Transporting Gasoline on Hurricane Chases

[Stephen Levine]

Last year, chasing Ike, I didn't need to deal with this issue, as the trip was just over 5 hours from my home and I had no problems gassing up both ways, though of course lines were terribly long during my return trip north.

I've seen ads for 14 gal gas cans that look great for transport and use. However, I have a mid-sized sedan, not a pickup truck and wonder if it would be possible to safely transport any gas can at all with this car on a chase.
What way if at all would be safe to transport such a container?

Then, even if safe, how about storage once I get to the motel? Due to potential burglery issues as well as intense sun, tying it on top of the car would seem quite problematic.

Those who have vehicles other than pickups and tool boxes, how have you solved this issue?

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

I just picked up a 14-Gal gas carrier, with it's own nozzle and all, from Pep Boys about a month ago.

These are sealed units and should not be any problems when stored in a relatively cool place. The same rule applies for any plastic gas container, make sure it is tightly sealed.

In the direct sun, and especially during the hurricane core passage / penetration (low pressure), the gas containers can vent fumes. I overcame this problem by wrapping them in thick, plastic trash bags (tightly and tied shut, with the gas can inside to prevent static as well) and taped. I break them open and use the cans to fuel up and toss the stinky bag away.

Never - Ever leave gas outside your hotel door - It will disappear in minutes (I saw that back in Hurricane Lili in LA in 2002) - Stolen by good ole' CNN's crew in New Iberia! "Losing" gas can get you stuck.

If a motel is cool and dry, storing the gas wrapped in the aforementioned trash bags should not be a problem. In a Sedan, the trunk (plastic wrapped) should be fine.

[Darren Stephens]

IMO...you didn't specify what kind of car you drive BUT you better have enough gas on hand to at least half way back home (assuming you have a full tank when you are at your destination). Power will obviously be out at ground zero but also for as much as several hundred miles inland (Hurricane Rita-Texas). We were in Orange, Texas for landfall. On our way back home 2 days later it was Tyler, TX before we found stations with power. Luckily we had plenty of diesel with us so it was not an issue.

Another think you might want to consider taking is a couple of extra spare tires or some way to plug your flat and air it back up.

[Jason Foster]

This is why I would so love to have a Diesel Jetta, Ford Fusion Hybrid, or the New Chevy Equinox....it's all about the range. the Ford Fusion Hybrid gets about 700 miles between fill-ups.

Having traveled with Chris on a few Hurricane stints, I can say the bag trick works...mostly. Obviously having the cans outside would be optimal, but many of us don't have pick-ups or vehicles that can mount gas cans outside (like a Jeep).

I've got a Subaru Legacy now, and that car is going to have a lot of gas cans inside (and out) because the range on it is only 230 miles between fill-ups. It also burns way too much fuel during idle...unlike my Chrysler/dodge minivan that hardly burned full all day long (ran 12 hours with only about 4 to 4.5 gallons used).

I'm curious though about this 14 gallon tank you guys are talking about. At that size, I guess it's not meant to fill the tank directly, or hand carry when filled.

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

I'm curious though about this 14 gallon tank you guys are talking about. At that size, I guess it's not meant to fill the tank directly, or hand carry when filled.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41mzPy2tv9L.jpg

The tank has a "gas pump" style handle and you fill the car just like you would at a gas station.

[Joe Dorn]

A couple of questions/ thoughts...

When filled the tank would weigh about 85 to 90 pounds. This is a fairly heavy lift for most people...

The tank also appears to be a gravity feed which means the tank would have to be at or above the level of the vehicles gas inlet...

Any problems here?

[Skip Talbot]

Why not mount that to the roof? That would solve your fumes in the car problem, and also help the flow if it is gravity fed.

[Jason Foster]

Why not mount that to the roof? That would solve your fumes in the car problem, and also help the flow if it is gravity fed.
Many vehicles (especially when renting for chasing) won't allow for roof mounting. Something that goes in a trunk or rear of a wagon/crossover/SUV is great.

I suspect that the lever on the pump handle might actual be more than a valve release, but may also have means to create a little vacuum pressure to overcome the need for elevated fill. I trial run with water could be used for anyone who has bought one....just make sure all the water is out of the can before using it for gasoline.

