Rotopax - 4 Gallon Tank Review

[pdxlc200]

I just purchased the 4 gallon Rotopax, with dual locks and mounting plate for my FrontRunner roof rack. The only challenge with the install was to bore out four existing holes to accept bolts that are compatible with the FrontRunner. Once that was done it was a very easy and clean install. Everything looks and feels top notch.

 

[gaijin]

Very nice! Thanks for posting

 

[r3run33]

hello any long term reporting on the tanks and mounts?

 

[soslo]

Looks good.

Going to slightly hi-jack here. @r3run33 Mine started leaking after a year. They probably had 3-4 months of time mounted on my roof rack. Lots of hot Texas days last year too. Ultimately I was tired of smelling gas as they seeped. It was a pita to get them sealed properly sometimes too. I'm looking at jerry cans in a bumper mounted carrier now.

 

[r3run33]

thanks for posting this is exactly what we need is good long term real world testing; now question for ya; do you think they would have performed better if they were upright? meaning vertical?? thanks so much for posting

 

[soslo]

@r3run33 I stored mine upright. 2 next to each other, in the same spot as the OP but with the valve sticking up and towards the back of the truck. I think they would do much better if I didn't leave them up on the roof, for weeks on end.

 

[BTUMAN]

Awesome. I just installed my front runner and I can tell you that I had mine horizontal and drove from Ouray, CO to Houston straight. They swelled up so much that they bent the mount threads and I could not get them off. However- they didn't leak. But I keep mine in the garage except for 4 times a year on off-road events.

 

[SmoothLC]

Just saw this thread and thought I would share my experience the last 2+ years.

The two Rotopax haven't leaked at any time on- or off-road. They do swell up in the heat and are stored and mounted on a wall in the garage.

I'm looking to get a third set (2 + 2 gallon ones) in which to store water and other emergency essentials.

 

[Giovani]

I just purchased the 4 gallon Rotopax, with dual locks and mounting plate for my FrontRunner roof rack. The only challenge with the install was to bore out four existing holes to accept bolts that are compatible with the FrontRunner. Once that was done it was a very easy and clean install. Everything looks and feels top notch.View attachment 891039View attachment 891040 View attachment 891041 View attachment 891042

What are the rubber strips you have in the channel of the FrontRunner rack? I have the same rack and those would be a nice touch instead of having the exposed channel.

 

[pdxlc200]

What are the rubber strips you have in the channel of the FrontRunner rack? I have the same rack and those would be a nice touch instead of having the exposed channel.

They are channel strips sold by Front Runner to isolate and remove noise made by metal on metal contact.

 

[jwestpro]

Looks good.

Going to slightly hi-jack here. @r3run33 Mine started leaking after a year. They probably had 3-4 months of time mounted on my roof rack. Lots of hot Texas days last year too. Ultimately I was tired of smelling gas as they seeped. It was a pita to get them sealed properly sometimes too. I'm looking at jerry cans in a bumper mounted carrier now.

This is why I only use these for fuel: http://www.expeditionexchange.com/wavian/

**Interesting note though about Rotopax sizes and carrying options: I have 2 white 2G for water - they happen to both fit, side by side, into my bumper mounted jerry can holder! Very convenient. The 4G fuel size is also the same width and depth such that you could fit 2 of those for 8gallons in a bumper mounted jerry can holder.
I don't use the jerry cans anymore on the LR3 though because it now has a 2nd fuel tank under the rear in factory spare tire location.

 

[implayaz9]

@SmoothLC what roof rack are you using on the 100? I am planning to get a new rack and some rotopax but not sure which rack can I install these pax's?

 

[Tex68w]

I run the same setup on the 4Runner and I hate how the locking pin when rotated to adjust for clamping down on the can itself will wear into the plastic. I wonder how thick the plastic is in that are and how long it can hold up to that kind of wear and abuse.

 

[Markuson]

Never even a hint of a leak with my 3 different 4-gallon Rotopax. In fact, they have expanded due to pressure changes...meaning even AIR cannot escape, much less liquid.

If it leaks? I would strongly suspect that the o-ring may have been improperly seated. That would do it. But short of that? Man, these things are the most leak-proof fuel cans I have ever used or seen. Even cap-down. 100% solid.

 

[Tex68w]

I am not worried about leaking, more like wearing the plastic down from the mount to the point that it wears a hole in it.

 

[Markuson]

I am not worried about leaking, more like wearing the plastic down from the mount to the point that it wears a hole in it.

Rotopax is constructed of VERY thick material.
I wouldn’t worry. We rattled through extremely gritty, blowing sand in Baja...with roads so corrugated that some trucks were rattling loose suspension bolts.

My Rotopax got plenty dirty with a constant beating, but there was/is no hint of losing plastic at all.

If you manage to wear through one, I will eat my hat (See below)...

 

[SmoothLC]

@SmoothLC what roof rack are you using on the 100? I am planning to get a new rack and some rotopax but not sure which rack can I install these pax's?

Mine is the first version of the Wind Cheetah Slimline roof rack, the shorter version that doesn't cover the sunroof since we use the sunroof all the time.

The horizontal slats on this version are welded into place.

My understanding is that on the newer version of the rack, the slats are adjustable so you should be able to move the slats to the exact size to fit the mounting place.

Here's a front view with the old setup before I purchased the Maxtrax. And those do get used, great in the snow and sand.

 

[SmoothLC]

And BTW - the Rotopax only stay on the vehicle when we're on a trip.

They get taken down and stored in the garage on a second set of mounts.

Like others have mentioned, they do increase in size in the hot weather so don't fill them all the way up. Especially if you plan to go to high elevation.

That said, I've never had a problem with them - just get to know their limitations.

 

[Tex68w]

I knew about the tendency of the Rotopax to swell, that's common on all gas cans, sometimes they might need to be vented. On our last trip we went up 3000ft in elevation and the temps rose to the high 80's, nothing crazy but it was a quite the swing from the temps at night around 48F. I purposely filled mine under by 1/4 gal or more to provide more room. I saw them swell but it wasn't all that much and seeing how the 4gal Rotopax are usually secured on the outer mounts it provides more room for the center to swell unlike the 2gal that only have the one center mount. I haven't had any leaking issues from the cap nor do I foresee any, my concern is the mounts notching the plastic in the provided cutouts when you tighten them down. I only have this issue with the locking mount as it is the only one with a square bottom hence the plastic becoming notched when tightened.

Like @SmoothLC I also take mine off and store them in the garage when not in use. I also tend to empty them as soon as there is room in the fuel tank so that they don't have to be stored/mounted full for long.

 

[80t0ylc]

Same experience as @Tex68w & @Markuson for reliability with my three 4 gallon Rotopax containers. They are stacked, but hanging under my rig in the OEM spare tire location, when used. 12 gallons gives me almost 1/2 tank extra fuel for my '94 Land Cruiser. They are out of the sun and out of the way until needed. They stay cooler and don't swell as much. I fabbed a heat shield for exhaust pipe. Only concern is exposure to puncture during extreme terrain travel, but they're well tucked and are not even visible without getting on your knees. Sure, they're not real convenient to access, but they're only used when needed and much more conveient then being stranded/out of fuel. I also store them in garage between overland trips.