Solution for mounting RotoPax/Trax to OEM Rack? (1 Viewer)

[2014 LEX 570 GA]

I have been trying to find someone who can fab some small brackets to mount the Rotopax using Yakima mounts to the OEM roof rack and rails.

It seems it is unlikely I will be able to find someone locally to take on this job and/or it will just be too cost prohibitive.

Anyone have any different solutions for mounting the RotoPax to the OEM rack and rails? As you can see, I have the RotoTrax dialed in and am trying to use the same two rails with the universal mount for the RotoPax, but coming up short.

 

[TeCKis300]

I have been trying to find someone who can fab some small brackets to mount the Rotopax using Yakima mounts to the OEM roof rack and rails.

It seems it is unlikely I will be able to find someone locally to take on this job and/or it will just be too cost prohibitive.

Anyone have any different solutions for mounting the RotoPax to the OEM rack and rails? As you can see, I have the RotoTrax dialed in and am trying to use the same two rails with the universal mount for the RotoPax, but coming up short.

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You're almost there! I've done something similar. Two bars of aluminum stock found at any hardware store (maybe 1"x1/4"), to tie the rail mounts to the plate should do the trick. Aluminum is easy to work with any standard wood tools. Can use a hand hack saw to cut the bar and sand paper to smooth any edges.

Here's a couple threads for more ideas.

4 Gal Rotopax - stock 570 roof rack

Oooh, I need to build one of those trax pins to put my boards up top. Nice. Recipe is 1/2" copper tube, washers big and small, a nylock nut, a regular nut, and one fancy knob in the threading of your choice. I think it's about $5 per pin, but I bought a value pack of fancy knobs a while back...

forum.ih8mud.com

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

 

[Tex68w]

I believe someone here mounted the MaxTrax mounting pins to the OEM crossbars, I just can't remember who it was.

 

[grinchy]

You can get the larger rotopax plate and bridge the bars natively.

Rototrax I just ran the handle on a coupler nut (medium loctite to keep the coupler in place) and put a bolt up from the bottom of those Yakima mounts.

I’ll look for the thread and return to link
Post in thread 'Pictures of your Maxtrax mounting solution?'
Pictures of your Maxtrax mounting solution? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/pictures-of-your-maxtrax-mounting-solution.1240235/post-13627112

 

[grinchy]

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

The bigger plate.

You're better off shifting the mount to one bar, and buying 2 feet of 1" by 1/4" aluminum bar (approx $5), cutting that in half, and drilling two holes in each half at the correct distance for the pax mount.

 

[2014 LEX 570 GA]

You're almost there! I've done something similar. Two bars of aluminum stock found at any hardware store (maybe 1"x1/4"), to tie the rail mounts to the plate should do the trick. Aluminum is easy to work with any standard wood tools. Can use a hand hack saw to cut the bar and sand paper to smooth any edges.

Here's a couple threads for more ideas.

4 Gal Rotopax - stock 570 roof rack

Oooh, I need to build one of those trax pins to put my boards up top. Nice. Recipe is 1/2" copper tube, washers big and small, a nylock nut, a regular nut, and one fancy knob in the threading of your choice. I think it's about $5 per pin, but I bought a value pack of fancy knobs a while back...

forum.ih8mud.com

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 had been looking for aluminum stock, but was not able to find. Went to Lowe’s and they had some.

What is the consensus for bolting it together, in terms of safety? I won’t be able to use rivets, so thinking loctite should keep it from rattling off in long trips? It will only be mounted during excursions.

 

[kcjaz]

I made this for my MaxTrax

The rails are just 2x1 aluminum angle and just bolted to the Yakima mounts. You could build something similar for the Rotopax maybe with just a plate or something between the two aluminum rails

 

[kcjaz]

I believe someone here mounted the MaxTrax mounting pins to the OEM crossbars, I just can't remember who it was.

@mcgaskins did this:

Builds - mcgaskins' 2013 build thread - Palladium

@mcgaskins Very entertaining and informative thread at the same time :) Quick question. In this photograph does the vehicle have a lift or on stock suspension? If stock, any rubbing for daily usage?

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Tex68w]

@mcgaskins did this:

Builds - mcgaskins' 2013 build thread - Palladium

@mcgaskins Very entertaining and informative thread at the same time :) Quick question. In this photograph does the vehicle have a lift or on stock suspension? If stock, any rubbing for daily usage?

forum.ih8mud.com

That’s the one I was thinking of, thanks!

 

[grinchy]

I had been looking for aluminum stock, but was not able to find. Went to Lowe’s and they had some.

What is the consensus for bolting it together, in terms of safety? I won’t be able to use rivets, so thinking loctite should keep it from rattling off in long trips? It will only be mounted during excursions.

I’m getting on a first name basis with my local metal supply.
I know Atlanta is a giant metro area, there may be one near to you.

Steel & Metal Supplier in Atlanta (South) - Metal Supermarkets

Need metal in South Atlanta? We have over 8,000 metal types, no order minimums, and value-added services. Ask us about pickup or delivery.

www.metalsupermarkets.com

The local ‘true value’ hardware has a lot of variety. It’s expensive in volume, but for one piece wouldn’t be so bad.

 

[MCtree]

I used the larger plate that Grinchy has the link to above along with the Yakima mighty mounts.

You need to drill holes into that larger plate, but that’s simple. Overall, it worked like a charm.

Then you need to be ready to deal with people constantly trying the help by letting you know you have a gas can up there.

 

[2014 LEX 570 GA]

UPDATE: After prodding from @TeCKis300, I decided to take on the job I had been avoiding due to lack of skill and tools. Thought there was an easy, but expensive, way out by having someone fab a bracket. But I realized this was the only way it was going to get it done.

Using the small rotopax universal mount, aluminum stock, Yakima mounts, some hand tools, and a whole bunch of stainless bolts, washers, and nuts I was able to create this. Now letting the Loctite cure overnight. Only issue I had was accidentally over-torquing one bolt and sheering it off. I will get that replaced, but still seven other bolts holding it on.

I am surprised at how sturdy this thing feels, but worried what it will be like once fully loaded and over time. Between the ~30lbs filled rotopax and the rigors of on- and off-road driving, I will be sure to constantly check this thing for any loosened bolts.

I like this setup because it only requires two OEM crossbars. The mounts will remain up there except for when I was swap out cross bars for other roof mounting uses. I will not mount the trax or pax except for when I am on excursions, so my oVeRlAnDiNg street cred will definitely take a hit.

 

[2014 LEX 570 GA]

More photos:

 

[MCtree]

Wow. Nice work!

One suggestion: move it over to the edge as far as you can. I had mine more central like you do, but since you are supposed to vent those occasionally when filled with gas, I ended up taking it down to vent a lot and it was more of a pain when it was further from the edge.

 

[TeCKis300]

Looking good. Nice choice on using angle. Me thinks it won't be going anywhere.