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.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[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 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

</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. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Inspector507]

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

 

[SageBrush]

Around here you can get a ticket for an unapproved plastic fuel container if you put it in clear view. Usually, you'll get a warning first. Kinda stupid, considering the fact plastic fuel containers are sold almost every where. I've never seen an "approved" metal drum, but they seem to be ok to the people i've dealt with. I can't use metal drums on construction sites because of the lack of UL labels. Yet, you can purchase fuel by the drum at my local oil company. Go Figure.

All my work (commercial) tanks must have a UL number to be legal, but for personal use those 55 gallon metal drums work great and the chance of someone having a problem with it is not great in a personal truck. I've hauled 4 at a time for personal use around NC, GA and AL with no problems. But maybe I wasn't noticed. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[DiskDoctr]

A "plan ahead" note for everyone looking to use large containers such as 55 gal drums for fuel...

Think about how you are going to unload it from your vehicle. It will be very heavy! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also, a good hand pump is a must...

I used to use a steel drum in back of pickup truck, then use a strap and FEL (full sized backhoe, so lift distance and weight no problem) to remove it.

One last point is to make sure to secure your container in the transport vehicle, and not to fill it completely full (always left it about 3-4 inches below top).

-JC

 

[Inspector507]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Nobody has said it yet, so I will: "It is unlawful to dispense fuel into an unapproved containter . . . " That is actually written on the side of most fuel cans.

So is what you want to do legal? No.

Will you get in trouble for it? Unlikely.

If you are doing it for personal use it is probably not an issue.

If you are doing it for commercial use your insurance will probably drop your policy.

 

[Phred]

Ok Bob I hear what your saying, but...

It would be very hard to prove my 55 gallon poly drum is a hazzard.
Its made out of HDPE. Look at the bottom of the "approved" container....also HDPE.
The drum I use is much thicker HDPE. And in my case at least I have an approved cap, basically one of those the spring loaded caps that are used on the metal pickup truck tanks.
I thread it into one bung and seal the other bung.....
so in the unlikely event of an accident I feel comfortable.

The drum I use is even blue, and since off road diesel and keronse are basically the same thing.......

Fred

 

[dixiedrifter]

I wouldn't be worried about the container.. it would be if it ever spilled or ruptured.

The way the EPA is on stuff nowadays who knows how much the cleanup cost would be.

 

[WilliamBos]

Hi,

Not sre about the rules up here either. I am going to have to try it out and see. But if those gas barons and the governemnt want and require fiberglass or a poly type underground tank for gas stations, then we should be aloud to use them too!!

Take care

Will

 

[SheriffSRB]

Maybe it is just Georgia....but here is my 2 cents worth. I have been a cop in Northeast Ga for 27 years. I have yet to see any enforcement action taken for transporting fuel UNLESS their was an accident or spill....then, the State will usually take whatever action is taken. I have 65 employees and in the 12 years I have been the boss I havn't seen a single ticket for fuel transporting. I have seen folks fined for spilling it....dumping it, etc.....
Around here, just get the stuff home and don't spill it everywhere and no one will care....

 

[Inspector507]

That may just be the way I go.....take it easy and play the "dumb homeowner" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Besides, they transport hazardous and corrosive chemicals in those things....