The 20 liter is what I have, also called NATO style gas can, the cap has a rubber gasket and really clamps down so no leak whatsoever, some also comes with a pouring spout attached the same way.

I've been doing a little online research for the storage requirements of fuel for numbers of 20 litre Jerrycans of diesel for a high mileage diesel vehicle BBOV such as the latest Citroen model (also for fuel rotation timescale). My annual mileage rarely exceeds 10,000 miles per year.

I currently don't have a high mileage diesel vehicle such as the Citroen, but I'm thinking it might make a reasonable Bug Out Vehicle despite being a very small vehicle by US standards.

The Citroen DS3 eHDI 90 quotes a combined fuel Economy of 78.5 miles to the imperial Gallon. It has a 10.6 imperial Gallon fuel Tank.

To stockpile enough for for say 3 months in a Emergency were fuel becomes difficult to get hold of would require enough fuel for 2,500 miles. Assuming a full tank topped off at the beginning of the fuel shortage would give 832 miles. Stored fuel would be needed for 1668 miles. i.e 21.2 Gallons.

Each Jerrycan holds 20 litres or 4.4 Gallons i.e 4.82 or 5 Jerrycans

So extrapolation, Storage would require;

3 Months - 5 Jerrycans
6 Months - 12 Jerrycans 10 Jerrycans could get you from one side of the USA to the other without refueling!
9 Months - 20 Jerrycans
12 Months - 27 Jerrycans

6 months of use of Diesel fuel storage may worth be while and not too unrealistic in terms of storage space. (although being realist even 3 months of fuel shortages i.e. such as Storm Sandy, things may have already gotten a little wild, I'm thinking more than 12 days )

Did you consider getting the fuel gauge fixed on your vehicle?

It is ill-advised to carry gasoline in any type of container inside the vehicle or trunk. Of course it is a necessary evil at times to transport gas for the lawn mower, but extra care should be taken when doing it.

That's a $600-$700 repair according to the shop. The problem is not with the gauge mounted on the dashboard, but with the sensor in the tank. Such an expensive repair is not really worth it on an old car. But thanks for the suggestion.

Look up your model on the internet. Some have an access panel under the back seat making it a 15 minute job with $50 in parts.

The reason shops charge so much is they drain the tank and replace the sensor and pump and strainer all at the same time. Maybe $200 in parts.

Scepter http://www.scepter.com/

Make US military cans, but they're out of plastic. Think so they do melt and burn, and not explode in a rain of shrapnel in a sudden failure.

+1 on Scepter gas cans. I have several and have been using them for 4-5 years, winter and summer. They are quite tough, and they seal very well. If I'm careful while filling, I don't get that gas smell in my trunk. Hint: leave room for expansion to avoid gas-stink; only fill 3/4 full and squeeze the sides in with your legs before you tighten the cap.

That said, I only transport gas from A to B. I would echo the concerns expressed here about having a can of gas in the trunk at all times.

Scepter jerry cans aren't sold in the US anymore. You can find used, but they command a price. Alternately, you can buy the "water" cans (from them, or from LCI). 1 handle, not three, but available in some colors. Don't know if the plastic is actually different, or if the fire standards are the same. I have 2 blue water and 2 OD gas cans.

or you could mosey across to Canada and try to bring some back. Not sure the legality of that, however.

I share the reservations noted about carrying gasoline in the car , but if I had to do it...I think I would borrow a page from the management techniques for lab specimens, and provide primary and secondary containment: store the gas in MSR fuel bottles, and contain the fuel bottles within GI ammo cans. Just a thought. OTOH, I ran out of gas in my truck on one occasion in my youth, and emptied most of a case of dry gas/gas line antifreeze into the tank, which mixed with the residual gas in the tank and got the truck running well enough to get me to a gas station. No apparent long term harm to the vehicle, a 75 dodge pickup.

Bingley - there was a really nasty accident a while back - in CA I think. the person had a couple of plastic jerry cans filled with gas in the back of their car. Not the trunk - it was actually in the back compartment of a wagon. Static electricity ignited the gasoline fumes - which erupted into a fireball INSIDE the vehicle. The driver was killed because of severe burns plus the inhalation of burning vapors into their lungs. It's very nasty.

always carry gas outside the compartment of your vehicle, and best in a metal jerry can that can be grounded.

Pete2