Date:         Thu, 20 Jul 2000 10:10:29 -0700
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@home.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@home.com>
Subject:      Re: Carrying Spare Gas
Comments: To: Jeanne Maly <traveller57@cableone.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hmm, I don't see any reason why this wouldn't work.  Get the gas line
with the little pump bulb too, and cut the end off that would normally
connect to the outboard motor to use as your siphon.  That way you won't
have to open the tank to drop in hose, and you will have a safe way to
start the siphon.  You should also be able to get these tanks used
pretty cheap.

I still don't like the idea of carrying gas over my head, but a boat
tank would be the safest way if you insist.  Make sure it is well
secured, it will weigh 60-70 pounds or so when full.  Be careful when
filling, and leave space in the tank for the gas to expand without
leaking out the cap, which is vented.

> Jeanne Maly wrote:
>
> Hi, volks.
>
> Time is really running short for the caravana to South America.  I
> have a new idea about how to carry extra gas and would like an opinion
> from the listmembers.
>
> While offroaders generally carry jerry cans on the back of the
> vehicle, I believe this is a very dangerous thing to do when driving
> on the highway.  A rear-ender will turn VnaJean into a Molotov
> cocktail.
>
> One concern I've had about putting gas cans in the luggage rack
> was that I'm neither strong nor tall and would find putting them up
> and taking them down pretty tough.  I went to West Marine last week
> and looked at gas tanks for boats.  Some of these would fit very
> nicely in the luggage rack.  (I'm thinking about a 6.5 gallon tank.)
> What I think is that I could actually fill the tank in place on the
> roof and, when and if the gas is needed, siphon it down into the Westy
> tank.
>
> Oh, Volks Gurus, does this sound workable to you?  Am I all wet?
>
> Jeanne
> '87 Syncro Westy
>

--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia
'65 MGB (Driven since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring)

Assisting on Restoration:
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Parts cars:
'68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT