View Full Version : Coleman fuel - drop box or not?
marshmallow
02-09-2008, 22:19
I am wondering what most do here...is it acceptable to store coleman fuel, in say a used water bottle, and place in your drop box, to be held by some place?
I'm pretty sure it's illegal to ship liquid fuel via USPS, UPS, Fedex, or basically any service. I think it needs to be shipped as a hazardous material. If you're talking about just dropping off a box to be picked up later in your hike, I think I'd feel better asking the hostel/hotel/motel owner first. I'd hate to think what could happen if fuel in a cardboard box was stored near a furnace.
Coleman fuel isn't hard to find along the AT. Most stores anywhere near the trail carry it as do many hostels.
What kind of stove do you have? If it’s a multi-fuel one, you can get gasoline anyplace for it.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
02-10-2008, 05:57
You cannot legal mail or ship Coleman fuel. However, it is widely available in trail towns and at hostels. As Bob S. notes, many use unleaded gas instead of Coleman fuel.
While I have zero experience with doing this, I would be leery of storing Coleman fuel in a plastic water bottle for long periods. Gas is a solvent and those bottles are not designed to hold a solvent.
scavenger
02-10-2008, 09:44
Gas is a solvent and those bottles are not designed to hold a solvent.
They call water the universal solvent. I know what you mean though. Probably not safe.
take-a-knee
02-10-2008, 09:49
They call water the universal solvent. I know what you mean though. Probably not safe.
Water is not a true solvent, that was coined by a biology major who'd long since forgotten his chemistry. Gasoline/Coleman fuel should only be stored in Sigg/MSR type metal containers.
Lone Wolf
02-10-2008, 11:47
I am wondering what most do here...is it acceptable to store coleman fuel, in say a used water bottle, and place in your drop box, to be held by some place?
shipping that is a bozo no-no. theres plenty of white gas to be had in towns and hostels along the way
Water is not a true solvent, that was coined by a biology major who'd long since forgotten his chemistry. Gasoline/Coleman fuel should only be stored in Sigg/MSR type metal containers.
Gasoline can be stored in plastic bottles. I have 2 Nalgene fuel bottle made for fuel. You just have to get the right ones.
john gault
02-10-2008, 13:25
There are different types of plastic, not sure which ones are good for or good for not. My lawn mower gas tank is plastic. However, I would never, just doesn't seem right, store gas in plastic drinking bottles. As has been said before, no need to mail yourself gas, plenty available between Springer and Katahdin.
The Nalgene plastic fuel bottles I have work well, they seem to be made of the same type of plastic as the plastic gas can in my garage. I’ve had them for over 10-years and they still are going strong. They have a funnel built into the cap to make it easier to get gas into your stove without spilling it all over. They have been a good investment for me.
red gasoiline tanks are pvc. witch was specifically enginered years ago for toxins and carsonigenic products.
marshmallow
02-10-2008, 21:25
thanks for all the advice....ithought it was a BAD idea...just thought i'd put it out there to see whats best....i think my stove will burn unleaded....sounds good...