Mounting a Jerry Can

.... And it seems like the "usable" portion of the tank is more like 16 gallons rather than 19, further reducing range.
....

Why can't the last 3 gallons be used? I can think of three times where I have pumped just over 19 gallons into my 19 gallon tank.
 
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Why can't the last 3 gallons be used? I can think of three times where I have pumped just over 19 gallons into my 19 gallon tank.
I dont ever seem to be able to get that much in, maybe there is a difference in filler necks, your local pumps/ nozzles dont have 15 lbs of anti-pollution devices on them, who knows? AlI I do know that I was lucky to get 15 or so gallons into a stock tank, while the GenRight has a usable 31 gallon capacity (actually a bit more).
 
Plus, for those of us who are solidly into middle age, hoisting around the 5 gallon cans is getting harder.

I bought one of these and added enough hose to reach from the the jerry cans on the rear to the fuel filler. So, no lifting, just siphon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5MTGQS/?tag=wranglerorg-20

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places like Death Valley and the vast stretches of Utah where I often go.

Is there really that few gas stations that you can go 190 miles without finding one?

I know there is a spot in AZ to CA I've been on before that is around 200 miles between stations with hookers at both ends. I'm sure somebody else more familiar with that area knows the stretch I'm talking about. I'm going to need to plan out my next trip with my Jeep a little better to either avoid this or bring a small can along to get just enough range but not take up too much cargo space.
 
I dont ever seem to be able to get that much in, maybe there is a difference in filler necks, your local pumps/ nozzles dont have 15 lbs of anti-pollution devices on them, who knows? AlI I do know that I was lucky to get 15 or so gallons into a stock tank, while the GenRight has a usable 31 gallon capacity (actually a bit more).

Have you ever actually run out of fuel? I'm thinking that if you have never added more than 15 or so gallons, then you probably had 4 or so gallons left to burn.

If you can use a California gas pump to overflow a 5 gallon gas can, then you can also overflow your Jeep's fuel tank if desired.
 
Is there really that few gas stations that you can go 190 miles without finding one?

I know there is a spot in AZ to CA I've been on before that is around 200 miles between stations with hookers at both ends. I'm sure somebody else more familiar with that area knows the stretch I'm talking about.
At the risk of exaggerating a problem, every time I have been nervous about running dry I have been in Wyoming. Once I skipped a station, thinking the next one was closer than it was. Twice, the small town station that used to be open was long shuttered and I needed to gently get to the next. No hookers around that I could readily identify.

None of those times were occasions that I had planned on needing fuel in the middle of nowhere. Whenever I have carried fuel, I have never needed it. Honestly, I have never needed extra fuel despite learning first hand that the factory tank holds more than 19 gallons.
 
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I bought these.
http://lexingtoncontainercompanysonlinestore.mybigcommerce.com/jerry-can-20l-green-for-fuel/
They seem to be out of stock. No fuel smell whatsoever. Very durable. I have two that I mount to my tire carrier. But, only when we are going somewhere I might need the extra fuel. I have yet to have needed them. I generally only carry the spare tire for any other driving and not the other junk. However, I feel much more confident when my gauge starts towards empty in the middle of nowhere and I have that extra fuel.
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I got the bumper from a friend. It appeared that Nate’s 4x4 had almost the same bumper. Sadly, their site no longer works, perhaps they closed up shop.


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Maybe Jerry can fuel manage around a 19 gallon tank, but I have not found a way to do that. At (conservatively) 10 mpg in 4wd, a 190 mile range is ok for a day trip, but doesnt work in places like Death Valley and the vast stretches of Utah where I often go. And it seems like the "usable" portion of the tank is more like 16 gallons rather than 19, further reducing range.

So, extra fuel is needed for many of us. It seems that by process of elimination, the rear is the logical place to locate cans. But I hate weight. Carrying fuel in the rear means a heavier bumper/ tire carrier plus the cans and fuel weight. A new quality bumper/ carrier = cans is going to set me back $1200, maybe more. Plus, for those of us who are solidly into middle age, hoisting around the 5 gallon cans is getting harder.



So, another option is a larger main tank. The GenRight is far from cheap (I snagged on for $2200 I think), but 31 gallons of "usable" fuel protected by a skid and sitting lower in the rear was a very appealing alternative at least to me. 300 mile range, no cans to fuss with, maintain lighter bumper/ carrier, cost of the GenRight was $1000 above what I was going to pay for a new bumper/ carrier + cans. Also the GenRight sits slightly higher than the stock tank.

I agree with you. I needed extra fuel to run the mojave trail.

Places like big bear, anza, and johnson valley have logistical support nearby.. but for overlanding... an extra tank is a no brainer.

I do agree though, that the majority of runs in So. Cal don't require an extra tank... but when running deep in the desert mtns and hills.. the extra fuel is a safe choice.
 
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Is there really that few gas stations that you can go 190 miles without finding one?

I know there is a spot in AZ to CA I've been on before that is around 200 miles between stations with hookers at both ends. I'm sure somebody else more familiar with that area knows the stretch I'm talking about. I'm going to need to plan out my next trip with my Jeep a little better to either avoid this or bring a small can along to get just enough range but not take up too much cargo space.
My New Years trip to DV- gassed up at Olancha on Sat am, spent the next 3 days on dirt, remote camping and running trails. Emerged on Monday at Big Pine and fueled. Total miles was almost 300 between fills.

The Arizona Strip portion of So Utah and No Ariz has no stations anywhere. It is 90 miles to Toroweap from St George, so just the RT is close to the capacity of many stock tanks. Add a day or 2 of exploring and you are easily at 300+ miles.

