Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
Storing Diesel in Jerrycans Longterm Storing Diesel in Jerrycans Longterm
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 671
Storing Diesel in Jerrycans Longterm
Hi there,

Having recently suffered the embarressing situation of running out of fuel on a shake down trip, it started me thinking about keeping fuel in our gerrry cans long term.

Does anyone have any advice to give about the saftey aspects of this. Should it be done? What I am talking about here is keeping a 20L gerry can full, always for a 'Just in case' scenario. Our Jerry cans are stored in side lockers, on their side, 2 20L cans per locker.

Obviously the best thing to do is NEVER run out of fuel, but this would act as extra insurance. I'm also pretty certain that letting the fuel run out can't be a good thing to allow to happen often, and I could see having this insurance could allow us to get complacent on this front.

Thoughts?
__________________
Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Jul 2007
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
I always keep about 15 litres in one of my jerries. I don't full it right up so that it gets sloshed around a lot when I drive as I think long term if left in one place it will develop crude on the top.

Also before hitting Africa etc I fill it up with new European deisel and never use it unless desperate. Then if I have any problems with fuel quality along the way I know I have 15 litres of good stuff to get somewhere. And you can always stick the fuel line straight into the jerry can if your fuel lines are really blocked.

So, it will be fine, but make sure you move the vehicle every week so the fuel is shaken about abit. And use the fuel inside teh jerries at least every 6 months and fill it up again.
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 671
Great
Thanks for that. Just the answer I wanted Now to test my gerry cans ....
__________________
Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Jul 2007
Bill Holland's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Stoke, UK
Posts: 210
The advice you have been given so far is good. There are several things to consider, UK diesel can be sold in summer and winter variants, the winter stuff has an anti-gelling agent included, to stop the diesel from gelling in extreme cold weather, so an exposed gerry can on the outside of your vehicle is more likely to suffer from gelling if you are going to be in very cold conditions - you can get an anti-gelling adative.
The other end of the scale is very hot conditions, but with cold nights can cause condensation to form inside the metal can, which might lead to rusting over a very long period, this is why it is recomended to leave your tank full if you intend laying a vehilce up over winter. Air expands more than diesel, so keeping a can 3/4 full might lead to some pressure leakage as the air inside heats up. Imagine filling a can on a cold morning, then parking up with the can exposed to the full heat of the sun...
Use and replace the diesel every few months, when you can get a good quality fuel.
You should have no problems unless you are expecting to travel in extreme temperatures.
Bill
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kandahar Afghanistan
Posts: 160
Ollie,

We stored Deisel for months with no problems Petrol tends to go off but no worries about deisel, but buy spare rubber seals for the lids as they will leak as they age. Karen & I have a policy of when we get to 1/4 left we look for a Petrol station giving us about 125 miles left and 112 miles in the fuel can.

Mate I cant wait for the trip journal.

I have tried to attach the fuel chart we made this is laminated and glued to Karens sun visor but it wouldnt upload so I will e-mail it to you in word format mate.
__________________
www.landroveradventure.co.uk
Land Rover Discovery 2, Yamaha Super Tenere
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12 Jul 2007
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
Keep the cans full to avoid condensation problems with temp extremes also keep them full to avoid pressure-expansion probs with the heat .
Use plastic in preference to steel to eliminate the rust problem .
If you are going up into the [cold] mountains ,have some anti gelling additive handy [ or kerosene] .There are also products that will de-gell clogged up lines [ known as Meltdown here in Canada] have some handy for winter if you think you will need it ,but it's for emergencies only and should not be added unless you are broken down .
Install a water trap or sediment bowl , CAT supply a very good large square shaped one that is worth it's weight in gold if you encounter shitty diesel .
Try and store the cans upright and then you won't be completely relying on the seal .
I have used diesel that had been stored in a 45 gallon drum for 5 years without any problems .
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Jul 2007
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Hi Ollie,
Im with the guys - about filling the jerry cans to the top....

