BajaNomad

Carrying Spare Fuel in Baja

synch - 10-11-2004 at 11:16 AM

Taco de Baja wrote:

That's why I ALWAYS have 5 -10 gallons in a jerry can (dependent on travel location) . Thus, I can get to the next sation, or the US, if needed


I don't have the ability to carry a 5-10 gallon container outside my SUV and know it is prudent to have extra fuel in baja.
Can you recommend a fuel container which won't fill my car with fumes?

Thanks

jeans - 10-11-2004 at 11:31 AM

I would not want to carry fuel inside a vehicle....too dangerous. I'd suggest you consider getting a roof rack. Much safer...

I carry mine on the back doors of my camper and worry about being hit from behind. I would rather have them up top.

They sure came in handy when I was alone and Villa Jesus Maria was closed!

Taco de Baja - 10-11-2004 at 01:50 PM

Check out NATO style cans, they do not leak (web search for "NATO jerry cans")

Here is a mounting suggestion :


Sure hope you are not in California

Hook - 10-11-2004 at 02:11 PM

It's become next to impossible to find gas cans that can easily refuel a vehicle. I stock up in AZ when I'm passing thru.

jeans - 10-11-2004 at 03:22 PM

A while back someone suggested this little siphon hose. I bought a couple and they are the handiest things around. Put those cans up top and siphon down with this. You can easily put a longer hose on it, if necessary. Cheap at twice the price!

http://www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com/super_siphon.htm

There are many areas in Baja

jrbaja - 10-11-2004 at 04:58 PM

that you would have to take the cans off the roof to be able to pass. About as much fun as re-airing tires!
Mercado del Mar, about 2 miles south of Rosarito sells the siphon hoses for about 10 bucks. Some of the ends are copper and some of the ends are plastic. Haven't tried the plastic ones.
It is some fun teaching people that are used to siphoning that no sucking is necessary. You should see the look in their eyes ! Like mine when I learned of them.:lol:
There are some really good plastic tanks that won't smell up your car but depends on what kind of car as to where you can put it. Especially if you smoke !:light:

TMW - 10-11-2004 at 04:59 PM

Taco de Baja, you either need bigger tires or those Nato cans are really heavy.

bufeo - 10-11-2004 at 05:05 PM

I took the step of installing an extra tank in the bed of my pickup. TransferFlow in Chico, CA, makes models for many vehicles. They're not cheap, but it takes all the headaches out of my trips. Eighty-eight gallons @ 18 mpg take us a long way.

I don't get to visit this Board often, so please accept apologies if I don't answer U2U msgs quickly.

Off ma?ana to Punta Bufeo.

pappy - 10-11-2004 at 05:54 PM

interesting that a couple of times while entering Baja, i was told that i could not enter with extra gas cans(full of course)OK if they are empty.anyone else have this happen?:?:

Oso - 10-11-2004 at 06:25 PM

Pappy, yes it's the law. However, I wonder how much attention they are paying now, since two things happened. 1) Pemex "equalized" Prices along the border zone to keep Mexicans from crossing to buy gas in the U.S., Then 2) U.S. prices climbed so high that current prices are roughly equal on both sides (except, of course, for the crooked pump factor) At this point, it's hardly worth the trouble to try to take full cans across, since you won't save much and you open yourself to "the bite". Best to cross with full tank, empty cans, then fill cans at first Pemex you see.

David K - 10-11-2004 at 06:56 PM

At Tecate, going south, got the red light... The guy checked to be certain my red plastic gas can was empty (it was) and then opened and smelled inside my BLUE water jug!!! HONEST!

Hey gasoline in San Diego County is the nation's highest (except Hawaii). I just paid $2.439 for regular at Shell in Oceanside. Gas is a LOT cheaper (now) in Baja!

Pappy Jon - 10-11-2004 at 09:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by grover
I'm going to look into an auxilliary fuel tank for my Toyota.


