55 Gallon Gas Caddy

[gnealon]

Has anyone ever seen a 55 gallon drum made into a gas caddy? If you had a pickup, and can get close to the boat with your truck, you would never have to move it. (Actually I don't think you even could :smt101).

I'm not even sure if its legal. I can get my pickup real close to my boat, would love to save ~100 bucks every time i fill the tank.

 

[ChuckW]

I used to use them for diesel storage at my construction company years ago. Not sure I'd be comfortable with one for gas though. They make pumps that screw into holes already on the drum.

It will cost a bit more, but why not get a fuel bladder which is approved for fuel storage? http://www.marinefuelbladders.com/specifications.html

 

[Scuma]

I can't imagine "turning" a 55 Gallon drum into a gas caddy will be legal. I would think it would not meet many safety requirements and would be hesitant myself. There are plenty of 30 Gallon gas caddys though. I'd probably do that and just make two trips

 

[gnealon]

I used to use them for diesel storage at my construction company years ago. Not sure I'd be comfortable with one for gas though. They make pumps that screw into holes already on the drum.

It will cost a bit more, but why not get a fuel bladder which is approved for fuel storage? http://www.marinefuelbladders.com/specifications.html

Just curious... why would it be safe for diesel and not gas?

That fuel bladder is pretty neat. But it looks like it is more designed as a spare tank ON the boat, as opposed to just transporting gas from the street to the boat. But could be wrong. :huh:

 

[ChuckW]

Most states only specify "the container must be approved by the fire marshall or made of steel". Besides the safety issue and containment issue, the steel drum will tend generate a lot of condensation, especially as she empties. The nice thing about the fuel bladders is they collapse as they emtpy leaving little to no air in with the fuel, thereby minimizing condensation and water build up.

 

[ChuckW]

Just curious... why would it be safe for diesel and not gas?

That fuel bladder is pretty neat. But it looks like it is more designed as a spare tank ON the boat, as opposed to just transporting gas from the street to the boat. But could be wrong. :huh:

They are designed for boats, but could easily be used in your situation. Note the key features list:
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Puncture Resistant[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Collapsible For Easy Storage[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Lightweight and Durable[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Safe for Transferring Liquids[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Built to Resist Extreme Weather and Harsh Elements[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Easy to Transport [/FONT]

Regarding the gas vs diesel: Vapors. A bomb waiting to go off. As the tank empties the vapors build.

 

[Presentation]

Just curious... why would it be safe for diesel and not gas?

Diesel oil vapors are not explosive.

That being said, the statistics do not support diesel being a safer fuel.

It’s like anti-lock brakes. You would expect collisions to go down on vehicles with anti-lock brakes but it’s the opposite.

For those that are not anti-David Pascoe, here is a comparison he made:
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/GasDiesel.htm


In smaller pleasure boats (36 feet / 16,000 lbs and under) the anti-gas / pro diesel argument of lowering carbon monoxide poising is statistically stronger then increased explosion safety. Add a couple of CO detectors and a fume detector on the gas boat and the anti-gas / pro diesel argument in smaller pleasure boats is a hard argument to win.


Gas engines are compariativly more economical to purchase, maintain and replace.

 

[gnealon]

Most states only specify "the container must be approved by the fire marshall or made of steel". Besides the safety issue and containment issue, the steel drum will tend generate a lot of condensation, especially as she empties. The nice thing about the fuel bladders is they collapse as they emtpy leaving little to know air in with the fuel, thereby minimizing condensation and water build up.

Good point about the condensation. I thought a plastic 55 gallon drum would handle similar to a commercial 25 gallon gas caddy?!?! :huh:

Thanks Chuck for the input.

 

[ChuckW]

Diesel oil vapors are not explosive.

That being said, the statistics do not support diesel being a safer fuel.

It’s like anti-lock brakes. You would expect collisions to go down on vehicles with anti-lock brakes but it’s the opposite.

For those that are not anti-David Pascoe, here is a comparison he made:
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/GasDiesel.htm

Nice article. To quote the article, "Diesels are safer from the standpoint of explosions as diesel oil vapors are not explosive."

 

[skibum]

Construction and landscaping companies do this all the time.

If you had a lid welded on to that 55 gallon drum and 2 threaded holes (sized for a 12VDC fuel pump and the proper vent hardware) put in the lid, you would be fine. There are actual tanks made for pickup trucks that you can set up to do what you want. I looked into it last year.

I just Googled "fuel transfer tanks +pickup" and got a ton of links like this one (picked completely at random, this is NOT a product or company endorsement from me).

http://www.jmesales.com/category/1824/1/Pickup-Fuel-Transfer-Tanks-Tool-Boxes.aspx

Michael

 

[Woody]

If you want to go that route skip the oil drum idea and get a tranfer tank made for that purpose. http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Delta/delta_liquid_transfer_tanks.htm

 

[skibum]

Ha! Beat ya!

I like your link better....

 

[ChuckW]

The reason I suggested the bladder over the drum or even bringing up the pickup truck mounted transfer tanks, was 1) condensation and 2) flexibility. The bladder could prove to be more versatile, heck you could even take it on the boat for a long trip. In the off season you can fold it up and store it, your not stuck with a truck mounted option all winter, unless of course you get in the habit of removing it.

Anyway, if the drum or pickup truck mounted tank are preferred, just make sure you put a water separating fuel filter in line with the pump so you only put clean gas into the boat. Water in the fuel at sea is never fun. :smt009