Gas can storage

[ljp]

Your thoughts on best location to store a 5-gallon gasoline jerrycan while towing. We have been securing this filled can under the table inside the trailer.

[notanlines]

I guess we are to assume that the back of your tow vehicle is out of the question? Make sure you have it secured to the max in the present location and that the cap/lid is POSITIVELY tight. If there is the slightest smell of gasoline take the can out and wash thoroughly with soap and water. I wouldn't sleep with the thing in the trailer. (Actually I wouldn't keep it in the trailer, but maybe you don't have any choice)

[ctbruce]

I'm with notanlines on this one. I wouldn't keep a gas can in the same place of where I'm going to live. Smartphone like gas smell never comes out. Th back of the truck or not at all would be my choice.

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2017 3500HD Silverado LTZ

[Jime]

I am a Electrician by trade 46 years, built gas plants for a living.
Gasoline is a Class 1 Division 1 liquid (very explosive)

I'm with everyone, don't keep inside. all that would have to happen is get a spill the fumes from the gas collect inside the camper, any automatic pilot lights, water heater, frig.... NOT GOOD. Can't emphasize enough how dangerous.

[gearhead]

If you just have to carry it in the camper I would clean it up good on the outside, keep the cap tight and travel with it empty. Maybe try to find a plastic tub for it to sit in. Buy gas for it as close as possible to where you need it. Whatever you have left give to someone before you hit the road home.
I've done it carrying a gas can in the back of my pickup. No need to carry a couple gallons of gas a thousand miles back home.
Gasoline vapor is very explosive.
35 years in one of the nations largest refineries....

[JRTJH]

Looking at old posts by the OP, it looks like (unless he's bought a new tow vehicle) that he is towing with a 2001 Tahoe. So, there's no "exterior bed" to put a gas can for the trip. I'd certainly not suggest inside the trailer, that's literally "playing with an explosion and hoping for no spark".....

What you could do is fabricate a mount behind the propane tank, possibly sitting above your battery box and secure the gas can in that location.

Whatever you decide, travelling with a full (or partly empty) gas can inside the trailer is about as dangerous as it gets. I think any rational RV'er would say, "DON'T DO IT" ...

[Ken / Claudia]

Any where that is outside of any vehicle is the proper place. With a SUV the roof rack works or a rack on the back. If putting on top I found a newer style plastic 2.5 or 5gal strapped down works real well. On the rear get a jerry can base and one of many type of racks. Those can have locks holding a jerry can.

[sourdough]

Carrying a gasoline container inside your RV is about as dangerous as it gets. With the various ignition sources in the trailer, and gasolines inherent ability to leak fumes in one way or another, you're asking for a tragedy for yourself and your family. My thought would be to leave it at home. I can tell when I need fuel within 5 gallons. In unknown territory I start looking for a good fueling station when I've used a little over 1/2 tank. By then one of us either wants a snack or a bathroom anyway.

[Desert185]

Well, these newer style EPA/CARB happy gas cans are not leakproof. The last place I would carry fuel with one of them is inside a living area.

These are a great option for carrying fuel in a safe manner. I have a three gallon RZR mount and it hasn't leaked a drop. The other option I like are the VR 6 gallon cans (illegal in Kalifornia...I don't know why) that are commonly seen refueling off-road bikes that can be purchased at a motorcycle shop or online.

https://rotopax.com

[xrated]

OK, I know that so far, this discussion is around hauling a gas can inside a camping trailer. What are your thoughts about hauling one in the garage area of a Toy Hauler? The T.H. is sectioned off with a door between the garage and the living area. The can that I'm referring to is like this one....
https://www.amazon.com/VP-Racing-Fuels-3512-Motorsport/dp/B003TTV972.
The T.H. does have the aluminum vents on the sides of the trailer in the garage area and can be opened to allow a lot of air flow through the garage while traveling. What do y'all think?

[JRTJH]

xrated,

I wouldn't do it, especially since there's a "perfectly good truck bed" sitting just forward and slightly under the trailer. The only time those vents are going to exchange any air inside the garage is while you're in motion. (One faces forward to "scoop air" and one faces rear to "vacuum out air"). When you stop for lunch, fuel or just to sight see, there's no air flowing. That'll make the garage essentially the same as any other trailer, and if anything did happen to cause a gas leak, well, why even risk it when the open truck bed is "right there"......

[MattHelm21]

Well, this is personal opinion but having a gas gan or vehicle with a gas tank in the Toyhauler is inherently more dangerous than not having one. That being said, the Toy Hauler section is designed with additional venting to minimize problems. Ignition sources should be mostly eliminated as well. I would consider that the venting is not doing much when the rig isn't moving so when you're parked the same potential for vapor accumulation exists with the possible exception being that gas fumes are heavier than air and should exit via the lower vent possibly before reaching an explosive level.

Lastly, the link to the jug on Amazon seems to indicate a product which is using a loophole(my opinion) to not have to meet the same safety requirements(is it DOT?) as most jugs. I would want to use approved containers which had to meet a minimum standard before venting or failure.

[ljp]

Thanks for all your feedback.

Looks like we avoided what could have been a major problem. We did get another tow vehicle (Dodge Ram) with a tonneau cover which prevents the 5-gallon jerrycan from being carried upright. Based on comments, we will be looking for a metal mount/rack to secure the can next to the propane. If unable to find something we will check with a welder to possibly fabricate a rack.

Went to the trailer today and discovered there is space on the frame securing the battery to hold the jerrycan. The width of the can is about 1/2" narrower than the (open) bottom of the battery frame which prevents the can from fitting snug on the metal frame. This could allow the can to slip slightly to either side if a strap were to loosen but it would not fall through. To avoid this problem I will cut a piece of 3/4" pressure treated wood to place onto the battery frame, rest the jerrycan on the wood and secure the can with two straps. I'll be looking for a solid piece of metal to replace the wood. The jerrycan would be next to the battery and behind the propane tanks.