Is there a safe way to pump gasoline into a plastic tank in the bed of a truck?

[5030]

Personally I don't use that much gasoline in cans.
For diesel, my little Ford has about a 5 gallon tank that will keep me moving for about a month or so, perhaps even more. So, a 5 gallon can works well.
My "new to me" CAT probably has a 50 gallon tank. It is a pain to climb up on the tracks and fill the tank. When I was refilling the hydraulic oil, I tied myself to the cab before dumping the bucket. It would be so nice to get a large pickup tank and just drive up to it and start pumping diesel. Plus, I might be able to find off road diesel that would save the fuel taxes. However, it is probably only a short term need, so no need to get a 1000 gallon fixed tank and delivery service.

Go to Harbor Freight and get yourself a couple battery operated transfer pumps, they run on 2 D cell batteries and cost about 12 bucks each. I keep at least 2 in the shop at all times and I run them on Li-Ion D cells from Amazon though HF sells them as well as the chargers. I keep a couple charged up all the time on the shelf just if I need them.

They pump hydraulic oil just fine and gasoline and diesel (if need be as well). They poop out after a wile, usually last me a couple years and I toss them and get a new one. Much less than anything on Amazon btw. They put them on sale every once in a while for like 9 bucks each.

 

[5030]

I buy outdated DEF in 350 gallon totes (it expires and if it freezes, it no good anymore) and I spray it on my hayfields for fertilizer because DEF is Urea and di-ionized water. It's usually around 35% Urea so I cut it 50-50 with water and spray it on. Makes an excellent Foliar Inoculant. Really makes my alfalfa grow. I usually return the empty totes to whomever I get them from as well.

I get the stuff from trucking companies or dealerships where it don't get used up. Problem is, a full tote weighs about 2500 pounds so you need a pretty large tractor with forks to move them around.

Just score a full 350 gallon IBC tote two days ago which is enough to last me this season. Gave the guy 300 bucks for it. 28 Urea is outta sight today and 45 granulated went from 18 a sack to 55 a sack because most of the urea comes from Ukraine and we all know what is happening there. Being a farmer (commercial hay grower) I have to be cheap to make money..

 

[BlueKnife]

I would NEVER pump gasoline into a tank in the bed of a truck. It is a VERY DANGEROUS action to take.

Could you post a link to an article or news story detailing where this was an issue? I haven't been able to find any. Usually when a particular action is very dangerous, it's not hard to find a story about someone being injured or killed because of that action.

 

[DarkBlack]

most of the urea comes from Ukraine and we all know what is happening there.

They’re way down at #18.
USA is at #5

Top countries for Urea Fertilizer Production

Russia Urea Fertilizer Production was up 2.6% in 2019, compared to a year earlier.

www.nationmaster.com

 

[jwmorris]

I have often used the gas tank in a vehicle to transport fuel. I connect a hose to the fuel pressure test port, put the other end of my hose where I want the fuel, then start the engine.

No lifting or extra containers.

Just stop soon enough you can make it back to a station for a refill.

 

[RjCorazza]

I have often used the gas tank in a vehicle to transport fuel. I connect a hose to the fuel pressure test port, put the other end of my hose where I want the fuel, then start the engine.

No lifting or extra containers.

Just stop soon enough you can make it back to a station for a refill.

That sounds interesting...
Do all gasoline engine vehicles have this test port? Do you have a valve on the discharge to start and stop the flow? Inquiring minds need to know.

 

[ultrarunner]

I tapped off my service van 34 gallon tank to fill my generator...

 

[JCoastie]

Go to Harbor Freight and get yourself a couple battery operated transfer pumps, they run on 2 D cell batteries and cost about 12 bucks each.

I use those now, they don't seem to last me long though. I use them for both diesel and gasoline, and I may get 6-8 months out of them, maybe 50 gallons, 5 gal at a time if I'm lucky. They seem to leak fuel between the top and bottom, and then die rapidly after that. Probably had 6 in 3 years, all die the same way. They work, but the life span is frustrating!

 

[5030]

I use those now, they don't seem to last me long though. I use them for both diesel and gasoline, and I may get 6-8 months out of them, maybe 50 gallons, 5 gal at a time if I'm lucky. They seem to leak fuel between the top and bottom, and then die rapidly after that. Probably had 6 in 3 years, all die the same way. They work, but the life span is frustrating!

Try tightening the top where the batteries go to where the tube is real tight. As cheap as they are even I don't expect them to last very long. I get maybe a year of two out of them myself. About 1/3rd the price of the cheapest one on Amazonian.

 

[jwmorris]

That sounds interesting...
Do all gasoline engine vehicles have this test port? Do you have a valve on the discharge to start and stop the flow? Inquiring minds need to know.

All of them do not but many do and it can be added to others.

Most often they are a schrader valve. Open when connected, off when disconnected. Like the valve in your tires.

It is most likely on the feed line in the engine bay.

Something like this.

 

[vallefarm]

Short answer, no, and yes if you use the trucks internal fuel tank. Gas doesn't give you a do over.

 

[aircommuter]

Like they say metal tank with ground or metal sheet in the bed with ground or stick to 5s on the ground. Fueled my airplane for 20 years always connected a ground wire.

