Is a Poly Drum legal for fuel?

[Inspector507]

I've been looking for an economical way to get 25-35 gallons of diesel to the house. Tired of using the 5 gallon can. 25-35 gallons will last me all summer and possibly the winter too. Of course I'd use an additive and filters and what not.
My question is............can you legally transport 35 gallons of diesel in a poly drum? Or does it have to be in a metal tank? A generic drum bought at any barrel recycler will work, but I want to know if I can get into trouble hauling it?
The smallest metal tank I have seen locally is probably 50 gallons and approx. $200+. I can get empty drums/barrels for a whole lot less than that.
I've searched the US DOT site, the Ohio DOT site, the EPA site, the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code. Found nothing that answers my questions.
Anyone have any ideas?

[shoppintractors]

www.overtons.com sells the "Diesel Caddy" made from polyethylene.

See attachment

Don

[Darren]

I've been stopped when I had 30 gal of diesel in 5 gal red cans. If I'd have had gasoline instead of diesel I would have been in violation of New Jersey law. Another time I was stopped with a five hundred gallon lube oil tank in the back that I was using to haul diesel. In that instance the cops including a DOT inspector didn't even look twice at the tank. They were more interested in the fact I appeared not to have a fire extinguisher.

Many times I've had three or four 55 gal. steel barrels filled with diesel. I prefer those over the poly because I seem to be able to get the bungs tighter on the metal barrels. I've had polys leak. The point is I doubt any cop will know what you have much less what the law is. A lot of folks carry a tank for off road diesel so I doubt anyone will get excited over your drum.

[Inspector507]

Right now I have to drive maybe 5-6 miles by Interstate to get diesel. May be farther if I find a supplier of off-road.

[oliver28472]

I got two 30 gallon farm chemical barrels, washed them out real good and let them dry. Still had to tape some folded up paper towels to a plastic tomato stake to get a few remaining drops. Had an barrel pump for motor oil laying around. It has a spout threaded for a garden hose. Zero cost except for the diesel. Strapped to pickup bed (front) while hauling. Bought offroad.

[Von]

I fill a 35gal. poly drum in the back of my caravan and have never been told at the station that I could not do it. I think you will be fine with so little amount of fuel.

[Junkman]

I doubt that you would get hassled unless you were involved in an accident and the plastic barrel ruptured or overturned. The rules about carrying fuel, oxygen, acetylene, propane, etc. are very vague unless you have someone that is very knowledgeable involved in the stop. I believe that you have to have the proper placard on the vehicle to "technically" be legal. I have never had anyone question it when I pick up tanks at the supplier, but my neighbor was stopped for having a half dozen propane tanks in the back of his pick up. After about an hour of wrangling whether it was legal or not, it was determined that it was OK because they were strapped down and not in an enclosed truck. It took a call to the State Fire Marshall's office to determine this. If I was in your situation, I would just do it. I won't tell if you don't.... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[rswyan]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My question is............can you legally transport 35 gallons of diesel in a poly drum? Or does it have to be in a metal tank? A generic drum bought at any barrel recycler will work, but I want to know if I can get into trouble hauling it?
)</font>

I have a 55 gallon metal drum that I strap to my carryall and then drive the tractor down to the local gas station which is about a 1/4 mile away. So far no hassles from the police and no comments from the station manager (like 'hey - you can't do that !') I did paint it bright yellow [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The smallest metal tank I have seen locally is probably 50 gallons and approx. $200+. I can get empty drums/barrels for a whole lot less than that. )</font>

I think I paid $15 for the drum at a local fuel distributor. I felt a little safer using steel than with plastic. I'm in NorthEast Ohio BTW.

[jwstewar]

If you find some place that has barrels this size let me know. I've been looking for one myself. I hate carrying the plastic can. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[Inspector507]

Jim,
There's a plastic barrel/drum recycler in town. I have yet to make it down there, but will soon.