5 gal gas cans?

[Chuckers]

Hello,
I have a 2015 f150 xlt with towing package. It only has a 23 gallon gas tank. We have mostly gone on short trips and get between 9 - 11 mpg. Is it legal to have a couple of 5 gallon gas tanks in the bed of the truck while traveling? We are planning a trip from Pa. to New Orleans this coming spring and don't want to be stopping every couple of hours for fuel.

Thank you.

[bmach]

What would the difference be, stopping to buy gas or stopping to dump gas out of the five gallon cans? I would just stop and buy gas.

[hankaye]

Chuckers, Howdy;

Whether you are putting the gas in from a 5 gal. jug or the nozzle of a
pump you still have to pull over somewhere to do it. Might as well make
it a pleasant stop for your traveling companion as well. Unless you've
figured out how to add the gas while traveling along the highway ...

hankaye

[Steve S]

I think that it would be easier to find a gas station then a place to pull over also you wouldn't want to be doing this on the side of a rd with traffic
Also if you spill it you'll stink while driving
The main thing that I thought about was at some point you'll have to pull over to refill them right

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by Chuckers

Hello,
I have a 2015 f150 xlt with towing package. It only has a 23 gallon gas tank. We have mostly gone on short trips and get between 9 - 11 mpg. Is it legal to have a couple of 5 gallon gas tanks in the bed of the truck while traveling? We are planning a trip from Pa. to New Orleans this coming spring and don't want to be stopping every couple of hours for fuel.

Thank you.

I would plan on making stops at gas stations, but I think it is wise to carry extra fuel to expand your options in unfamiliar territory.

Expensive, but the RotoPax fuel container option is a good one.

www.rotopax.com

[gearhead]

Yeah, if I were you I might do it. But maybe just one. Just secure them well. Be a bit interesting hitting a big bump and having 87 octane spilling on the catalytic converter.
I can't think of a law against it down here, Pennsylvania, I dunno.
But if you are running the interstates, there are plenty of gas stations down south.

[rnkburg]

Rotopax is awesome. Another thing to think about. Will the plastic nozzle open the "no gas cap" cap


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ken / Claudia]

I have always carried extra gas or diesel or both. Normally 1, 5 gal can. Camping I need fuel for the genny, chain saw. Sometimes seeing a sign that says next fuel xxx miles while just traveling in the back country. I feel having a little extra fuel is smart. Check to see if any tunnels you may go thru have restrictions on carrying fuel or propane outside of the vehicle. I have been told by friends traveling in Eastern states have seen signs stating some means of transporting fuel or propane can be illegal thru tunnels.
Last month I rolled my truck onto the drivers side while elk hunting. I strap the fuel down and they were the only things left it the bed and never lost a drop of fuel. The trucks fuel cap also held the diesel in the tank it was carrying about 30 gals.

[Chuckers]

Thanks for all the info. Yes, probably be just as easy to find a gas station. Behind the back seat there is a funnel for pouring gas. Came with the truck. Good advice about carrying extra too.

Ken / Claudia --- sorry about your truck. Hope everyone is ok.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Chuckers

Thanks for all the info. Yes, probably be just as easy to find a gas station. Behind the back seat there is a funnel for pouring gas. Came with the truck.

That red funnel that came with the truck is the only one I've found that will push open the "trap door" that's inside the filler pipe and stay in an upright position. If you've ever used it you know that it's a very narrow funnel with a small throat. Pretty much what that means is that for every gallon of gas that you can get into the tank, there's likely to be at least the same amount that spills out onto the ground, your pants and the side of the truck. It's an "emergency device" at best and after using it one time, I decided not to carry 5 gallon fuel cans to "extend my range". Now, if you're caught between "no place" and "no gas", it's better than nothing, but I think if you try it, you'll also "opine" that it's not an "every day convenience" to refuel.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

That red funnel that came with the truck is the only one I've found that will push open the "trap door" that's inside the filler pipe and stay in an upright position. If you've ever used it you know that it's a very narrow funnel with a small throat. Pretty much what that means is that for every gallon of gas that you can get into the tank, there's likely to be at least the same amount that spills out onto the ground, your pants and the side of the truck. It's an "emergency device" at best and after using it one time, I decided not to carry 5 gallon fuel cans to "extend my range". Now, if you're caught between "no place" and "no gas", it's better than nothing, but I think if you try it, you'll also "opine" that it's not an "every day convenience" to refuel.

