Putting stuff where the spare used to be

[5Runner]

Has anyone come up with DIY ideas for using the area for the spare tire to carry other things. I'm thinking built in, but also the idea of using the spare cable crank to crank something up into the spot.


I've got a wild idea of using the spare tire area and cable crank to carry a rotopax fuel tank.

See link first:
http://www.rotopax.com/4-Gallon-Gasoline.html

Notice the slotted hole in the center.

Here's the rough thought.

Weld some receivers up underneath the rig, below the cargo area. Basically some rails and corners that align the rotopax.

Then build a steel tray, of sorts, that fits the rotopax. Place the rotopax in the steel tray, insert the cable through the hole in the middle and crank it up.

I figured I would need something to keep it aligned, and perhaps some other do-hickies to hold it in snug without vibrations that will wear on the plastic. The steel tray would act as protection from rocks.

I usually keep my spare underthere, but on expedition trips I'd like to move the spare to the roof and put the gas under the rig. I fear putting gas on the roof, thus this idea.

 

[SWITAWI]

Hmmm... I guess it would depend on what kind of terrain you're going to travel through. The idea to use the underside of the vehicle for storage isn't necessarily a bad one, but I would tend to think that any piece of 'vital' equipment that might fit under a vehicle (like the spare tire, fuel can, tool kit, etc) would be inherently more vulnerable to damage or being lost simply due to the location. And honestly none of those particular items are ones I want to have to dig for if I get in a jam. Just my $.02 of course.
:coffeedrink:
On the subject of Rotopax... I'd say their design makes them almost a mandatory top-carry (especially the 4gal) and they have a good reputation for being able to hold pressure when the cap is on tight and not cross-threaded, so roof placement should not be a worry there. One of the guys on the Blue Room posted this back in '09 - I left from Houston, TX last Thursday night and filled with the Rotopax up at the local Costco as we headed out I-10. We were driving through the night and riding on trails as soon as we arrived Friday, so I figured it would be easier to fill them as we left Houston. Needless to say the Rotopax held up flawlessly on the 750 mile drive to Weed, NM. The only issue I had was the knocking of the straps which I hadn't tied off once fully tightened, but this was corrected by pulling off at an exit outside of Houston and tieing off the excess portion of the strap. Anyways we arrived in NM and I was happy to see that there was no sign of leaks on the fuel packs or the roof after the 12 hour drive!

Needless to say I didn't think this was a tough enough test yet for the rotorpax. Instead I decided to leave them on the roof for the entire duration of our trail runs rather than remove a few and store them at the campsite. I figured being in the sun all day and the afternoon heat would really test the fuel packs out. However, I actually tested them even more than I expected due to the fact that I filled the fuel packs in Houston which is basically at sea level and then drove to about 9000ft. I hadn't left much extra room in the pack for expansion due to heat let alone the altitude change!

Needless to say during the trail run on Friday I finally took the time to inspect the packs when we were on top of hanglider hill (name should give an impression on the elevation). The packs had expanded to a considerably and it looked as if the ratchet straps were a size 32 belt trying to fit around a size 40 waist individual. The straps were definitely putting a good amount of pressure ("squeeze") on the packs. At this point I was quite concerned about the packs leaking, but when I inspected further there were no signs of leaks. I was honestly quite surprised since the expansion due to altitude and heat was quite considerable.

The full review plus his pictures can be found here - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...-rotopax-fuel-pack-jerry-can.html#post1480370 and here - http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...otopax-fuel-pack-jerry-can-3.html#post1485169.
:safari-rig:
I'm certainly not trying to talk you out of trying something new (or sell you any Rotopax cans), so please don't take this all that way. In the end I may simply be as paranoid about using the underside as you are about using the roof and, for the record, I don't have a roof rack. :ylsmoke:

 

[BIGVAN]

Looks like 2 of the 3 Gal. cans stacked up would fit better in that spot. I guess the cans under there would be exposed to a rear end collision the same as Jerry cans on the back. At least your Rotopax would be behind the bumper.



http://www.rotopax.com/3-Gallon-Gasoline.html