Listen to the full episode here:
In this episode of the Snowys Camping Show,
our gear experts Lauren and Ben discuss everything you need to safely transport your back-up fuel for those longer expeditions!
Shortcuts:
00:00 – Intro
01:43 – How much fuel should you carry?
08:04 – Where can you carry fuel in your vehicle?
10:23 – Long range fuel tanks
12:13 – Ben’s current Patrol vs old Patrol efficiency
13:42 – Spreading out your fuel load
15:36 – Certified jerry cans
16:23 – Colour coding your fuel
17:45 – Fuel bladder
20:57 – Summary
Mentioned in this Episode:
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Carrying Fuel in Your Vehicle
Firstly, it’s essential to check the state government guidelines that are relevant to the area in which you are travelling. These will detail the appropriate amount of fuel you can carry and how you are allowed to carry it. The advice given in this podcast is based on our own research, so make sure you do your due diligence so you can stay safe on the road.
How Much Fuel do I Need?
If you’re going remote, you might need to plan how much fuel you’ll need and consider carrying it with you. This will all depend on factors such as the terrain you are driving on, how many fuel stops are in between as well as contingencies for an emergency.
Obviously for long and remote trips, carrying extra fuel will be essential. But for shorter trips, supporting rural petrol stations along the way is important and helps everyone out. These places provide a service that goes beyond essential supplies and fuel, as they are also a hub of information and support for those passing through.
Weight
Fuel will add extra weight to your load, as petrol weighs 0.75kg per litre, and diesel weighs 0.832kg per litre so factor that into your GVM and load that you are already carrying. For more information about weight, check out our episode on packing like a minimalist linked above.
You have a few different choices for carrying fuel for your adventure. Image: MAXTRAX
Long-Range Tanks
If you have a 4WD, then factory fuel tanks or long-range tanks are the most reliable option to consider. If you use your vehicle frequently for remote driving, then these could be a good long term investment.
Jerry Cans
If you have a car that uses petrol, it’s important to note that you can’t mount jerry cans containing unleaded petrol to the front or rear of your vehicle – or anywhere else that is an impact zone. This only really leaves you with the option of carrying it in the tray of a ute if you have one, so bear that in mind. If you intend to carry diesel, your roof rack or the back of your vehicle will be suitable.
If you use a jerry can, choose one that is certified to Australian standards. For safety reasons, colour co-ordinate your jerry cans if you’re carrying more than one kind of fuel so that there is no confusion. Red is the colour for unleaded, yellow or black is for diesel, blue is for water, and orange is for ethanol.
Fuel Bladders
Collapsible jerry cans or fuel bladders are a lesser known fuel storage option that you might want to look into. We don’t have a lot of experience with them, but they seem to be popular for marine use and for motorcycle tourers.
These obviously are more flexible and will compact down as they are emptied, but are potentially not as reliable compared to traditional metal jerry cans or long-range fuel tanks.
Thanks for listening, tune in again for next week’s episode!
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Catch you out there!