[Dan Robinson]

Rita was the first and last time I'll try carrying gas cans inside. We ended up giving them away at a gas station outside Houston just to get them out of the car. Those cans were brand-new plastic ones with closed lids, and I wrapped them tightly in garbage bags - but it didn't keep the smell away.

It doesn't take much of an escape route for gas fumes to make their way out - even cans with caps/lids. Even a subtle gasoline smell in a confined space gets pretty miserable and likely very unhealthy to deal with for long periods of time. I would highly recommend using a roof or rear bumper/hitch rack for the gas cans - just wrap them in a tarp to conceal them. Having them inside the car for that long doesn't work very well - the fumes are going to find their way out, and it doesn't take much to go above the threshold of discomfort.

As a rule I like to have at least a full extra tank of fuel. I have used as much as half of my reserves during a hurricane chase before.

[richhorodner]

And then:

http://www.morphiusfilm.com/PAGES/PRESS/Fangoria_files/car1.jpg

--------------------------

A question for anyone who has knowledge of combustibility of gasoline/gas fumes.

It is true that when carrying gas cans in a car (especially in an SUV that has no trunk) that the smell of the fumes starts to turn one's stomach. Reading above the "idea" to wrap the cans in plastic garbage bags seems like a fairly good means of trapping those fumes in a local area surrounding the gas can/container; reducing the smell of the fumes to the occupants somewhat.

My question: does having this ever-increasing amount of fumes trapped in an enclosed area increase the chances of combustion (either from a spark or heat or in the event of a rear end collision.)??

[Stephen Levine]

Thank you, gentlemen for your replies to my question. If I read your post correctly, Christopher, you have totally solved the fumes issue by wrapping the cans with the thick plastic bags. Am I correct? (by the way, I just re-watched your awesome '05 hurricane video)

I first saw this container advertized some time ago in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog. The pump looks just like the one purchased at Pep Boys, and the ad states that squeezing the handle initiates hydrostatic pressure so that pumping is not necessary. It also states that the container has two shutoff valves, one on the hose and one on the container "to seal internal pressure and restrict gas vapors".

Any thoughts on those claims regarding safe transport?

Regarding my trip, I drive a Toyota Camry (about 30 MPG on the highway) and had no problems with gassing that Friday just 12 hours before landfall and as close as Conroe, some 35 miles N. of Houston. Driving back, it took awhile to find a station that didn't have a tortuously long line.

[MClarkson]

I carried a lot of extra gas into Jeanne and Ivan... like 3 extra tanks. Cant have too much gas unless you are in the above picture:P

scouting, repositioning, idling all night to leave the AC on for better sleeping... having the extra comfort of knowing you will never run out of gas...

I found 2 heavy duty 5 gallon metal tanks with big springloaded caps that stayed in the car. They barely smelled... fumes werent a problem. On top went some smaller cheaper more aerodynamic cans, well lashed down. To prevent theivery at night i simply slipped a bike lock through them and the roof racks.

[Jason Moreland]

I have yet to take my own vehicle for a hurricane chase, but i've considered this problem as well. I have a pickup truck, but i'm still concerned about storing cans in the bed due to direct sunlight and heat before/after the storm. Is this safe?

[Jim Edds]

I found gas in Gulfport the night before katrina hit and in Galveston before ike hit. So the best place to fill up is not on the way where there are big lines but right at ground zero. I carry 2x5 gal cans. If the weather is cloudy they don't stink. If it's sunny they get hot and the vapors are pretty strong. i fill them up at my last gas station stop - at ground zero. I just need enough gas to drive out and hit another gas station on the way back home. Didn't use the extra gas after Katrina since I only had a two hour drive back to Pensacola but I needed it for Ike - since much of western Louisiana was without power.

[Josh Morgerman]

I usually have an extra 5-gallon tank in the trunk, and I'm pretty obsessive about topping off the tank again and again as I'm driving to my destination. Given this, I'll often make lots of small gasoline purchases-- just a few dollars each-- on chases.

[Jason Foster]

.......idling all night to leave the AC on for better sleeping...

Wuss!!!!:D:D

Actually, I'm surprised if I sleep at all, and just happy to be dry...AC is the last thing I want. Gas vapors could help you sleep maybe...J/K of course.

