Plastic gerry cans

Don't "Yankee" jerry cans have big diameter screw on lids?

I saw those Swiss/German army ones in Anaconda the other day although they've gone up in price, $45 now. Like you I bought a couple from a disposal store a couple of years back, very good quality and value.
Jon

Aussie Disposals have them at the moment, 2 for $60.00.

Shaker,

As far as I know the metal 'jerry can' was a German invention during WW2. The allies had fragile metal petrol tins that were packed in timber frames and they leaked.

Pretty early in 'their' war the yanks picked up on the jerry can and made literally millions of them.

The difference as you have suggested was the opening cap. The German variety had the clip type cap we see now, whereas the yank one had a screw type. God knows why, perhaps they were worried about patents, who knows.

My father had a number of the screw lid types, and they were a bitch to pour fuel from, so as an addition it was necessary to have an clip in attachment, with a fexible spout.

Thankfully this type of jerrycan disappeared and we reverted to the original design.

You are right, the jerry can was a German invention, hence the name!
The American version did have a very good screw in pourer.

I've seen a hole wear in a steel can. Sitting in a jerry can holder on a truck with rubber under it.

My experience has been the opposite. I have had four plastics for six years; still going strong on camper. I have owned one metal and it failed while in shed; blew out a pin-hole leak

Graham H,

If the cans were truly "military grade" they may be made of of a thicker gauge steel. Hence the extra cost. The only way I can think to check this quickly would be to put a "normal" one and a "military" one on a set of half decent scales. Obviously, the heavier can would have more metal in it.

Personally, I have 8 of the buggers. 2 are 1958 vintage and are definitely ex- military - as acquired by my Father, four others are stamped 1988 which I bought, and the other two I'd have to check.

The '58 vintage ones are definitely heavier than the '88 ones. I'd bet that the 2009 versions are lighter again.

For fuel use (diesel or petrol) it's steel all the way for me!

Matt

They may well be They had a heavier look if you know what I mean.
As I wasnt buying at any price i didnt bother to take them down from the high shelf they were on.

Maybe top shelf top price LOL.

My fairly new ones do me.

Fast fill nozzles don't fit in them.

I have had the same plastic ones for 9 years without a problem.

Mandrake posted a question re-horizontal fuel tanks:
Repco stock Scepter tanks for water,diesel & petrol in std 20lt gerry cans, they also keep a 20lt squat tank. These tanks are all made in Canada & their pourer fits inside their tank under bung. Whitworths carry a range of Secpter tanks too.

Scepter also make a range of outboard motor tanks which may do the trick for you, they are available at Whitworths Marine.

Good luck! I may catch you on the road around OZ.