Jerry Cans and Jerry Can Holders: What Makes Them Valuable Purchases?

If you regularly do any type of caravanning or off roading, or you’re a tradie with a truckload of power tools, then you know how important it is to keep a full jerry can or two with you at all times.

Whether it’s to top off a generator or a dirt bike when you’re in the bush, or to fill up a cut-off saw or a lawn mower on a jobsite, jerry cans let you transport fuel wherever you need to go. When you find yourself about to run out of fuel in the one town that doesn’t have a servo, a full jerry can is going to feel like it’s worth its weight in gold. 

Proper jerry can storage and transport shouldn’t be taken for granted, though. Australian Standard AS1940 classifies most types of diesel fuel as combustible liquids, and petrol as a flammable. It means that you need jerry can restraints that are up to the job.

Real Safety with Aluminium Jerry Can Restraints

Let’s be honest: as common as jerry cans are for all types of uses, they pose a genuine transportation concern. Their contents are overwhelmingly classed as Dangerous Goods; and while the containers themselves need to comply with Australian Standards, high quality, full seam welded jerry can holders are the ideal solution for safeguarding them, your vehicle, and the public from any undue risks.

A sturdy, aluminium jerry can holder made from either 2.5mm flat or checker plate stock is the ideal portable restraint that can be welded, or bolted onto any horizontal or vertical surface. Unlike bent steel holders that leave jerry cans dangerously unprotected and free to bounce around, full-sided aluminium holders give you all the advantages of:

·   Light weight. At only 2.2kg, top loading aluminium holders weigh less than front or side opening steel jerry can bracket holders, and aren’t prone to twisting or misshaping.

·   Solid construction. Heavy duty construction that includes inside and outside welding, full back plating, and cutout surfaces provide maximum protection against impact and theft.

·   Weather resistance. Aluminium holders won’t rust, and optional black or white powder coating give them added corrosion resistance they need to stand up under any environment.

With a premium grade 20l jerry can holder, as long as you’re in compliance with Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADGC) regulations for not transporting more than 250ltrs of petrol at once, you can safely transport your extra fuel anywhere you go. And when it comes to your mounting alternatives, aluminium holders give you more options than any other style of restraint on the market.

Ideal Jerry Can Restraint Mounting Locations  

Although transporting extra fuel inside your truck, RV, or caravan may not be expressly prohibited in any state, the danger from built up fumes and unintended spillage are all too evident. And the inconvenience of wrestling with 20kg jerry cans overhead notwithstanding, strapping them to roof racks risks altering your vehicle’s centre of gravity and an increased likelihood of a container being impacted or coming loose in the event of an accident or a rollover.

A well-built jerry can holder not only lets you mount it safely to the outside of your vehicle, but it also gives you the flexibility to choose a location that lets you have convenient access, including:

·   Onto RV or 4×4 rear bumpers;

·   Along trailer or caravan drawbars;

·   Above or below canopy trays;

·   Inside pickup tubs; and,

·   Along running boards.

Ultimately, you can securely mount a 4×4 jerry can holder anywhere that it would be reasonably protected from impact and won’t invalidate your vehicle’s ADR (Australian Design Regulation) compliance. They can’t be mounted or utilized in a manner that would:

·   Obscure visibility to your vehicle’s number plates or lights;

·   Extend beyond your vehicle’s maximum allowable overhang; or,

·   Exceed the maximum allowable weight for your vehicle, or any individual vehicle component.

Their standard size and universal compatibility with other accessories also make them naturally good looking complements for any trailer or vehicle. With multiple jerry can carriers installed, you can safely transport as many liquids as you need, anytime you need. 

Know Your Jerry Can Containers

Safety is the primary concern whenever dangerous liquids are transported. And that’s why the only thing more important than the manufacturing and placement of jerry can holders are the regulations covering the jerry cans themselves.

The design and construction of portable plastic and metal jerry cans on the Australian market in capacities up to 25l are regulated by AS2906-2001. 20l jerry cans are regarded as having the optimal dimensions and capacity for recreational and off road use, making 20l jerry can holders the most common size of all container restraints. Crucially, you need to remember that your choice of containers is just as important as your choice of holders.

Only AS-certified jerry cans and containers that are appropriately colour designated should ever be used for portable storage. It’s the standard method of identification that prevents fuels from being inadvertently commingled, as well as gives first responders the ability to instantly recognize which liquids are present in the event of an accident.

Among the most common jerry can colours, you’ll find: 

·   Olive yellow – Diesel

·   Red – Petrol

·   Orange – Ethanol

·   Powder blue – Kerosene

·   White – Water

And not only do you want to be aware of these distinctions when looking at jerry cans and jerry can holders for sale, you also want to be mindful of simple transport and storage practices that’ll let you get the safest, and most beneficial use from both.

Handling Your Jerry Cans Safely

The guidance and oversight that goes into the construction of jerry cans and 4×4 jerry can holders are indicators of just how seriously the handling of dangerous liquids has to be taken. And even with the best restraints and containers, there a few basic precautions that need to be followed at all times:

·   Never overfill jerry cans. All fuels expand when temperatures rise. And although jerry cans are designed to either vent or expand, you never want to fill one above 95%.

·   Always fill jerry cans on the ground. Filling jerry cans on the ground not only prevents spilling fuel on your canopy, can holder, and probably yourself, but it decreases the likelihood of static discharge.

·   Wipe your jerry cans down after filling. Wiping your jerry cans down after filling reduces the risk of either residual or vapor ignition. This is an especially important consideration with Class 3 flammables like petrol and ethanol.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, regardless of whether it’s for work or play, you can cover a lot of distance and get a lot of things accomplished when you have a couple of jerry cans available to keep you going. When it comes to safely handling them though, there aren’t any shortcuts. 

The AS2906-2001 compliant jerry cans and the suitable full seam welded holders are what you need to store and transport your fuels and other liquids safely. They’ll give you the heavy-duty peace of mind that you want when you’re handling dangerous liquids, one that’s both legal and affordable.