Finding a way to fit a milwaukee packout gas can into your current setup is honestly a total game-changer for anyone working out of a truck or a van. If you're already deep into the "red box" ecosystem, you know how addictive it is to have everything click together. But there's one glaring hole in the lineup: Milwaukee doesn't actually make an official gas can that snaps onto the rails. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, considering they have everything from vacuum cleaners to radios in the Packout family, but for now, we're left to our own devices.
If you're tired of your old plastic fuel jug sliding around the bed of your truck and leaking onto your expensive power tools, building your own version of a milwaukee packout gas can is the only way to go. It's not even that hard to do, and once you've got it set up, you'll wonder why you waited so long to rig one up.
Why You Need a Fuel Solution in Your Stack
Let's be real—traditional gas cans are a pain. They're usually top-heavy, prone to tipping, and they never seem to stay where you put them. When you've spent a few thousand dollars on a modular storage system, having a loose, smelly gas can sitting next to it feels wrong. By integrating a milwaukee packout gas can setup, you're basically ensuring that your fuel stays upright and locked in place, even if you're driving over bumpy job sites or taking corners a bit too fast.
It's also about efficiency. If you're running a crew that uses gas-powered saws, blowers, or generators, having the fuel literally attached to the tool kit makes the morning load-out so much faster. You grab the stack, you roll it to the site, and you've got everything you need in one trip. No more walking back to the truck because you forgot the mixed gas.
The Most Popular Way to Build One
Since we can't just walk into a Home Depot and buy one off the shelf, the community has gotten pretty creative. The gold standard for a DIY milwaukee packout gas can involves using RotopaX fuel containers. If you aren't familiar with them, they're those flat, heavy-duty tanks often used by off-roaders and overlanders. They're incredibly tough and, more importantly, their slim profile fits perfectly on top of or on the side of a Packout box.
To make this work, you generally need three things: 1. A RotopaX fuel pack (1-gallon or 2-gallon usually works best). 2. A Packout mounting plate or a "donor" lid. 3. The RotopaX mounting hardware.
You essentially bolt the RotopaX mount directly to a Packout mounting plate or even the lid of a low-profile organizer. Because the Packout system is so sturdy, it handles the weight of the fuel without any issues. Just make sure you're using some heavy-duty washers on the underside so the bolts don't pull through the plastic over time.
Safety Should Always Come First
I shouldn't have to say this, but we're dealing with flammable liquids here, so you can't just wing it. When you're building your own milwaukee packout gas can, you have to be mindful of venting and pressure.
One big concern with mounting a gas can to your tool stack is the fumes. If you keep your Packout stack inside a closed van or the back of an SUV, a DIY gas can might make the whole cabin smell like a gas station. Always ensure the can you're using has a high-quality seal. RotopaX is great for this because they're designed to be mounted in various orientations without leaking, but cheaper knock-off brands might not hold up as well under the pressure of expanding gas on a hot day.
Another thing to think about is static electricity. While it's rare, some people get nervous about plastic-on-plastic friction. Just make sure that when you're filling the can, you take it off the stack and place it on the ground. Never fill a gas can while it's attached to your truck or your tool boxes.
Custom Brackets and 3D Printed Parts
If you aren't into the whole RotopaX idea, there are other ways to get your milwaukee packout gas can fix. The "modding" community for Milwaukee tools is huge, and you can find a ton of people selling custom-made brackets. Some guys are 3D printing "feet" that you can screw onto the bottom of almost anything.
You could take a standard, high-quality metal Jerry can, screw some of these aftermarket Packout feet to the bottom, and boom—you've got a heavy-duty fuel solution that clicks right into your rolling base.
The beauty of the Packout system is the cleat design. As long as you can securely attach those male cleats to the bottom of your gas can, it'll work. Just keep in mind that gas is heavy. A gallon of gas weighs about six pounds. If you're trying to mount a 5-gallon can, that's 30 pounds of liquid sloshing around. Make sure whatever mounting method you choose is beefy enough to handle that lateral force when you're moving the cart.
Organizing Your "Fuel Station"
Once you've figured out the milwaukee packout gas can situation, you might as well go all out. I've seen some really slick setups where guys use a small Packout organizer right underneath the gas can to hold all their fuel-related gear.
Inside that organizer, you can keep: * Two-cycle oil mix (pre-measured bottles are the best). * Funnels or spout extensions. * Spare spark plugs for your saws or trimmers. * Shop rags for cleaning up spills.
Having a dedicated "fuel tier" in your stack keeps all the greasy, smelly stuff away from your drills and batteries. It's a much cleaner way to work, and it keeps your expensive gear looking (and smelling) a lot better.
Is It Worth the Effort?
You might be wondering if it's really worth the time and money to DIY a milwaukee packout gas can instead of just throwing a cheap jug in the truck. In my opinion, it absolutely is. If you've invested in the Packout system, you've already decided that organization and mobility are priorities for you.
There's a certain peace of mind that comes with knowing your fuel is locked down. You don't have to worry about a can tipping over and soaking your subflooring or your upholstery. Plus, it just looks professional. When you roll onto a job site and your fuel is neatly integrated into your kit, it shows you've got your act together.
What to Look for in a Donor Can
If you decide to go the DIY route, don't just grab the cheapest can from the hardware store. Look for something with a thick wall. Since you'll likely be drilling into it or mounting it via some sort of compression, you need a can that won't warp or crack.
- No-Spill cans are popular because their buttons are easy to use, but their shape can be awkward for mounting.
- Eagle or Justrite metal cans are the "buy it for life" options. They're much heavier, but they're incredibly safe and wouldn't look out of place with some red paint and Packout feet.
Wrapping It Up
Until Milwaukee decides to grace us with an official milwaukee packout gas can, we're going to keep seeing these awesome custom builds. Whether you go with a sleek RotopaX mount or a rugged metal Jerry can with custom feet, the goal is the same: stop the spill and keep moving.
It's one of those projects that takes an afternoon to figure out but pays off every single time you load up the truck. Just remember to use quality hardware, keep safety in mind, and enjoy the fact that you'll never have to chase a rolling gas can across your truck bed ever again. It's a simple upgrade, but for those of us who live out of our tool boxes, it's the little things that make the biggest difference.