Jim E. is right, sometime you can find a station still open near ground zero, but that's if: 1) you know where ground zero will be (not so hard...but remember the quickness of Charley) and; 2) you're close to ground zero early enough for the stations to be open.

Chris and I lucked out with Ike with that one station still open just before crossing the bridge into Galveston...and it was one of the cheapest prices to boot. Due to that we didn't really need to use the extra gas we had...although the PT rental got decent mileage too...which always helps.

[Greg Higgins]

At this late hour I unfortunately don't have all of the resources available but in short:
1)gasoline fumes over time WILL degradated the plastic garbage can liners, thick plastic bags, etc.
2)gasoline fumes, as well as being FLAMMABLE, also carry a HIGH incidence of health hazards from short term health effects to death. Take your choice. BTW, if the fumes affect you during driving and you have a wreck causing injury to your passengers or others, YOU will be charged with manslaughter or worse.
3) gasoline is listed as a FLAMMABLE substance and carries numerous safety and legal violations if improperly stored or transported. Check your local (and if your chasing across state lines, then the state your are in) states motor vehicle laws. MOST states PROHIBIT the transport of gasoline INSIDE a vehicle for health and safety reasons.
4) the flip side for those who could care less about health and safety issues is that during an event such as a hurricane, law enforcement probably has their hands full with higher priorities than someone stupid enough to injure themselves and others by unwisely storing / transporting gasoline for personal use. Let he ME's office make the ruling.
5) Placing gasoline, no matter the amount in a hotel / motel (inside) will get you arrested IF someone complains. If a fire occurs and YOUR gas can be linked to the cause, you might even be looking at murder charges.

All something to think about. Gas is something that we all need to consider in these type of events and there are safe methods to store and transport. Please think about others around you and the responders you might involve. The simplest method is not always the most prudent.

Greg Higgins

[Joshua Nall]

I have yet to take my own vehicle for a hurricane chase, but i've considered this problem as well. I have a pickup truck, but i'm still concerned about storing cans in the bed due to direct sunlight and heat before/after the storm. Is this safe?

Direct sunlight/heat equals internal pressure. Or if they are vented (which most are not with the caps on) they will just release a lot of fumes. I carry diesel for my truck in the bed or in the tool box on chases, but I leave gasoline in the bed all the time in 100 degree heat, direct sunlight all day with no problems. The containers will just have a lot of internal pressure. Don't make a spark when you open them up :) psssssshhhh kaboom!

[Jason Moreland]

Direct sunlight/heat equals internal pressure. Or if they are vented (which most are not with the caps on) they will just release a lot of fumes. I carry diesel for my truck in the bed or in the tool box on chases, but I leave gasoline in the bed all the time in 100 degree heat, direct sunlight all day with no problems. The containers will just have a lot of internal pressure. Don't make a spark when you open them up :) psssssshhhh kaboom!

Thanks for your insight. :)

[Stuart Wilson]

Great thread this.

Not likely to ever need to chase or runaway from Hurricanes here in Blighty, but with my engineering hat on here are a few thoughts:-

1) Petrol vapour is heavier than air. So if you are putting a container in the back of your truck and there is any venting whatsoever be very careful - I'd be wanting to make sure there were paths for the vapour to spill out (strategically placed holes/vents).

2) Petrol + air = a very effective bomb. I wouldn't want to keep that inside a vehicle with me in the way some have suggested (wrapping a bag around the container).

3) As others have alluded to it's highly likely that transporting and storing petrol will be illegal in many states (unless certain special containers/permits are obtained) - this will of course mean that your insurance could be invalidated (even if the petrol isn't involved in the incident).

My advice would be that if you are a serious hurricane chaser and you know you'll run out of petrol then use a vehicle that is specifically designed for the task (carrying more petrol) and or modify the vehicle to have a larger fuel tank.

Petrol is a seriously nasty substance, packed with energy and positively delights in igniting. Don't mess with it!

PS Sorry about using the term petrol, I forgot your side of the pond it's called gas!

Anyhow, here's hoping you get a few hurricanes to chase before the end of the season, and stay safe.

[MClarkson]

hahaha... Ivan in AL wasnt too bad, but Vero Beach for Jeanne and Frances a few hundred miles south is just too hot and humid to chase hurricanes in style without AC!!! 25C/25C temp/dewpoint in the middle of the night==AC!