Trailhunter auxiliary gas tank

[TrustButVerify]

It's not the best option, but a $35 sceptre 20L tank from Canadian Tire mounted to the bed rails is hard to beat if you truly need the range. Don't think they sell them in the USA, but they are a damn fine gas can if you can find them. That's another 90 miles of range per can. Simple, easy, and cheap.

Scepter 4WD Vented Gas Can, 20-L | Canadian Tire

$37 now. I paid $35 last month. Crazy.

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[mtbocoee]

I think that is available in the US, but it won't come with that spout. I would love to buy the Scepter heavy duty military version Jerry can, but they are only available to military or government personnel in the US. We are stuck with gas cans that come with CARB compliant spouts which don't work, and are one of the world's worst inventions to solve a problem that didn't exist.

For anyone interested, the Rotapax water can nozzle looks just like the one on the Canadian Scepter. It is available on Amazon, but does not come with Rotopax gas cans. It works on Midwest metal Jerry can so my guess is that it would work on the Scepter.

 

[TacoFreak]

@mtbocoee Totally agree about those nasty spouts. It makes you wonder if the designers ever tired to actually use the damn things. I have spilled more gasoline using them than I ever did in the many years I have used normal spouts. Another example of government design by committee to protect the stupid from themselves.

 

[TrailAdventurer]

For those looking for a replacement gas nozzle in the U.S., I have refitted all my gas cans with these:
https://gasspout.com/products/value...spout-kit?utm_source=shortlink&utm_lkey=521yc

Inexpensive, works well, even includes a vent.

 

[rchrds]

Apart from the very first tank, the Trailhunter has settled at ~15 mpg. Ten-plus consecutive fills cluster tightly between 14.5–15.6 mpg, with a single low tank at ~12.8 mpg while towing ~1,700 lb. That yields a practical range of ~225–230 miles per tank. Rather than the modest range gain we planned for, we’re seeing ~20–25% less than that target.

I concur with this. Non- towing my trailhunter is averaging 17ish, 14ish while towing, for an average of 14.9 over 25000 miles. Interestingly, my unloaded mileage has been creeping up into the high 18s, even on the highway as the truck breaks in some.

Not much spare space under the trailhunters, I carry a 5 gallon jerry of non-ethanol on my camper, and had to add the last 3 gallons to the truck to get off the mountain last week. I'd like to see a replacement tank that fits in the spare tire area- I can always put my two spares on the roof.

 

[rchrds]

I think that is available in the US, but it won't come with that spout. I would love to buy the Scepter heavy duty military version Jerry can, but they are only available to military or government personnel in the US. We are stuck with gas cans that come with CARB compliant spouts which don't work, and are one of the world's worst inventions to solve a problem that didn't exist.

Correction: you can buy Wavian gas cans here with CARB compliant stuff. You used to be able to buy the non-CARB spout from Wavian, but this is apparently no longer the case. I use one mounted to the side rails of my camper- never leaks, is fantastic. I added a link below for the non-CARB spout.

https://wavianusa.com/wavian-fuel-c...9ffbjaM2wkDJ3c6Y2Arb9oN_h8eMHsyDN7gO7p6T6WVuJ

 

[Andy@AAV]

Linked site says they come with a safety spout. Mine did, so did the dozen we bought for work. You can order them separately.

 

[rchrds]

Linked site says they come with a safety spout. Mine did, so did the dozen we bought for work. You can order them separately.

My bad, you are correct! It seems like when I bought mine you could get the other spout. Here's an Amazon link for the non-CARB spout.

https://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Jer...89-8c82-86be048510e4&pd_rd_i=B0096WJ1A8&psc=1

 

[mtbocoee]

I was thinking that last year in Moab Gearheads sold Wavian cans and offered a replacement spout for the one that came with it. I already have a Midwest can so I did not want to buy a new one. I have had this can for a number of years and this is the first time I have been able to successfully get gas out of it and into a vehicle without spilling with the Rotopax spout.

https://www.amazon.com/Roto-RX-SP-V...fix=rotopax+water+spout,automotive,168&sr=1-6

https://www.amazon.com/Moeller-Scep...fix=rotopax+water+spout,automotive,168&sr=1-4


The RotopaX version was about $15 when I bought it, though having a full gas can that you cannot get the gas into the car from it worth what is takes to make it work.

 

[TacoDoc]

I think that is available in the US, but it won't come with that spout. I would love to buy the Scepter heavy duty military version Jerry can, but they are only available to military or government personnel in the US. We are stuck with gas cans that come with CARB compliant spouts which don't work, and are one of the world's worst inventions to solve a problem that didn't exist.

For anyone interested, the Rotapax water can nozzle looks just like the one on the Canadian Scepter. It is available on Amazon, but does not come with Rotopax gas cans. It works on Midwest metal Jerry can so my guess is that it would work on the Scepter.

eBay etc. Scepter is obtainable if you look.

 

[dvrgz]

@TacoDoc you getting rid of your Tacoma ?

 

[mtbocoee]

I recently completed a trip from East TN to WA and points in between. The trip covered 7675 miles over varied terrain and driving conditions including 200+ miles of off road driving some in 4WH and 4WL. The trip began with roughly 2300 miles on my Trailhunter and finished just shy of 10k. I ran the truck across a scale and it was 6660 lbs loaded about 175 lbs below the GVWR. Here is a synopsis with actual data below. Note the truck includes the OEM roof rack and an Alu-cab contour canopy top with roof mounted MaxTrax, otherwise wheels and suspension are stock.

