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Old 12-01-2019, 12:44 PM   #1
19Fordy
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Default Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

Do any of you good folks carry a spare can of gas in your trunk just in case you "run dry" on the road? If so:
What size container?
Metal or plastic?
Do you get a gasolene smell?
Is it air tight?
Plus other suggestions welcomed such as what specific BRAND container have you found to be the best? Harbor Freight products scare me.

Thanks.

Last edited by 19Fordy; 12-01-2019 at 12:52 PM.
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Old 12-01-2019, 12:53 PM   #2
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 19fordy View Post
do any of you good folks carry a spare can of gas in your trunk just in case you "run dry" on the road? If so:
What size container?
Metal or plastic?
Do you get a gasolene smell?
Is it air tight?
Plus other suggestions welcomed such as what specific brand container have you found to be the best? Harbor freight products scare me.

Thanks.
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!
Remember the Pinto?

Last edited by 4t7heaven; 12-01-2019 at 01:10 PM.
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Old 12-01-2019, 12:57 PM   #3
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
Do any of you good folks carry a spare can of gas in your trunk just in case you "run dry" on the road? If so:
What size container?
Metal or plastic?
Do you get a gasolene smell?
Is it air tight?
Plus other suggestions welcomed such as what specific BRAND container have you found to be the best? Harbor Freight products scare me.

Thanks.
Yikes! That's a huge NO for me.
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Old 12-01-2019, 01:08 PM   #4
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

Absolutely NO for me - I watch my fuel carefully - I never trust my gauge - always estimate by mileage leaving big margin for error - and fill up often.


The thought of an accident with fuel in the trunk terrifies me - bad enough its in the fuel tank!
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Old 12-01-2019, 01:09 PM   #5
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

nope i get gas every 100 miles. i always keep it full. i have a Friend that only put 10 bucks worth of gas in his car! i don't understand that. when i get gas i allays fill it up
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Old 12-01-2019, 01:13 PM   #6
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Smile Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

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Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
Do any of you good folks carry a spare can of gas in your trunk just in case you "run dry" on the road? If so:
What size container?
Metal or plastic?
Do you get a gasolene smell?
Is it air tight?
Plus other suggestions welcomed such as what specific BRAND container have you found to be the best? Harbor Freight products scare me.

Thanks.



Carrying a can of gas in the trunk would scare me! Add, or improve your gas gauge so you can trust it, but NO spare gas can in the trunk, unless it's an empty "show" can.
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Old 12-01-2019, 01:50 PM   #7
19Fordy
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

OK, you all convinced me. Yes, I do remember the Pinto. Ford's first exploder.
NO GAS CAN IN TRUNK.

Thanks.

Last edited by 19Fordy; 12-01-2019 at 01:56 PM.
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Old 12-01-2019, 01:54 PM   #8
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

It doesn’t cost anymore to keep the tank topped up. No gas in the trunk.
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Old 12-01-2019, 01:59 PM   #9
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

This will come as no surprise to some that know me but I do have a plastic container of gas in the trunk of the 52 Merc. In fact it is my gas tank! The original tank rusted away to dust years ago and I just strapped in a 5 gallon plastic marine tank to get by with back in 2015 until I got a "real gas tank". So far it works so well that I have not got around to replacing it. Yes, there is a bit of a gas smell when I first open the door to get in but the Merc is well ventilated and the smell soon goes away. I need to replace some metal in the trunk before trying to adapt another tank (from a Meteor) into the Merc.
In this photo I did not yet have the strap installed to hold down the tank.
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File Type: jpg Merc new fuel tank.jpg (45.3 KB, 56 views)
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:22 PM   #10
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

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This will come as no surprise to some that know me but I do have a plastic container of gas in the trunk of the 52 Merc. In fact it is my gas tank! The original tank rusted away to dust years ago and I just strapped in a 5 gallon plastic marine tank to get by with back in 2015 until I got a "real gas tank". So far it works so well that I have not got around to replacing it. Yes, there is a bit of a gas smell when I first open the door to get in but the Merc is well ventilated and the smell soon goes away. I need to replace some metal in the trunk before trying to adapt another tank (from a Meteor) into the Merc.
In this photo I did not yet have the strap installed to hold down the tank.
It is apparent that you do not realize it is the FUMES that are far more combustible than the liquid.
Please do not park or drive anywhere near me.
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:22 PM   #11
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RalphG View Post
This will come as no surprise to some that know me but I do have a plastic container of gas in the trunk of the 52 Merc. In fact it is my gas tank! The original tank rusted away to dust years ago and I just strapped in a 5 gallon plastic marine tank to get by with back in 2015 until I got a "real gas tank". So far it works so well that I have not got around to replacing it. Yes, there is a bit of a gas smell when I first open the door to get in but the Merc is well ventilated and the smell soon goes away. I need to replace some metal in the trunk before trying to adapt another tank (from a Meteor) into the Merc.
In this photo I did not yet have the strap installed to hold down the tank.
Please be careful Ralph..........if you can smell fumes then it CAN explode!!
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:24 PM   #12
19Fordy
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

Ralph,previous replies to my initial question have convinced me that you are taking a BIG risk. Hurry up and install a replacement steel tank. Here's one:
https://www.ebay.com/i/233366531863?...SABEgImzPD_BwE
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:33 PM   #13
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

40 years ago I'd agree, gas fumes were pretty volatile. We used to light fires and use a little gas as an accelerant out in the bush piles. And yes, throwing a lit match would have an explosion before the match hit the ground. Today's gas is not that bad. I weld and grind and have sparks all around the workshop where the Merc is parked. Never a problem. Not that I'm advising anybody else to do it but I'm comfortable with it. But yes, I do have intentions of getting a "real gas tank" back in the Merc.
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:38 PM   #14
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

Biggest risk is as stated, gas fumes.
That tank should have a vented cap that can be shut off when not in use.
Being plastic really is not that significant considering that new cars have had plastic fuel tanks installed for a number of years.
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:48 PM   #15
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

I carry gas in the trunk whenever I need to. I live in the Ozarks.
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:55 PM   #16
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

I carry gas in the trunk often. It's always in a specifically designed container for that purpose though.

If you really thought about it you'd never drive a Model A or a 32/33/34. The gas tank is very exposed on the latter and above your knees in the former.

If you do carry spare fuel in a can it should be a fit for purpose can and secured with a strap or something similar.

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Old 12-01-2019, 03:27 PM   #17
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

Big no, no on putting a container of gas in the trunk. While waiting at a gas station I recently saw an idiot, during our power outages, put 6 containers of gas in the back of a small SUV! You can't fix stupid.
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Old 12-01-2019, 03:32 PM   #18
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

There seems to be a big built in resistance to carrying fuel in a gas can. Ok, I'll try and understand, but tell me how is someone supposed to fetch fuel for their lawn mower, snowblower or (as in the case of the "idiot" above) a generator?

Are you saying in the open bed of a pickup is fine, but in a closed trunk a no-no? Is that the difference?

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Old 12-01-2019, 03:41 PM   #19
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

Mart, that is definitely the difference.
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Old 12-01-2019, 03:56 PM   #20
Mart
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Default Re: Do You Carry a Container of Gas in your Trunk?

Ok, thanks, gotcha.

Ok this is my non US perspective. Here we don't tend to have pickups as second vehicles and petrol cans have always been about. I've never heard any mention of it being a bad idea to carry fuel in the boot (trunk).

It must be a US thing. The only thing I have ever seen regarding fuel cans is that they must be made specifically for the purpose. The are signs in the gas stations stating that.
The cans are sealed so there isn't a smell, unless you are sloppy when filling them.

To each their own, though. This forum is global though, what is common practise in one country may not be in another.

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