portable gas can in trunk of trike

[Huelshorst]

My Ultra Classic motortrike with a 103 gets maybe 30 mpg now and then and I've almost run out of gas several times. Can you safely carry a gal of gas in the bottom trunk? I suppose it has to be vented somehow. Does anyone sell something like this! It runs good and sounds good with 91 octane. On the road, if I have to make a choice, think I would go for 87 octane rather then 91 with 10% ethanol just from listening to the motor.:xzqxz:

 

[Lakeman]

I use hi-test as the owners manual says. I carry a gal of gas in my trunk in a one gal can. I have had no problems at all. I don't even get a gas smell in the trunk. HD has a one gal gas can that is designed to fit in a saddlebag, I was told that it is about six times as thick as what you would buy at wally and no odor at all. My wally works fine for me. I have no venting, do not fill it up completely. I like the feeling knowing I have an extra gal with me.

 

[eagle1]

you need to fill up` at 1/4 tank, so you keep the fuel pump from heating up. also carrying a gas container is a ver ybad idea. whatif you get rear-ended. it happens.

 

[screwball]

Wife and I can go about 165 miles safely on a tank of gas. Tri-Glides have a 6 gallon tank. Around 100 miles I just need to stand up, so we fill up more than we have to, good on my legs and butt. I personally wouldn't want an extra gallon of gas in my trunk, not really interested in riding a Molotov cocktail. Most don't think that is really safe, up to you I guess. Harley recommends 92 octane. I guess you could put whatever you wanted into it. This has been discussed here A LOT. I just figured if they recommend it, why not. You will only save a buck a tank using he cheap stuff.

Good Luck.

 

[Bikerbozo]

I only carry an extra gallon when on long trips. I strap it to outside rack. It has saved me a couple of times. Usually I note what my mpg is and fill up accordingly. If at night, usually more often.

 

[Lakeman]

I would think if we were hit from behind we would be thrown from the trike.

 

[Peter A.]

IMO carrying fuel in the trunk is a poor idea. My 2010 HD trike gets very good mileage and I plan my stops accordingly (normal 100 miles) and depending on my throttle wrist have gone many times 200 miles per tank. Even here out-west
that's plenty to get from point A to point B without worrying about fuel.
Note, love that Stage 2 in my 103!

 

[Lakeman]

200 miles on one tank!?

 

[Peter A.]

YES SIR............pepper

 

[CRBandit]

That's only 33.33 MPG.

 

[Brentwood Bob]

If you run out its a good thing to have, but the chances you take aren't worth it. If you really feel you need the extra then the rack is where it should go. Plan accordingly and everything should be fine.

 

[Sloufoot]

The gas can sold by Harley dealers has a positive seal which you can't buy anymore with the new EPA laws. The new cans don't seal worth a cr#p !
I carry one if I am going to be on unfamiliar roads. You never know for sure if those gas stops are going to be open all the time. Or what if you decide to take a detour somewhere along the way? Can't because you didn't plan it in ?? Also I like to travel back roads. Not the freeway ! There are a lot of Mom & Pop stations on those roads. Nothing to guarantee times !
Be CAREFUL of the container you carry. Do a search on the internet for the containers. They are formed to fit in saddlebags & are heavier. Might be a better price than HD's. Same maker also!

 

[Moneywoes]

I mount 2 of these one gallon on the tour pac rack
1 Gallon Fuel Packs : Gasoline Containers : RotopaX.com

 

[Geezzer Glide]

Well for the most part I don't have the need to carry extra gas. It really don't make much difference how big my gas tank is I only got a 100 mile bladder, LOL. So I normally top off the tank off when I stop. My wife plans my road trips and maps them for me so my stops are planned before I leave home. She plans the stops to be where there is a gas station and for the most part I even know which stations have premium gas. If I do need to stop at one that don't have premium gas I always carry octane boost so no problem there. For the most part she plans my stops between 75 and 125 miles and for the most part theres always a gas station with in that 50 mile range. But there has been times when I've stopped and toped off the tank when I've only riden 40 or 50 miles because I know the next station is a bit farther than I care to push it.
But the bottom line is just about every time I stop I top off the tank.
So I guess one could say that every time I stop to empty I also fill up.
Dan

 

[Lakeman]

I have an 2005 so its a 5 Gal tank. Checked my mileage a while back and got 32mpg. I usually stop at 100 miles but some times have to stretch it and am not comfortable doing that. Someone here said to stay above 1/4 tank so you don't over heat the fuel pump. A friend mine has a 97 bagger (not sure of model but it is a big bike) with a 3 Gal tank. He was thinking about triking it but with just 3 Gal tank that probably would not be a good idea. I have a gas can that has a trigger you have to pull to get the gas to flow. As I said I get no gas smell in the trunk at all. I don't see the difference in storing it on the rack or in the trunk. If you get hit in the rear hard enough to get the gas can I would think you would be thrown from the trike.

 

[Huelshorst]

Ok, thanks, I like the outside container solution and have a fairly large space right next to the front of the rear fenders. When my gas light comes on, I'm suppose to have exactly one gallon of gas left which is about 26-30 miles. Any truth in this as I don't want to run out of gas just to prove it.

