TheSamba.com :: View topic - Do you know if plastic food safe barrels are ok for gas?

Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:04 pm

Do you know if plastic food safe barrels are ok for gas?
We take our sandrail camping once a year and are looking for a simple, low cost way to carry gas.
We burn through 20-30 gallons over the two days we camp.

In years past we fill up the rail at the local gas station and then fill up another half a dozen 5 gallon jerry cans.

Turns out some crackhead stole all our jerry cans and know we’re looking for another way to transport gas.

Rather than several gas jugs, I am considering filling a small barrel with gas. I have found several 30 gallon plastic food safe barrels on craigslist.
The look like steel barrels but are plastic.

here is the link…

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hsh/1431329628.html

Any ideas if these plastic barrels are fuel safe?
I haven’t been able to google an answer.

Any other ideas for transporting and transferring fuel? Time rich money poor solutions are best. I’m looking to carry 25-30 gallons. I know most gas cans now are plastic, so I’m guessing it would be ok, but any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’d hate to fill up 30 gallons of 3 dollar/ gallon gas, only to have the barrel melt and disappear into the sand.

Thanks for this great forum. I have learned a great deal from just lurking.

Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:10 pm

Depending on the state, it is illegal to put gas in a non approved container. I would go to Home Depot or wherever and get you some new cans. Better than having the gas soften or melt those cans.

Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:13 pm

These are pretty neat if you can find a couple used.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DURAMAX-14-GALLON-FUEL-CADDY-G...35a23bb720

Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:15 pm

What you are looking for is Dump Cans....... google is your friend!

Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:09 pm

Check with Overton's (Overtons.com). They sell marine stuff and carry gas containers of all sizes, both permenant and portable.

Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:31 pm

Check with Northern Tool & Equipment (NorthernTool.com). They have several different fuel caddies that are like mini gas stations.

Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:50 pm

What about a 25 gal can like grease comes in? Like a mini 55 gal drum. They sell hand crank pumps for them, but I'd try to rig up an electric fuel pump in it off 12 volts....

Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:48 pm

How about a used gas tank from the wrecking yard? Mount it high enough, and you don't even need a pump.

Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:01 am

If I were you I would try to find some old army fuel cans. Maybe try a army surplus store or the web. Dump cans are expensive and would be awkward to bring along... I wouldn't expect a army fuel can to be more then 10-20 bucks for a 10 gallon. Here's to start your search http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/SearchResults.aspx?...amp;q=fuel

Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:36 pm

if you can't just find a larger tank, perhaps you can get a tank from a super beetle (11-12 gals), and mount it above your current tank. maybe another one up front as well. thats 22-24 gallons. and a gas tank wont cost you much at a junkyard, or VW shop. maybe even have all the lines T'd together, with some fuel inecutoff's at the tanks, so you can choose between tanks, with one pump. just a thought.

or if you can find a big tank from some other car at a junk yard that looks like it would fit, or can be mounted easily. Old jeep maybe?

Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:56 am

Thanks for everyones advice. Turns out those blue plastic drums are fuel safe.

see

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=385943

build site here...
http://www.westcoastarcades.com/joomla/index.php?o...;Itemid=55