Gas can in luggage rack?

[Peter Kosho]

Planning on some back country driving in the 89 Westy and checking out options for a backup gas container carried in luggage rack. Will have my MTB on the back so luggage rack seems like a good option. Any recommendations for gas container (s) that would fit safely in the luggage rack? Thanks!

[shagginwagon83]

I carried 3 gallons or so in my Westy Luggage rack for 10k mile road trip over 3 months. No issues, would highly recommend the Wavian gas carrier.

https://www.zoro.com/wavian-gas-can-cold-rolled-st.../G8589104/

From left to right,

Waivan gas, Dometic water jug (great for spring water), Scepter Water carrier (was never used). Held down by a locking Yakima strap.

_________________
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram: @joannthevan

[Peter Kosho]

Thanks, the Waivan gas containers look great. Question - in the photo it looks like the red gas can is on its side. So are you filling a 20 liter Waivan gas can with just 3 gallons to prevent leaking?

[shagginwagon83]

It is on the side. It isn't to prevent leaking. You can buy new gaskets for these, but no need to.

I only filled it to 3 gallons because I felt that was enough for the situation. We NEVER needed it - there is actually a pretty decent amount of gas in Baja. Once you hit half a tank, buy some gas.

It's not easy putting 5 gallons on top of the van in the luggage rack. Little easier if it is half filled!
_________________
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram: @joannthevan

[Phishman068]

I carried a 5 gallon military "jerry" can with 4.5 gallons of gas in it, with a fresh vitron seal from eBay, in the luggage rack on its side for an entire summer. No leaking. It sure would expand and contract! You'd hear it popping at night. But no leaks.
_________________
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559766&highlight=winter+rust
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482402&highlight=sunroof+syncro
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569774
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6864936#6864936

"Along with the ability to go fast, one looses the desire to hurry."

[squeegee_boy]

[Andymon]

There's always this. I have two cans and they mount on the RMW upper spine.
_________________
"Blanch" '85 Westy
"Too many freaks and not enough circuses".

[shagginwagon83]

[fxr]

A 2 US gallon Rotopak fits nicely in the luggage rack - but ours leaked.

We don't bother now - we fill up when we get to 1/4-ish where gas is plentiful, and plan ahead where it's not (or bloody expensive) to ensure we fill up before we're in the red for more than a few miles.

18-20mpg with the EJ22 on the flat on the open road[1], seemingly regardless of speed (though that can't really be true), though head winds and tail winds can make that vary between 15 and 25!

[1] Around town I shudder to think how awful the mileage is, I drive it quite hard.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[dhaavers]

FWIW - posted before in some other thread, but here it comes again:

[Sodo]

[MarkWard]

Seems a better solution if you need extended range would be an auxiliary tank mounted securely inside the outer perimeter. I’ve seen nice tanks mounted securely under the floor behind the sliding door sill on a syncro. There is also good space above the transmission on a 2wd. Yes this likely more difficult and cost, but safer.

Sure, in normal driving, you can get away with a lot. But getting rear ended in the fog by a semi or flipping the van in uneven conditions and seems you are adding fuel to the fire. Excuse the pun.

[zerotofifty]

Always leave plenty of expansion space in your Jerry Cans Had a full Jerry Can bust a seam do to thermal expansion of the gasoline. Dont top them off, they dont vent except by splitting a seam!!!!!! Leave lots of air space for expansion!!!!!!

If off roading consider that weight up high is not good for stability

Also the rack for the camper is fiber glass. While it may take the load, a static load, if you do harsh off road with bumps, there is a shock load effect which can greatly increase the load over the static load. Id be very careful offroading with a lot of stuff up on the fiberglass top. You need to derate the maximum load rating when you have jarring, rough roads do to shock loading do to going over big bumps in the trail.
_________________
Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.

[dhaavers]

Thing I wouldn’t love about a jerry can in the luggage rack is having to schlep it up & down…5 gallons of gas weighs 30 pounds. My shoulders hurt thinking about it…but I’m an old fart, prone to bouts of bursitis…

The jiggle siphon is dead simple, makes life a dream.

Remind me, how are we getting gas in & out of our under body tanks?

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Sodo]

We’ve all seen this.
Does it mean:

Gas tank too small?
Vanagon drivers are forgetful?
Vanagon drivers like to go where gas stations are sparse?

gravity here,
Wildthings’ flat funnel https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9138209#9138209
& seldom

And there’s this…. Not visible from the ground.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[Abscate]

It’s a fantasy accessory to make you think you are in the Outback. Get more gas on your 2 hour stops when you wet yourself and leave the Jerries for the WWII movies
_________________
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊

[Sodo]

[zerotofifty]

[Peter Kosho]

Thanks for all the responses. Got a Wavian 5.3 gallon can from Zoro. Now don't know if I need a flexible spout. The can comes with a safety spout that requires pressure on the spout to pour. Think it's for filling things like mowers. There's a flexible spout on Amazon that might be better for adding gas to the Westy. Thoughts?

[zerotofifty]

I use the Flotool brand made in USA plastic funnel, part number 10712. It fits in the Vanagon filler, and stays put, the scoop type design is perfect, I can pour into the gas tank with no need for a spout on the gas can from which I pour.

Available at finer automotive retail establishments....

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/flotool/hopkins-flotool-gray-plasticfunnel/hop5/10712

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/flotool-multi-.../9180013-P

_________________
Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.