JerryCan Frustration-GRRRR!

[Markuson]

Maybe I'm missing something but I don't see the appeal of Rotopax. Over $100 to hold 4 gallons and take up a large amount of space on the bumper.

I think a lot of Rotopax appeal comes from the zillion ways to mount them, and that they can be very tight to the vehicle. It's single (or double) central locking mount is unique, and allows mounting to difficult spots, like on the back of quads, dune buggies and other small vehicles. Also low profile if you need to roof mount it without being higher than your rack...or even under other gear.

TacoCruiser has a cool project idea where they'd be an unusual, but perfect solution.

Other than that, I kinda agree... Undersized and pricey.

 

[allenb]

[QUOTE="Taco2Cruiser, post: 10868317, member: 118335"

Rotopax are much better, and buy a rotopax water spout to not have to deal with the "anti-spill" spout that makes you spill all over the place.
[/QUOTE]

I'm interested to see how people are mounting these to the FJ80.I have the stock roof rack, but wonder if there are after market racks that would allow for throwing these cans up on the roof. I'm open to mounting things on the back, but it wouldn't be my preference.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Keep in mind Scepter has their military grade MFC and MWC cans and their consumer grade. Apples and oranges. The consumer cans are much thinner material, etc.

Using Scepter MWC's for fuel had been discussed quite in depth on the ExPo forum and others. They lack an o-ring or gasket sealed surface (they seal plastic to plastic on the cap) and dont had the internal vent tube that makes Scepter MFC's drain so fast. A "gluggy" can would suck imo but use it with a super siphon and it could work.

I've been using MFC's for a decade or so quite regularly, far better than Rotopax imo (own both).

Doh! Didn't see how old this thread was

 

[Markuson]

Keep in mind Scepter has their military grade MFC and MWC cans and their consumer grade. Apples and oranges. The consumer cans are much thinner material, etc.

Using Scepter MWC's for fuel had been discussed quite in depth on the ExPo forum and others. They lack an o-ring or gasket sealed surface (they seal plastic to plastic on the cap) and dont had the internal vent tube that makes Scepter MFC's drain so fast. A "gluggy" can would suck imo but use it with a super siphon and it could work.

I've been using MFC's for a decade or so quite regularly, far better than Rotopax imo (own both).

Doh! Didn't see how old this thread was

I agree, Kurt... Nothing worse than “gluggy” fueling. Honestly, one of the greatest joys of the LRA sub-tank...is no longer muttering annoyance at the awful spouts available in CA.

The only jerry cans I regularly use now are for water.

 

[RET2]

Another shining example of the many ways to resolve a need in the off road world based on ones resources.

 

[RET2]

Another shining example of the many ways to resolve a need in the off road world based on ones resources.

Unfortunately most of us for whatever never pick the right one for us and end up with multiple solutions. This in itself isn't a bad thing as no one solution works best over the life of the issue and it's variations.

 

[Chocolate]

I have the 4 gallon Rotopax, it's pricey but it is lightweight (10 pounds) and compact enough to ride in the cargo area when not in use. Certainly much more substantial than the cheapo plastic fuel cans, and lighter when loaded with fuel than steel cans. The shape makes it more compact than both.

They are not meant to hold fuel long term. For that, the steel cans are better. A lot of the people complaining about leaks are using it like a second gas tank. Gasoline is corrosive.

The mounting options are versatile, it can be strapped to a stock roof rack or you can use one of their mounts.

 

[linuxgod]

I bought a rotopax a couple years ago. I fill it before a cross-country road trip and strap it flat to the roof with multiple lashing straps/buckles. Putting any other can in a horizontal position is just asking for leaks.

Not my favorite design but the sceptre water spout works much better than the stupid carb compliant one included. I empty it into my gas tank after my trip so it’s normally empty.

They’re expensive but cheaper than calling a tow truck when you’re in one of those 120-150 mile stretches of highway in Texas or Utah where there’s no services available. I’d use regular Jerry cans if I had a steel rear bumper with carriers, but I’m not there yet

with the rotopax it’s not self venting so you need to manually vent every day. I’ve found putting 93 octane in it significantly reduces the bulging and need to vent.

 

[RET2]

I bought a rotopax a couple years ago. I fill it before a cross-country road trip and strap it flat to the roof with multiple lashing straps/buckles. Putting any other can in a horizontal position is just asking for leaks.

Not my favorite design but the sceptre water spout works much better than the stupid carb compliant one included. I empty it into my gas tank after my trip so it’s normally empty.

They’re expensive but cheaper than calling a tow truck when you’re in one of those 120-150 mile stretches of highway in Texas or Utah where there’s no services available. I’d use regular Jerry cans if I had a steel rear bumper with carriers, but I’m not there yet

with the rotopax it’s not self venting so you need to manually vent every day. I’ve found putting 93 octane in it significantly reduces the bulging and need to vent.

Interesting about the 93 octane.

 

[Markuson]

I bought a rotopax a couple years ago. I fill it before a cross-country road trip and strap it flat to the roof with multiple lashing straps/buckles. Putting any other can in a horizontal position is just asking for leaks.

Not my favorite design but the sceptre water spout works much better than the stupid carb compliant one included. I empty it into my gas tank after my trip so it’s normally empty.

They’re expensive but cheaper than calling a tow truck when you’re in one of those 120-150 mile stretches of highway in Texas or Utah where there’s no services available. I’d use regular Jerry cans if I had a steel rear bumper with carriers, but I’m not there yet

with the rotopax it’s not self venting so you need to manually vent every day. I’ve found putting 93 octane in it significantly reduces the bulging and need to vent.

