Carrying extra gas cans
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14086
Printed Date: 22 Jun 2025 at 2:05am
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Topic: Carrying extra gas cans
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Subject: Carrying extra gas cans
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2020 at 1:16pm
| I am already starting to plan for next summer's four month trip to Alaska, from my home in Idaho. Since I plan to drive the Cassiar, Dempster and Denali highways I will likely need to carry at least one extra five gallon gas can. Does anyone have any insights on the best way to do this? I'm thinking I may need to install some sort of utility hauler on the back end of my 2016 171. |
Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2020 at 1:32pm
|
The back end of the 171 is not a good place to install a carrier. Better than that would be a https://www.strombergcarlson.com/product/trailer-tray-model-cc-255/ - Stromberg-Carlson Trailer Tray. You can shop around and find the best price. That will be a whole lot better than ading weight to the rear of your RPod which could increase the probability of sway. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2020 at 2:20pm
|
I guess your tow vehicle is not a pickup? ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2020 at 2:46pm
| It is a pickup, a Tacoma, but I don't want gas cans inside the camper shell. Alternatives? |
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2020 at 2:48pm
| The Trailer Tray looks good, but I already have two propane tanks and two 6 volt batteries on the tongue. I start to worry about tongue weight if I add ten gallons of gasoline. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2020 at 3:36pm
|
I highly recommend against putting it on the back of the RPod. You don't have much choice then. It would have to ride in the camper shell. I want to make the same trip next year. We have a Nissan Frontier, but instead of a camper shell, I have a tonneau cover so I am in the same situation. I changed to a LiFePO4 battery mounted inside because that was about 30 lbs as opposed to the about 120 lbs for the two 6V batteries. It cost a lot, but I'm glad I did that. Now I have dual propane tanks on the tongue and I have the trailer tray with a Harbor Freight box on it. I could empty the tools out of that and put gas cans in there and I would feel good about it.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2020 at 3:48pm
|
How about mounting Rotopax cans to the outside of the shell on the Taco? The less weight on the trailer itself the better. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2020 at 3:54pm
If you're concerned about leakage from carrying fuel in the camper shell, get one of these: https://wavianusa.com/products/steel-fuel-jerry-can - https://wavianusa.com/products/steel-fuel-jerry-can I've used them for years and they do not leak. You'll need a spout to go with it. That's what I'd do. No wait, I'd get two for the Cassiar trip. And a front receiver hitch for your additional spare tire. :) (I've been up and down the Cassiar, Alaska Highway, Denali Highway, etc several times). ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2020 at 4:05pm
| These are all good suggestions. I may also consider the fuel cans in a cargo basket on top of the shell. I obviously have time to think about it. I'll be backpacking frequently along the way, like in the Tombstone Range in the Yukon, so something I can secure will be a consideration. |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2020 at 7:33pm
https://postimages.org/">
https://postimages.org/">  ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2020 at 6:12am
|
Wow nice work and I really like the portal windows. If you fill up all that extra storage just how much weight do you have on that little old single axle...be careful not to overload the trailer. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2020 at 9:44am
Good quality steel gas cans like the ones here [ http://www.amazon.com/s?k=steel+gasoline+container&crid=31G1T2TQ7DHB4&sprefix=steel+gasoline+%2Caps%2C217&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_15 - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=steel+gasoline+container&crid=31G1T2TQ7DHB4&sprefix=steel+gasoline+%2Caps%2C217&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_15 ] pose little risk of leakage. We have been carrying spare gas in a steel safety can on long trips since we got our 172 inside a camper shell and later under a tonneau cover with absolutely no problem. We also carry a spare 20# propane container too. If we get by a comet the explosion will be fantastic to see, but we'll never know what hit us.  They're safe from the casual thief and the amount of fresh air leakage into the bed area is more than adequate to keep fumes from accumulating. The advantage of the squat round cans is that they have a wide base and a low center of gravity and aren't prone to tipping over. I love the traditional jerry cans for aesthetic reasons, but they need a mounting base or some other kind of tie down or they can topple over.
------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2020 at 12:54pm
Wow...rectangular tumors on a camper trailer...I've not seen that before.... ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2020 at 8:02pm
Agreed, we have 2 wavian cans in a Front Runner mount I bolted in the bed, 4 years and many miles.. no issues. No smells. |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2020 at 9:33am
|
I use the AT Overland fuel carriers on the back of my truck camper to hold my fuel cans. I recommend them for inside your topper. https://atoverland.com/collections/fuel-propane/products/at-can-holder-nato-style - https://atoverland.com/collections/fuel-propane/products/at-can-holder-nato-style ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2020 at 1:27pm
|
That AT Overland jerry can holder looks really sturdy. The only downsides I can see: it has to be mounted to the vehicle via bolts and is expensive. Tank and hold-down getting close to $200 for 5 gallons of gas. I paid about $45 for an Eagle UI-50-FS type 1 5 gal. gas safety can that has a low center of gravity and is very unlikely to tip over absent a rollover accident. I secure it to one of the bed tie-downs so it doesn't slide around at all. But those jerry cans really look cool and have a long and wonderful tradition. I wish I had the dough to buy a couple. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2020 at 2:45pm
| I think two of the wavian cans well secured inside my shell is how I'll likely go. I will only have gas in them when I'm on the remote roads, otherwise I'll keep them empty. I will have my backpack and climbing gear in the shell as well so I am quite concerned about gasoline smell. I'll try them out inside before I embark and if odor becomes an issue I'll go to plan b, maybe the rotopax. |
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2020 at 2:47pm
| By the way, you guys are awesome; thanks for all the great information. My specialty is in the backcountry, not mechanical or motorized. |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 8:31am
|
I think that's a good choice. Don't forget to buy a nozzle for the cans. I assume you have a copy of The Milepost? ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 10:20am
| Yes, I have the 2020 Milepost. I lived in the bush in Alaska for a few years and have been back many times for backpacking and climbing trips, but I have never driven there. I'm looking forward to it. Next I will be asking for tire advice.... |