 

[5030]

They’re way down at #18.
USA is at #5

Top countries for Urea Fertilizer Production

Russia Urea Fertilizer Production was up 2.6% in 2019, compared to a year earlier.

www.nationmaster.com

It all depends entirely where the entities that are buying it in bulk are having it shipped from. Usually bulk shipped in large ocean going ships and if it's a country where ocean shipping is an issue (like Ukraine for instance, then what they produce and what the actually export are 2 different animals and shipping it in bulk and having to transit the Suez (which is most of it) also becomes an issue so the price increases exponentially.

 

[5030]

I use those now, they don't seem to last me long though. I use them for both diesel and gasoline, and I may get 6-8 months out of them, maybe 50 gallons, 5 gal at a time if I'm lucky. They seem to leak fuel between the top and bottom, and then die rapidly after that. Probably had 6 in 3 years, all die the same way. They work, but the life span is frustrating!

But they are cheap. I tend to get a lot longer life out of mine, usually at least a full year, I must be doing something you guys aren't doing or something. When I'm done with them, I always drain them completely and hang them vertically on a peg in the front shop and I make sure the lower section is quite tight against the upper section and.. I always have a couple on hand, just in case. For the price, especially when on sale, they are quite a bargain.

 

[rlmnky]

First, remember that your vehicle is setting on rubber tires (really good insulators). The ignition source of concern is the spark that might result from the difference in static potential between the fuel container and the pump nozzle. We’ve all experienced this from just sliding across the truck seat on a cold winter day and reaching for the door handle. That spark can ignite the highly volatile gasoline vapor.

For safety purposes, aviation fuel dispensing systems (100LL Avgas) provide a ground wire with a spring clip that is supposed to the connected to the aircraft frame prior to even removing the fuel cap. This connection ensures that the aircraft and fuel nozzle are at the same potential and no static discharge is possible. Since this ground wire isn’t provided at your typical Service Station, the only way to ensure your safety is set the fuel container on the ground or connect your own ground strap between the container and the pump frame. Some of us can get by without it for a lifetime but the risk is there every time we fill up.

In my area there is one chain that will not allow any containers to be filled in the bed of a truck that is not a “fuel tank”. I buy diesel in a 50 gal fuel tank that I slide into the truck as needed (that’s okay with them) and gasoline in a 55 gal metal drum. The metal drum is a hard no-go. Even though I have my own ground strap and I understand how to mitigate the hazard, they’d prefer I take my business down the road. I understand.

 

[bdhsfz6]

At my age, lifting anything into the pickup bed is a hassle.

I bought this electric receiver hitch jack to make it easier to carry my heavy electric bikes.

MoTow Lift

The Motow Lift is often used to transport motorcycles. Images show how you can attach a bike rack to it. Easily attaches to a standard trailer hitch and allows you to raise your bike from

quadrini-usa.com

To carry gas cans, I remove the bike rack from the hitch jack and use a simple cargo carrier. That way, the cans sit on a metal platform which rests on the ground when filling.

The hitch is raised using a cordless drill or with the optional motor, which plugs into the 7 pin trailer connector.

Not a cheap option for just carrying gas cans, but in my case, it serves a dual purpose.

 

[John_Mc]

I have 1 military style can left. I don’t like them very well either. Seals fail often and they rust. I gave away the others. I have several of the plastic cans. I like them.
If there is a real safety concern I would switch back to metal cans though. Now that I opened this one after 2 years, the old fuel stinks! It reminds me of going to the junk yard. I suppose I’ll give this away as well.
View attachment 861805

I like the NATO style metal cans much better. Easier to pour out of - even without the optional spout.

 

[John_Mc]

Never seen them before. They look cool! Appears to be plastic. Good post, thanks.
View attachment 862582
*edit-Stainless steel too! Food grade o rings for seals. Very cool!
View attachment 862583

The best ones are metal. Here is one of the original manufacturers. There are others out there selling cheaper cans, but they are significantly lighter gauge metal and don't hold up as well.

Wavian Fuel Cans | Wavian Jerry Cans | NATO Jerry Cans

Swiss Link is proud to offer Wavian fuel cans on our website. To keep your reserve fuel safe, you’ll need one of these top-of-the-line jerry cans.

wavianusa.com

 

[Lavender Valley]

I'm currently using 5 gal poly fuel cans for gas and diesel and put them on the ground when I fill them.

I'm contemplating going up to 10 or 15 gallon cans, and I know they make 50+ gallon poly tanks with pump that have fork slots in them. All those sizes pose a problem getting back into the truck when full at the gas station.
Is it safe to fill those larger tanks in the bed of a truck? Gasoline especially since I use more of that than diesel. If so, do any special precautions need to be taken?
I have a spray in bed liner in my truck if it matters.

Here in New Zealand, all fuel outlets require the fuel nozzle to be earthed through the hose as a lot of new cars have plastic fuel tanks so along as you touch the nozzle to the tank you should not have any issues.

 

[scaredychicken]

and again I learn something new. I've always been taught and filled jerry cans from the ground.

but the grounding / static straps is a new idea to me, I'll need to look for them. thanks.

i guess that they are a similar idea to the straps put on vehicles to prevent motion sickness.