Plastic Gas containers and Plastic liners in Pickups?

4570Man · Dec 29, 2019

stuckmotor said:
I've wondered why the hose on the off road diesel pump that I frequent is too short to reach a container in the bed of my pick up. Now, I think I know.

Diesel won’t ignite like that. Locally the truck station has hoses that are probably 20 feet. Everyone fills tanks in the back of their truck. How else are you going to fill a tank that holds 50 gallons or more?

Industrial Toys · Dec 29, 2019

So legally, I won't be able to fill my generator? I guess a ground cable wouldn't be understood? Does that even apply to Diesel?

Threepoint · Dec 29, 2019

This thread started out about filling portable plastic (HDPE) fuel containers, typically 5 gal, sometimes 6. The discussion has morphed a bit, with some confusion. There's no problem filling a DOT-certified metal transfer tank that is properly mounted in the pickup bed. I think that's what Iman and Paystar referred to.

Industrial Toys, your generator project sounds interesting. Will the generator be a semi-permanent, on-board installation? If so, couldn't you run it directly off a small DOT-certified in-bed transfer tank? :scratchchin:

Something I've been curious about are the plastic "fuel caddies" that hold from 14 up to 25 gallons, like these:
Fuel Caddies + Gas Caddies | Northern Tool + Equipment

How the heck do you get the fuel into these things and back to the home or farm in the first place, if you can't fuel them in the bed of the truck? :shocked: Seems like it would take two or three strong guys to lift them without equipment.

Industrial Toys · Dec 29, 2019

It's just that I will have the machine on board, going to a friends for fuel lines and fittings. So, I rather fill up the possibly 100 litre or so tank at the gas station which is cheaper than either of my delivered fuel. Also, I have a low fuel float switch and am curious at what level it operates. I don't trust my fuel meters.

zzvyb6 · Dec 29, 2019

Gasoline fumes are heavier than air, so they collect on the ground near the spill, overflow, and tank vent.

tguy · Dec 30, 2019

RANDYT said:
The tires are conductive to ground due to the carbon content.

I appreciate the comments, but I dont remember this being a big issue until bed liners came in vogue. If the liner is causing the problems, why can't the liner be impregnated with conductive material- wouldn't that solve the problem. Or place mesh wire in the bed and connect to the truck frame?

DarkBlack · Dec 30, 2019

I see plenty of people filling up ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles that are sitting in their plastic bed liners. Have not seen an explosion yet....

RalphVa · Dec 30, 2019

Butane in gasoline would evolve when the gasoline is being pumped. He probably had a small pool of it below the truck from having fueled his truck first. Then a static charge ignited the evolved butane into the bed of his truck, and that ignited the pool underneath the truck. He was really asking for it with the containers in the bed with the gate closed and all. Butane (and propane) is heavier than air and pools. All it needs is a tiny bit of spark to set it off at the edges of the pool where it probably has the right mixture of fuel/air.

Ralph

RalphVa · Dec 30, 2019

tguy said:
I appreciate the comments, but I dont remember this being a big issue until bed liners came in vogue. If the liner is causing the problems, why can't the liner be impregnated with conductive material- wouldn't that solve the problem. Or place mesh wire in the bed and connect to the truck frame?

Better to take them out of the bed irregardless of whether you think you've grounded all static sources. Having them on the ground while fueling (gasoline) will help to dissipate the butane "pool".

Considerably less likely to have a problem with diesel. Diesel never has enough vapors to create a combustible fuel/air mix.

Ralph