Plastic vs Metal Jerry Cans

I have 2x 25l plastic jerries i bought from ARB 20 years ago and would not go back to steel ones.

Where you are intending to mount them, plastic ones should be OK.

A mate of mine had one mounted on the side of his trailer, behind the mudguard.
Don't know what size rock hit it, but the hole was about as big as a golf ball.
Fortunately, the petrol was only for his trail bike and we were traveling home.

Personally, I have four steel jerry cans which are several years old but still in good nick internally. I have no need or desire to replace them with plastic ones.

I changed to plastic 15 years ago - after having troubles trying to get my steel jerrys lids to seal.

My suggestion - choose a plastic jerry which has a single opening (less chance of leaking - expecially if on its side on a roofrack) and large enough to take a high flow diesel pump nozzle. Willow ones fit the bill for me.

There are pro's and cons.

Steel is quite a bit heavier than plastic...important if carried high.

Steel is considered more durable.....but the better plastic jerries are pretty tough.
Steel is not worried by heat or UV as much as plastic...but the good plastics are pretty resistant.

Plastic jerries do not corrode.

Plastic jerries are in general considerably cheaper.

You need different plastics for diesel and petrol...so swapping uses is not a good idea with plastic.

Long term, plastic jerries let in light, this can break down the fuel and promote organic growth in diesel......hardly a problem for short term storage

no matter which....chose carefully.....nasty is cheap in both plastic & steel.

If it where me and on the roof......I'd be buying plastic..and being fussy.

cheers

The condensation, water issue is not a problem with plastic,if fuel is stored for a while,...Can't say the same for metal containers!.



Cheers Axle.

Hi I don't think it matters,the main thing to do is to used carpet and tape so they don't rub on rough roads and wear holes on them.

Why on earth would you need 80 litres in addition to what's in your tanks?
What is your vehicle's normal driving range?
What is the longest leg you would expect to drive without an available re-fuelling stop?

But, to answer your question, I'd use plastic because they're lighter even though the difference between (say) 80 kg and 90kg on top of your roof is pretty much irrelevant as to your Centre of Gravity..

Please, re-think why you think you need so much fuel up on your roof.

Enjoy your trip, the Kimberley is great !

I have and used both and will now only use the plastic, but only the black plastic.
They are more expensive than the coloured ones but much stronger and can be used for the different fuels.
Chris

Quote You need different plastics for diesel and petrol...so swapping uses is not a good idea with plastic.Unquote

This does not apply to the HDPE black ones made by Visy in NZ. They are expensive but very robust and safe. They ar ethe same material as car fuel tanks.
Regards Philip A

Quality plastic many day..... I would go the Rheem heavy duty black ones made of polyethylene...... how many wheelie bins do you see broken.

http://www.haigh.com.au/images/ProductImages/AAAA%20Oct%2006.pdf

Buy quality plastic and they'll probably outlast you ! Fuel Safe brand is not the cheapest of them but they are very robust (Willow has a good reputation to it seems). Fuel Safe do come on special at times - they come with one or two openings as well - less is better for roofrack loading it would seem - and that other point on spout size - if you can get them with a spout large enough to take a truck-fill nozzle you can avoid waiting in line for some of those single small-nozzle diesel bowser servos.

Mate,
just think about it this way. Most vehicles now are fitted with poly fuel tanks and they don't have problems.

Poly Water tanks guaranteed for 25 years.

Colour coded for petrol and diesel and they will be uv stabilised.

As said buy quality and they will last forever.

RA.

Plastic but be aware that most brands of plastic Jerrys have different caps. Make sure you get all the same brand.

Also get a Tanamai pump ( or whichever type you need for your jerries.) Tanamai pump

I like the Proquip because it is the only one that is good quality, inexpensive and ISO size. I paid $22 at Bursons a few weeks ago. Not bad. ( they were $35 at Annaconda)

G'day Patrol GU VI,

you mentioned you were going to carry the jerry cans in holders. It might be an idea to see what fits in the holders.

I travelled to the Kimberley last year with a two jerry can holder on my rear bar. That holder would any take steel jerry cans. The steel ones seem to be thinner.

It might pay to check that.

We carried the 40 litres in jerrys plus 145 in the two tanks in our 80 series Landcruiser. That was getting us about 1000 kms, almost exactly on dirt roads fully loaded. There were three times on that trip we needed the extra fuel, so it depends on which way you go.

Hoo roo,
Steve

Just for the information of other- not directly answering the poster question since he is going to the Kimberley. Modern steel jerry cans do not like the temperature changes (expansion and contraction) encountered in the desert regions in winter and will split.

Metal ones have stuff inside that flakes off for years. Go quality plastic but make sure it has a large opening on it. They sell yellow diesel ones with small fillers that you can't use with fast fill large nozzles.