I don't carry around a full gas can,I only use it to fill the generator if I can't get next to a gas pump.

I am waiting for my next inspection to ask questions on some of these issues. I sure can't find anything about it in the little green book.

 

Here's the regulations about having gasoline and other 'fuels' on a truck:

§392.51 Reserve fuel; materials of trade.

Small amounts of fuel for the operation or maintenance of a commercial motor vehicle (including its auxiliary equipment) may be designated as materials of trade (see 49 CFR 171.8).

(a) The aggregate gross weight of all materials of trade on a motor vehicle may not exceed 200 kg (440 pounds).

(b) Packaging for gasoline must be made of metal or plastic and conform to requirements of 49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, and 178 or requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration contained in 29 CFR 1910.106.

(c) For Packing Group II (including gasoline), Packing Group III (including aviation fuel and fuel oil), or ORM-D, the material is limited to 30 kg (66 pounds) or 30 L (8 gallons).

(d) For diesel fuel, the capacity of the package is limited to 450 L (119 gallons).

(e) A Division 2.1 material in a cylinder is limited to a gross weight of 100 kg (220 pounds). (A Division 2.1 material is a flammable gas, including liquefied petroleum gas, butane, propane, liquefied natural gas, and methane).

 

I am thinking the Rev is the resident expert on flammables .. I am sure he could give some insight here :rofl:

 

As long as you are emptying the can, and it is secured to the vehicle in a "workmanlike manner", you are okay. If you are throwing it in your side box, then you may have an issue.

 

the generator or the gas can?

 

The gas can. As long as the generator is mounted securely and not full to the brim with gas, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

That's a really good start! I wonder what those packaging regs say?

Then there is the matter of securement. Bungee cords to hold everything down?

 

I'm not finding anything about securement though I'm sure it's buried in the regulations somewhere. As Rev said earlier, secure it (both gen set and gas can) in a workmanlike manner and be prepared to talk to Mr. DOT about why you did it how you did it if you get asked about it.

Packaging regs, the sections that matter anyway:

Sections 171 and 172 talk about haz-mat and the various requirements for packaging the different hazard classes. I didn't paste the hazard table here since it's so friggen huge. If you go look, pay attention to the quantity requirements and you'll find no problem with carrying 5 gallons of gas in an approved container.

PART 171--GENERAL INFORMATION, REGULATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS--Table of Contents
Sec. 171.1 Purpose and scope.
(a) This subchapter prescribes requirements of the Department of
Transportation governing--
(1) The offering of hazardous materials for transportation and
transportation of hazardous materials in interstate, intrastate, and
foreign commerce by rail car, aircraft, motor vehicle, and vessel

PART 172--HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TABLE, SPECIAL PROVISIONS, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS COMMUNICATIONS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE INFORMATION, AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS--Table of Contents

Sec. 172.1 Purpose and scope.

This part lists and classifies those materials which the Department of Transportation has designated as hazardous materials for purposes of transportation and prescribes the requirements for shipping papers, package marking, labeling, and transport vehicle placarding applicable to the shipment and transportation of those hazardous materials.

Sec. 172.101 Purpose and use of hazardous materials table.

(a) The Hazardous Materials Table (Table) in this section designates
the materials listed therein as hazardous materials for the purpose of
transportation of those materials. For each listed material, the Table
identifies the hazard class or specifies that the material is forbidden
in transportation, and gives the proper shipping name or directs the user to the preferred proper shipping name. In addition, the Table specifies or references requirements in this subchapter pertaining to labeling, packaging, quantity limits aboard aircraft and stowage of hazardous materials aboard vessels.

Then we get to section 173 which defines 'materials of trade'. This is where there is specific allowance to carry gasoline for your generator.

PART 173--SHIPPERS--GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPMENTS AND PACKAGINGS--Table of Contents

Sec. 173.6 Materials of trade exceptions.