Average: 17.25 mpg
Plains SD, KS, etc. 75-85 mph Speed limit 14-15 mpg
White Rim Trail 2WD, 4WD H & L 12 mpg
Reduced speed and lack of wind 19-20 mpg

In some cases where gas mileage was high it wasn't clear why based on driving conditions. The same is true for some lower mpg results. It's possible the exact gas formula plays a role. Most but not all driving was in ECO mode, but since 4WD kicks it out of this mode I didn't always notice it was off. As others have noted, it is not clear that ECO has a significant effect on highway driving which covered much of this trip.

While the average MPG wasn't as bad as I anticipated based on others comments. The most frustrating thing as that I had to stop for gas at 200-250 miles where I generally drive 300 before stopping. There is one result below at 282 miles in ID where I ran 10-20 miles below what the truck says was empty. According to gallons added there should have been 1.5 gallons or more left so there is a little wiggle room in what "empty" is per the gauge. Nonetheless, it is concerning when you are in remote areas where gas is limited and far between. Needless to say, I would love to have a tank that adds 4-6 gallons to increase the real world range of this truck.

Date	State	Octane	Odometer	Miles	Gallons	MPG
8/30/2025	TN/KY	87	2547	229.3	14.486	15.83
8/30/2025	KY	87	2631	84	4.994	16.82
8/30/2025	MO	87	2896	264.9	15.006	17.65
8/31/2025	IA	87	3138	242.2	14.151	17.12
8/31/2025	SD	87	3397	258.4	14.45	17.88
8/31/2025	SD	87	3633	235.7	15.987	14.74
9/1/2025	SD	87	3830	197.3	12.758	15.46
9/1/2025	ND	87	4077	246.6	13.587	18.15
9/2/2025	ND	87	4252	---	6.202	NF
9/3/2025	ND	87	4414	337.6	12.412	18.14
9/3/2025	ND/MT	87	4597	182.3	11.964	15.24
9/3/2025	MT	87	4851	254.1	14.54	17.48
9/4/2025	MT	87	4958	106.7	6.125	17.42
9/4/2025	MT/ID	87	5154	196.3	9.765	20.10
9/4/2025	ID/WA	87	5290	136	6.704	20.29
9/4/2025	WA	87	5484	194.7	10.308	18.89
9/5/2025	WA	87	5734	249.8	12.604	19.82
9/6/2025	WA	87	5931	196.6	9.928	19.80
9/6/2025	OR/WA	87	6171	240	13.415	17.89
9/6/2025	WA	87	6327	155.5	10.205	15.24
9/7/2025	ID	87	6609	282.1	16.391	17.21
9/8/2025	MT/ID	87	6783	174	11.141	15.62
9/8/2025	ID	87	6923	140	7.605	18.41
9/9/2025	ID/UT	87	7165	242.4	13.579	17.85
9/9/2025	UT	88 No EtOH	7342	177.4	9.264	19.15
9/10/2025	UT	87	7582	239.4	12.653	18.92
9/10/2025	UT	88 No EtOH	7725	142.7	8.811	16.20
9/11/2025	UT	88	7896	171.1	10.268	16.66
9/12/2025	UT	87	8072	176.5	10.803	16.34
9/13/2025	UT	87	8150	77.6	4.01	19.35
9/14/2025	UT/CO	87	8399	248.7	18.755	13.26
9/14/2025	CO	87	8597	198.3	11.434	17.34
9/14/2025	KS	87	8866	269.3	14.817	18.18
9/15/2025	KS	87	9066	199.3	13.368	14.91
9/15/2025	MO	87	9301	235.5	13.435	17.53
9/15/2025	MO	87	9530	229.1	12.523	18.29
9/16/2025	KY/TN	87	9764	233.8	13.922	16.79
9/16/2025	TN	87	9995	230.3	12.474	18.46

 

[TFOUTS]

White Rim Trail! This is an awesome trip. As far as wanting more fuel on board, do you have the mounting capacity to add Rotopax? I carry two 4 gallon units. Also, I ran my gas tank down to empty, but when I filled up, I could only put in 16 gallons.

I saw the other day that Long Range America has an auxiliary tank for the 2025 Land Cruiser. They removed the spare tire and that is the new mounting area for their tank. I am eventually going to remove the rear ARB bumper on my Trailhunter and put maybe a YotaMafia bumper with a swing arm, where I will mount the spare tire. Then possibly mount an auxiliary tank in the place where the spare tire is currently mounted. This will obviously cost several thousand dollars.

 

[mtbocoee]

I carried a 5 gallon Midwest jerry can and a 3 gallon Rotopax. I added the 5 gallon on the White Rim but could have made it off without it. I had time at the campsite and since I was starting back the day I left the rim I wanted to get rid of the weight plus make it a to Grand Junction before filling up. Also the gas was from TN where it is much cheaper than CO.

Here is another pic.

 

[TFOUTS]

I carried a 5 gallon Midwest jerry can and a 3 gallon Rotopax. I added the 5 gallon on the White Rim but could have made it off without it. I had time at the campsite and since I was starting back the day I left the rim I wanted to get rid of the weight plus make it a to Grand Junction before filling up. Also the gas was from TN where it is much cheaper than CO.

Here is another pic.

On the way out from Florida on my trip in June, I bought gas at a Loves' outside Oklahoma City on I-40. Notice the price, I could not believe it!

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