How to not run out of fuel

Running out of fuel is one of the worst things that can happen to you on a remote area caravan or camper trailer trip.

You feel helpless, vulnerable and very foolish, and to make it worse, it’s all your fault -- your fellow travellers will be quick to remind you of this!

There are relatively few parts of Australia where refuelling stations are more than 400km apart, which is what an average tow vehicle should be capable of when hauling a 2.5 tonne caravan.

But if the going is tough, through sand, mud, or into headwinds and the rig is big, your range might be less and that’s something you should know in advance and cater for.

Limited availability of Outback fuel

The other wildcard is availability. Because it’s used by trucks and most utes and isn’t inhaled to get high, diesel is more plentiful than unleaded fuel in remote areas. But it’s often hard to find and supplies can run low, or run out, if the tanker is delayed by weather and resulting road conditions.

So, in the Outback, you need to have back-up and carry enough fuel not only to get to the next mapped fuel stop, but also the one after. So, you should really carry enough fuel to tow your caravan or camper 600km to be safe.

Of course, the simple way is to fit an auxiliary tank to your tow vehicle, or buy a vehicle like a Toyota LandCruiser or Prado that comes standard with a sub-tank. But not all tow vehicles have room underneath their rear load bay for an additional tank and most of those that do will require an under-slung spare wheel to be mounted elsewhere, usually on a swing-out rear bumper mount.

This limits the accessibility to the load areas in an SUV and also adds more cost to the conversion of your vehicle for what may be a one-off ‘bucket list’ trip lasting only a month or two.

Extra off-road trappings may also reduce your vehicle’s resale appeal and scare off urban warriors who don’t need all this macho gear.

Jerry cans are an option

The relatively simple alternative is jerry cans.

Apart from being considerably cheaper than installing a permanent auxiliary tank, they allow you more easily to carry only the fuel you need and also to take advantage of price cycles and remote area prices.

I travel with two jerry cans on the back of my caravan, but only fill the offside rear one at cheaper capital city diesel prices at the start of a trip.

The extra weight of approximately 20kg for the full jerry is not an issue, but it gives me the comfort of knowing I won’t run out on some of the long inland stretches between towns (as much as 250-280km on some of the popular inland western NSW and western Queensland travel routes).

It also gives you other options in the case of unexpected road closures and deviations due to road works, floods, or even if you get a fuel tank leak. Spare empty jerry cans weigh virtually nothing.

Top up when fuel is cheaper

Jerrys also give you the opportunity to dodge high fuel prices at local communities when travelling on remote Outback highways, like the Tanami Track.

With the closure of the popular Rabbit Flat roadhouse some years ago, the only fuel options between Halls Creek and the next 854km where the unsealed track becomes bitumen at Tilmouth Crossing, are at the Aboriginal communities of Lajamanu and Yuendumu, where prices for diesel can top $3.00 per litre.

It’s not the scam you might think, as fuel in these places is for the use of locals and district authorities – not tourists – and travellers need to take the approach that these are emergency supplies, not entitlements.

You should also be aware that these fuel supplies are not ‘roadhouses’, so the pump might be hidden in the backblocks of the town where the locals know, but tourists may find difficult to find, or even access with a big caravan.

You also need to be aware of and respective opening hours. Hema Maps lists these hours on their Outback Maps, along with local phone numbers, but I’s best to check with fellow travellers, or phone to make doubly sure of supply. For example, the diesel tanker may have broken down and might arrive late.

We got caught out on the Gary Junction Road at Kintore, just over the border in the Northern Territory, where they were on Central, not WA time. At first, we assumed that being travellers, the local store would open for us, but no, it waited until the appointed hour as it also served the local community with groceries, phones and other essential services.

So, we chilled, had lunch in the shade and completely understood why our needs were less than those of the locals.

It follows that you should fill at least two jerry cans – even better, three – as well as your tow vehicle’s tank, before leaving a major centre in any Outback area.

This rule applies if you’re heading along the Gibb River Road, the Telfer Mine/Gharry Junction and the Great Central Road – in fact anywhere where fuel supply can be infrequent, or where time limits might apply.

Pitfalls of carrying jerry cans

Now, carrying full jerry cans has its dangers. Fumes from unleaded fuel can be toxic, those from diesel similarly unpleasant, so you should never carry these containers inside your tow vehicle.

If you're towing, an A-frame or rear bumper mount is the safest place, but before you add up to 80kg to your rear bumper, check with your camper or caravan manufacturer that the bumper and /or chassis will take it. Remember their actual full weight will be multiplied several times by bouncing up and down on corrugations.

An alternative is to fit a proper jerry can holder on a roof-rack, but either way, there are two important things to consider.

Firstly, a full jerry weighs 20kg or more, and whether on a caravan or a roof rack you will need to lift it vertically out of its holder, which can mean standing on your caravan’s back bumper, or your tow vehicle’s roof. Not a great idea for older travellers as any O, H & S professional will tell you.

An alternative is to do what we have done and that is carry a small telescopic ladder, which weighs less than 10kg and cost $80. I also use it to clean the solar panels on the van’s roof.

Add a simple 12 volt fuel pump to that list to avoid the back strain of lifting a full jerry to shoulder height to drain.

Also, be aware that fuel will expand when carried in the sun, so be super-cautious when releasing the seal on your jerry can to avoid a face-full of diesel or unleaded.

Don’t go the cheapest option

Finally, there’s the question of what fuel container to buy. The short answer is ‘not the cheapest’. There’s nothing wrong with the good quality black plastic containers that are designed and reinforced to do the job, particularly the ones you buy from reputable 4WD equipment suppliers and they don’t rust like the steel ones.

The cheap plastic ones don’t seal as well and are more easily abraded by rubbing against their meal mounting bracket.

Also, buy a locking chain so that your precious supplies aren’t filtered, or drained. Unfortunately, not everyone you meet is honest...