I've had auxilliary tanks in all three of the Toyota trucks I've owned. It's the only way to go, though I did have an extra 5 gallons on the rear rack of one. Let's see ... 17 gallon stock tank + 14 gallon aux + 5 gallons on the rack ... all run through a 4 cyl engine = a real long way without suffering gas anxiety.

pappy - 10-11-2004 at 09:36 PM

yeah, they said it was the law(why then, about three years ago, after doing so for so many years?)anyway, i have been through many times since without any gas can hassles-just another one of those on again-off again ordeals one must be aware of and prepared for.:yes:

I've got a roof rack

synch - 10-11-2004 at 10:53 PM

But am hesitant to lay the fuel can down if it might leak (fuel expands when hot).

I could lash it well to secure it while driving, but fear it to burglary at night. Do others remove when they stay in motels along the way?

Anybody seen these unleaded Jerry can spouts?
Jerry can spout for UNleaded fuel *click here*

Looks cool!


[Edited on 10-12-2004 by synch]

[Edited on 10-12-2004 by synch]

jeans - 10-11-2004 at 11:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by synch
But am hesitant to lay the fuel can down if it might leak (fuel expands when hot).

I could lash it well to secure it while driving, but fear it to burglary at night. Do others remove when they stay in motels along the way?

Anybody seen these unleaded Jerry can spouts?
Looks cool!


I can't see the jerry cans you are talking about up top. I've seen shorter, wider red plastic ones.

I've had two of those spouts. Both leaked like a sieve, (not seating tightly) on both of my gas cans. That is why I was so thrilled with the siphon hose. Plus, hoisting a full 20 litre can upside down to pour is darn heavy for a dainty little thing like myself :lol: With the hose, I can just rest the can on the tire and let 'er drain.

I never took them off the truck when I stayed in a motel.



[Edited on 10-12-2004 by jeans]

Taco de Baja - 10-12-2004 at 07:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
Taco de Baja, you either need bigger tires or those Nato cans are really heavy.


Actually I have a Tacoma, hence my name Taco de Baja:lol:. I carry my cans in the back.
I just posted that picture to show how NATO cans can be mounted. Personally I dont like the idea of that much weight on top in a small area....but I would not like smelling gas in an SUV either.....:barf:

Question for those in the know

Taco de Baja - 10-12-2004 at 07:57 AM

If it is illegal to bring full jerry cans across the border, what do they do to you if they find some?

I would suspect that they would not pour it down the drain....but who knows.
Since I usually top off at the last station on the US side, there is no way I could use it.....So do they take if for 'evidence' when they take you to court. do you pay mordida?

I have never been questioned about it, and never knew it was illegal.

If it's anything like my daughters grapes,

jrbaja - 10-12-2004 at 09:05 AM

they will pour it right into their own vehicles hahahahahahahaha

Tanks a lot!

synch - 10-12-2004 at 01:12 PM

The Nato cans are the green ones on the roof rack of the Land Rover.

I'm just worried that laying any fuel container on the roof will expose it to the sun and cause it to expand, possibly leading to leaks.

The link was an Ebay ad for the spout where the seller made a point that standard Nato spouts would not fit the smaller Unleaded fuel nozzles.
My tank has an interior flap end in the fuel tank nozzle and unless the spout is inserted to open this flap the fuel doesn't flow to the tank very fast, quite probably overspilling.

pappy - 10-12-2004 at 05:25 PM

Taco-
my experience was that they let me go after they explained that it was no good and against the law-both times.(i have to admit they were in an easy to see spot)as you know, i now make sure they are relatively burried amongst all the other crap in the back of my truck.the first few times after the warning, i carried them in empty then filled up at el rosario.since then,because it hasn't seemed to be an issue, i go ahead and fill 'em up before crossing.no problems since...:D

David K - 10-12-2004 at 07:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Taco de Baja
If it is illegal to bring full jerry cans across the border, what do they do to you if they find some?

I would suspect that they would not pour it down the drain....but who knows.
Since I usually top off at the last station on the US side, there is no way I could use it.....So do they take if for 'evidence' when they take you to court. do you pay mordida?

I have never been questioned about it, and never knew it was illegal.


Brooks, they will put you right into the line going back into the U.S.!!!

This happened to 4baja's friends who parked at a San Ysidro gas station giving away all of it (or selling cheaply) with the attendant's permission... who told them it happened before! I heard the story from them at L.A. Bay.

