

| Subject: | Re: Carrying extra gasoline in a Vanagon |
| From: | Markus M. |
| Date: | Sat, 4 Jan 2020 09:40:13 -0800 |
Just returned from a seven night trip to Death Valley. Really beautiful weather on this trip. Gas station dispersal was adequate [GoWesty boxer engine averaging about 16mpg or 200 miles on a full tank] but I do carry extra gas just in case, especially trips to Baja where gasoline availability varies. I use the Rotopax 2.5 gallon containers, two stored in the exterior storage tray above the front seats secured with bungee cords. I do not want to store gasoline inside the van. I refresh the stored gasoline every few months by using and re-filling. There are gasoline preservatives available [Stabil] but I do not use them, not sure how well they work. Markus and The Girl [87 Westy]. On Sat, Jan 4, 2020 at 9:15 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote: > Wow! > > I thing the space saving is great. I’ve heard of people storing > tools in a special box there for example. But Man, living on the edge? Gas > in the front of a vanagon that is off roading? Too daring for me. > > I had recently cleaned up my clam shell so am definitely hoping to keep it > in service! > > Eric Caron > 85 GL Auto > > > > On Jan 4, 2020, at 11:43 AM, Greg childs <greg@gregorychilds.com> wrote: > > > > Eric: > > > > I purchased from England a gas container shaped to fit in the wheel of > the spare tire stored in the clamshell. I have to clean and paint it before > I install it. > > > > Greg > > '91 Syncro Camper in San Diego > > From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> on behalf of > Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET> > > Sent: Saturday, January 4, 2020 7:21 AM > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > > Subject: Re: Carrying extra gasoline in a Vanagon > > > > Hi Richard, > > > > I totally agree with Dennis. The safety issues don’t out way > the possible need. Your own experience is a good example of the rare > need. And As Dennis says the gas might be useless when you need it. > > > > Better to use that creative storage space for something else. > > > > Ironically, I noticed that on the last GW weekly sale email, there were > carriers on sale for either water or fuel. So look if interested, but I’d > recommend only if needing extra water! > > > > Now, who else has a creative storage location and where? Isn’t that > space by the slider where the fuel pump is? > > > > Eric Caron > > 85 GL Auto > > > > > > > > > > > On Jan 4, 2020, at 10:12 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> > wrote: > > > > > > There are numerous issues with carrying gasoline outside of the > vehicles fuel system. As gasoline is highly volatile is has significant > vapor pressure which changes with temperature. Thermal expansion is also a > concern. The tank, can, whatever at some point will have to vent. Most > likely if you think the seals are good the vapors are still getting out > which is better than the container bursting but the loss is most likely due > to evaporation. What is evaporating is the stuff that actually burns so > after 2 years that fuel wasn't good anyway. > > > > > > As I age my bladder and my ability to stay wake doesn't out last the > fuel supply so having to stop for fuel is a good thing. Of all my driving > only the trip to Alaska had me carrying extra fuel. > > > > > > Any good tow insurance will bring you fuel if needed. That is my > safety net > > > > > > Dennis > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of > Richard Koerner > > > Sent: Friday, January 3, 2020 8:21 PM > > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > > > Subject: Carrying extra gasoline in a Vanagon > > > > > > Years ago, I made a plywood box to store 2 each of 1-gallon metal cans > of extra gasoline. Mounted under van, in slider door area. I typically > exchange old fuel with new stuff; today was the day. Well, in each of > those cans....only half remained after 2 years. I had investigated super > duper gasoline-capable rubber grommet material, and had installed under > each screw cap. No good, it gently leaks out. So...what to do? In > previous decades, I kept the old school metal gallon can (like the kind you > may use for your lawnmower) on a shelf, approximately at the location of > the rear heater, long deleted. I figured that was about the safest > location for explosive fuel; best for front-end or rear-end collision, > adequate for side collision, super easy to get to. I was worried that I > was not being smart. > > > But, I am re-thinking all of this. Why do I need extra gasoline? > Yes...for me....and a stranded motorist, that was the intent. This has NOT > happened in 30+ years of Vanagon ownership. Also....I am pretty good about > planning ahead....and keeping an eye on the instrument cluster gauges. > Also, Subie 2.2 delivers a reliable 22 MPG, so I'm good for 250 miles, even > coaxing 300 miles. > > > Am I overthinking all of this? Probably.....the best thing to > have....is a cardboard sign that says "I NEED GAS!"....an appropriate > length of Tygon 3/8" tubing for siphoning, some kind of empty container, a > $1 slim Walmart funnel....and hope for the best that some kind person will > stop to help. And, a nice $20 bill for their kindness. > > > > > > No....I don't want exterior Jerry cans and such hanging off the rear > end. Also, I plan ahead for whatever short off-road trips I do, including > fuel and food and water. > > > Anyway.....just tossing this out there to the List....perhaps you've > come up with some cool idea regarding carrying extra gasoline? > > > Rich > > > San Diego >
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