What purpose besides inconvenience does this progressive, trap door mod serve?

[trueweb]

Look on ebay for VP 5 Gallon Racing Gas Cans. Make sure you get one that includes the cap and hose. They run under $40 each and don't have annoying caps. You can get them in many colors, so you can mix and match as needed; red for your generator gas, green/yellow for your diesel, clear for your dirt bike pre-mix, blue for water, etc... There are many holders for these you can bolt into your truck bed or toy hauler garage that keep them from tipping.

[ReadyToRoll]

Planning an extended trip into Canada and Alaska. We do plan on towing to some of the more remote areas so definitely will be carrying at least 2 and probably 3 5 gallon cans. From what I've heard, a station that is advertised sometimes is not in service. Thinking better safe than sorry. Doubt Good Sams would give real fast service in the middle of nowhere. Especially if no cell service which I've also heard is quite sparse. Definitely will have them secured well though. Glad though that someone mentioned a funnel that will be small enough. Would lend insult to injury if it wouldn't fit. Lol Thanks

[CaptnJohn]

Why put a 23 gallon tank on any truck especially one with a towing package? I had a 2015 F150 and loved it most of the time but when time to tow I really disliked it as I knew every 150 miles I needed to start looking for a gas station that was easy to get to the pumps with the trailer. I know a trip out west would never work without some extra fuel. Tomorrow I'll see what the 2016 F250 diesel does from the dealer home with a new 5er behind. Diesel will get better mileage towing and has a 35 gallon tank. I thought about the cans, then a bladder like boaters use, and an expensive in bed tank, but just kept going to the stations.

Originally Posted by Chuckers

Hello,
I have a 2015 f150 xlt with towing package. It only has a 23 gallon gas tank. We have mostly gone on short trips and get between 9 - 11 mpg. Is it legal to have a couple of 5 gallon gas tanks in the bed of the truck while traveling? We are planning a trip from Pa. to New Orleans this coming spring and don't want to be stopping every couple of hours for fuel.

Thank you.

[TonyCO]

I agree the small tank is ridiculous. FYI you can get a larger tank. I have a 2014 Max Tow F150 with a 36 gallon tank that makes towing a lot easier.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Why put a 23 gallon tank on any truck especially one with a towing package? ...

It's probably a compromise between a "reasonable payload capability and a reasonable cruise range". With Chucker's 26' 6800 pound GVW trailer, he's probably towing a hitch weight that's fairly close to his max. Adding another 100-200 pounds of fuel may put the truck in a "limited payload" situation and change some of the "available bragging rights" from Ford.

It's very easy to just "stick a 50 gallon tank" in most any truck, but when all the other factors are considered and the "build compromises" are actually applied, payload cuts are made across the entire range from thickness of rotors to weight of windshields. There's got to be a good reason all three manufacturers have "about the same size tank" in all their half ton lineup. My guess is to keep the weight down and payload up. I could be wrong......

[PerryB]

Originally Posted by Chuckers

Hello,
I have a 2015 f150 xlt with towing package. It only has a 23 gallon gas tank. We have mostly gone on short trips and get between 9 - 11 mpg. Is it legal to have a couple of 5 gallon gas tanks in the bed of the truck while traveling? We are planning a trip from Pa. to New Orleans this coming spring and don't want to be stopping every couple of hours for fuel.

Thank you.

Probably off topic but isn't it sad that in the USA somebody has to worry about the legality of carrying a couple jerry cans of gas in the back of his truck?!

[Nagrompj]

Originally Posted by PerryB

Probably off topic but isn't it sad that in the USA somebody has to worry about the legality of carrying a couple jerry cans of gas in the back of his truck?!

Yep!
Or buy 5 gal of oil based paint.

[Ken / Claudia]

FYI, after Johns post about retro fitting old style cans with old style nozzles. I ordered 2. They fit midwest and blitz plastic containers and have about a 9 inch flex nozzle.