I will repeat GAS is CHEAPER in Baja than here, so why do it? It is 87 octane, not NOVA anymore... if you remember that stuff (79-81 octane) that had us using octane booster or retarding the timing.

pappy - 10-12-2004 at 07:18 PM

wow! well, maybe i will go back to carrying them in empty and filling them later-hate to ruin a trip by having to u-turn it back stateside before ever getting into TJ....

bajalou - 10-13-2004 at 01:56 PM

I've been in the customs office in Mexicali and seen the customs take 3 5 gal cans of gasoline from another truck entering mexico. He put a much in his tank as possible but had to leave the rest. By the book, the add-on tanks are also not legal but havent seen anyone bothered with them.

Davis's point about it being cheeper in Mex is valid. So why take the chance?

I drive a diesel p/u and fuel is $1.00 cheaper per gallon in Meico than where I just got some in the central valley of Calif.


Baja Cactus showed diesel at 1.63 in Mex, Calif I paid 2.68 and it's still rising.



[Edited on 10-13-2004 by bajalou]

Mexitron - 10-13-2004 at 02:14 PM

DK--Nova gasoline! On a trip to Santa Rosalillita in 1983 there was no unleaded fuel on the peninsula so I had to forfeit my catalytic converter on my 76 Toyota P/U and use Nova to get back home---25 cents a gallon on that trip and we were getting Corona for $2.38 a case! Truck pinged a little on the steep grades but not really too bad. For a five day trip my cousin Kevin and I spent $68.00 including gas, food, insurance, and lots of beer.

pappy - 10-13-2004 at 05:42 PM

yeah, i remember always having containers of fuel additive in my vehicle for those baja runs-no mas!!i swear i get better mileage from the pemex fuel vs us stuff....

Extra Fuel

bcofre - 10-13-2004 at 10:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Taco de Baja
Check out NATO style cans, they do not leak (web search for "NATO jerry cans")

Here is a mounting suggestion :




Extra Fuel: Use a rear Hitch Carrier or, roof mounted or have an additional fuel tank installed.
By the way of fuel, anyone going to Mexico if using Gas should take a generous supply of Octane Boosters!!! And if feasible, install an extra inline fuel filter. Very important.
What's best, anyone intending to be i Mexico for any length of time or being there, should prefer vehicles running on Diesel Fuel. Diesel Fuel is cheaper, engines last longer and repairing Diesels in Mexico is not a problem.

Extra Fuel

bcofre - 10-13-2004 at 10:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Taco de Baja
Check out NATO style cans, they do not leak (web search for "NATO jerry cans")

Here is a mounting suggestion :




Extra Fuel: Use a rear Hitch Carrier or, roof mounted or have an additional fuel tank installed.
By the way of fuel, anyone going to Mexico if using Gas should take a generous supply of Octane Boosters!!! And if feasible, install an extra inline fuel filter. Very important.
What's best, anyone intending to be i Mexico for any length of time or being there, should prefer vehicles running on Diesel Fuel. Diesel Fuel is cheaper, engines last longer and repairing Diesels in Mexico is not a problem.

If repairing deisels in Mexico

jrbaja - 10-14-2004 at 08:19 AM

isn't a problem, could you recommend places that work on them ?

El Jefe - 10-14-2004 at 06:41 PM

When I used to drive my ford van I would get a clogged fuel filter every time I drove to the cape or any other great distance down there. And it was a b-tch to change, screwed right into the carburator where it was hard to get to. All the while I'd mumble about the crappy Mexican gas. Finally I got an in-line filter which was easier to change, but I had to change it often anyway...crappy gas!!!
One day, however it hit me. A two thousand + mile trip over many bumpy washboard roads, and older van with a dirty gas tank, rusty sediment in the bottom that gets stirred up when I fly the washboard.....hmmmm....maybe not the gas after all.....Crappy ford!, Lousy gas tank!!!!:lol:

bajalou - 10-14-2004 at 07:55 PM

El Jefe, I think you have found most of the problems with the Mexican fuel - the tank it goes in. Only time I ever got bad fuel was at Bajia Tortuga Pemex 5 minutes after they dumped a load of gas into the tank. Twenty min. later the gas came out fine.

And Diesel is now more than $1.00 cheeper in Mexico than anyhwhere I went last week from El Centro to Fresno. And I think it runs as good or better than the US stuff.

:biggrin: