Stupid question from a newb?

[SiberianPatrol]

I'm getting prepped for a long trek on the winter roads here (Siberia) in about 3 weeks time. The GU is shaping up well, but the one problem I'm running into is the extra fuel I'll need to carry. I don't have a rear bumper with Jerry can holders, nor do I have a roof rack, nor do I have a sub tank.

Question is, how can I best carry the needed fuel without these options? I need about another 50L of diesel to make it up the last stretch of road before the next stop. Can I just put the Jerry cans in the cargo bay or is that hazardous? Should I just put out the coin for a roof rack (about $500) or a 50L sub tank (about $1200 with install and plumbing)?

Any advice welcome as this is my first long haul with my GU.

[the evil twin]

The most versatile solution would be a roof rack IMHO.

Mind you my total experience of Siberia Travel is a few episodes of National Geographic TV etc on logging over the ice roads

[jay see]

From my understanding carrying diesel in the cargo area is safer than petrol.
Sub tank, you should be able to get a 75 or 80 tank. The original one is 30 litres.

I'm sure some of the other knowledgeable people on here will correct me if wrong and point you in the Right direction.

[threedogs]

Id be taking 3 jerry cans in the cargo or passenger area, Dolium sell a diesel tank that would fit across
the passenger foot well, keeping the centre of gravity down low, . Not too pricey either.
Rip out one of the rear seats if not required and make a platform using the OE bolt holes.
Ive done that and put my Engel there.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4WD-DIESEL-TANK-DPRV80L-LONG-DIESEL-TANK-4X4-TANK-LONG-RANGE-FUEL-TANK-/261887941626?hash=item3cf9bcdbfa:m:mppXK6AOnAMJQt4 fLBDeYBQ

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Poly-Diesel-Tank-Footwell-/121715686054?hash=item1c56d1faa6:g:MrEAAOSwgQ9VuCg t

Carrying the fuel up top is a little dangerous making you top heavy.
Un sure of terrain you'll be tackling

[SiberianPatrol]

From my understanding carrying diesel in the cargo area is safer than petrol.
Sub tank, you should be able to get a 75 or 80 tank. The original one is 30 litres.

I'm sure some of the other knowledgeable people on here will correct me if wrong and point you in the Right direction.

I don't have any kind of sub tank at all. It's a European model troll so only a couple of packages came with a sub. I can get a 50L after market for ~$1100 or the ARB 70L for ~$1600. Problem is time right now. It would take 2 weeks to order the ARB, then I don't know how quickly a shop could get it installed for me. I'm leaving out in 3 weeks time.

[AB]

I don't have any kind of sub tank at all. It's a European model troll so only a couple of packages came with a sub. I can get a 50L after market for ~$1100 or the ARB 70L for ~$1600. Problem is time right now. It would take 2 weeks to order the ARB, then I don't know how quickly a shop could get it installed for me. I'm leaving out in 3 weeks time. it looks like time is not on your side.

If you can justify using a roof rack for other things then go the rack for sure.

[SiberianPatrol]

Id be taking 3 jerry cans in the cargo or passenger area, Dolium sell a diesel tank that would fit across
the passenger foot well, keeping the centre of gravity down low, . Not too pricey either.
Rip out one of the rear seats if not required and make a platform using the OE bolt holes.
Ive done that and put my Engel there.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4WD-DIESEL-TANK-DPRV80L-LONG-DIESEL-TANK-4X4-TANK-LONG-RANGE-FUEL-TANK-/261887941626?hash=item3cf9bcdbfa:m:mppXK6AOnAMJQt4 fLBDeYBQ

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Poly-Diesel-Tank-Footwell-/121715686054?hash=item1c56d1faa6:g:MrEAAOSwgQ9VuCg t

Carrying the fuel up top is a little dangerous making you top heavy.
Un sure of terrain you'll be tackling

Terrain shouldn't be too rugged. Some hills and moderate inclines, but no major off-roading. It will be slow crawling along through the woods. I'll be loaded with other gear as well, so I may just throw in the jerry cans in the cab and keep the COG low.

Just wanted to make sure it wasn't dangerous to carry the cans inside the cab.

[SiberianPatrol]

it looks like time is not on your side.

If you can justify using a roof rack for other things then go the rack for sure.

Yes, time is running short. The GU has been in many different shops since June getting it prepped. Thought I was done, but found out that my rear wheel wells where about rusted out - holes almost into the cab, thus requiring some major bodywork. Should be getting it back today from the panel beaters.

[taslucas]

Are you travelling with anyone else that has roof rack room you could borrow?

tappin from tassie

[threedogs]

As above maybe share the load around.

[SiberianPatrol]

Are you travelling with anyone else that has roof rack room you could borrow?

tappin from tassie


As above maybe share the load around.

Yes. There is another vehicle going with a rack. We will both be loaded heavy with supplies for our destination. We are already sharing a lot of the load, I just figured to carry my own fuel.


