Transferring fuel from truck to garage to dock to boats (PITB)

[guy48065]

My lake doesn't have a marina so I'm in the habit of lugging 5-gallon gas cans down to the dock to fill my tank.
Now that I've added 2 jetskis to my toys it's become a much bigger problem keeping enough fuel on hand, and getting it down to the dock.
Last year I bought a gas "caddy" to roll 22 gals down but I have 4 steps down from my yard to the dock itself and it's too much weight to ease down the steps alone (and no railing).

The gas caddy has solved the fuel storage problem, but not the fuel transfer problem. I could roll the caddy as far as the steps and fill a single 5-Gal can to do the transfer but I'm hoping someone has a better idea. It's about 40 feet from the steps to the boat tank so a long hose might not work out (?).

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'd be concerned about a build up of static electricity from running gas through a long hose. It seems like a pain, but the 5 gallon cans are probably safer.

We run a boat for skiing/tubing on a lake in Canada without a fuel dock, so I feel your pain. I also considered a fuel caddy but the weight discouraged me.

 

[alldodge]

I take this is your private dock
Is there anywhere you can get a pickup close enough to the waters edge so that a 100 gal tank could be used?

 

[poconojoe]

I take this is your private dock
Is there anywhere you can get a pickup close enough to the waters edge so that a 100 gal tank could be used?

I like that idea.
You might not be limited to doing it at your dock.
You can do it anywhere, as long as you're not breaking any laws or trespassing!
Anywhere on the lake where you could rendezvous the boat with the vehicle.
You can still use your gas caddy. Depending how close you can get, keep it in the vehicle or roll it to the water.
If you have a pickup truck, you may already have ramps to make it easy to roll out.

 

[alldodge]

I have a 100 gal tank with a pump for diesel transfer. Can also pump gas

 

[Earl Cordova]

I have been hauling gas to the boat in 5 gallon gas cans for a few years.
We use around 20 gallons per week in the summer time.
It is a hassle, but have pretty much gotten used to it.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Lugging 6 gallons of boat gas is part of my fitness regime, it's good for you.

 

[alldodge]

Lugging 6 gallons of boat gas is part of my fitness regime, it's good for you.

Only the cooler should be the work out

 

[Scott Danforth]

a 5-gallon can of fuel weighs the same as a case of beer...... consider it cross-training

 

[Earl Cordova]

Lugging 6 gallons of boat gas is part of my fitness regime, it's good for you.

That is what I keep telling myself, even when my shoulder hurts.

 

[guy48065]

I'm too cheap to spend $150 on a 12v drum pump for gasoline--I'm certainly not buying a 100-gallon tank + pump + a pickup truck to haul it. AND there's no place to put this fantasy rig that doesn't suffer the same concerns with hose length and static buildup.

IF these things aren't a problem with a spendy fueling setup, maybe there's a way to apply the concepts to a cheap fueling setup?

 

[roscoe]

Drop a 4' piece of plywood down over the 4 steps and turn it into a ramp.
Shouldn't be too difficult to secure it so it doesn't slide away.

Or get yourself a wagon or cart to transport the cans to the top of the steps.

And use good cans, they will last a lifetime.

 

[ahicks]

I'm too cheap to spend $150 on a 12v drum pump for gasoline--I'm certainly not buying a 100-gallon tank + pump + a pickup truck to haul it. AND there's no place to put this fantasy rig that doesn't suffer the same concerns with hose length and static buildup.

IF these things aren't a problem with a spendy fueling setup, maybe there's a way to apply the concepts to a cheap fueling setup?

A very long time lake front resident (since '78), and one of my favorite sayings is "a lazy man can find an easy way to do anything". Just wanted to mention I'm still toting fuel using 5-6 gal. cans......

 

[JimS123]

a 5-gallon can of fuel weighs the same as a case of beer...... consider it cross-training

Not including the containers, 24 beers weigh 20.3 pounds, while 5 gal of gas weighs 30 pounds.

Plastic gas can vs. metal can, beer cans vs beer bottles...I guess the relative weights could vary. Personally I buy 30 packs - one for each hand....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Not including the containers, 24 beers weigh 20.3 pounds, while 5 gal of gas weighs 30 pounds.

Plastic gas can vs. metal can, beer cans vs beer bottles...I guess the relative weights could vary. Personally I buy 30 packs - one for each hand....

so your drinking old style?

FYI - case of beer in 12 ounce bottles is 36#, 5 gallon gas in plastic jug is 36#

 

[DeepCMark58A]

so your drinking old style?

FYI - case of beer in 12 ounce bottles is 36#, 5 gallon gas in plastic jug is 36#

What about light beer?

 

[guy48065]

Drop a 4' piece of plywood down over the 4 steps and turn it into a ramp...

I have 2 boards I cut to turn the steps into a ramp. Over the 4th holiday I took my just-filled 25 gallon caddy down to the dock and when the wheels went over the crest of that ramp that 200 pounds just about ended the party for me.
Hence my search for a better way.

At the very least I'll use one board in the center and *slide* the caddy down to the dock.
I'll still need a helper to get it back up top.