4 Gal Rotopax - stock 570 roof rack

[92LXAZ]

I know there are a few offerings for this but I didn't see a ton of details, figured I'd share what i did. Nothing ground breaking. Purchased a blemished but I can't see anything. Bought stainless 1/5" 1/4-20 hardware with nylon lock nuts. The Rotopax are 2.5" long and looked silly for this application. I'm going to look at putting bolts in the wider holes as well on each end for more support, we'll see if there is any movement when the container is full to justify that. Feels very sturdy as is.

 

[bloc]

Looks great. Have you heard anything about them expanding comically when in the sun? That’s the primary thing keeping me away from them on the roof.

 

[Tommy Dwyer]

Can’t remember who posted it in another thread, but apparently if you fill it with 91 octane it won’t bloat nearly as much. Haven’t tried it myself yet, but definitely will on my next trip. Nice mod @92LXAZ !

 

[92LXAZ]

Can’t remember who posted it in another thread, but apparently if you fill it with 91 octane it won’t bloat nearly as much. Haven’t tried it myself yet, but definitely will on my next trip. Nice mod @92LXAZ !

Seriously!? That's great info, thanks so much. Maybe I'll give that a try before we leave. No elevation changes but the heat here will surely test it.

 

[92LXAZ]

Looks great. Have you heard anything about them expanding comically when in the sun? That’s the primary thing keeping me away from them on the roof.

I've heard some expansion happens but not grossly. You are supposed to vent once a day when traveling especially with elevation changes. I'll test it here in the heat before we go.

 

[Tommy Dwyer]

Seriously!? That's great info, thanks so much. Maybe I'll give that a try before we leave. No elevation changes but the heat here will surely test it.

Just passing along what I read in another members post, as I said I’ve yet to try it. If you beat me to it will be looking forward to your findings.

 

[Sandroad]

Looks solid. Any extra wind noise on the highway?

 

[FrazzledHunter]

What would be the alternative to NOT drilling the crossbar?
I too want to put 2 rotopax 4 gal on my roof using the OEM crossbars but not drill them.
I'm thinking of going one of 2 ways:

1. Getting a universal BajaRack MegaMule rack mounted to the OEM crossbars and then mounting the rotopax plates to the MegaMule rack
2. Just getting the mounting brackets that are used to mount the MegaMule rack to the OEM crossbars and mounting the rotopax plates directly to them.
   1. I contacted bajarack and they sell the 4 crossbar mounting brackets used to mount their universal MegaMule roof rack, separately.
      1. $152.66; SKUBR-MULE-BKTS

REF:

The Megamule | BajaRack – Bajarack Adventure Equipment

This universal roof rack is built with US-made, cold-rolled steel tubing and best in class powder coating to ensure quality.

bajarack.com

 

[92LXAZ]

Looks solid. Any extra wind noise on the highway?

Ha unfortunately don't even know yet. Just got it completed. Looking to do some testing before we go with tank expansion and yes wind noise test. The Lexus cabin is pretty solid but I also have a Magnaflow muffler, so not too worried about it. I have traveled with a Thule box on top before and didn't hear a thing with that.

What would be the alternative to NOT drilling the crossbar?
I too want to put 2 rotopax 4 gal on my roof using the OEM crossbars but not drill them.
I'm thinking of going one of 2 ways:

1. Getting a universal BajaRack MegaMule rack mounted to the OEM crossbars and then mounting the rotopax plates to the MegaMule rack
2. Just getting the mounting brackets that are used to mount the MegaMule rack to the OEM crossbars and mounting the rotopax plates directly to them.
   1. I contacted bajarack and they sell the 4 crossbar mounting brackets used to mount their universal MegaMule roof rack, separately.
      1. $152.66; SKUBR-MULE-BKTS

REF:

The Megamule | BajaRack – Bajarack Adventure Equipment

This universal roof rack is built with US-made, cold-rolled steel tubing and best in class powder coating to ensure quality.

bajarack.com

Sounds awesome, if you have the funds go for it. I know it's almost an oxymoron saying we're strapped as we drive a 570, but still need to pick and choose our spending. I was in search of the cheapest, easiest, and best aesthetic way as possible. @TeCKis300 made a good one without drilling here.

 

[grinchy]

You want Yakima 23H @FrazzledHunter

 

[bloc]

You want Yakima 23H @FrazzledHunter

Just got a set of these for a couple things. Perfect fit.

 

[Markuson]

Looks great. Have you heard anything about them expanding comically when in the sun? That’s the primary thing keeping me away from them on the roof.

Mine expanded, but it was from high elevation gas expansion after filling at sea level. Never had any detrimental effects from it except they got a little pudgy. Most leak-prove “cans” ever. I still have three 4-gallons ones and they are still air-tight intact. Just don’t carry them most of the time due to aux tank.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

You want Yakima 23H @FrazzledHunter

Thanks much - I missed these despite a concerted search for options for mounting to OEM crossbars. These are not as costly as the Baja Rack mounts but are they better? Maybe I should just knuckle under and get a rooftop rack but I don't think I can get into my garage with one.

 

[grinchy]

Thanks much - I missed these despite a concerted search for options for mounting to OEM crossbars. These are not as costly as the Baja Rack mounts but are they better? Maybe I should just knuckle under and get a rooftop rack but I don't think I can get into my garage with one.

working fine for light duty stuff I have up there. Over time I've used them for shovel via quick fist, trax, and pax. Anything that I just need a quick solution for. I've never worried about strength. They come with a little metal shim that makes them quite rigid.

 

[bloc]

working fine for light duty stuff I have up there. Over time I've used them for shovel via quick fist, trax, and pax. Anything that I just need a quick solution for. I've never worried about strength. They come with a little metal shim that makes them quite rigid.

Yeah, I think the shim is technically to protect the cross bar from getting crushed by the bolt on that side but it also serves to add a lot of support. The only drawback is a feature of our bars.. they are asymmetrical so the clamps only go on one direction. The bars on my 80 were symmetrical so the clamps gave a bit more mounting options.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

working fine for light duty stuff I have up there. Over time I've used them for shovel via quick fist, trax, and pax. Anything that I just need a quick solution for. I've never worried about strength. They come with a little metal shim that makes them quite rigid.

Fair enough. My concern is a 4 gal rotopax somehow breaking free. I also tend to over build. That's why I love/bought a LC LOL!

 

[grinchy]

Fair enough. My concern is a 4 gal rotopax somehow breaking free. I also tend to over build. That's why I love/bought a LC LOL!

I don't think rotopax will generate more drag than a rooftop box or six sets of skis, which are other things this fitting would typically be used for. I'm haven't studied it all in a wind tunnel though.

 

[bloc]

Yakima mighty mount 23H

left is to the front of the truck. Comes with stainless and brass hardware.

 

[grinchy]

Trax pin

 

[TeCKis300]

Oooh, I need to build one of those trax pins to put my boards up top. Nice.