- no condensation and no ullage space for the air to expand and push out fuel.

keep the 2 jerrys in the locker on the opposite side to the fuel filler with good euro diesel in them - and use the 2 cans on the filler side as and when they are needed - to extend your normal range and fill up when fuel is cheap.

if your not used to using metal cans, before you open them, point the filler down wind and let them settle for a few seconds before opening slowly - especially so for petrol - but also for diesel when it gets effing hot - or you can get sprayed - not a good day out.

as mentioned carry spare seals.

Im not a big fan of the metal spouts you clip onto jerry cans - slow and leaky IME

i use a tough plastic mineral water bottle with a section cut out the side near the bottom (leave the bottom 3/4 intact so the fuel doesnt leak out over your feet!) that fits into the Landys filler perfectly and passes fuel as fast as you can tip the can - much quicker and can be replaced easily.


cheers
Grif
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 671
Thanks
WOw- who'd thought you could get such a detailed set of responses.

Thanks to you all. Another topic I'm now an expert in thanks to the HUBB!

Cheers
__________________
Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kandahar Afghanistan
Posts: 160
Ollie,

Get a Mr Funnel. It will pay for its self in no time at all it was about £15

the dogs nads mate even filters out water. We got ours from the states when a friend poped over on holiday, sent him out to find one lol.

Mr. Funnel

Do a web search for the UK to find a distributor

We went for the F8 model any bigger and its a pain to store on the truck.
the F8 has a flow rate that you can use at a forcourt pump.
__________________
www.landroveradventure.co.uk
Land Rover Discovery 2, Yamaha Super Tenere
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 14 Jul 2007
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Great Website Andy - some lovely prep on your Disco - everything ready for the off ?


one thing with the Mr Funnel - the Disco and Defender filler mouths are at different angles and different sizes - more upright on a Disco and smaller - so I think the angle will be too shallow for one to work on a Defender -the fuel will tend to slop out

I will have to keep my eyes out for one though as they look like a good bit of kit........


Cheers
Grif
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 14 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kandahar Afghanistan
Posts: 160
Cheers Grif,

a friend Alex designed and updates it for us.

We are off to the Iranian embasy to collect our visa stamps now we have the auth number on monday. leave London on the 7th August visit friends and family around the UK before heading for Dover.

We have got until 25 Dec 07 to get out of pakistan and hope to be in Iran around September as its cooling off for about 21 days.

Your totaly right Mate about the angle of the filler cap we have had to add a short length of hose to the funnel so that it sits upright and clips on via a lenght of wire to the roofrack to support it whilst filling to keep it horizontal.

We hope to put the next update just before we leave the UK mid August.

Sorry Ollie I hijacked the thread mate
__________________
www.landroveradventure.co.uk
Land Rover Discovery 2, Yamaha Super Tenere
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 14 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 671
Ha ha
No worries Andy - I've got all the info I need on storing fuel to last me a lifetime now anyhow

Hopefully we'll get to see you before you go, but I think that was another thread too!

Right off to update the blog - too hungover this morning.

Catch you later

Ollie
__________________
Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 18 Jul 2007
Chris D (Newcastle NSW)'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Newcastle NSW AU
Posts: 153
No need for Jerry cans for you now!!!
Oliver,
Now that you have had the experience of an empty tank, you or Jenny will be ever vigilant of the fuel guage and I am sure you will be pulling into those filling stations well before the tank runs dry again.

I think one only needs to carry fuel when running big distance between the fuel stations, then it should be put back in the tank as soon as it will fit. My policy is not to carry extra fuel wherever possible.

Chris
__________________
Chris
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Petrol or Diesel? - Trans Stans and Mongolia Alexlebrit 4 wheel Overland Travel 25 3 Mar 2007 11:27
Changes in diesel law 1.july 2005 geokobbi Iceland 0 18 Apr 2005 23:08
Where to find jerrycans in UK/Europe? Barry Johnson Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 14 1 Feb 2004 19:25
Plastic/metal jerrycans in UK/Europe? Barry Johnson Yamaha Tech 4 2 May 2003 16:18
No Diesel?! Roy&Doede North Africa 2 3 Jun 2002 21:12

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:43.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top