Date: Tue, 7 Sep 1999 17:22:18 EDT
Reply-To: FrankGRUN@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM>
Subject: Spare Gas Container - My Solution
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Sometime back, there was a thread on the storage of spare gas cans and the
inadvisability of storing such in the spare tire area. I too had lusted after
the spare gas can that fit inside the spare tire, but finally gave up after
years of trying to locate one. Couldn't even find them in Germany when I last
visited.
When we purchased the Westphalia ('82 Diesel) and picked it up in
Weidenbuch, I purchased a spare container (plastic) which was stored in the
interior cupboard next to the rear seat. Over the years, with infrequent and
sporadic usage, the container eventually got relegated to the garage. When I
converted to gasoline power ('90 1.8 L 8V Digifant), I was reluctant to store
spare fuel inside the passenger volume. The German plastic container would
not fit easily in the spare tire well, so another solution was needed.
Solution: Many years ago I put mud flaps all around (purchased from QB
Autocamp in England) and mounted the rears by drilling the lip of the frame
near the mounting point of the Diesel engine covering pan. I purchased two
mounting rings from a trailer supply store, and a screw-close threaded chain
link. The threaded link neatly went through the two holes in the rear fender
behind the rear wheel (forward of the bumper. The two mounting rings were
secured by drilling the outer frame lip just as I had done with the mud
flaps. I then purchased two Rubbermaid 1 gallon spare gas cans mounting them
up into the rear fender well, behind the rear wheel. I mounted one on each
side. Originally, I was going to fabricate an Aluminum holder to support the
container, but finally used the thick solid rubber tie-downs (sold at
Hardware stores). The front hook is attached to the front mounting ring, the
rubber strap then goes diagonally across the gas container, through the link
on the lower fender lip and then on to the rear mounting ring (mounted near
the back panel of the vanagon. The area available is about 5.5 inches deep,
8.5 inches wide and 12 inches long. The Rubbermaid container only occupies
about 1/2 of this volume, but it doesn't hang down below the edge of the
fender skirt. The stealth, or unseen nature of the solution appeals to me. I
have had occasion to use this arrangement four times in the last three years.
The total stored volume of 2 gallons has served well. More than eight months
of southern California weather and inattention did not cause any loss in
stored fluids. The mounting rings are stainless steel and have shown no signs
of corrosion. The rubber straps seem to last much longer than the tires. So,
outside, easily accessible (particularly compared to a spare tire solution),
cheap ( less than $30 plus time) and time tested!
Hope this helps someone!
Frank Grunthaner
Postscript: It really bothered me that this area was unused. Also no apparent
heating problems (muffler, etc.). Oh yeah, use at your own risk...I know
nothing...!
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