How about this for a fuel can alternative?

tc in Tx · Aug 23, 2012

I hate the new fuel cans with the super safe configuration as much as anyone. Son came home today with an interesting alternative.

He went by an automotive performance shop and spied a 5 gallon racing fuel container which he bought. This thing is awesome. It has a removable top which is maybe 3 inches across. Inside the top cap is a fitting for a 3/4 pipe fitting. You can install a plastic nipple and hose if you like. It also has a vent cap that can be opened.

The entire container is some type of heavy plastic that the shop guys say last 25 or 30 years. The mfg. is Scribner Plastics.

I am looking forward to putting this to use to see how it compares with those awful super safe 5 gallon containers.

Has anyone else actually used them. Any drawbacks?

Rick Kr · Aug 23, 2012

Use them all the time. I bought my at Summit Racing when I was there.

5 gallons flows out REAL fast. Love them. If I recall, they are around $25-30. Worth every penny.

But someone on here posted about drilling a vent hole in cheap cans and putting a tire valve stem in there. Thats my next project. If it works, I probably buy the $10 EPA cans next time.

Rick

Anonymous-0 · Aug 24, 2012

Safety has nothing to do with the algore gas cans. Ostensibly, they are designed to save the environment, by spilling less gas, and allowing less gas vapors into the environment. In reality, as with anything the government gets involved with, it is a failure. I use pre-algore cans, I have been buying them up at yard sales, etc, since the stupor cans came out!

SweetFeet · Aug 24, 2012

Know a guy who threads in a small turnable "release bleeder valve" and puts glue around the outside to be sure the threads hold. So you can fill (or pour from) the can better.

He also threads these same bleeder valves into those little 2 gallon weed sprayers for the yard. When done spraying - just turn it open, to release any remaining pressure from the container.

oldtanker · Aug 24, 2012

(quoted from post at 20:11:43 08/23/12) Use them all the time. I bought my at Summit Racing when I was there.

5 gallons flows out REAL fast. Love them. If I recall, they are around $25-30. Worth every penny.

But someone on here posted about drilling a vent hole in cheap cans and putting a tire valve stem in there. Thats my next project. If it works, I probably buy the $10 EPA cans next time.

Rick

Rick I just did that to one of mine last week and used it for the first time day before yesterday. Works great! Now I have to do the other 2.

Rick

Chip812 · Aug 24, 2012

The way I 'fix' those new-fangled gas cans is before I screw on the cap/valve for the first time, I take a pair of needle-nosed pliers and reach in from the underside of the handle and snatch out the little slide switch that locks the handle... at least then it is only a two handed operation... instead of three...

mm585 · Aug 24, 2012

I sort of understand the idea behind safty cans but so far the follow threw hasnt been good.I have several safty cans that have a hole poked in the top and they still dont work good! It shouldent take five min. to dump 5 gallons of gas!

Mike (WA) · Aug 24, 2012

I've got a bunch of 2 1/2 gallon plastic oil jugs that I use now- with a secure funnel attached to the fuel tank, you can turn the oil jug on its flat side, and not spill a drop. They vent themselves, and are light enough to maneuver easily. I do have some regular fuel cans, but usually pour half into an oil jug for easier fueling.

oldtanker · Aug 24, 2012

All I did was use mechanics wire. Drill the hole, preshape the wire in a curved fashion. Feed into the new hole and using the arc of the wire feed it through the fill hole. Remove core, slide stem on wire and bend the end enough to hold the stem on and feed it through, put on washer and nut. Took more time to type this than do it.

Rick

toolz · Aug 24, 2012

I have several of those 5 gallon race jugs from when I was drag racing. They work better than anything, especially if you have one of those big triangle funnels. Problem is- any of the new ones are marked "not for transportation of flammable liquids" so if a grouchy cop sees them in the back of your pickup, it could be a bad day.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 24, 2012

Rick all of my gasoline and fuel oil cans are 25 year old Chilton made plastic cans. They all came with a vent located in about the same spot you put yours.They have been good cans and haven't seen any in the stories for a few years now.

Ultradog MN · Aug 24, 2012

I've been thinking about doing that too.
Where did you buy the vent?

M Diesel · Aug 24, 2012

(quoted from post at 19:49:56 08/23/12)

The entire container is some type of heavy plastic that the shop guys say last 25 or 30 years. The mfg. is Scribner Plastics.

Has anyone else actually used them. Any drawbacks?

A couple come to mind but are still way better than the crap new ones.

The clear hoses get old and stiff and will break one day. It is what it is.

They are a little tall and tend to tip over when travelling unless secured. The squat cans are easier about that. The hose may break when tipped but no worse than the others.

The vent is a little close to the hose and may dribble some times. Mostly not.

Eventually the bottoms will crack. If left in the sun the bottom may swell a bit from pressure. No big deal for quite a while but over the years eventually the bottom will crack from doing that.

I've have three since 92 but they have been parked for a while due to age and the beating they have taken. They still work even with the cracked bottoms as long as they don't get hot in the sun. Somehow they still seal until pressure builds up.

I have hauled them for literally tens of thousands of miles across some pretty rough desert, in places where a set of shocks didn't last 300 miles. Very tough.

oldtanker · Aug 24, 2012

(quoted from post at 12:09:17 08/24/12) I've been thinking about doing that too.
Where did you buy the vent?

If yer asking about mine that's just a metal vlave stem that just about any parts store carries and farm supply places too.

Rick

Nathan (SD) · Aug 25, 2012

I got one too, along with other styles. I only use the racing one when I know all 5 gals will fit in a tank. The handle is up too close to the top for my liking. When it is full it is tough to get just a gal or two out. You gotta cradle the thing with your arms and hold the hose. Nice part is never needing a funnel.

How about this for a fuel can alternative?

tc in Tx

New User

Rick Kr

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

SweetFeet

Well-known Member

oldtanker

Well-known Member

Chip812

Member

mm585

Member

Mike (WA)

Well-known Member

oldtanker

Well-known Member

toolz

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member

M Diesel

Member

oldtanker

Well-known Member

Nathan (SD)

Member

Similar threads