When transported by motor vehicle in conformance with this section,
a material of trade (see Sec. 171.8 of this subchapter) is not subject
to any other requirements of this subchapter besides those set forth or
referenced in this section.
(a) Materials and amounts. A material of trade is limited to the
following:
(1) A Class 3, 8, 9, Division 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, or ORM-D material
contained in a packaging having a gross mass or capacity not over--
(i) 0.5 kg (1 pound) or 0.5 L (1 pint) for a Packing Group I
material;
(ii) 30 kg (66 pounds) or 30 L (8 gallons) for a Packing Group II,
Packing Group III, or ORM-D material;

(4) For gasoline, a packaging must be made of metal or plastic and
conform to the requirements of this subchapter or to the requirements of
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of
Labor contained in 29 CFR 1910.106(d)(2)

The definition of 'materials of trade'

Part 171.8

Material of trade means a hazardous material, other than a hazardous
waste, that is carried on a motor vehicle--
(1) For the purpose of protecting the health and safety of the motor
vehicle operator or passengers;
(2) For the purpose of supporting the operation or maintenance of a
motor vehicle (including its auxiliary equipment); or
(3) By a private motor carrier (including vehicles operated by a
rail carrier) in direct support of a principal business that is other than transportation by motor vehicle.

PART 178--SPECIFICATIONS FOR PACKAGINGS--Table of Contents

Subpart L--Non-bulk Performance-Oriented Packaging Standards

1) The packaging must be manufactured from suitable material and be of adequate strength in relation to its capacity and intended use.

(6) Closure devices for removable head drums and jerricans must be
so designed and applied that they remain secure and leakproof under
normal conditions of transport. Gaskets must be used with all removable
heads unless the drum or jerrican design is such that when the removable head is properly secured, the drum or jerrican is inherently leakproof.

1910.106(a)(9)

Closed container shall mean a container as herein defined, so sealed by means of a lid or other device that neither liquid nor vapor will escape from it at ordinary temperatures.

1910.106(a)(32)

Storage: Flammable or combustible liquids shall be stored in a tank or in a container that complies with paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

1910.106(a)(34)

Container shall mean any can, barrel, or drum.

1910.106(d)(2)(i)

"General." Only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used. Metal containers and portable tanks meeting the requirements of and containing products authorized by chapter I, title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (regulations issued by the Hazardous Materials Regulations Board, Department of Transportation), shall be deemed to be acceptable.

It's all kinds of fun trying to chase down all the cross referenced regulations and then figure out what they apply to and don't apply to.

I'm no lawyer and I don't even play one on the CB, but as far as I can tell these regs all work together to specifically allow a driver to carry gasoline on the truck along with a generator without getting into trouble for it.

 

Subpart E—Fuel systems
§393.65 All fuel systems.

(c) Fuel tank installation. Each fuel tank must be securely attached to the motor vehicle in a workmanlike manner.
(d) Gravity or syphon feed prohibited. A fuel system must not supply fuel by gravity or syphon feed directly to the carburetor or injector.

and

§393.67 Liquid fuel tanks.

(a) Application of the rules in this section. The rules in this section apply to tanks containing or supplying fuel for the operation of commercial motor vehicles or for the operation of auxiliary equipment installed on, or used in connection with commercial motor vehicles.

(c)(10) Air vent. Each fuel tank must be equipped with a non-spill air vent (such as a ball check). The air vent may be combined with the fill-pipe cap or safety vent, or it may be a separate unit installed on the fuel tank. (this would prevent you from keeping gasoline in a plastic container, as they have no "ball check" type air vent)

Quote:

I'm no lawyer and I don't even play one on the CB, but as far as I can tell these regs all work together to specifically allow a driver to carry gasoline on the truck along with a generator without getting into trouble for it.

Except for the fact that gravity fed systems (which I believe all gasoline generators are), are prohibited.

 

I just love it when regulations are in disagreement with each other.

On one hand there are regs that allow materials of trade.

Then other regs that disallow the same, or so it seems.

I've had a gas powered Honda on my truck for over a year, I keep it in a box on the trailer when not in use. I keep the gas can full and secured in the chain rack on the headache rack (plastic 5 gallon). I've had two level one inspections, one in California and the other in Texas, and have been through countless weigh stations with it like this and nobody has ever said a word.