Fuel Storage Options?

[adamb]

Hi all ,

I'm gearing up for a 2-3 month cross country trip with the family (will post more details soon in a separate post!), and one of things that I'm struggling to figure out, is where to store extra fuel and water. I have a Gobi stealth rack with the ladder, but we'll have a pretty large Yakima box on top with most of the kids clothes / gear. We debated on the Yakima vs carrying a few waterproof duffels or smaller crates / wolf packs but 1. we already had it, and 2. I like the idea of being able to keep extra gear locked up in it without having to worry so much about theft. Obviously a determined thief could still get in, but it feels slightly more secure than the other options when making quick pitstops.

At first I considered adding a rear bumper but I'll have a 2 bikes on a Kuat NV 2.0 rack, and it just doesn't seem like there would be room for any swing outs / jerry can storage. I also don't want to make any harder than it already will be to access the back.

I've seen mounts for adding rotopax to the ladder, but I did a quick experiment lashing an 8 lb dumbell to the ladder, and the struts on the hatch just can't carry the load. I could picture a lot of bonked heads if we go that route.

Only other thing I could think of is to somehow lash a couple of jerry cans in the ~10" of space on the rack next to the cargo box (see picture). I can't figure out what to attach the lashing straps too though. Maybe run a large eye bolt through the mesh floor of the rack? I'm curious if anyone has gone this route and if it seems safe / secure.

Would love to hear any other ideas or suggestions for what people have done though.

Thanks!

 

[Markuson]

Do you know how many gallons you hope to carry?

Beyond that basicquestion...

You might want to consider 4-gallon Rotopax units. I say that because of all the readily available cans, i have never found anything more leak-proof than a properly capped Rotopax.Even on their side...with massive pressure changes while climbing in altitude...no leaks ever. Also...there are many ways to mount them. Very low profile when flat on their side. Miight work next toyour box.

 

[grinchy]

are you going to be offroad? if not you could consider swapping your spare tire for the round tire fuel / water doughnuts storage tanks that are new to the market.

the next idea is a hitch mount tray.

 

[CharlieS]

I like rooftop boxes for family trips when we aren't hauling a camper. I think it'll work well for you. For fuel, Rotopax on the roof rack with their mounting system, or even better a Long Range America auxiliary tank. Obviously vastly different costs, but for easy and convenient use of fuel, the aux tank wins hands down. Filling and emptying cans gets old fast.

Mounting Kits | RotopaX

All the mounts and accessories to attach your RotopaX Container to your adventure vehicle.

rotopax.com

This page says they come with a free mount:

RotopaX Containers | RotopaX

The full line up of all RotopaX Containers

rotopax.com

 

[SF1911A1]

I agree with markuson. I did about 12k miles this year towing my camper and getting about 7mpg going to both coasts and was concerned about making it from one station to the next in BFE New Mexico. I keep two 4 gallon rotopax cans in the rooftop box and they didn’t leak at all in all those miles and elevation changes. I was very impressed with how well they held up. I placed them in the bottom and put other things on top of them, nothing very heavy but pop up awning, camp chairs, camp tables etc.

 

[sdnative]

I am in the same predicament. At least you have an aftermarket rack. I have some of the 4gal Rotopax that I can attach to the factory rails. I'll probably figure out a way to secure a couple Scepter / LCI water cans inside.

 

[RET2]

I am in the same predicament. At least you have an aftermarket rack. I have some of the 4gal Rotopax that I can attach to the factory rails. I'll probably figure out a way to secure a couple Scepter / LCI water cans inside.

I've seen the Wilco swingaway mounted in stock hitch receiver used for fuel instead of spare tire?

 

[Sandroad]

With a 2-3 month cross country family trip, have you considered a small trailer? That would free up the roof rack for Rotopax. It might also make a big difference in family harmony, having some extra room instead of living out of the LC.

 

[WCDAVE]

Budget is always a concern, but you are driving a late model, modified Land Cruiser and embarking on 2-3 month trips so maybe not a big concern..... You will use an LRA tank all of the time. So it’s not like you are weighing if the investment is worth it for a trip now and then, but actually getting daily extended range, fewer stops at the pump, taking advantage of cheap gas when available instead of wondering if the gas in the Jerrys is still good. Or worse - did I refill the Jerry cans?...... Jerry cans and rotopax are JIC add-ons and more of the “is it worth it for one or two outings” type of debates. In other words, you won’t fill and dispense your rotopax/jerry cans regularly. They do look cool though. The LRA becomes an integral part of your vehicle that you don’t have to think about. My opinion (if it wasn’t obvious), get an LRA and use the roof space for water.