Dollhouse area of Canyonlands- the Colorado River is 85 miles from the closest station. Add some exploring miles and you are easily at 300+ between fills.

I can keep going but you get the idea.
 
Even Anza can be a bit of a challenge if you stay in the south end, around Aqua Caliente. Sure, there is a gas station at Octotillo, on the 8 freeway maybe 25 miles away. But time is precious on weekend trips and I'd rather carry the fuel than go 50 miles RT out of my way.
 
..
. It appeared that Nate’s 4x4 had almost the same bumper. Sadly, their site no longer works, perhaps they closed up shop.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have Nate's rear carrier with the Jerry can option (Very different than what is in your picture). Except for the trailer spindle hinge, every part that makes it what it is is poorly designed. Over the last 5 years, I have cut off and remade every meaningful part of the carrier.
 
Flivver250 said:
I just got a mounting bracket and a Wavian jerry can. I am thinking about mounting it on the side of the Jeep, just in front of the driver's door. . . .

Jerry Bransford said:
The tub's sheet metal is not strong enough to support a full Jerry can, especially on bumpy desert roads. . . .

Nonsense. Jeepers have been mounting jerry can holders to jeep bodies in front of the doors since WWII. Typically the cans were mounted in the rear but If done correctly the side of body is definitely strong enough.

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Let' not forget that Willys used to mount spare tires to the side of the civilian jeep body as well:

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As noted above in post #18, Jeff Scherb's well designed side mounts are available here: https://www.extremeterrain.com/barricade-jerry-frame-mountt-j102520.html and here http://www.retrofitoffroad.com/product-category/jeep-jerry-can-carriers/

Another option shown in the second link that weighs less and has a slimmer profile is to use a single 2 gal. Rotopax fuel container:

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Jerry Bransford said:
. . . my suggestion is to simply make good fuel management decisions. There are plenty of gasoline sources within range of the most remote areas.

That may be true for jeepers who take day trips and forays from a base camp but ain't necessarily so for overlanders or jeepers on multi-day trails. As @luk4mud pointed out in Post #20 and #30 and @Sancho observed in Post #29, 19 gallons simply isn't enough in places like Death Valley and southwestern Utah, also places like Black Rock Desert, on the Duzy Ershim Trail, Mojave Road, etc. Everyone's needs are different which renders advice to simply make better fuel management decisions myopic at best. Some people really do need to carry extra fuel and water.

Also, one should bear in mind that one doesn't always need extra fuel for oneself. I was recently on a day trip in the mountains near the Trinity Alps and our group encountered a family on a forest service road in their SUV nearly out of fuel from being stuck in the snow and using the vehicle heater to keep from freezing. We pulled them out but they didn't have enough fuel left to make it to the highway. I was glad that I could give them the gasoline in my jerry can. I don't think that telling them that they should have made better fuel management decisions would have been the right thing to do.

BTW, this is my jerry can solution. It isn't for everyone but it works for me.

Jerry Cans 2.jpg
 
And it seems like the "usable" portion of the tank is more like 16 gallons rather than 19, further reducing range.
Not true at all. When you run out of gas, there will be zero gasoline left in the tank. The fuel pump's pickup sits in a dimple in the very bottom of the tank to get every last drop. If you are thinking of the gauge showing empty when there's still 3-4 gallons left in the tank, don't. Those remaining gallons when the gauge shows empty are 100% available for use.

Don't overthink this desert thing we both do... most of us in SoCal wheel the deserts including Death Valley and finding gasoline is simply not an issue. The only issue is whether the driver can do a little basic fuel management.
 
.... Some people really do need to carry extra fuel and water.
...

Agreed. The need may very well be real. But let's base that need on the actual capacity of the fuel tank.

While I bought my carrier thinking (dreaming) of running out of fuel somewhere wonderful, I have used it far more often to carry a can of water and the second slot for an empty gas just in case I might think I'll need it. I'm mostly happy to have the carrier. I would make do if I didn't.
 
^^ Good point on the extra fuel for others by Mr. Bills. Although I dont carry cans on my Jeep, I do carry them on my Toyota and have previously used them to provide fuel often to others. A couple of years ago my 5 gallon can saved a pack of mc riders in Death Valley.
 
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Not true at all. When you run out of gas, there will be zero gasoline left in the tank. The fuel pump's pickup sits in a dimple in the very bottom of the tank to get every last drop. If you are thinking of the gauge showing empty when there's still 3-4 gallons left in the tank, don't. Those remaining gallons when the gauge shows empty are 100% available for use.

Don't overthink this desert thing we both do... most of us in SoCal wheel the deserts including Death Valley and finding gasoline is simply not an issue. The only issue is whether the driver can do a little basic fuel management.
Good to know, maybe there's alot of fuel left even when I am deep into the red. If the needle has been sitting at the low end of the red for a few miles, I look for fuel, and my experience was/ is that 16 gallons +/- is all I could get in there. If there's another 2 to 3 gallons in there, that's great.

Your knowledge of the TJ anatomy is appreciated, however, your flippant "do a little basic fuel management" remarks simply DONT apply to many of us that make 300+ mile runs away from gas stations.
 
...Your knowledge of the TJ anatomy is appreciated, however, your flippant "do a little basic fuel management" remarks simply DONT apply to many of us that make 300+ mile runs away from gas stations.
My 'do a little basic fuel management' wasn't meant to be a dig at you. But having wheeled in remote areas including Death Valley, I don't know of any location within the U.S. that is 300 miles from a gas station. Where do you wheel where the nearest gas station could be 300 miles, other than Alaska? That includes Death Valley where I have been several times including 3 days offroading there a few months ago. Even within Death Valley the furthest distances between the three gas stations within the park are only 29, 31, or 54 miles depending on where you are.