enough? I might double that if I was making the effort.

[JaxDad]

RockDodger wrote:

***When the idiot light on the dash comes on you need to find gas within 20-25 miles...period. Sometimes it ain't that easy.

But you know how many miles you get to a tank towing, you have a trip odometer and a fuel gauge.

So you know from the moment you pull away from the fuel pump pretty closely how far you can go until the FJ needs another drink.

There's really no difference between carrying an extra 10 gallons or stopping when you have a 1/4 or 1/2 tank and topping back up.

[-Oz-]

I have a similar issue where my 2001 4runner has done the "i want gas" now thing so if I'm going somewhere new I carry a 6 gal in between my two batteries. You can see in this picture where it drops it:

I put it between the batteries so I still have propane plus batteries plus a little extra gas. At worst the extra gas gets me another 60 miles with the trailer which is plenty normally to find gas. If I'm really in a bind I drop the trailer then I can go another 105 miles...

I don't even strap it in; it fits so tight that I've never had issues with it even off-road. If I get into an accident I know the fuel will depart most likely but at that point that is probably the least of my problems.

[2oldman]

RockDodger wrote:
***Nope. TT is all electric everything. We never dry camp. My wife doesn't like it..

What do you do with the refridge running down the road?

[dons2346]

Still would have to stop to dump the cans into the car so you have to stop anyway. That means you would have to stop along the shoulder of the road or stop in a rest area. At some point you have to stop and fill the jerry cans again.

Maybe better trip planning would be in order and use a app like Gas Buddy to find closest gas

[RockDodger]

2oldman wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
First, you never cook, use the fridge except off shore power or use the water heater?

Thirdly, if the FJ is that hard on fuel is an extra 10 gallons really going to make a difference?

x2 and x2.

I can't imagine making a habit of filling from cans.

***Nope. TT is all electric everything. We never dry camp. My wife doesn't like it. We cook with fire, a microwave, or Mr. Foreman.

***When the idiot light on the dash comes on you need to find gas within 20-25 miles...period. Sometimes it ain't that easy.

[burningman]

I can imagine filling from cans if I was a long way from a gas station in a fuel thirsty rig with a small tank!! Pushing an FJ and trailer is what I can't imagine.

[2oldman]

JaxDad wrote:
First, you never cook, use the fridge except off shore power or use the water heater?

Thirdly, if the FJ is that hard on fuel is an extra 10 gallons really going to make a difference?

x2 and x2.

I can't imagine making a habit of filling from cans.

[JaxDad]

RockDodger wrote:
I have an idea to replace the two 30 gal. propane tanks on the tongue of my trailer, which I never use, with two military style gerry cans in a vented box for extra gasoline so I don't have to stop so often for fuel.

Three thoughts come to mind.......

First, you never cook, use the fridge except off shore power or use the water heater?

Second, a commercial gas pump moves fuel at a very high flow rate, IMHO pouring or pumping from a 5 gal. can will get old FAST. you won't be saving much if any time in the long run.

Thirdly, if the FJ is that hard on fuel is an extra 10 gallons really going to make a difference?

[Ductape]

I see no reason why not.

If you really want to be creative, just put a gasoline filler cap onto the propane tanks and fill them. Pump in a little nitrogen and then you can easily dispense the fuel. 😉