Filling fuel cans on vehicle

[ancientlake]

I hate taking cans off the truck, filling them on the ground, and then hoisting them back up. Is it really that dangerous to fill cans (gas or diesel) while they are in the bed of a pickup? Opinions please...
Chris

[Inspector507]

Diesel might be safely filled in the bed, but I won't do it with gasoline. The tires sort of insulate the vehicle from the ground. All fuel containers should be placed on the ground in case of a static spark.

[Wayne County Hose]

If you are using a plastic container, fill it wherever you like. The plastic cans are non-conductive and therefore will not produce a static charge. You can fill a metal can in the bed if you are careful. Even filling a metal can on the ground, I touch the fill nozzle to the can before I start the pump. Do the same in the p/up bed. If you have a plastic bed liner, the can is insulated from the vehicle anyway.

[groundcover]

Don't do it !! ( Diesel maybe but not gas !)

YouTube - surveillance cam footage of truck catching fire

[IXLR8]

If static is your concern, then a 10ft wire with strong clips to go between your fuel can and the pump should take care of things, before you lift the nozzle from the pump. Might make the station attendant nervous.. but it would be your safest bet if you wanted to leave the can on your truck. If you have multiple can's, make sure they are all tied together, electrically, and to the pump before you start.

[Inspector507]

Hazard

There have been several serious accidents associated with fires spontaneously igniting when people were filling portable gas cans in the backs of pickup trucks equipped with plastic liners or in cars with carpet surfaces.
Cause

These spontaneous fires result from the buildup of static electricity. The insulating effect of the truck bed liner or car carpet prevents the static charge generated by gasoline flowing into the container or other sources from grounding. The discharge of this buildup to the grounded gasoline dispenser nozzle may cause a spark and ignite the gasoline. Both ungrounded metal (most hazardous) and plastic gas containers have been involved in these accidents.

[vettemanwight]

Wayne County Hose you are definately WRONG !!!!!! I know from personal experience that a plastic bed liner is what causes the static spark !!!!!! I filled my gas cans in the back of my truck like usual. Well 2 years ago I was filling them and I filled one and went to the other on and luckily I wasnt in a hurry and I looked at the can well it had flames in the can and the nozzel!!!!!!!!!! lucky for me I didnt squeeze the handle or I may not be here today !!!! So diesel cans can be filled in bed of truck with plastic bed liners but gasoline cans should NEVER be filled in a truck with a plastic liner !!!! I also always thought the warnings at the gas stations were BS !!!! V

[Seanachie]

Yup, you're wrong alright. I've responded as a paramedic to a couple of fatalities when somebody though their non-conductive plastic can would make it OK to fill a gas can on the bed of a truck.

Don't do it.

[Wayne County Hose]

Ummm...This is why I said that even filling on the ground, I touch the nozzle to the can before turning on the pump. It doesn't matter at that point if the can is on the ground, bed, or moon, both objects have the same ground.

It's real easy to point a finger, read a label, and say you're wrong. I have a degree in electronics and know that when 2 objects make contact, it doesn't matter where they are, they share the same ground.

[Wayne County Hose]

Originally Posted by groundcover

Don't do it !! ( Diesel maybe but not gas !)

YouTube - surveillance cam footage of truck catching fire

You have got to be kidding me. The guy was spraying fuel all over the place. He did not have a bedliner. The fuel he sprayed all over ran down the bed, thru the drain holes, and ignited on the hot exhaust. Sorry, he deserved to burn.