 

[RET2]

One would think we could run out of cats beings as there are so many ways to skin them?

 

[Slow Paddler]

I've used 3.5 gallon WaterBricks on three cross-country road trips. I've kept mine on the backseat floorboards in the two vehicles prior to my new LC, without a single leak. They can be strapped anywhere, and easily stack. At about $18 each, they've come in handy.

WaterBrick.org

 

[adamb]

Thanks all! I'm really just looking for 2-4 gallons of extra in case of emergencies. I think it's sounding like a 2 gal gas rotopax and a 2 gal water rotopax with locking mounts on the side bar of the rack (so they hang outside the rack) may be the way to go. I had read a couple negative reviews that turned me off to the idea, but I definitely trust the opinion of you all that have actually used them more than some randos on review websites.

Definitely considering a trailer, and it may come to that, but I'd really to try and keep everything contained to just the vehicle (plus the hitch-mounted bike rack) if I can!

Long range tank would be amazing, but wouldn't I have to relocate the spare somewhere? I don't think I'd have room to put it anywhere with the box on top and bikes on the back.

I definitely do plan to do some offroading - but maybe in a slightly different way. Our group will include me, my wife, our 5 and 6 yo daughters and my elderly mom. So we won't be doing a ton of camping. Instead, we're planning to stay in rentals for a week at a time, working during the week and adventuring / driving on the weekends as we move our way from the west coast to the east coast. So for example, we'll spend a week in northern arizona, then zion area, then moab , then around Ouray (I'm so bummed that there's just no way for the timing to work out to coincide with LCDC). So before hitting the trails, I'll be able to unload the roof box and the bikes hitch / bikes and take them inside first.

One more quick question for everyone:

So far, the suspension is stock, and i'm perfectly happy with the performance on highway and at local trails. But with all the extra weight, (and I plan to add the locking ARB drawers in the back), I'm considering upgrading now. Primary concern is just passenger comfort vs ultimate off road performance. I think the most extreme trail that I plan to do is Imogene pass. Been looking at BP-51s for a while, but wondering if maybe they're overkill for what I need? And I don't want to negatively impact the ride quality for passengers.

Thanks again!

 

[CharlieS]

One data point: The 12.5 gallon LRA tank keeps the spare in the stock location.

That being said, if you are only interested in a small amount of fuel for "just in case", the auxiliary tank is likely way more than you need.

 

[RET2]

Thanks all! I'm really just looking for 2-4 gallons of extra in case of emergencies. I think it's sounding like a 2 gal gas rotopax and a 2 gal water rotopax with locking mounts on the side bar of the rack (so they hang outside the rack) may be the way to go. I had read a couple negative reviews that turned me off to the idea, but I definitely trust the opinion of you all that have actually used them more than some randos on review websites.

Definitely considering a trailer, and it may come to that, but I'd really to try and keep everything contained to just the vehicle (plus the hitch-mounted bike rack) if I can!

Long range tank would be amazing, but wouldn't I have to relocate the spare somewhere? I don't think I'd have room to put it anywhere with the box on top and bikes on the back.

I definitely do plan to do some offroading - but maybe in a slightly different way. Our group will include me, my wife, our 5 and 6 yo daughters and my elderly mom. So we won't be doing a ton of camping. Instead, we're planning to stay in rentals for a week at a time, working during the week and adventuring / driving on the weekends as we move our way from the west coast to the east coast. So for example, we'll spend a week in northern arizona, then zion area, then moab , then around Ouray (I'm so bummed that there's just no way for the timing to work out to coincide with LCDC). So before hitting the trails, I'll be able to unload the roof box and the bikes hitch / bikes and take them inside first.

One more quick question for everyone:

So far, the suspension is stock, and i'm perfectly happy with the performance on highway and at local trails. But with all the extra weight, (and I plan to add the locking ARB drawers in the back), I'm considering upgrading now. Primary concern is just passenger comfort vs ultimate off road performance. I think the most extreme trail that I plan to do is Imogene pass. Been looking at BP-51s for a while, but wondering if maybe they're overkill for what I need? And I don't want to negatively impact the ride quality for passengers.

Thanks again!

There are 10 liter real Scepters out there and I wouldn't hesitate to put one inside if properly closed.

