Hazards in Carrying Extra Gas?

[JCS]

I carry the MSR fuel cannisters for my stove (Whisperlite International)with no problems. Some fill them with gasoline for emergencies.

The long distance riders use fuel cells for extra capacity. These are will made and work well. You can plumb these right into the bike. Check the Iron Butt site. there are probably references there.

I don't think I would carry a plastic gas can. Way too easy to rupture and depending on how it is mounted possibly could wear through from vibration.

[shalihe74]

I have the MSR cannisters for my camping stove, too, and they're frequently filled with gasoline. Like everyone else, I've never had a problem with them leaking.

I'm curious, though, where you're going that you need extra fuel for 'longer stretches'? It's not really necessary on any normal (i.e. you're on a paved road) trip, even in the most remote corners of civilization. Fuel stops are a good place to stretch your legs and let some blood back into your butt.

A slightly different question for the folks here: how do you dispose of fuel? I have two of those plastic fuel cans in my garage filled with stale gas that I want to empty out. Everyone I've asked said I should just pour it on the ground, but that seems ecologically irresponsible. Ideers?

[bmgibben]

You could burn it, but with gasoline that is a bit dangerous if you cant control it. Why is it "stale"? I didnt think gasoline brokedown over time. But I guess if you really wanted to dispose of it, mixing it with a large amount of dirt or kitty litter with soak it up so if can be thrown away. But then, that only just makes napalm... Hm, hard to say. I still like the "put it in your car and use it" idea, but up to you.

[jonnythan]

A slightly different question for the folks here: how do you dispose of fuel? I have two of those plastic fuel cans in my garage filled with stale gas that I want to empty out. Everyone I've asked said I should just pour it on the ground, but that seems ecologically irresponsible. Ideers?

I asked that last year and did not get a satisfactory answer.

[jonnythan]

So speaking of, does anyone know an inexpensive source for those 1L aluminum bottles? Or any other inexpensive fuel storage container?

I have three that I use for backpacking and would like a couple to keep in my saddlebags, but I'm not too keen on spending ~$15 each.

[dr_bar]

A slightly different question for the folks here: how do you dispose of fuel? I have two of those plastic fuel cans in my garage filled with stale gas that I want to empty out. Everyone I've asked said I should just pour it on the ground, but that seems ecologically irresponsible. Ideers?

I don't know where in Arizona you live, but in Scottsdale they have this site for info...

[cyphecks]

I'm curious, though, where you're going that you need extra fuel for 'longer stretches'? It's not really necessary on any normal (i.e. you're on a paved road) trip, even in the most remote corners of civilization. Fuel stops are a good place to stretch your legs and let some blood back into your butt.

Well I'm planning a very long cross country trip, and though I'm somewhat confident there are enough gas stations in America to get me between each point, I would rather be safe than sorry when crossing long stretches in Idaho and Oregon and Arizona and New Mexico that I'm not familiar with.

[JC Viper]

See if you can find a Jerry can and mount it somewhere on your bike. The Urals don't have any problems carrying extra fuel.

I'll also note that I packed in a gas can (2 Gal. worth) into my saddlebags with the only problem being to distribute the weight a bit more evenly.

[shalihe74]

Why is it "stale"?

Well, it may not be. One gas can is filled with fuel left behind by my home's previous occupant. I have no idea if it is just regular gas, if it has additives in it, etc. The other is filled with some gas that I pumped out of my bike's tank after it had been sitting for 6 months. It may be perfectly fine, but I had a number of folks recommend I pump it out and replace it before starting up my bike, which rather implies that it isn't "good".

Dr_bar: thanks for the site info. Scottsdale is definitely close enough for that info to be useful.

Well I'm planning a very long cross country trip

Fair enough; I was just curious. Probably an easier, and perhaps safer way, to reduce your risk in this case, is to just fill up frequently, even if you don't have to. Cuz, really... how big of a can were you thinking of carrying behind you? There's going to be a trade-off - a small reserve is just going to prolong your out-of-gas agony while a larger one may be unwieldly. Just some thoughts.

[Scoutmedic]

This is what came to mind when you mentioned carrying extra fuel. Kolpin Fuel/Water Packs.

Bit impractical for a bike because of it's size but, interesting idea.