This is an old thread...but here’s more info on what solutions I’ve usedsince. The best solution short of an LRA is for sale...

I used three 4-gallon Rotopax and was happy with them until I got my LRA. Rotopax has the best seals of any can I’ve used. Still a drag to empty, although I did discover I could empty them in a position that let me rest it against my tire swingout and not have to stand there holding it forever.

I actually have Slee’s excellent twin Rotopax swingout attachment FOR SALE...(because I installed an LRA) including locks, keys, various required Rotopax attachments, and three 4-gallon units.

This is the Slee unit, custom built for their ladder that comes with their bumper if anyone is interested. What’s cool about it is...it’s lockable, and also allows full use of the ladder since you can swing the packs independent of the ladder and main swingout.

So with this attachment, and the built-in spot for another one behind the wheel swingout, you can easily & securely carry three.

These (you can see the corner of the third pack behind the tire in top photo...

 

[mep1811]

These are cheap im

4pc 5 Gallon Jerry Can Gas Fuel Steel Green Military NATO Style 20L Storage Tank | eBay

This is seems like California vendor and will ship within Cali.

These are cheap imitation NATO cans. NATO cans have the seam down the side that is inverted.

 

[mep1811]

Just so happens, I have two real NATO cans and two NEW Scepter MFCs F/S. I'll post them up in the expo equipment classified section tomorrow.

 

[Chocolate]

I’ve found putting 93 octane in it significantly reduces the bulging and need to vent.

Great to know.

 

[mep1811]

I only refuel from cans in the cool morning . Less chance of gas squirting out. If I have room for 10 gallons ,I'll throw that in in the morning topping off rather than filling when I need it.
I also only fill each can with 4 1/4 gallons . My cans were on the roof on their back with the spout up so gas would not spill out when I opened them up.

 

[TeCKis300]

I'm interested to see how people are mounting these to the FJ80.I have the stock roof rack, but wonder if there are after market racks that would allow for throwing these cans up on the roof. I'm open to mounting things on the back, but it wouldn't be my preference.

There's many options to mount the rotopax cans to just about anything as others have pointed out. I have a rotopax (fuelpax) mounted to my stock cross bars. It's not an ideal orientation in regards to spillage but it closes very tight and I've never had an issue. Definitely more aerodynamic and stable this way so that's the trade. Here's how I've mounted mine

RotopaX Rooftop Fuel Carrier on Stock Crossbars

Sneak peak at a little project I did today. RotopaX storage on OE crossbars. Will write up more about it later.

forum.ih8mud.com

I now have an LRA aux tank so it removes most of my need for a portable can. I largely carry it now to support my Honda eu2200i generator with my travel trailer. Still great to have as reserves for my car and potentially to help others on the trail.

 

[1world1love]

Yeah, I have a 4g rotopax as well and for a long time I mounted mine on my FR RR with their rotopax mount attachment. It was great in that it was barely higher than the rack and was very secure:

I have never had any leak issues, but the problem with this setup is that I found that the times when I needed the gas (ie, when I found somebody stranded), it was awkward/difficult and inconvenient to climb up on the rack to get to the can. Also, it got insanely dirty and I end up covered in tree sap and other muck.

Now that I have a swing out bumper, I have it m mounted there and this is a much better solution:

Soon I will also go with the LRA though, although there still may be times when I will want to carry a can, so I will keep the rotopax for those scenarios.

Honestly though, I have never had a jerry can that would not eventually leak.

 

[mep1811]

I believe if you are going to carry gas then use a real Jerry can or a Sceptor can. The cost is less than a Rotopax and you can carry 5 gallons of gas.

I had my gas cas on the roof and could refuel, in the cool morning, without removing the cans by using a Super Syphon with an extension.
I could fuel up in no time without a mess .

 

[Markuson]

Yeah, I have a 4g rotopax as well and for a long time I mounted mine on my FR RR with their rotopax mount attachment. It was great in that it was barely higher than the rack and was very secure:

View attachment 2114544

I have never had any leak issues, but the problem with this setup is that I found that the times when I needed the gas (ie, when I found somebody stranded), it was awkward/difficult and inconvenient to climb up on the rack to get to the can. Also, it got insanely dirty and I end up covered in tree sap and other muck.

Now that I have a swing out bumper, I have it m mounted there and this is a much better solution:

View attachment 2114545

Soon I will also go with the LRA though, although there still may be times when I will want to carry a can, so I will keep the rotopax for those scenarios.

Honestly though, I have never had a jerry can that would not eventually leak.

Rotopax is the only fuel can I would trust to be leak-free even on its side. The bloat that happens with altitude is evidence of absolutely zero leaks... not even air.

 

[linuxgod]

Rotopax is the only fuel can I would trust to be leak-free even on its side. The bloat that happens with altitude is evidence of absolutely zero leaks... not even air.

Next time you're going into the desert or up in altitude with a rotopax, fill it with premium (93 octane) first.

 

[Markuson]

Next time you're going into the desert or up in altitude with a rotopax, fill it with premium (93 octane) first.

I’ve heard that. I rarely take them now with my LRA, but if heading into Baja again, or in a group they’ll come along and I’ll try it.

What I’m curious about is...
—I would have assumed the biggest contributor to expansion would be large air pockets at the top allowed at cool temps and at sea level...since air expands & compresses where liquid is so much less prone... So that’s odd to my little pea-brain.