Extra fuel questions: RotoPax OK to store flat? Other fuel ideas?

[Martinjmpr]

On my recent DVNP trip I had some "issues" with the 3G 4runner's lack of fuel capacity (18.5 gallons in a vehicle that gets ~13 MPG off road.) My way to deal with this was the same way I did it with my Taco, which was a plastic 5 gallon "blitz" can.

Problem, of course, is that in the 4runner the can is inside the passenger compartment (whereas it was isolated in the bed on the Taco.) Fumes + possible mess = PITA (even though I double-wrapped the can in black plastic trash bags.)

So, in the interest of not "half assing it" anymore, I decided I need some more serious fuel capacity. However, I don't want to incur the expense (or the weight) of a new bumper with swing outs (and I don't really need one - I'm perfectly happy having the spare tire under the rear of the truck.)

My needs would be (a) the ability to carry at least 5 gallons of spare gas (b) Outside the vehicle.

Obviously the setup needs to be safe enough for highway travel and secure enough to withstand the bouncing and twisting of an off-road trip.

I know there are folks who put regular metal jerry cans on the roof rack but I've never liked that. Too much weight, too high and too much wind resistance. I'm also concerned about cans moving around on the roof.

After thinking about it, I figured that if I could figure a way to carry a couple of those flat Roto Pax cans that you often see on Adventure motorcycles, that might be a perfect solution. I've already "upgraded" my roof rack from the factory rack to a Yakima using the "landing pads" and control towers. A roof basket is next, but my question is this: Usually I see Rotopax cans carried vertically. Has anyone had experience carrying them horizontally, i.e. flat on a rack? Seems to me that if I could carry 2 3 gallon Rotopax units flat on the roof rack, it would give me 6 gallons of fuel in a safe, secure method of storage that is not protruding excessively into the air.

If there was a way I could carry the cans vertically on the side of the truck, I would, but I don't know of such a system (at least not one that wouldn't require a new bumper.)

Any other fuel solutions? Unfortunately the 4runner's rear liftgate is not very friendly for attaching anything to.

Does anybody make a receiver-hitch mounted Rotopax or fuel can carrier? I'd be a little skeptical of such an arrangement but it might be worth looking at. I don't really want to carry one of those big flat racks that attach to the receiver because I'm concerned about them twisting to the side and possibly causing a failure somewhere in the receiver hitch or rack.

 

[njtacoma]

Rotopax horizontal?

They do show a fuel tank stored horizontally on an atv rack on the website, so rotopax seems to think you can.

I want to use two of the old 4 gallon water containers stored under a very shallow platform under my load floor. in the back of my truck, but they discontinued the larger size, and I haven't quite fallen in love with the idea of Qty 4 of the 2 gallon size.

 

[SWITAWI]

Myself, I would rather carry any container of liquid (let alone volatile liquid) with the opening at the highest point just in case. Having said that, carrying Rotopax in a horizontal position should not be a problem. There are pictures on their website showing them mounted that way on 4-wheeler racks, etc.

EDIT: IMO the best aspect of Rotopax is their mounting system and its modularity for future additions. If you're not going for their mounts I'd call Expedition One and see if their EPA-compliant 'Geri Can' fuel can has started shipping yet - http://www.expeditiononestore.com/product.sc?productId=12&categoryId=5. They are less expensive than Rotopax and I've read good things about their quality.

As for hitch carriers I've not seen one that was strictly for carrying Rotopax or fuel cans in general. There is hitch-mounted spare-tire carrier called the HitchGate that can be equipped to carry of couple of standard jerry cans, but that's the closest thing I've run across.

The large flat basket-style carrier will limit departure angles quite a bit of course. I can tell you that my 2" receiver hitch carrier has a 2" rise from the receiver, weighs 62lbs empty, has a Class III-matching 500lb load capacity (carried 8 square bales of hay for an hour's drive once), and it doesn't move at all when I use this...

 

[Martinjmpr]

This is pretty much the kind of thing I was thinking about.

Those look bigger than 3 gallons though!

 

[SWITAWI]

That's the 4-gal they sell for $100/ea. Obviously it's longer than the others, but it is only 3" tall on its side like the 2-gal size. Makes it good for low-profile rooftop use like that picture. The 3-gal version is 4.5" tall on it's side but might be easier to live with in certain scenarios, and it's $20 cheaper.

 

[fasteddy47]

Stored on their side they will not leak. You can drive a car over these bad boys...
I have 4 of the 4 gallons and they are awesome cans. Pricey yes indeedy!!

My buddy has one on his Rover Rack...has left it in the boiling sun.... full...never leaked.
May as well go for 2 four gallons.... A little safety margin!!
Cheers
Eddy

 

[Signcutter21]

Had a buddy lay a couple in the back of his JK (he had no where to mount them outside of vehicle) on our trip through Mojave Road and again through CDD six months later. He had no problems with leaking or fumes escaping. He kept the window cracked to be on the safe side. There should be no problem for you laying them horizontally. good luck.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Check out Chris Collard's (new Overland Journal Editor) Border 2 Border article in Four Wheeler. He drove a fully kitted JK from Mexico to Canada trying to use dirt roads only. He had what looked to be Roto-Pax cans mounted on top in a roof rack. IIRC, there is a horizontal set-up available. I'm thinking along the same lines for the same reasons as you. Good luck. :sombrero:

 

[Jeff Wanamog]

I have 4 gallons of fuel and 4 gallons of water stored flat with no problems.
You have to take advantage of every square inch!
Jeff

 

[zukrider]

^^^ that is slick!

Martin, how about a pic of the rear of the rig, so we can see exactly what were working with.

 

[mk216v]

Great ingenuity Jeff. I love the creativity needed to best organize our overlanding gear in small spaces.

 

[Brian McVickers]

I carry two Rotopax on the back of my adventure bike, one gallon of gas and one gallon of water. They are mounted horizontally and I have never had a leak issue even with the fuel can expanding in 100+ degree heat.

Brian

 

[dbreid]

I run two of the big rotopax cans/containers flat in my offroad rig, and they are fine. I have done major rockcrawling/offroad trips (dusy ershim, rubicon, etc etc) and had them at low temps, high temps, and they never leaked a drop. Great cans.

 

[mk216v]

I run two of the big rotopax cans/containers flat in my offroad rig, and they are fine. I have done major rockcrawling/offroad trips (dusy ershim, rubicon, etc etc) and had them at low temps, high temps, and they never leaked a drop. Great cans.

Dan Reid!(fellow Swallowtail nut here),

Good info, thanks. I was going to lay two 4ga's flat but in the end storing them cap-up will work out better for space requirements.

 

[Triumphdog]

How do the Kolpin fuel packs compare? The 4 gallon sells for $10 less than the 2 gallon Rotopax.

Never mind....the Kolpin packs had very mixed reviews.