Help me understand the fuel economics of gasoline containers?

[popo_patty]

Well it's not always the projected gas mileage. Take a trail like Dusy-Erishim in Ca that is roughly 33.5 miles and maybe 15 miles to the only game in town gas station on the mountain. In the course of that trail it will take you about 4 full 8 hour plus driving days to complete while traversing numerous elevation changes. My XJ (white one in pics) at the time had a 20 gallon tank. Average 15 miles per gallon on the hi-way. The math on paper says I should have about a 300 mile range, should be no problem getting 50 miles out of that. Well carrying an additional 5 gallons it should be 375 miles of range on paper. We were still sweating getting to the gas station.

Spending day after day in low range can suck up the gas
10K Ft at Kaiser Pass with Mt. Whitney in the background.

Yea same for my XJ on the Rubicon. That’s where I used my gas can once for it.

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[Callelk]

I'd buy two immediately.

I sent them an email showing interest, maybe if others did the same.............

 

[Mtea]

I just ordered two of the Rotopax 2 gal cans with the RockSlide spare tire mount as it can be a looooong way from a gas station in the central Idaho mountains. Thanks for letting me know about the need to vent them in hot weather. Once I get the cans I may head off to a few thrift stores to see if I might be able to score a couple insulated vests on the cheap that could be modified to zip over the cans.

 

[CalvinT]

Sorry for the noob question.

So I'm having a debate with myself about mounting gas carriers to a bronco (or any off road vehicle). I feel like if I ever offroaded far enough away from the nearest gas station and ran out of gas, I'd probably be about 200-300 miles away. An emergency gas source (Jerry can or rotopax), with the mpg on these vehicles, at best I might get me 90 miles back towards home (two 3 gallon rotopax at 15mpg in an off-road environment) and still stranded. Am I missing something?

First time I saw a Rotopax, I thought it seemed like a good idea. Then I researched. 2 gallons? Have to vent? I guess I was spoiled by jerry cans. They sure do look nice and convenient. But, I'll buy a Rotopac when I see the military using them.

It may be true that someone is never more than 300 miles from a gas station. What's the road like to the gas station? Think about having to drive for 70 miles in lower gears. Even in 2wd hi, that will kill your mileage. You'd be doing good to get half your around town mileage. But, how late is the gas station open? Is it open on holidays? Do they have gas or are they sold out?

Is the gas station still there? TrailRecon had an experience in Southern New Mexico. The gas station he was planning on using had been closed for several years (Queen, NM). He had to make a 90 mile detour to Carlsbad to get gas and continue his trip.

Are your maps and mapping software accurate and up to date? What if you get lost? What if the route you were planning on taking is closed and you have to take an unplanned detour? How much time do you lose having to backtrack or detour for gas?

I'd much prefer an extra 16 gallon tank. Since that's not an option, I'll be carrying two or three Wavian cans. 5 gallons each and I don't have to remember to vent them. I'm debating carrying them on my roof rack or on side racks (Trailrax with Pax Rax). I can mount the cans high, then use a siphon to get gas into the gas tank. I'll also make sure I top off before leaving pavement.

Both Rotopax and military cans have their pluses and minuses. I think it's more important to think about how much spare fuel you want to carry, then decide how you're going to safely carry it.

ymmv (your mileage may vary)

 

[illverado]

I joke with my wife they are used as piss jugs on trips to far away malls. Doing Rocky Mountain raceweek I took 15-18 gallons of e85 for my pickup to dilute the Colorado blown head gasket guaranteed gas they sell. Even that was barely enough to be useful. I’d understand if they’re taking e85 or 105+ octane to mix in with a tank of trash somewhere like Colorado where it’s all like 85-89 octane or to the dunes etc but there’s nobody making big turbo kits and no tuning support yet, so, piss jugs.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I'd much prefer an extra 16 gallon tank. Since that's not an option, I'll be carrying two or three Varian cans. 5 gallons each and I don't have to remember to vent them. I'm debating carrying them on my roof rack or on side racks (Trailrax with Pax Rax). I can mount the cans high, then use a siphon to get gas into the gas tank. I'll also make sure I top off before leaving pavement.

Varian? I am unfamiliar with this brand/model/concept - could you please expand? Thanks.

 

[604Bronco]

Varian? I am unfamiliar with this brand/model/concept - could you please expand? Thanks.

He may have meant Wavian

https://wavianusa.com/

 

[CalvinT]

Varian? I am unfamiliar with this brand/model/concept - could you please expand? Thanks.

I meant Wavian. Thanks for catching my error. And thanks to 604Bronco. I've fixed my post.

 

[AndGerry]

I’ve done overlanding/off-roading in much of the western USA and I can’t really think of anywhere that is “200-300 miles away [from a gas station]”.

But more to your question, the idea is supposing that you’ve done the math and you’ll probably have enough to get out & back; the extra cans are peace of mind “just in case” your math is a little off.

This is how I’ve also thought about the insurance afforded by extra gas cans in the vehicle. But I’m a noob too, so all this exchange is helping me refine all this so I prep better.

 

[Tofudude]

Extra gas isn't a bad thing but holy cow these overlanders are taking it a bit far. 5 gallons whether its for emergency of if you have equipment that requires gas/diesel is pretty much enough.

 

[CalvinT]

Overlanders definitely have different requirements than rock crawlers. Everyone needs to decide for themselves. If I only made day trips I probably wouldn't bother with spare gas.

 

[jscherb]

From the current issue of Land Rover Life Magazine... two jerry cans on the front fenders and four on the roof. Wouldn't be hard to make one of those roof racks if you really needed lots of extra fuel. But I can't imagine any expedition you could make in the continental US that would need that muck extra fuel.

 

[ScLeCo]

This can all be explained in a much simpler way.
It's better to have too much than not enough.
It's that simple.

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