After a little discussion here on the forum I purchased two Scepter jerrycans to put in my Baja box when needed, one for diesel and one for water. It sounds like these are the jerrycans that the Aluminess (Trojan) boxes were designed to fit.
Apparently Scepter has quit selling their military jerrycans to civilians. As far as I can tell these new cans are almost the same except in a few ways.
+ They only have a single handle on top instead of 3 --
used to ease carrying multiple empty cans at once.
+ Instead of the military versions large cap with strap they have the usual small screw-on vent cap and larger two piece cap that can be used for a spout. The spout has two chambers for venting during pouring. The construction seems a little better than usual as it has an integral washer that seems to seal tightly.
+ On the diesel can the main cap has pill bottle style "child-proof" lock to keep it from coming loose. I assume the gas can does as well.
I haven't tested the seal yet. I also haven't tested the indestructible claim by driving over one like a picture on the Scepter web site. I'll be sure to post an update if I decide to. Overall the construction and design seem really good. I wouldn't hesitate to strap one to the back of my van. I'll be curious how they hold up over time.
The cans fit into the jerrycan holder on the side of the Baja box like they were obviously made for them.
You can fit two more cans inside the Baja box standing up. I think you could stack three on their sides inside the box if you really wanted to, but I only have two cans to test with. I do like the idea of being able to carry as much extra fuel as the default jerrycan box that comes with the bumper. I'm just not sure if the seals on the cans would hold up to the obvious shaking and pressure that'd be put on them. It'd be a mess if they didn't.
I've been wondering since I got the van home if I could carry a jerrycan with a 35" tire on the other swing arm. You can. It's really snug, but you can. I'm not sure you could get the jerrycan out while the swing arms are closed. I view that as a feature not a bug.
I purchased mine from
Fisheries Supply in Seattle. They have the cans
avaible on their online store as well. The diesel can was about $18, the water can about $15.
The jerrycans I purchased, as far as I know, are not CARB compliant. That may just be because I got a water jug and a diesel. From my reading all new fuel containers will have to be CARB compliant at some point in 2009. The gas version is more exspensive so I assume it is CARB compliant.
If you'd like to find the jerrycans somewhere else the Scepter part numbers are:
Diesel #03711
Gas #03609
Water #04933
I saw them listed as either "Jeep Style" or "Military Style." Emphasis on the word style, obviously.
Now, after this little bit of OCD overkill I will never speak of jerrycans again!