Bolting jerry can mounts directly to tailgate? Talk me out of it...

[jbf]

I'm looking for a way to transport two jerrys on my first-gen Tundra (camper shell, decked drawers, roof rack). I happen to have a banged- up spare tailgate that was destined for the trash/recycler, but it occurs to me that I could easily, and with zero concern about "damaging" it, bolt two can holders to it. I'm not talking about any fancy threaded inserts here-- I'm thinking big, ugly bolts and fender washers. It's an old enough truck that the lightweight tailgate is swappable in about 10 seconds.

Context: I live in New Orleans. While I don't anticipate needing extra fuel in the field doing general outdoor/truck stuff, it's critical to have the ability to transport fuel during a hurricane evacuation and upon returning to to a city without functioning gas stations. I can see tailgate swap just becoming part of my storm prep.

Pros:
Cheap
Easy
Cans are higher than bumper (collision)
Hitch rack free for other stuff
Trailer hitch free
Roof rack free/weight not on roof


Cons:
Tailgate will be heavy to operate/awkward
Will latch support weight? Reinforce?
Will need to mount high enough to clear bumper when lowered-- camper shell glass interference?
One more piece of "equipment" to store somewhere-- the GF will be elated.

I've also considered bolting a MOLLE panel to the tailgate, to which I could attach the cans or any number of things. But that defeats pro1&2 and might look Tacticool/ Broverlandy (not that I'm terribly concerned about aesthetics whilst evacuating).

What say you, ExPo?

 

[Ozarker]

Seriously? Really? You think anyone on this site would try to talk you out of bolting stuff to your truck to make it look expo, emergency, Armagedón ready, macho ************?

Make sure you strip the heads so the bolts can't be removed because otherwise, in New Orleans, Jefferson Parrish, chances are good you'll have a thief at the next intersection!

 

[jbf]

Make sure you strip the heads so the bolts can't be removed because otherwise, in New Orleans, Jefferson Parrish, chances are good you'll have a thief at the next intersection!

You're not wrong. That's one of the reasons I drive a 20-year-old truck with subtle mods-- nothing to see here...

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Alright. Gasoline = 6 lbs per gallon. 5 gal Jerry can so that's 30 pounds plus weight of can itself and bolt on holder. Times two. So you are adding almost 70 pounds and affixing it just to sheet metal. Bad idea if you go over bumps it wont be long before you wallow out the holes and it all comes down. Even if you bolt it through the frame of the tailgate, you are adding almost 70 pounds to the gate that you want to be able to lift to close, and control down to open.

What if you do it old fashioned Bronco spare wheel style. Get some swing out arm that can bolt to the outside of the bed to the frame in there, and hang them on that? Seems like that's made for 50 or 70 pounds

 

[Ozarker]

^ good point, might use some sheet steel on the inside of that old tail gate so it won't work lose. Driving over bodies could get bumpy, additional sheet steel can also deflect bullets from drivers behind you.

 

[jbf]

Alright. Gasoline = 6 lbs per gallon. 5 gal Jerry can so that's 30 pounds plus weight of can itself and bolt on holder. Times two. So you are adding almost 70 pounds and affixing it just to sheet metal. Bad idea if you go over bumps it wont be long before you wallow out the holes and it all comes down. Even if you bolt it through the frame of the tailgate, you are adding almost 70 pounds to the gate that you want to be able to lift to close, and control down to open.

What if you do it old fashioned Bronco spare wheel style. Get some swing out arm that can bolt to the outside of the bed to the frame in there, and hang them on that? Seems like that's made for 50 or 70 pounds

Believe me, I would love to go full swingout, but it's not in the budget or really necessary 99% of the time.

I hear you on the weight, which is why I would probably through-bolt the entire tailgate and use massive washers or some sort of backing plate-- not really looking for fit-and- finish here. In terms of lifting it, at the risk of sounding like an ********, I think I can manage that kind of weight. It would definitely be annoying day-to-day, but for limited use I think it's doable.

 

[Inyo_man]

I had an '81 pickup (pictured in avatar) with a Blitz can mounted on the side of it that survived an extended trip to Panama and back to the states on many hundreds of miles of tracks.

I used flat stock on the inside of the panel to spread the load. Not sure I'd mount it on the tailgate due to access issues to the rear of the rig. The Blitz mounts don't stick out that much when the can is not mounted.

Cheers

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Believe me, I would love to go full swingout, but it's not in the budget or really necessary 99% of the time.

I hear you on the weight, which is why I would probably through-bolt the entire tailgate and use massive washers or some sort of backing plate-- not really looking for fit-and- finish here. In terms of lifting it, at the risk of sounding like an ********, I think I can manage that kind of weight. It would definitely be annoying day-to-day, but for limited use I think it's doable.

As long as the latches think it's doable too.

Your tailgate and everything that holds it closed was not intended for this.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Just to be clear, according to your comment you would NOT need a "full swing out 99% of the time?
Then, why would you NEED to carry any type of apparatus to hold a gas can for 1% of the time.
Is the bed fully loaded with survival equipment , no room for a couple of gas cans?

 

[jbf]

As long as the latches think it's doable too.

Your tailgate and everything that holds it closed was not intended for this.

Thanks. See con #2! Intended for this? Of course not-- that's half the fun. Kinda like 80's Rangers weren't "intended" to have V8s... that's a sweet build!

 

[jbf]

Just to be clear, according to your comment you would NOT need a "full swing out 99% of the time?
Then, why would you NEED to carry any type of apparatus to hold a gas can for 1% of the time.
Is the bed fully loaded with survival equipment , no room for a couple of gas cans?

I don't think I own any "survival equipment." Like most folks on here, I would prefer to keep the fuel on the exterior of the vehicle for various reasons.

 

[jbf]

Thanks for all the comments so far, folks. Good points that underscore my list of cons above.

Should also mention that one of the reasons that I'm anti-swingout is that one of the various configurations of this truck is FWC hauler. The camper overhang would be a problem, then there are the ever- present GVWR gremlins.

 

[lugueto]

if you dont need it full time, only for a few particular cases, i would just spend my money on quality fuel cans and carry them inside the camper only when needed.

 

[jbf]

if you dont need it full time, only for a few particular cases, i would just spend my money on quality fuel cans and carry them inside the camper only when needed.

I agree that would be easier; but I'm apprehensive about putting them inside. I could be convinced, as I do have actual Wavian cans that * should* be leak and fume proof.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Might be over thinking this, you do/ could have have a gvw problem, extra 50lbs isn't something you should worry about.
If do have spill proof cans great if you don't, get what want/need.
Then, either mount to the back or sides or the top of your fwc.
I'm with you, NO ,on carrying inside, I don't care leak proof or not.