 

[linuxgod]

I keep a 4.5 gallon rotopax on my roof for long trips. When towing I get about 7 mpg so there are stretches in UT, NM, TX, etc where you can go 100-150 miles between stations. You can mount the rotopax flat on the roof and it won't leak, which is great. Initially I just used a few kayak lashing straps to secure it to the (aftermarket) rack I have. Eventually I fabbed up a mount for it as you do need to take them down when you're in hot areas or high elevations to vent them occasionally, and removing and then reinstalling 3 or 4 straps was a tedious process for me.

Depending on you bike carrier you might be able to strap an RP to the back side of your bike rack (between the vertical bar and the trunk). Otherwise maybe slide the cargo box forward or backward a bit if you can and then you can put the RP flat.

 

[adamb]

I keep a 4.5 gallon rotopax on my roof for long trips. When towing I get about 7 mpg so there are stretches in UT, NM, TX, etc where you can go 100-150 miles between stations. You can mount the rotopax flat on the roof and it won't leak, which is great. Initially I just used a few kayak lashing straps to secure it to the (aftermarket) rack I have. Eventually I fabbed up a mount for it as you do need to take them down when you're in hot areas or high elevations to vent them occasionally, and removing and then reinstalling 3 or 4 straps was a tedious process for me.

Depending on you bike carrier you might be able to strap an RP to the back side of your bike rack (between the vertical bar and the trunk). Otherwise maybe slide the cargo box forward or backward a bit if you can and then you can put the RP flat.

That is a great idea about the bike rack. It's a Kuat NV 2.0 and rated to carry 120lbs of bikes so plenty of headroom there. I'm going to look into trying to rig something up. Only issue would be, that I'll most likely be leaving the back rack where we stay before heading out wheeling. You mentioned using lashing straps on your rack prior to fabbing up the mount - I wonder if it would be secure enough to just lash it to the bike rack with cam straps when we're on long stretches of driving and then transfer and lash to the roof rack when we're out wheeling. I like the idea of having versatility there. I just want to make sure it would be secure enough without a hard mount.

 

[linuxgod]

That is a great idea about the bike rack. It's a Kuat NV 2.0 and rated to carry 120lbs of bikes so plenty of headroom there. I'm going to look into trying to rig something up. Only issue would be, that I'll most likely be leaving the back rack where we stay before heading out wheeling. You mentioned using lashing straps on your rack prior to fabbing up the mount - I wonder if it would be secure enough to just lash it to the bike rack with cam straps when we're on long stretches of driving and then transfer and lash to the roof rack when we're out wheeling. I like the idea of having versatility there. I just want to make sure it would be secure enough without a hard mount.

If I was mounting it vertically I'd probably opt for ratchet straps or something which has a bit more "positive" locking than the lashing straps. I don't see a reason why this wouldn't work (I actually considered doing something similar to mount it to the front of my trailer), but you certainly need to make sure it can't shift weight and slip off.

 

[grinchy]

Rotopax makes a large mounting plate meant to secure the 4 gal or 2, 2 gal.

Of course by the time you're in two handles and the mounting plate it's more than $100. I would think a ratchet strap would be a fine alternative.

Universal Mounting Plate | RotopaX

Holds 2 gallon combos or 4 gallon packs. (Use Single Mounting Plate for 1, 1.75, 3, and 2 gallon single packs.)

rotopax.com

 

[linuxgod]

Rotopax makes a large mounting plate meant to secure the 4 gal or 2, 2 gal.

Of course by the time you're in two handles and the mounting plate it's more than $100. I would think a ratchet strap would be a fine alternative.

Universal Mounting Plate | RotopaX

Holds 2 gallon combos or 4 gallon packs. (Use Single Mounting Plate for 1, 1.75, 3, and 2 gallon single packs.)

rotopax.com

Yeah, they are pricey

My homebrew version was <$40 IIRC.

Homebrew Rotopax rack mount

I couldn't bring myself to spend $150+ for the rotopax roof mount plate ($60) and a pair of handles ($45 each), not to mention the extra HW required to actually mount the whole thing to my roof. So I bought a 2" wide, 1/8" thick aluminum bar stock from Home Despot for $10 (in hindsight I'd go...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[mep1811]

Look into an aux fuel tank. A two gallon tank =just over 20miles. Better than nothing but not very much. Are you camping? Water is available just about anywhere. Just you can just carry a couple jugs of water from the store.

Long Range Fuel Tanks from Long Range Automotive - Buy in America

As the only dealer of Long Range Automotive fuel tanks in America, our tanks, made in Australia, provide safe, secure storage of vehicle fuel.

longrangeamerica.com