 

[RdKnB]

100 miles and my knees and legs need me to stand up. I like others top off then. I would be very nervous carrying a gas can in trunk..

 

[AzDaven]

The H-D dealers have 1gal. Cans for sale that were designed to fit in the angled part of the touring bikes saddlebags, I can only go about 104 miles on my 2.80 gal. Tank on my trike, so I have (on a few rides) asked my friend Dean to give me a gal, he always keeps this can on his ultra. I don't see why it would be bad to keep one in our trunks. If interested look up : Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Reda Portable Motorcycle Gas Can - 1 Gallon

 

[AzDaven]

The other link doesn't work, this one should.
Reda Innovations 1 Gallon Saddlebag Gas Can | 721-352 | J&P Cycles

 

[Sloufoot]

I have the Reda 1 gal. can. But I see they have also gone to the newer style nozzle. I have the older style that has a good seal on it ! The new Reda jugs are 29.95 for the 1gal.

 

[Huelshorst]

Who ever brought up Reda... tks. I did want something to put in the trunk that has no fumes or odor, approved by almost everybody and I have a container in the trunk to put it in so it doesn't fall over. J&P has it for $30, good investment. Huel

 

[saab9k]

Will be happy when Valkyrie is a trike. 6.9 gal tank. Interstate model.

 

[Dennis Murawski]

On long trips, where I don't know how well spaced gas stations are (or how late they're open), I carry a quart of gas in a spun aluminium bottle used by backpackers to carry cooking fuel. Mine's made by MSR and has an o-ring seal on the cap. I think it's a nice balance between have emergency gas with you and not taking up much space. At 30 MPG it's an extra 7.5 miles. I don't think I could push my rig one mile much less seven and a half.

 

[GARYD]

Yesterday coming back fron a chapter picnic I had to stop for gas. I tried to make it home in another 10 miles, but the fuel gage said I had 8 miles to go on the fuel I had. The milage was 185 and I filled the tank with 5.24 gals.
Normally I fill up around 150 miles. To me it's a waste of time filling up every 100 miles. Canada is an exception since they are not like the states with a gas station on every block.

Also my Garmin Zumo can tell me where all the gas stations are. pepper

Dennis, thanks for the tip on the camping fuel bottle. I have one of those but never thought of using it. ThumbUp

Personnally I wouldn't carry extra gas. I do carry a syphon hose just it case.

 

[carbco]

Those Reda 1 gal. fuel cans are great. I carry one in my lower trunk and has never leaked or given off fumes. Gives you a little comfort. Got mine at Cycle-Giant $30.00 Have saved a couple of fellow riders that cut their mileage too close as well. Good insurance.

 

[hank43]

IMO carrying fuel in the trunk is a poor idea. My 2010 HD trike gets very good mileage and I plan my stops accordingly (normal 100 miles) and depending on my throttle wrist have gone many times 200 miles per tank. Even here out-west
that's plenty to get from point A to point B without worrying about fuel.
Note, love that Stage 2 in my 103!

I have a 2009 Kawasaki Voyager 1700 with a Champion trike kit on it. Just completed a 6,050 mile trip and frequently got 32-34 MPG riding 2 up and pulling a Hannigan trailer. I also carried a 2 gal. gas can on the tongue of the trailer, but never used it. My gas tank is 5.3 gallons, if you plan your trip based on 120 or so miles, between gas stations, you shouldn't have any problems. I never would have believed it, and our ride leader had to show me again and again, but we never ran out of gas.

Some info:
Trike weight dry - 1150 pounds.
Rider and passenger weight - 350 pounds.
Trailer weight - didn't weigh, but calculated it at about 350 pounds

Pushing 2000 pounds, average speed 62 MPH, 175.67 gallons, 6,050 miles = 34.4395742 MPG

Pictures of trike on the Dragon here: Xtreme Sports Photography at PhotoReflect.com - The Dragon July 13th, 2013 Saturday

I'm the trike in the rear with the trailer.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Normally I don't carry any extra fuel, and have never needed it for daily riding.

However, we did carry a 2 gallon container on our Alaska trip (and used it several times). It was bunged to the rack on the Tour-Pak. Never any problems. Although with it on there we had to be careful opening and closing the lid...never opening it all the way.

I would not be bothered for it to be in the trunk either...but if we are on any kind of a trip, guaranteed Mary will be using all the space in the trunk. lol

 

[acunn1]

Just be advised if you do carry extra gas you should use it from time to time. Don't depend on it to always be fresh. Gas contains what is called "light ends" that have a tendency to evaporate over time. This produces stale gas, which doesn't always run as well as it should. I would empty the container every month or so and put in fresh gas just to be on the safe side.

 

[Lakeman]

Yes but I do and everyone should use Sta-Bil (marine) gas treatment. With Sta-Bil every month is not required but I do use and refill it every few months.

 

[dadorfman]

If you include shipping, Amazon has a lower cost on the Reda, enough to fill the tank.