GAfuels blogger Dean Billing is nearing completion of his RANS S-7S, which will be powered by a mogas-burning Jabiru engine. With the fuel not being available at his airport in central Oregon, he decided to construct a fuel trailer to haul it from his supplier to his hangar.
Dean, a retired computer scientist and talented craftsman, spared no effort in the design and fabrication of his new trailer (pictured). He has kindly agreed to share construction details at this link. Thanks, Dean!
GAfuels reader (and COZY builder) Drew Chaplin of Blufton, Ind., faced the same need to fuel his 1996 Cessna 172H powered by the venerable Continental O-300 engine. He has documented several low-cost DIY fuel trailer solutions on his website.
He mentions there why he goes to the trouble: “As of 10/1/12 , most airports are selling 100LL for around $6. I buy mogas for between $4 and $4.50. Regular auto gas is about $3.80. My Continental O-300 burns 8 gph. So I save between $12 and $16 per hour and up to $75 per fill-up! I call that substantial and worth the effort.”
Check regulations for your local area, city, county and state.
Also, don’t forget that MoGas gets old.
According to the expert Ben Visser, quality mogas has a shelf life of one year. Avgas shelf life is 1-2 years. Gasoline containing ethanol, which is NOT mogas, has a shelf life of a few weeks, especially in a moist environment. Do not confuse quality, aviation-grade mogas with the cheap ethanol blend from the local gas station – two different animals.
Addendum from the author – always check with your state DOT on regulations concerning the transport of fuels on public highways before starting your project. Rules vary across the country and even within a state.
Yes always make sure the government in in the way.
John,
I realize that what you said in your reply on Mr. Misegades addendum is a political statement, added by you though irrelevant to the subject.
May I point out that the road transportation of gasoline is extremely hazardous and, absent government rules, could result in the deaths of many innocent persons.
Motor vehicles are designed to contain gasoline as well as possible in the event of an accident. Without government intervention, cars and trucks that today are relatively unlikely to spill fuel in a crash, there would likely be hundreds of burn deaths per year due to preventable gasoline fires. “Government” has fulfilled its role of protecting it’s citizens from unnecessary peril in this case.
Without government being “in the way”…as you put it, there would be some really dangerous contraptions being dragged around on public roads.
Scares me…and I’m fearless.
Roger Baker