avoiding petrol smell when moving fuel by car...

[Poly]

My boat storage arrangements have just changed, this will mean that I have the boat only a few feet from the water rather than towing it to where I want to go. However the flipside is that now the nearest petrol station is a 30-40 minute round trip away. Mostly in the past when refueling I have simply towed the boat with the tanks in the boat.

I will now be putting the fuel tanks in the car. I did this once before and there was a distinct petrol smell which probably isn't too healthy even if there isn't enough to be a fire risk. It also lingered in the car afterwards for a day or so which made Mrs P annoyed and the kids complain! I guess there was probably a 'dribble' on the outside of the tank when filled which then rubbed onto the car?

Are some tanks better than others?
Is there any certain way to stop dribble/overspill down the side of tanks?
Are there any excellent tanks or jerry cans that would make carting fuel in the car rather than the trailer a more practical experience?

Rural petrol station in a "boating" area so likely to be a little more relaxed about exactly what gets filled than some.

[Maximus]

I had the same problem,and found that PTFE tape,and strapping/supporting the Plastic Jerry's I used sorted it out

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Poly

My boat storage arrangements have just changed, this will mean that I have the boat only a few feet from the water rather than towing it to where I want to go. However the flipside is that now the nearest petrol station is a 30-40 minute round trip away. Mostly in the past when refueling I have simply towed the boat with the tanks in the boat.

I will now be putting the fuel tanks in the car. I did this once before and there was a distinct petrol smell which probably isn't too healthy even if there isn't enough to be a fire risk. It also lingered in the car afterwards for a day or so which made Mrs P annoyed and the kids complain! I guess there was probably a 'dribble' on the outside of the tank when filled which then rubbed onto the car?

Are some tanks better than others?
Is there any certain way to stop dribble/overspill down the side of tanks?
Are there any excellent tanks or jerry cans that would make carting fuel in the car rather than the trailer a more practical experience?

Rural petrol station in a "boating" area so likely to be a little more relaxed about exactly what gets filled than some.

Well I just happen to know where you are!! The two in the twin are no problem as the county is either farming or boating do there is a constant stream of jerries at the pumps. I have had your problem over the years but bought myself some of the big red square jerries from Pacermarine on eBay brill special rubber inset washer no spillage and a built in spout for filling. They also sit securely on rib and in car. Last piece of advice make up a cardboard box that you can put your jerries in just in case there's a wee dribble while filling plus a roll of good kitchen towel. Hope to see you sometime in our bolt hole. Welcome to your new boating paradise.
Ps you still haven't answered my pm
J

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[PeterM]

I get the petrol smell...I find the smallest dribble will make it smell like there are gallons swimming round the boot.

The only way to avoid it is to open all the windows on the car when you drive from station to boat...lots and lots of airflow!

[whisper]

Roof rack

[lakelandterrier]

Bowser - you could refuel on the same day then

[Peter_C]

What about a receiver hitch rack? You could also devise a way to pump the gas from your vehicle. What vehicle do you have? Of course if diesel that idea is definitely out.

If using jerry type cans in the vehicle rigging up a vent system might be a good idea. That is what a lot of people do with their toy haulers so they do not get too much fuel odors inside.

Sometimes I put my fuel tank in my vehicle but always fill outside the vehicle and only drive for 3 minutes.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jambo

I have had your problem over the years but bought myself some of the big red square jerries from Pacermarine on eBay brill special rubber inset washer no spillage and a built in spout for filling.

these ones: 3 x Jerry can 20 Litre 5.3 us gallon Fuel & Petrol can | eBay

Ps you still haven't answered my pm

Mrs P talking in riddles in a "Post TV Depression" phase, I'll need to wait till she adjusts to real life before getting sensible discussion from her!

Originally Posted by PeterM

I get the petrol smell...I find the smallest dribble will make it smell like there are gallons swimming round the boot.

The only way to avoid it is to open all the windows on the car when you drive from station to boat...lots and lots of airflow!

That's been my approach in the past but if the kids are with me they complain about snow, rain, midges etc hitting them!

Originally Posted by Maximus

I had the same problem,and found that PTFE tape,and strapping/supporting the Plastic Jerry's I used sorted it out

OK I'll look at that, if there is no perfect solution. The car will likely be packed full of crap on the way to the boat so being able to get cans in / out easily to fill is desirable.

Originally Posted by whisper

Roof rack

There is a rack - but on the way to the boat (when we pass the petrol station anyway) it is likely to be full with bikes etc. Engineering wise it may be fine but in my head it seems like a dodgy place to put 60L of fuel unless it was in the sort of "basket" type rack you get on Landrovers - not Estates!

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

Bowser - you could refuel on the same day then

A bowser would last all year! Its only 20HP! 60L would probably last a week!

[QUOTE=Peter_C;556321]What about a receiver hitch rack? [quote] I had to look that up, never seen that approach used in the UK for anything except bikes. Probably would work, I have a tow ball bike rack but would need cobble something together and drag it up to the boat (couple of hours away) each trip so its probably too much hassle for my lazy attitude!

You could also devise a way to pump the gas from your vehicle. What vehicle do you have? Of course if diesel that idea is definitely out.

Yes unfortunately diesel.

[whisper]

Yep we use the basket type, take no notice of the butterfly on the filler cap, that came straight off as soon as we bought the car.

We use Yamaha tanks as they have a dimple in the bottom so they fit nicely over one of the bars on the bottom of the roof rack/basket.

[whisper]

You need a Disco

[Poly]

Originally Posted by whisper

You need a Disco

No I need a diesel rib with a big tank that I can fill up on the jetty...

[SPR]

you need second car for mrs & kids - problem solved!

[simon23]

Try breaking wind all the way to the petrol station then it Will acknowledgments as a air freshiner!

Sent from my GT-S5830 using Rib.net

[Ian M]

If Jambos suggestion of a cardboard box is a little low rent, why not a purpose made ply box to contain the tanks. Epoxy coated the fuel would not affect the ply.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Ian M

If Jambos suggestion of a cardboard box is a little low rent, why not a purpose made ply box to contain the tanks. Epoxy coated the fuel would not affect the ply.

The Whole problem is Stopping the SMELL and the FUMES,Which apart from the unpleasantness can be V Dangerous!...i.e the Petrol from Leaking in the first Place.Being Careful when you Fill, and Decant, and a GOOD TIGHT Seal on DECENT Containers WILL sort it.Also Its ALWAYS a good idea (especialy when its Hot!) Not to over Fill them,ie to full capacity

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Maximus

The Whole problem is Stopping the SMELL and the FUMES,Which apart from the unpleasantness can be V Dangerous!...i.e the Petrol from Leaking in the first Place.Being Careful when you Fill, and Decant, and a GOOD TIGHT Seal on DECENT Containers WILL sort it.Also Its ALWAYS a good idea (especialy when its Hot!) Not to over Fill them,ie to full capacity

Totally agree, however if all the precautions fail a box that can be removed from the car when the tanks have been removed will ensure that the smell does not linger in the car due to contamination of the interior with spilt petrol .

[SPR]

if safe to do so - leave containers outside car when you go and pay for the fuel ...gives them few minutes to "dry"

or fill car up after filling tanks before placing tanks back in car...

S.

[kerny]

Originally Posted by whisper

You need a Disco

[whisper]

Originally Posted by kerny

Mitsubishi L200?

[mick]

Originally Posted by kerny

Or a 130 DC HCPU