1999 GU RD28Ti; mechanical injector pump, 5kBt Webasto circulation heater, 33" Yokohama Geolander I/T, SaaS boost & EGT gauges, 2" Ironman suspension...more to come

[threedogs]

Is a sturdy trailer an option or no good??

[SiberianPatrol]

Is a sturdy trailer an option or no good??

Not on the ice road. There's enough inclines to make it too slippery and dangerous to take a trailer.


1999 GU RD28Ti; mechanical injector pump, 5kBt Webasto circulation heater, 33" Yokohama Geolander I/T, SaaS boost & EGT gauges, 2" Ironman suspension...more to come

[taslucas]

Well whatever you end up doing, take plenty of photos because I'd love to see! Sounds like it's world's away from what I'll ever see here.

tappin from tassie

[SiberianPatrol]

Well whatever you end up doing, take plenty of photos because I'd love to see! Sounds like it's world's away from what I'll ever see here.

tappin from tassie

For sure. Photos and video to come once I get back


1999 GU RD28Ti; mechanical injector pump, 5kBt Webasto circulation heater, 33" Yokohama Geolander I/T, SaaS boost & EGT gauges, 2" Ironman suspension...more to come

[Bigcol]

depending on what you are already going to carry........
get the roof bars / roof rack
put no essentials up there for the moment
get your 3 or 4 jerry cans inside
once you have emptied them, swap them for stuff on the roof....

empty cans will weigh less........

[AB]

I would have no hesitation in putting 2 jerry cans on the roof rack being 50kg weight by the sounds of your trip conditions.

Centre of gravity etc etc but it sounds like your not rock climbing up 45 degree off camber tracks.

I would also not hesitate in putting diesel jerry cans in the back of my car and have done so before.

Thousands of people sit on top of a petrol tank inside the cab of their FJ.

[Rossco]

I wouldn't have any issues putting a couple of jerries in the car, can just get a bit stinky but diesel isn't too bad.

Have fun sounds like a good trip, look forward to seeing some photos.

[jay see]

If you go with the jerry cans, just remember to let them breathe so they don't explode.

[SiberianPatrol]

If you go with the jerry cans, just remember to let them breathe so they don't explode.

Meaning periodically crack them open? Don't the can usually have their own venting? I didn't think diesel was at risk to explode like petrol is.


1999 GU RD28Ti; mechanical injector pump, 5kBt Webasto circulation heater, 33" Yokohama Geolander I/T, SaaS boost & EGT gauges, 2" Ironman suspension...more to come

[the evil twin]

Meaning periodically crack them open? Don't the can usually have their own venting? I didn't think diesel was at risk to explode like petrol is.


1999 GU RD28Ti; mechanical injector pump, 5kBt Webasto circulation heater, 33" Yokohama Geolander I/T, SaaS boost & EGT gauges, 2" Ironman suspension...more to come

I think he means burst... as in the Jerry Can bursting.
Most Jerry's will be sealed so they don't breathe in condensates or expel fumes
Don't overfill them and you will be OK.
Here in Oz most cans are 20 litre but there is an approx 10% air pocket left by design.
If you put only the correct amount of fuel in then the air gap greatly reduces any threat of bursting the seam or blowing a cap off

[SiberianPatrol]

I think he means burst... as in the Jerry Can bursting.
Most Jerry's will be sealed so they don't breathe in condensates or expel fumes
Don't overfill them and you will be OK.
Here in Oz most cans are 20 litre but there is an approx 10% air pocket left by design.
If you put only the correct amount of fuel in then the air gap greatly reduces any threat of bursting the seam or blowing a cap off

We have the 20L cans as well. I'll grab a couple and make sure not to overfill.


1999 GU RD28Ti; mechanical injector pump, 5kBt Webasto circulation heater, 33" Yokohama Geolander I/T, SaaS boost & EGT gauges, 2" Ironman suspension...more to come

[taslucas]

I'm guessing the air temperature will be pretty cold, even inside the car? I wouldn't think there'd be any risk of exploding at all.
If you've got 50 litres then it's probably only about a day or two before it will fit into the tank anyway?

tappin from tassie

[threedogs]

Yo Matt do you need to cover the grill to try and get some heat into the motor.
Moving it must be colder than just standing still.

[SiberianPatrol]

I'm guessing the air temperature will be pretty cold, even inside the car? I wouldn't think there'd be any risk of exploding at all.
If you've got 50 litres then it's probably only about a day or two before it will fit into the tank anyway?

tappin from tassie

Can should stay warm enough but there will be a definite temperature difference between the front seats and the cargo area. I had extra insulation installed, so it should be better. Either way, it's not going to be hot where the tanks will be stored.

[SiberianPatrol]

Yo Matt do you need to cover the grill to try and get some heat into the motor.
Moving it must be colder than just standing still.

I thought of that. A lot of vehicles here do block of the radiator with cardboard or foil. I'll probably put something up and watch the pyro gauge closely. I've only had petrol vehicles before and never did it, but I know the diesel doesn't generate as much heat as the petrol engine.